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The 7 Best Free Invoicing Software

These free invoicing apps allow your business to invoice customers quickly, accept different types of payment, and ultimately get paid on time.

    Erica Seppala
  • UPDATED

Advertiser Disclosure: Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity.

Years ago, invoicing was a complete pain in the you-know-what. The invoice was manually created, printed, and mailed to the client. Then, the invoice was confirmed, a check was printed out, and it was mailed back to the original sender. The result? Businesses waited weeks to get compensated for their products or services.

Fortunately, you no longer have to go through this lengthy process just to get paid. Invoicing software makes it quick and easy to customize, create, and send invoices. Your clients can even pay you without printing a check, paying for postage, or even leaving their office.

If you’re not already using invoicing software, what’s holding you back? For many business owners, a monthly software subscription might not be in the budget. But here’s the great news: there are lots of free invoicing software options on the market. Yes, that means you can simplify your invoicing process and get paid faster without breaking the bank.

In fact, you don’t even have to wade through the duds to find the right app for your business. Keep reading to see our recommendations for the best free invoicing software for businesses on a budget.

Learn More About Our Top Picks

CompanyBest ForNext StepsBest For
Invoice Ninja

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Best free locally-installed invoicing software.
Best free locally-installed invoicing software.

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Zoho Invoice

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Best free software for mobile invoicing.
Best free software for mobile invoicing.

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Hiveage

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Best free invoice software for new entrepreneurs.
Best free invoice software for new entrepreneurs.

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Invoicely

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Best free invoice software for freelancers.
Best free invoice software for freelancers.

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Harvest

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Best free invoice software for service-based businesses.
Best free invoice software for service-based businesses.

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Square Invoices

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Best free invoice software with payment processing.
Best free invoice software with payment processing.

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PayPal

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Best free easy-to-use invoicing software.
Best free easy-to-use invoicing software.

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Read more below to learn why we chose these options.

The Best Invoicing Software For Small Businesses

Start your search for the best free invoicing software right here. From locally-installed solutions to cloud-based invoicing, these free invoicing solutions save you (and your clients!) time over manual invoicing. Online invoicing also helps you get paid faster than ever, so check out these options to find the best fit for your business.

1. Invoice Ninja: Best Free Locally-Installed Invoicing Software

Invoice Ninja


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Best for businesses that prefer locally-installed software.

Pros

  • Cloud-based & locally-installed options
  • Easy to use
  • 40+ payment gateways
  • Good customer support

Cons

  • Limited reporting
  • No inventory

Invoice Ninja stands out because it offers open-source locally-installed software. If self-hosting isn’t for you, you can opt to use its cloud-based software. Both options are completely free.

With Invoice Ninja’s Forever Free plan, you’ll have access to features normally reserved for paid software, including unlimited invoices and estimates for up to 50 clients, proposals, and four invoice and quote templates. Your free software also includes time-saving automations like auto-billing and recurring invoices. And although Invoice Ninja isn’t loaded with integrations, it does support over 40 payment gateways, making it easy for you to get paid.

invoice ninja free invoicing software

Though the UI is a bit outdated, Invoice Ninja is easy to learn and navigate. Throw in good customer support, strong mobile apps, and numerous positive customer reviews, and it’s easy to see why many small business owners choose Invoice Ninja as their invoicing solution.

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2. Zoho Invoice: Best Free Software For Mobile Invoicing

Zoho Invoice


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Best for businesses that need an easy way to invoice while on the go. 

Pros

  • Strong mobile apps
  • Easy to use
  • International invoicing
  • Excellent customer service

Cons

  • Limited inventory
  • Limited integrations

Looking for a mobile solution? Zoho Invoice allows you to not only send invoices from your computer but also via apps for iPhone, Android, and Windows. You can even access your account through Kindle and smartwatch apps. And best of all, whether you use it on your laptop or your mobile device, Zoho Invoice is free, allowing you to send up to 1,000 invoices per year at no cost.

Standout features include 16 invoice templates, 15 estimate templates, a well-designed client portal, and automations such as autoscheduling and recurring invoices. Additionally, Zoho Invoice supports 170+ currencies and 14 languages.

free invoice software zoho invoice

If you’re still not sold on Zoho Invoice, the software also has other features to help keep your business running smoothly, such as time tracking, expense tracking, and 30 reports. Excellent customer support, solid security features, and an easy-to-use interface are just the cherry on top.

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3. Hiveage: Best Free Invoice Software For New Entrepreneurs

Hiveage


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Best for self-employed entrepreneurs with 5 or fewer clients. 

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Unlimited invoices
  • Excellent customer support

Cons

  • Free plan limited to five clients
  • Some features only available on paid plans

Hiveage is cloud-based invoicing software that makes it quick and easy for you to get paid. Hiveage offers more than just invoices, too. You can also have access to great features such as estimates, recurring billing, time-tracking, and expense tracking. With the free plan, you can send unlimited invoices to five clients, making this an invoicing solution best suited for self-employed entrepreneurs that are just starting out.

An easy-to-use UI, unlimited support, mobile apps, and a 99.9% uptime combine to form Hiveage’s user-friendly, secure cloud-based software. You can offer multiple payment options, so your clients can pay you right from their invoices. You can also accept partial payments and offline payments.

free invoice software hiveage

Hiveage has an excellent public reputation, earning multiple 5-star reviews from its users. Users praise the simplicity of setup and use, the ease of creating professional invoices, and excellent customer support.

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4. Invoicely: Best Free Invoice Software For Freelancers

Invoicely


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Best for freelancers & independent contractors. 

Pros

  • Multicurrency support
  • Easy to use
  • Integrates with PayPal

Cons

  • Limited features
  • Poor customer support

If you’re a freelancer or independent contractor looking for a simple way to send out a few invoices each month, Invoicely may be the solution. With Invoicely’s free plan, you can send up to five invoices per month and add up to three saved clients for no monthly subscription fee.

Invoicely is best for businesses that want basic invoicing. If you’re looking for extensive customization or advanced features, consider looking elsewhere. Features like estimates and recurring invoices aren’t on the free plan but can be found in Invoicely’s paid subscriptions.

free invoice software invoicely

Invoicely is fairly easy to use, although it may take some time to set up and get used to the software. This software is best for businesses that use PayPal (additional payment gateways are available only with paid subscriptions) and product-based businesses.

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5. Harvest: Best Free Invoice Software For Service-Based Businesses

Harvest


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Best for service-based businesses that want a simple invoicing solution. 

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Unlimited invoices & clients
  • Good customer support
  • Mobile apps & integrations

Cons

  • Limited invoicing features & automations
  • Unsuitable for product-based businesses

Most invoicing software is designed with product-based businesses in mind, but Harvest offers several business tools that make it a great solution for service-based businesses. Unlike some free invoicing software, Harvest doesn’t limit the number of invoices or estimates sent using its free plan, and you can also add unlimited clients.

Additionally, the software offers basic expense tracking, time tracking, and project management, although the free plan limits your number of projects to just two. Harvest also supports recurring invoices, multicurrency support, reports, mobile apps, and 60+ integrations.

free invoice software harvest

Harvest has a well-designed UI that’s easy to use. And if you get stuck, there are a number of solid support resources to help you navigate the software. Strong security and excellent customer reviews further add to the benefits of choosing Harvest as your invoicing solution.

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6. Square Invoices: Best Free Invoice Software With Payment Processing

Square Invoices


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Best for businesses looking for an all-in-one invoicing and payment processing solution. 

Pros

  • Good mobile apps
  • Good customer support
  • Easy to use
  • Built-in payment processing

Cons

  • Limited invoicing automations
  • Not suitable for service-based businesses or high-risk industries

Square is primarily known for its payment processing, but it also offers a variety of tools to simplify business tasks, including invoices. With Square Invoices, you can easily create and send professional invoices without paying a monthly subscription fee.

Square Invoices is best suited for product-based businesses. Though it doesn’t boast some of the advanced features you might find with other invoicing software, Square Invoices does provide unlimited invoices, estimates, basic employee management, contact management, and recurring invoices. By signing up with

free invoice software square invoices Square, you can also access other free and paid business apps and tools, such as Square’s point-of-sale app, payroll, marketing, and more.

Square Invoices has mobile apps for Android and iOS devices. You can also accept invoice payments, although you will have to pay Square’s payment processing fees. Square Invoices is easy to use and has good customer support to help you get the most out of the software.

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7. PayPal Invoices: Best Free Easy-To-Use Invoicing Software

PayPal


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Best for businesses that want easy-to-use, no-frills invoicing software. 

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Unlimited invoices
  • Included with your PayPal Business account

Cons

  • Limited automations
  • Limited customization options

If you want invoicing software without all of the bells and whistles, PayPal may have a solution with PayPal Invoices. And if you’re already a PayPal Business customer, you’re already signed up. (And if not, signing up is quick, easy, and free.)

PayPal Invoices isn’t loaded with advanced invoicing features and automations, but what it does offer is a user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of creating professional invoices. It also has basic customization options (such as adding a logo), and recurring invoices.

free invoice software paypal invoices

There are also no limitations on the number of invoices you send or how many customers you send to. Creating and sending invoices is completely free, although you will have to pay a processing fee if your clients pay online.

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Looking For One Of These Free Invoicing Software Options?

Have you come across software during your search that doesn’t appear on this list? There are a few other options for free invoicing that just didn’t make our cut. Read on to find out why.

Wave: Free Small Business Accounting Software

Wave is accounting software that has made a splash in the small business world. Wave is truly free accounting software that doesn’t impose limitations like many of its competitors. So, why isn’t Wave on our list? Technically, Wave is accounting software, although one of its features is invoicing. While it is a great choice for businesses that want accounting software without spending a fortune, businesses that are looking for invoicing software may find Wave to be overkill.

Due: No Longer Offers Invoicing

Due once offered simple online invoicing software. The company did offer a free plan, but it was extremely limited in terms of features. However, it now appears that Due is focusing its sights on retirement plans and life insurance and no longer offers invoicing software.

BrightBook: Accounting System That Lacks Invoicing Features

BrightBook is an accounting system that’s more like invoicing software. While it does have its strengths (such as multi-currency support and unlimited free invoicing), there are a few features it lacks that you’ll find with other software. Most notably, there is no mobile app, no third-party integrations, and very few reports.

CloudBooks: Limited Free Plan

CloudBooks has received high user ratings and is the invoicing solution for 10,000+ businesses. CloudBooks does offer a free invoicing plan. However, this plan is extremely limited, allowing you to bill just a single client. Under the free plan, you can only send five invoices. There is also no live chat or phone support, and you are unable to accept payments through PayPal or 2CO. You can upgrade to a plan starting at $10/month to receive these features. However, if you’re looking for free software with few limitations, there are other programs better suited for your needs.

Other Ways To Send An Invoice For Free: The Best Free Invoice Generators & Templates

As you search for an invoicing solution, you’ll likely encounter invoice templates and generators. These are a little bit different than invoicing apps. With most templates and generators, you won’t have to download software to your computer or sign up for an account. In minutes, you can create an invoice for your client, then print or email it.

If you rarely send invoices, an invoice template or generator may be the simple, hassle-free solution you’re looking for. You won’t waste time downloading software or signing up for accounts, and you won’t have to spend time learning how to navigate and use complex programs.

However, if you have more extensive invoicing needs, invoicing software is almost always the better choice. With templates and generators, you won’t be able to track your invoices to see when it was viewed or if payment has been sent. You also won’t have payment gateways that make it easier to get paid, the ability to track time or expenses, visibility into what invoices have been paid and which are outstanding, or customizations and automations such as recurring invoices and autoscheduling.

If a template or generator seems like a better fit for your business, give one of these options a try.

Zoho Free Invoice Generator

If you don’t want to sign up for Zoho Invoice, you can use the Zoho Free Invoice Generator. No signups are required, and you can create a basic invoice in just minutes. Created invoices can be sent through email, saved as a PDF, or printed and mailed.

Invoice Simple

Invoice Simple’s invoice generator allows you to add your company logo, change colors, and edit fields on invoices that can be printed, emailed, or saved.

Wave Invoicing Invoice Generator

You can create a professional invoice in just three easy steps using Wave’s invoice generator — no Wave account required. Just enter your company information, enter your customer’s information, and then fill in the invoice details. Once you’ve completed these steps, you can download your invoice as a PDF.

Shopify Free Invoice Generator

Just fill out a few fields, and Shopify’s free invoice generator will create a professional invoice to save, print, or email.

Choosing The Right Free Invoicing Software For Your Business

What works for one business may not be the right solution for yours, so it’s important to do your research before picking a free invoicing solution. Don’t be afraid to test several different options to find the best product. It’s also important to not use price as your determining factor. Choosing software simply because it’s free may not be the best option for your business. Instead, evaluate the needs of your business to determine if free invoicing software truly is the right solution, or if a paid subscription or accounting software is better suited for you. Once you’ve find the right solution, get the most out of your software with our tips for getting your invoices paid faster. Good luck!

Free Invoicing Software FAQs

What is the best free invoicing software for small businesses?

The best free invoicing software depends on the needs of your business. If you’re looking for a mobile invoicing solution, Zoho Invoice is a great choice. If you prefer locally-installed software, consider Invoice Ninja. If you already use PayPal or Square, PayPal Invoices and Square Invoices are convenient, easy-to-use options that are free.

How do you create and send an invoice for free?

To create and send an invoice for free, you will need to create an account or download software that doesn’t have a monthly fee. From there, you can add information about your company, your customer, and payment details before saving, printing, or sending your invoice to your customers.

Are free invoicing software apps actually free?

The free invoicing software apps on this list are really free, and there may be others on the market that you’re considering. Be aware that many free plans have limits on the number of features, clients, or invoices sent per month so make sure you fully understand what’s included in your free plan. There may be other expenses to keep in mind as well, such as processing fees for accepting online payments.

What's the difference between invoice software and invoice generators?

Invoice software generally has more features, customizations, and automations than invoice generators. Invoice software requires you to create an account or download the program to your computer. An invoice generator doesn’t require any downloads or signups, and it’s easy to use. However, these generators only create very basic invoices and lack essential features such as invoice tracking or the ability to set up recurring invoices.

Is it better to use free invoicing software or free accounting software?

If your business only needs to send invoices to customers, invoicing software is a good solution. However, if you want to track your finances and use more advanced features like project management, employee management, and inventory tracking, accounting software is the better option. Most accounting software also features invoicing. However, accounting software can be more difficult to use, so if you don’t plan on using other features, it’s best to stick with a simple invoice solution.

In Summary: The Best Invoicing Software For Small Businesses

  1. Invoice Ninja: Best free locally-installed invoicing software.
  2. Zoho Invoice: Best free software for mobile invoicing.
  3. Hiveage: Best free invoice software for new entrepreneurs.
  4. Invoicely: Best free invoice software for freelancers.
  5. Harvest: Best free invoice software for service-based businesses.
  6. Square Invoices: Best free invoice software with payment processing.
  7. PayPal: Best free easy-to-use invoicing software.
Erica Seppala

Erica Seppala

Expert Analyst & Reviewer at Merchant Maverick
An expert in accounting, finance, and point of sale, Erica has been researching and writing about all things small-business since 2018. Erica's insights into personal and business finance have been cited in numerous publications, including MSN, Real Simple, and Reader's Digest. She is a graduate of Limestone College.
Erica Seppala
View Erica Seppala's professional experience on LinkedIn.

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Merchant Maverick’s ratings are editorial in nature, and are not aggregated from user reviews. Each staff reviewer at Merchant Maverick is a subject matter expert with experience researching, testing, and evaluating small business software and services. The rating of this company or service is based on the author’s expert opinion and analysis of the product, and assessed and seconded by another subject matter expert on staff before publication. Merchant Maverick’s ratings are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.

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