As a Freelancer, you often juggle multiple clients and projects and need a streamlined invoicing solution that saves time and ensures you get paid promptly. This is where freelance invoice software steps in. With the right tool you can save hours a week by not having to craft invoices manually and by automating payment tracking. Whether you’re an experienced freelancer or just starting your freelance journey, the right invoice software can significantly enhance your financial management process. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the top 10 invoice software options, both free and paid, to help you succeed in the freelancing journey.
Top 9 invoicing software for freelancers and small business owners
Criteria for Selecting Invoice Software
Selecting the right invoice software is a critical decision for any freelancer. Your choice can significantly impact your efficiency, professionalism, and, ultimately, your bottom line. To help you make an informed decision, consider the following key criteria when evaluating invoice software options:
1. Ease of Use:
- User-Friendly Interface: Look for software that offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface. You shouldn’t need to be savvy in accounting to create and send invoices.
- Accessibility: Check if the software is accessible across various devices and platforms, ensuring that you can work on the go.
2. Features and Functionality:
- Invoice Customization: Ensure the software allows you to personalize your invoices with your branding, including logos and color schemes.
- Automation: Look for features that automate repetitive tasks i.e. recurring invoices, payment reminders, and expense tracking.
- Expense Management: Some software includes expense tracking features, which can simplify your financial record-keeping.
- Integration: Consider whether the software can integrate with your accounting software, project management tools, and other applications you use.
3. Pricing:
- Free vs. Paid: Determine your budget and whether you are willing to invest in a paid solution. Free options can be sufficient for some freelancers.Paid versions often offer more advanced features, but depending on your business needs, you may not utilize all these features.
- Pricing Structure: Explore the pricing structure of paid software, determine whether it’s a one-time purchase, monthly subscription cost, or per-invoice fee. Calculate the long-term costs to ensure it aligns with your financial goals.
4. Customer Support:
- Availability: Check if the software offers customer support, and if so, what channels are available (email, chat, phone).
- User Community: Sometimes, a robust user community or knowledge base can provide valuable assistance and troubleshooting tips.
5. Scalability:
- Future Growth: Think about your long-term needs. Will the software scale with your growing freelance business? Avoid getting locked into a solution that may not accommodate your expansion.
6. User Reviews:
- Feedback and Reviews: Research what other freelancers are saying about the software. User reviews and testimonials can offer valuable insights into real-world experiences.
By carefully evaluating invoice software options against these criteria, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your specific needs as a freelancer.
In this next section, we’ll explore the best invoice software available, both free and paid options tailored for freelancers. These tools provide essential features to help you streamline your invoicing process. Let’s start by looking at the first software on our list, CheckYa.
The 9 top freelance invoice softwares:
1. CheckYa
CheckYa is an all-in-one tool for freelancers and online business owners that lets you send invoices, receive payments, offer bookings, and sell digital downloads, all from one place.
Key Features:
- Unlimited Invoices: Send unlimited invoices to both domestic and international clients, ensuring you’re not restricted in your invoicing.
- Multiple Payment Options: Clients can make payments via ach, credit/debit cards and PayPal, making settling their bills convenient.
- Automated Reminders: Set due dates for invoices and enable automatic reminders, which are sent to clients two days before payment is due, reducing the chances of late payments.
- Fee Splitting: CheckYa allows you to split transaction fees with your clients, potentially saving you between 50-100% on Stripe and PayPal fees.
- Invoice Tracking: Keep tabs on all your paid, unpaid, and overdue invoices in one centralized location.
Pros:
- Comprehensive Features: Offers a wide range of features typically found in paid software.
- International Payment Support: Allows you to work with clients from around the world, facilitating cross-border transactions.
- Cost Savings: The fee-splitting feature can lead to significant savings on transaction fees.
- User-Friendly: The platform is intuitive, making it easy for freelancers to create and manage invoices effectively.
Cons:
- Limited Advanced Features: While it covers the essentials, CheckYa may lack some advanced features.
- Customization: The level of invoice customization may not be as extensive as available in other paid alternatives.
Pricing:
- Free
2.Invoice Ninja
Invoice Ninja is a versatile and user-friendly invoicing tool offering various features for freelancers and business owners. It allows you to create and send professional invoices, track expenses, and even accept payments online.
Key Features:
- Customizable invoice templates.
- Time tracking for hourly billing.
- Client and project management.
- Expense tracking and reporting.
- Interlink Multiple Companies
- Attach 3rd Party Files for Clients
- Kanban Boards for Projects & Tasks
- Quotes Convert to Payable Invoices
- Subscriptions/ Buy Now Links
Pros:
- Completely free for a basic set of features.
- User-friendly interface.
- Supports multiple currencies and languages.
- Inventory Tracking
Cons:
- Some advanced features may require a paid subscription.
- Limited customization options in the free version.
Pricing:
- Free to invoice for up to 20 clients. The paid plans are at $10/month and $14/month
3. Wave
Wave is a comprehensive financial platform that includes invoicing as one of its features. It’s particularly suitable for freelancers looking for an all-in-one invoicing, accounting, and personal finance solution.
Key Features:
- Free accounting and bookkeeping tools.
- Easy-to-use invoice customization.
- Receipt scanning and expense tracking.
- Accept online payments.
Pros:
- Completely free for invoicing and accounting.
- Excellent financial reporting capabilities.
- Integrates with bank accounts for seamless financial tracking.
Cons:
- Limited third-party integrations.
- Not as feature-rich as dedicated invoicing tools.
Pricing:
- Free for using invoicing
4. Zoho Invoice
Zoho Invoice is part of the Zoho suite of business tools, offering a powerful invoicing solution for freelancers. It provides a range of features to simplify invoicing and expense management.
Key Features:
- Professional invoice templates.
- Time tracking and project management.
- Recurring invoices and payment reminders.
- Client portal for collaboration.
Pros:
- Free for up to 5 clients.
- User-friendly interface.
- Integration with other Zoho apps for a complete business solution.
Cons:
- Limited client capacity in the free plan.
- Advanced features require a paid subscription.
Pricing:
- Free for up to 1000 invoices/year
5. Harvest
Harvest is a time-tracking and invoicing tool designed for freelancers and small businesses. It focuses on helping you manage your time and bill clients accurately.
Key Features:
- Time tracking with project and task management.
- Online invoicing with customizable templates.
- Expense tracking and reporting.
- Integration with popular payment gateways.
Pros:
- Free for one user and up to 2 projects.
- User-friendly time tracking and invoicing.
- Mobile apps for on-the-go use.
Cons:
- Limited to a single user in the free plan.
- Additional features require a paid subscription.
Pricing:
- $12/month
6. FreshBooks
FreshBooks is an all-in-one accounting and invoicing software known for its user-friendliness and robust features.
Key Highlights:
- Time tracking, expense management, and project management.
- Advanced reporting and tax preparation.
- Client collaboration features.
- Payroll
- Double-Entry Accounting
- Business Health Reports
- Mileage Tracking
Pros:
- User-friendly interface.
- Comprehensive features for freelancers and small businesses.
- Excellent customer support.
Cons:
- There is no free plan available, only offers a 30-day trail
- Slightly higher pricing.
- Limited customization options for invoices.
Pricing:
- Plans start at $13.60/month.
7. QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks Online is a popular accounting software that offers invoicing as part of its suite, suitable for freelancers with more complex financial needs.
Key Highlights:
- Robust accounting features.
- Multiple automation options.
- Extensive integrations with other software.
Pros:
- Powerful accounting capabilities.
- Scalability for growing freelancers.
- Accessible from anywhere.
Cons:
- Learning curve for beginners.
- Higher price point.
Pricing:
- Plans start at $15/month.
8. Xero
Xero is a cloud-based accounting software known for its flexibility and scalability, making it suitable for freelancers of all sizes.
Key Highlights:
- Advanced accounting features.
- Real-time collaboration with advisors.
- Extensive third-party app integrations.
Pros:
- Highly customizable.
- Strong accounting capabilities.
- Excellent scalability.
Cons:
- Relatively expensive for solo freelancers.
- Learning curve.
Pricing:
- Plans start at $25/month.
9. Invoice2go
Invoice2go is a versatile invoicing and billing software tailored for freelancers and small businesses. It simplifies financial tasks with customizable templates, expense tracking, and online payment acceptance.
Key Features:
- Customizable Templates
- Expense Tracking
- Online Payments
- Mobile Access
- Offline Use
- Responsive Support
Pros:
- User-Friendly
- Customization
- Online Payments
- Mobile Access
- Offline Use
Cons:
- Limited Free Plan
Pricing:
- Starting at $5.99/month
Choosing the Right Invoicing Software for Freelancers: Comparing Basic vs. Advanced Features
Choosing between free and paid invoice software can be crucial for freelancers. Each option comes with its own set of advantages and limitations. In this table below, we’ll break down the key factors to consider to help you make an informed choice that aligns with your freelance invoicing needs.
| Feature | Basic Invoicing | Advanced Invoicing |
| Invoice Creation | Generate professional invoices with essential details. | Create invoices with advanced customization options. |
| Payment Tracking | Keep track of payment status (paid, pending, overdue). | Automate payment tracking and reminders. |
| Template Selection | Choose from preset templates for a polished look. | Customize templates to match your branding. |
| Tax Calculation | Automatically calculate taxes based on preset rates. | Handle complex tax scenarios and custom tax rates. |
| Payment Reminders | Manually send reminders for overdue payments or send reminders on set dates | Automate payment reminders to clients with advanced options. |
| Recurring Invoices | Not available. | Set up recurring invoices for subscription services. |
| Time Tracking | Not available. | Track billable hours and convert them into invoices. |
| Expense Management | Not available. | Capture and link expenses to relevant projects. |
| Customization | Limited customization options. | Extensive invoice customization, including branding. |
- Basic Invoicing: Basic features are suitable for freelancers with simple invoicing needs. They provide essential tools for creating and tracking invoices, making them ideal for those just starting out or dealing with straightforward clients.
- Advanced Invoicing: Advanced features are beneficial for freelancers with growing or complex businesses. They offer automation, customization, and additional tools like time tracking and expense management, making them essential for those managing larger client bases or intricate billing structures.
When deciding on invoicing software, consider your freelancing style and business goals. Basic features can be a cost-effective starting point, while advanced features can help streamline operations and provide a more professional image as your freelance business expands.
Conclusion:
We’ve explored both free and paid options and discussed essential criteria for selection.CheckYa stands out as a comprehensive and user-friendly solution, making it an excellent choice for freelancers looking to simplify and optimize their invoicing workflow. With CheckYa’s features and intuitive interface, you can streamline your invoicing process, ensuring you get paid promptly and efficiently.
