The Best Invoicing Software For Small Businesses

Get Started With Square Invoices

Square Invoices: Best Invoicing Software & Payment Processing Combo

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Invoice Limit

Unlimited

Pricing

$0-$20/month

Business size

Small to mid-sized businesses

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Pros

Unlimited free invoices and estimates
Easy to integrate payments
Mobiel invoicing

Cons

No multi-currency support
Not suited for high-risk industries

Why We Chose Square Invoices As The Best Invoicing Software & Payment Processing Combo

When you sign up for a Square account, you automatically have access to Square Invoices as well as other tools for your small business. One of the best things about Square Invoices is that it's completely free to send invoices for your business to your customers. Square's interface is extremely simple, making it easy (and affordable) to take invoice payments with Square.

Square Invoices Features & Benefits

Square Invoices is very easy to use and has a well-organized interface. There is just one template for invoices, but you can customize it by changing the colors and adding your logo. Square Invoices makes it easy to send invoices right from your smartphone or another connected device.

In addition to mobile invoicing, Square Invoices has other tools to help you operate and grow your business, such:

Estimates
Contact management
Employee management
Advanced inventory features
Sales tracking
Invoice contracts
Recurring invoices
Automatic payment reminders
Instant payments via SMS, email, or links
Estimates
Deposits

Square Invoices Pricing

To use Square Invoices, you must sign up for a free Square account. Sending invoices to your customers is also free. However, if you want to take advantage of some of Square’s other features — such as payment processing, payroll, or advanced employee management — there are additional fees.

Square charges a transaction fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per invoice (or 3.5% + $0.15 for cards on file). There is no charge for customers who pay via cash or check.

When To Choose Square Invoices

You want to combine your invoicing and payment processing
You need an easy & addordable way to get paid on your invoices
You need an invoice contracts feature
You are an existing Square customer you needs to send invoices

Get Started With Zoho Invoice

Zoho Invoice: Overall Best Invoicing Software For Small Businesses

Zoho Invoice	Visit Site

Invoice Limit

Unlimited

Pricing

$0/month

Business Size

Small to mid-sized businesses

Pros

Free
Send invoices in 17 languages
Strong mobile apps
Great customer support

Cons

No inventory
Limited integrations
Only 1,000 invoices a month

Why We Chose Zoho Invoice As The Overall Best Invoicing Software

For free invoicing and billing software, Zoho Invoice is tough to beat. The product is legitimately free and does not skimp on features, offering recurring and automatic invoices along with the ability to end invoices in multiple languages and for multiple currencies. Zoho Invoice also has great customer support and lots of positive customer reviews, so it's a reliable, secure option for businesses.

Zoho Invoice Features & Benefits

Zoho Invoice is free cloud-based invoicing software that boasts such features as customizable templates and support for multiple languages. Zoho Invoice also goes beyond merely invoicing, allowing you to create estimates, track time and expenses, manage contacts, and create and manage projects, all for free.

Highlights of the software include:

Customizable invoice templates
Sending invoices in multiple languages
Scheduled invoices
Recurring invoices
Payment reminders
Client portal

Zoho Invoice Pricing

Zoho Invoice is completely free. You receive access to all features, secure data storage, and up to 1,000 invoices per year with no contracts, hidden fees, or monthly subscriptions.

When To Use Zoho Invoice

You want a free invoicing software option
You need to send invoices in multiple languages
You want a feature-rich invoicing software without the cost of one
You value excellent customer support

Get Started With Bill.com

Bill.com: Best Invoicing Software With Accounts Payable

Bill.com	Visit Site

Number Of Invoices Available

Unlimited

Pricing

Free-$79+/user per month

Business Size

Small-mid-sized businesses with up to six users

Pros

Can handle accounts payable & receivable
Expense management available
Accounting software integrations

Cons

Can get exensive
Limited users

Why We Chose BILL For The Best Invoicing Software With Accounts Payable

Need a hassle-free way to simplify invoices and bills? BILL (formerly Bill.com) has a streamlined interface to help with both billing and invoicing and can help automate all of those functions for your small business. It has many more automations than other invoicing software and also supports accounts payable , not just accounts receivable. If you are wanting to combine invoicing needs with billing, BILL is more than worth looking into.

Bill Features & Benefits

With BILL, getting paid is faster and easier with features that include automated invoices, automated reminders, contact management, and direct payments with ACH, credit card, or PayPal. BILL can sync with your accounting software, simplifying the process of reconciling your bank accounts and keeping your books balanced.

You can also take control of your accounts payable by reviewing and approving bills from any device, sending domestic and international payments to vendors and suppliers, and storing invoices, checks, and receipts.

When it comes to invoicing capabilities, BILL has a solid set of features and automations, including:

Recurring invoices
Automated payment reminders
Auto-charge and auto-pay
Customizable templates
Status tracking
Automatic sync and reconciliation

In addition, BILL recently acquired Divvy and now offers BILL Spend & Expense with unlimited virtual cards making it a well-rounded income and expense management business suite.

BILL Pricing

BILL’s pricing ranges from $45-$79/month per user, depending on which products you want. You can use just accounts payable for $45/month per user, just accounts receivable for $45/month per user, or both for $79/month per user. If you want to integrate with your accounting software, you will need to upgrade to a more expensive plan.

When To Choose BILL

You want to manage invoices and bills in one spot
You want time-savings invoicing and billing automations
If you want a corporate card option to add to your invoicing suite

Get Started With Invoice2go

Invoice2go: Best Mobile Invoicing Software App

Invoice2go	Visit Site

Pros

Strong mobile apps
Simple interface
Ability to send invoices via Messenger & text

Cons

Limited features
Expensive
Limited integrations

Why We Chose Invoice2go As The Best Mobile Invoice Software App

Invoice2go, recently bought by BILL, offers top-of-the-line mobile apps and allows you to send voices through its app via numerous social media platforms. The app is extremely easy to use and even lets you send invoices via text. It also makes it easy to quickly add things to invoices, like tracked time and billable hours. We chose Invoice2go as a top contender, particularly if sending invoices on the go is a must for your business.

Invoice2go Features & Benefits

Invoice2go offers customizable invoicing plus additional features like expense tracking, estimates, time tracking, and purchase order management. You can send invoices in a variety of ways, including SMS and mobile apps. Cloud-based desktop software is also available if you prefer to go that route.

Some notable feature benefits of Invoice2go include:

Automatic payment reminders
Online client approvals and deposits
Track time and add billable hours to invoices
Status tracking
Send invoices through text, email, Facebook Messenger, or WhatsApp
iPhone, iPad, and Android apps

Invoice2go Pricing

Invoice2go has three pricing plans ranging from $5.99-$39.99/month. The lower-priced plans are extremely limited in terms of how many invoices you can send each month. If you send multiple invoices, you will have to upgrade to the most expensive plan, which includes unlimited invoices, recurring invoices, and integrations.

Invoice2go can be pretty expensive compared to the other options on this list, but it earned its place on this list based on its mobile app.

When To Choose Invoice2go

You need to send invoices on the go
You want a well-developed mobile invoicing app
You value intuitive software that’s easy to learn

Get Started With Invoice Ninja

Invoice Ninja: Best Free Invoicing Software

Invoice Ninja	Start Trial

Pros

Cloud-based with open-source options
Available in 30+ languages
Multiple payment gateways

Cons

No inventory feature
Limited integrations
Limited reports

Why We Chose Invoice Ninja As The Best Free Invoicing Software

Invoice Ninja is a free invoicing software that boasts features you would find with paid software, including invoices and estimates, time and expense tracking, item lists, contact management, and project management. The only downside is that the free plan includes Invoice Ninja branding, but if you want to save money on your small business invoicing, this trade-off could be more than worth it.

Invoice Ninja is also the only invoicing software on this list to offer an open-source invoicing software option.

Invoice Ninja Features & Benefits

Invoice Ninja makes it easy to create and send professional invoices. An especially unique feature is Invoice Ninja’s voice commands, which allow you to send invoices and perform other tasks using your voice. Additionally, the software also has a number of time-saving automations like automatic currency conversions and partial payments for customers.

Standout features of Invoice Ninja include:

Up to 10 invoice templates & quote templates
Bulk invoices & quotes
Auto-billing
Recurring invoices
Status alerts
Deposits and partial payments
Automatic currency conversions
Client portal

Invoice Ninja Pricing

Invoice Ninja has three pricing plans ranging from $0-$16/month, depending on the number of users you need. The Forever Free plan is truly free but is limited to just 20 clients. If you need to invoice more customers or want additional features, automations, and templates, you will need to subscribe to a paid plan.

When To Use Invoice Ninja

You want to save money on invoicing
You don’t mind trading monthly payments for Invoice Ninja branding
You want a voice command invoicing feature & other time-saving automations
If you want an open-source invoicing software

Harvest: Best Invoicing Software For Project Management

Harvest	Visit Site

Pros

Unlimited invoices and clients
Nearly 100 integrations
Strong security

Cons

Limited reports
Not suited for high-risk businesses

Why We Chose Harvest AS The Best Invoicing Software For Project Management

Harvest is low-cost invoicing software that is best suited for service-based or project-based businesses. It also has excellent time-tracking and project management features that are simple to manage. It integrates with a wide array of companies and has automatic reminders and automated invoices to save you time. Though its invoicing features are limited when compared to its competitors, Harvest's time tracking and project management tools are ideal for service-based and project-based businesses.

Harvest Features & Benefits

You won’t find advanced invoicing features with Harvest, but there’s enough to get the job done. In addition to being able to create and send invoices, you can also create and send estimates, track time, set up recurring invoices, create reminders, and manage your employees. Harvest also offers basic expense tracking as well as project management options that allow you to assign projects, set budgets, and track time and expenses.

While some of the software on this list offers more features than Harvest, it does have a handful of features and automations to simplify invoicing your customers and getting paid.

Here’s what to expect from Harvest:

Recurring invoices
Retainer invoices
Automatic reminders and thank-you notes
Automatic invoices generated from tracked time and expenses
PayPal and Stripe integrations
Accounting software integrations

Harvest Pricing

Harvest offers two plans. The Free plan includes access to all features and allows one user to manage up to two projects. If you need additional users or projects, you can sign up for Harvest Pro, which costs $12/month per user.

When To Choose Harvest

You need well-developed project management, employee, management, and time tracking features
Your business invoices on an a project basis
You don’t want the invoicing bells and whistles & just want to get the job done well

Get Started With Harvest

PayPal: Best Invoice Software For Freelancers

PayPal

Read our Review

Total Rating	4.2
Fees & Rates3.8 Pricing 5.0 Affordability 2.6
Products & Services4.2
Contract4.6 Commitment 5.0 ETF & Other Fees 4.2
Sales & Advertising Transparency5.0 Sales Practices 5.0 Web Presence 5.0
Customer Service4.1
User Reviews3.3

Pros

Accept PayPal, Venmo, & Pay Later
Free Pricing
Invoice Automations

Cons

Limited additional features
Have to manually import data to accounting software

Why We Chose PayPal Invoices As The Best Invoicing Software For Freelancers

PayPal is a popular payment processor, and for businesses already using PayPal, PayPal invoice is a no-brainer. But PayPal Invoice could be a great fit for other businesses as well, especially those looking for a free invoice solution with mobile invoicing and multiple payment options. Paypal Invoices is ideal for businesses where customers want to or expect to be able to pay with PayPal or Venmo. PayPal Invoices also offers a secure way to accept installment plan payments. This payment flexibility makes PayPal Invoices ideal for freelance businesses, service-based businesses, and side hustles.

PayPal Invoice is also the only option on this list that offers seller protection.

PayPal Invoice Features & Benefits

While not as feature-rich as some of the other invoicing software options on this list, PayPal Invoice offers a good number of features and automations for a free product, including:

Recurring invoices
Automatic payment reminders
Invoice tracking
Estimates
Mobile apps
Seller protection
Multiple payment options

Paypal Invoice Pricing

Sending invoices with PayPal is free with your PayPal account (PayPal accounts are also free to sign up for). The only thing you’ll have to pay are the payment processing fees.

PayPal Invoice charges a 2.59% + $0.49/per credit or debit card transaction or 3.49% + $0.49/per PayPal, Venmo, or Pay Later transaction. (If you aren’t in the US, these rates could vary.)

When To Choose PayPal Invoice

If you want seller protection, PayPal Invoice is the only option that offers this
You want to accept payment via PayPal, Venmo, and/or Pay Later
You want to save money with a free invoicing software

Get Started With PayPal

Read our in-depth review

Our Methodology For Choosing The Best Invoicing Software

To choose the best invoicing software, we looked at over 20 different invoicing software options for small businesses. We judged each software based on six criteria, including how secure the software is, how competitive the pricing is, how helpful the number of features is compared to the pricing, how easy the software is to use, how attractive the invoice templates were, and how many invoices can be sent each month.

We ruled out all invoice software with questionable security as well as those with unappealing invoice templates that looked like excel sheets. While many accounting software also offers invoicing solutions, we ruled those programs out and left those to our best accounting software choices.

To make the cut, all of the choices on this list had to offer a good invoice volume and feature selection relative to the price, be easy to use, provide unique features or automation to benefit businesses, and have positive customer reviews.

Invoicing Software Options That Didn't Make The Cut

Wondering why a particular app isn’t on our list? There are probably some invoicing solutions like QuickBooks or Wave that you’ve heard, so why don’t we recommend them? We do! Just not for only invoicing.

Some of the invoicing software companies that didn’t make the cut do a lot more than invoicing, so you’d be overpaying compared to options like Zoho Books or InvoiceNinja. Where others didn’t make the cut because they really aren’t worth your time.

Wave: Free Accounting Software With Invoicing

Wave Accounting has been making waves with small business owners because its completely free software doesn’t have many limitations on its features. Wave software includes invoicing, but it’s not invoicing software — it’s accounting software. If you don’t need accounting software, the many features of Wave can be confusing. If you’re in the market for an invoicing solution, consider a simpler option. However, if your business needs budget-friendly accounting software, consider giving Wave a try.

QuickBooks Online: Full Accounting Software With Strong Invoicing Automations

No matter how long you’ve been in business, odds are you’ve heard of (or even used) QuickBooks Online. While it’s true that QuickBooks Online does have invoicing tools, it isn’t actually invoicing software. It is full accounting software that comes loaded with features you won’t find in invoicing software — features you might not even need. If you are just looking for an invoicing solution, the higher subscription cost and the abundant features may be overkill. However, if you need a full accounting solution for your business, QuickBooks Online is a solid choice.

Xero: Full Accounting Software With Advanced Features

Like the other options on this list, Xero has a solid reputation among small business owners. It’s not on our list, though, because, again, it’s accounting software. Xero does offer invoicing, along with a number of automations and customizations. In addition, you’ll be able to access advanced accounting features and hundreds of integrations. These features come at a cost. Unless you plan to take advantage of all of the features offered by Xero, there are plenty of more affordable (and less confusing) invoicing solutions on the market.

Invoice Simple: Popular Invoice Software With Really Limited Invoicing

Invoice Simple is an invoice generator that lives up to its name; it keeps invoicing simple. For most small business owners, though, what’s offered by Invoice Simple won’t be enough. Invoice customizations are limited, and you won’t find additional features such as project management or time tracking here. Instead, you can create invoices and estimates…and that’s about it. You can use Invoice Simple on your computer or mobile device, and you can also accept payments. The monthly fees aren’t too expensive, but other options at a comparable price point give you more bang for your buck.

How Much Does Invoicing Software Cost?

How much invoicing software costs is going to depend on the volume of invoices you need to send monthly and what additional features you need besides invoicing (i.e. proposals, eSignatures, estimates, accounts payable, etc.). You can expect to spend between $0/month – and $50/month depending on your business needs.

There are several great free invoice software options. Just be sure to watch out for free invoicing software that has negative customer reviews, outdated UIs, or extreme invoice volume limits. When you get to the higher end of the invoice software price range, you may want to start considering accounting software instead of invoicing software.

Virtually all of the best accounting software for small businesses include built-in invoicing and estimates features, plus a slew of accounting features, so you won’t be overpaying by having to have two separate software systems.

Choosing The Right Invoicing Software For Your Business

Choosing the best invoicing software for small businesses can be a hassle, but there are a few things to keep in mind to help narrow down your choices.

Start with the options in this post and compare pricing, features, and other factors to find software that works for your business. Don’t be afraid to shop around and even test out a few options before making your final decision.

When testing out software, look for options that offer free plans or free trials so you can fully explore the software before investing. If the software you test lags, it’s difficult to use, or it doesn’t offer the features you need, move on to another option until you find your perfect match. Your ideal match should have the features you need and make sending your invoices a breeze.

Once you choose the right invoicing software for your business, be sure to check out our guide on how to accept online invoice payments so you can start getting your invoices paid faster.

Invoicing Software FAQs

What is the difference between invoicing software and accounting software?

Invoicing software simplifies how you invoice your customers and get paid. There may also be a few additional bookkeeping and accounting features thrown in, such as expense tracking or time management, but you’ll rarely find anything more advanced than that.

On the other hand, accounting software offers more advanced features, such as bank reconciliation, financial reports, and inventory management. Accounting software typically has built-in invoicing but allows you to balance the books and better track your finances.

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Chelsea Krause

Lead Staff Writer

Chelsea Krause is a writer who specializes in accounting, payroll, and small business loans. She has been with Merchant Maverick helping small business owners manage their finances since 2016. She is a QuickBooks Certified User and former eCommerce store owner. Her accounting expertise has been quoted in Forbes and her work appears in Startup Nation, Small Business Bonfire, and Women on Business. Chelsea graduated summa cum laude with a BA in English & Creative Writing from George Fox University and studied abroad at the University of Oxford as well. She currently resides in Boise, Idaho.

@AccountingMage

View Chelsea Krause's professional experience on LinkedIn.

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1. FreshBooks

❮ ❯

Best for invoicing & bookkeeping
$19-$60/month
Unlimited invoices

Start Trial

2. Square Invoices

❮ ❯

Best free invoice software
$0/month
Unlimited invoices

3. Zoho Invoice

❮ ❯

Overall best for small businesses
$0/month
1,000 invoices/month

4. Bill.com

❮ ❯

Best for invoices & bills
$45-$79/month
Unlimited invoices

5. Invoice2go

❮ ❯

Best invoicing software mobile app
$5.99-$39.99/month
2 invoices/month - Unlimited invoices

6. Invoice Ninja

❮ ❯

Best free invoicing software
$0-$16/month
Unlimited invoices

Start Trial

7. Harvest

❮ ❯

Best for project management
$0-$12/month
Unlimited invoices

8. PayPal

❮ ❯

Best for freelancers
$0/month
Unlimited invoices