The 5 Best Free Invoicing Software Programs

Running a business without invoicing software is like trying to collect rainwater with a sieve: you lose money along the way. Whether you're a freelancer or a small business owner, free invoicing software can simplify your financial management without costing a penny. Here are the 5 best options for 2025, tested and selected for their effectiveness.

Free software can transform your invoicing process into a seamless task, allowing you to create professional invoices, track your finances, and get paid faster. Costly manual errors are reduced, and you save time to focus on what you love doing. The key? Choose a tool that fits your needs without sacrificing quality.

• Essential features: Professional templates, payment integration, expense tracking, customer management, mobile accessibility, basic reports.

• Bonus features: Time tracking, multi-currency support, automatic reminders, recurring billing, advanced customization.

1. Zoho Invoice - The Free Champion

Zoho Invoice is free online invoicing software designed for freelancers and small businesses. It allows you to create and send customized invoices with an intuitive interface. Users can track payments, manage expenses, and collaborate via a customer portal where customers can view their invoices and make payments. Zoho Invoice supports multiple currencies and languages, making it suitable for international needs. It integrates with other Zoho tools and payment gateways such as Stripe and PayPal. The time tracking feature is ideal for professionals who bill by the hour. Finally, it offers detailed reports for better financial management.

Best for: Small businesses looking for comprehensive features at no cost. Zoho Invoice is 100% free with no hidden costs. It offers up to 500 invoices per year, professional templates, time tracking, multi-currency support, and a customer portal.

Perfect for: Freelancers and small businesses wanting enterprise-level tools.

Limitations: 500 invoices/year, which is more than enough for most.

2. Wave - The All-in-One Solution

Wave is a cloud-based invoicing and accounting platform designed for small businesses and solopreneurs. It stands out for its ease of use, allowing users to create professional invoices in minutes. Wave offers features such as payment tracking and expense management, with automatic synchronization of accounting data to reduce manual errors. Users appreciate its real-time financial reports for accurate tracking. Wave integrates with tools such as PayPal and Stripe to facilitate online payments. Its user-friendly design makes it a popular choice for those new to financial management. It is particularly suited to businesses with limited budgets.

Best for: Businesses that want integrated invoicing and accounting. Wave allows for unlimited invoices and includes accounting features such as mobile receipt scanning. Invoices are customizable, and automated payments make tracking easy.

Note: Payment processing fees (automatically deducted).

Perfect for: Businesses looking for comprehensive financial management.

3. Invoice Ninja - The King of Customization

Invoice Ninja is an open-source invoicing platform designed for freelancers and small businesses. It offers tools to create invoices, track payments, and manage expenses with a clear interface. Users can customize their invoices to reflect their brand and automate tasks such as payment reminders. Invoice Ninja supports recurring invoices and integrates with many global payment gateways, suitable for various markets. It also offers features such as quote and project management. Its flexibility makes it a solid choice for entrepreneurs looking for a customizable solution. Integrations with tools such as Zapier enhance its automation capabilities.

Ideal for: Businesses that want invoices that reflect their image. Invoice Ninja offers extensive customization with 4 free templates (11 in the paid version) and a customer portal. It supports online payments and includes project management tools.

Limit: Maximum of 5 customers on the free plan.

Perfect for: Creative professionals and agencies that value brand identity.

4. Paymo - The Hourly Billing Friend

Paymo is an invoicing and project management solution tailored to freelancers and small teams. It combines invoice creation with time tracking and task management tools, enabling accurate billing based on hours worked. Users can generate customized invoices and accept payments via gateways such as Stripe and PayPal. Paymo supports multiple currencies, ideal for international clients. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to manage projects and invoices simultaneously. Detailed reports help track project profitability. Paymo is particularly appreciated for its all-in-one approach.

Ideal for: Freelancers and businesses that bill by the hour. Paymo offers unlimited invoices for 5 clients, built-in time tracking, project management, and expense tracking. It's ideal for automating the conversion of hours worked into invoices.

Perfect for: Consultants and agencies that bill for hourly services.

5. Square Invoices - The Payment Pro

Square Invoice is an invoicing solution designed for businesses of all sizes, particularly those combining online and in-person sales. It allows you to create customizable invoices with options such as adding logos, colors, or return policies. Square makes payment management easy with its native integration with the Square card reader for physical transactions. Users can create an item library to speed up invoicing. The platform supports online payments via secure gateways. Its simple interface is ideal for mobile entrepreneurs. Square is known for its versatility and ease of use.

Ideal for: Businesses using Square or wanting seamless payment integration. Square offers unlimited invoices with no customer limits and integrated payment processing (online and in person). Automatic reminders and professional templates simplify the process.

Perfect for: Businesses and service providers needing an all-in-one payment solution.

• Zoho Invoice: For maximum free features, ideal if you send fewer than 500 invoices per year.

• Wave: For a billing + accounting solution, perfect for high volumes.

• Invoice Ninja: If brand customization is crucial and you have 5 or fewer customers.

• Paymo: For hourly billing with project management.

• Square: If you already use Square or want simplified payment integration.

1. Customize your templates: A neat invoice boosts your credibility. Add your logo and colors.

2. Automate reminders: Payment reminders improve your cash flow.

3. Track everything: Expenses, time, communications—this data will be invaluable as you grow.

4. Integrate your tools: Connect your software to platforms like Zapier or QuickBooks for greater efficiency.

5. Anticipate growth: Choose scalable software to support your development.

• Payment fees: Free software charges processing fees (e.g., 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction). Check how much these will add up to.

• Branding imposed: Some, such as Invoice Ninja or Zoho, include their logo on free invoices.

• Data export: Make sure you can export your data if you switch platforms.

Free invoicing software has evolved to offer powerful features that allow you to send professional invoices at no cost. Choose the one that suits your current needs, while keeping an eye on your future goals. As with any tool, the goal is to support your growth, not to remain free indefinitely.

What is the best completely free software? Zoho Invoice, with 500 invoices/year, professional templates, and time tracking, with no hidden costs.

Can I run my business with free software? Yes! Free tools automate processes, reduce errors, and scale with your business.

Are there any payment fees? Yes, typically 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction, deducted automatically.

Can I customize my invoices? Yes, most offer customizable templates, but the level of customization varies.

Free or paid? Start with free software. Upgrade to paid when your needs (volume, features) grow.