As a freelancer, getting paid on time is just as critical as doing great work. But let’s be honest, invoicing freelance jobs manually can be a massive headache. For instance, it involves relying on messy spreadsheets, dealing with missed payments, sending numerous emails, and making follow-up calls.
Fortunately, invoicing tools have made this much easier and more intelligent. By 2025, freelancers will have numerous options for powerful platforms that streamline the invoicing process, enabling them to bill, track payments, and organize everything in one convenient location.
What makes the best free billing tools?
The best free billing tools are not just about designing professional invoices; they are designed to help freelancers and small businesses manage their workloads effectively. The best billing software will include customizable templates, automated reminders for payments, a way to track expenses, and easy integrations with multiple payment types.
When you work in an area of freelance work, like SEO content writing, using trusted billing software will make collecting client payments smooth, improve your cash flow, and give you more time and energy to create great work.
The most trusted free and premium billing tools will incorporate intelligent automation paired with ease of use to make getting paid as easy as it can be.
Why Do Freelancers Need an Invoicing Tool?
Freelancing means working on more than the projects assigned by clients; a freelancer must also manage time for their work, organize their tasks in an actionable plan, closely monitor their deadlines, and know how much time they’re putting in, all while perhaps utilizing time tracking methods or project management software. When using an invoicing tool, you’ll be paid for this work.
Invoicing tools enable freelancers to send immediate, strong invoices, set up automatic reminders, and access payment receipts all in one place.
For 2025, the freelance statistic estimate indicates that there are 1.57 billion freelancers across the globe, in a competitive space that requires solid billing practices. Once freelancers utilize invoicing tools, they can lessen their anxiety, keep a steady, and focus their attention on growing their business!
Top 10 Invoicing Tools for Freelancers
FreshBooks
FreshBooks is a leading tool for invoicing and accounting, explicitly designed for freelancers and small business owners. FreshBooks allows freelancers to easily manage invoicing, expenses, and payments from one directory, making the billing process smoother, easier, and more organized.
With the ease of use and an automated accounting process, freelancers can create professional-looking invoices, save time recording work and sending information, and track where their money and time are spent.
Source: FreshBooks
Key Features:
- Customizable invoice templates that look professional.
- Automated reminders and recurring billing.
- Expense tracking and robust reporting on your income and expenses.
- Built-in time tracking synced to your invoices.
- Mobile app so you can invoice on the go!
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| Incredibly user-friendly, even if you are new to accounting! | Pricing could be high if you are accustomed to using free tools as a freelancer. |
| Great customer support. | Low-yield plans have limited advanced accounting tools. |
| Solid use of the mobile app for your invoicing and business. | Additional users come with charges/fees. |
| Can handle a scale in usage as your freelance business grows. |
Wave
Wave is one of the best freelancing and small business accounting tools, as well as invoicing apps available to freelancers. Newcomers widely recognize it as a tool for freelancing and small business owners because it offers invoicing, expense management, and basic accounting all in one spot for free.
Source: Wave
Key Features:
- Free accounting and invoicing software.
- Unlimited invoices, unlimited clients, and customizable templates.
- Automatic payment reminders and recurring billing options.
- Expense tracking and receipt scanning.
- Integrated with online payment options for convenience.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| No hidden fees. | Limited advanced solutions compared to paid competitors. |
| No limits on invoices and clients. | Payment processing fees can add up. |
| Very easy to use, even with minimal accounting knowledge. | No dedicated phone support available. |
| Expense tracking and receipt scanning are included for free. | No built-in project management features. |
Expert tip
Although it does not have a full suite of tools for creative professionals, it is a feature-rich invoicing and billing software that’s free.
QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks Online is the premier accounting and invoicing platform for freelancers and small businesses. It has the features you need: invoicing, expense tracking, cash flow, and tax – and does it all digitally! Many freelancers are already on QuickBooks Online.
If you accept payments in digital currencies or provide services to crypto-clients, it’s crucial to factor in crypto taxes — your invoicing and accounting system should support crypto-specific reporting and compliance. Although you need a paid subscription, many freelancers are happy with it because they have great tools to stay organized and compliant financially.
Source: QuickBooks Online
Key Features:
- Professional invoicing, including recurring billing options.
- Income and expense tracking with detailed reporting functions.
- Integrated tax calculations and tax filing support.
- Compatible with bank accounts and third-party apps.
- Mobile application for invoicing and expense tracking on the go.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| Full accounting and invoicing solution. | More expensive than free invoicing tools. |
| Strong tax management and reporting features. | It can be overwhelming for new users. |
| Offers a wide range of integrations with various apps and banking products. | Limited features in lower-tier plans. |
| Trusted product for freelancers and recognized by professionals. | Additional fees for extra users. |
Zoho Invoice
For freelancers seeking a free professional invoicing platform, Zoho Invoice is the best option. It’s one of the few competing platforms that offers advanced billing, automation, and customisation features for free.
Using Zoho Invoice, you can have a branded invoice template, send automated payment reminders, and track time or expenses, all on one platform.
Source: Zoho Invoice
Key Features:
- Completely free invoicing with no commitment.
- 100% customizable invoice templates with branding options available
- Automated reminders for payment and recurring invoices.
- Time tracking options, including options to bill on projects.
- Expense tracking and reporting.
- Cloud-based with an app for mobile invoicing, and anywhere invoicing.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| No subscriptions or fees… FREE! | Only invoicing capabilities, not a full accounting suite. |
| Invoice templates are fully customizable. | Some features may be unnecessary if you only need simple invoicing. |
| Includes time tracking and project-based invoicing. | Integrations are mostly limited to the Zoho ecosystem. |
| Mobile app makes it easy to manage invoices on the go. | Setup may take time to fully optimize features. |
PayPal Invoicing
For freelance professionals working with clients around the world, PayPal invoicing is one of the easiest ways to get paid quickly and securely. PayPal is already a well-trusted payment solution, and as a PayPal client, you can send your clients a professional invoice with only a couple of clicks, and your client can pay with their preferred method.
Source: PayPal
Key Features:
- Easy invoice generation directly from your PayPal account.
- Clients can pay immediately with PayPal or a credit/debit card.
- Supports many currencies & international clients.
- Automatic payment tracking in your PayPal dashboard.
- Can add partial payments or tips.
Pros & Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| Very easy to use, with no setup required. | Transaction fees can be significantly higher than those of other options. |
| Clients trust PayPal globally, making them more likely to pay you. | Limited invoice template customization options. |
| Allows for multiple currencies, making it perfect for foreign freelancers, which is ideal. | Best results when both parties are already using PayPal. |
| Integrates easily into the PayPal ecosystem. | There are no advanced accounting or expense tracking options. |
AND.CO (by Fiverr)
AND.CO, part of Fiverr, is a one-stop shop for invoicing and business management software developed for freelancers. Besides invoicing, it easily does contracts, proposals, expense management, and time tracking, all key services for freelancers who prefer keeping everything organized in one location.
With the added knowledge that it is integrated with Fiverr, AND.CO may offer additional credibility and comfort to freelancers already using Fiverr.
Source: AND.CO
Key Features:
- Professional invoices with recurring billing options.
- Invoicing and built-in time tracking – link timesheet entries directly to invoice.
- Expense tracking and basic financial report.
- Ready-to-use contract and proposal templates.
- A mobile app that allows you to manage invoices and tasks on the fly.
Pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| A comprehensive tool (invoicing, contracts, expenses, time tracking). | Fewer customization options relative to most advanced accounting tools. |
| Recurring billing allows easier billing on longer projects. | It may be overwhelming if you are only looking for simple invoicing. |
| Integrated with Fiverr for freelancers using the platform. | Some advanced features require a paid plan. |
| The user-friendly interface and mobile app provide more flexibility. | Not as powerful for larger businesses with complex needs. |
Xero
If you’re a freelancer who needs more than just invoicing, then Xero is a complete accounting solution. It not only produces professional invoices but also helps with expenses, cash flow, tax preparation, and more, all from one dashboard. Essentially, Xero does it all, and its automations (recurring billing, bank reconciliation) will keep you hassle-free.
Source: Xero
Key Features:
- Customizable invoicing with a professional look.
- Customizable automatic payment reminders and recurring billing.
- Live bank feeds for easier reconciliations.
- Good expense management, with receipt uploads.
- Good third-party app integrations.
Pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| Comprehensive invoicing and accounting features in one tool. | Learning curve for users who have no accounting knowledge. |
| Automatic reminders and recurring invoices save considerable time. | A little more expensive than a simpler invoicing-only tool. |
| Extensive ecosystem 1,000+ third-party integrations. | Some features are only available in higher-tier plans. |
| Ideal for freelancers looking to expand their professional network. | It can be overly complex when considering basic invoicing. |
Invoice Ninja
For freelancers wanting an affordable invoicing platform, Invoice Ninja is an excellent option. It includes invoicing, tracking expenses, and a time-tracking / project management feature, allowing you to stay organized and use it cost-effectively all in one platform.
There is a cloud version and an open-source version, so freelancers have the flexibility to customize their invoicing platform or scale as needed.
Source: Invoice Ninja
Key Features:
- The free plan can have an unlimited number of invoices and 20 clients.
- Built-in time tracking and project management.
- Client portal feature with payments and view invoices options.
- Integrates with PayPal, Stripe, and other payment gateways (10+ supported).
- The open-source version is entirely customizable.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| Free plan with a good set of core features. | You cannot customize the design layout in the basic plan. |
| Includes time-tracking abilities and expense management. | You need a paid plan to access advanced features. |
| The open-source version is customizable. | Navigating the interface can be more challenging than on a premium platform. |
| Supports a good selection of payment gateways. | If you install Invoice Ninja as self-hosted, installation can take some effort. |
Bonsai
onsai simplifies the entire invoicing process, contracts, and more, so you don’t have to juggle multiple types of software. Onsai is not just another invoicing app; it helps you manage and streamline your entire workflow from proposals to contracts to tracking time to payments. You can do it all without switching platforms.
Source: Bonsai
Key Features:
- Create and manage contracts and proposals like a pro.
- Automated invoices with multiple payment options.
- Key features include expense tracking, project management, and time tracking.
- Integrations with popular finance and productivity tools.
- Mobile app to manage your work on the go (it has a handy custom dashboard).
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| An all-in-one package for invoicing, contracts, and proposals. | There’s no permanent free plan; only a trial is available. |
| Professional-looking and customizable invoices. | More expensive than basic invoicing tools. |
| Time tracking and project management are built in. | It can be pricey when you add advanced features. |
| A seamless workflow from contract to payment. | It can feel overwhelming if you only need invoicing. |
Harvest
Harvest is a time tracking and invoicing tool designed for freelancers and small groups needing a way to manage projects and get paid by tracking time on projects. Harvest’s primary goal is to keep things simple to help users track hours, send invoices, and see budgets without any extra effort.
Source: Harvest
Key Features:
- Timed tracking with one-click start/stop timers.
- Professional invoices based on hours worked and tracked expenses.
- Project, budget, and team performance reporting.
- Integrations with third-party tools like Trello, Asana, Slack, and QuickBooks, among others.
- Mobile and desktop apps for simple time tracking, available anywhere, anytime.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy and intuitive interface for time tracking and invoicing. | No permanent free plan, only a free 30-day trial. |
| Reporting works great for projects and budgets. | It can get pricey for larger teams. |
| Integrates well with many third-party tools. | Limited accounting functions. |
| A mobile app is a nice convenience for on-the-go time tracking. | Limited invoice customization options. |
Conclusion
By 2025, invoices will be a relevant aid for freelancers, whatever their industry. Invoices exist to help freelancers collect pay, track expenses, manage timelines and deadlines, and adhere to contracts or agreements, hopefully without undue stress!
Automation of the invoicing and reminder processes will help freelancers focus on the vast majority of their time on providing high-quality work, colloquially referred to as “front of house” service, and positive working relationships with clients.
Emerging invoicing solutions are designed to extend beyond basic invoicing, helping freelancers manage cash flow, track project data, and monitor the business to better understand its overall health.
The right tools can change the amount of value you gain concerning efficiency, professionalism, and whether you are likely to say yes to providing volunteering services as a freelancer.
Frequently Asked Questions
