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Best invoicing software

Invoicing software creates and sends invoices, collects payments, and tracks what customers owe. Compare platforms on payment processing costs, recurring invoices, and how cleanly they sync with your accounting system.

15

Tools compared

7

Offer free trials

$49 per user/month

Lowest starting price

Invoicing software comparison at a glance

Click any tool name for the full write-up.

ToolStarting priceDeploymentFree trialBest for
$49 per user/monthCloudYesCloud · multi-workflow teams · POC-friendlyVisit Website
Quote-basedCloudNoCloud · Web · Custom quoteGet Pricing Details
Quote-basedCloudNoCloud · Web · Custom quoteGet Pricing Details
Contact vendor for exact pricing and packaging details.CloudYesCloud · multi-workflow teams · POC-friendlyVisit Website
Contact vendor for exact pricing and packaging details.CloudYesCloud · multi-workflow teams · POC-friendlyVisit Website
Contact vendor for exact pricing and packaging details.CloudYesCloud · multi-workflow teams · POC-friendlyVisit Website
Contact vendor for exact pricing and packaging details.CloudNoCloud · multi-workflow teams · FreeVisit Website
Contact vendor for exact pricing and packaging details.CloudNoCloud · multi-workflow teams · FreeVisit Website

What is Invoicing Software

Invoicing Software covers the tools finance teams use for create invoices, send payment requests, manage reminders, and track receivables status..

Each tool below has a pricing summary, implementation notes, review excerpts and our editorial take. You can also use our side-by-side comparison tool to put two vendors next to each other, or check the finance glossary for term definitions.

Invoicing Software starts to pay off when the team needs a more controlled, repeatable workflow than spreadsheets and inbox approvals can give it.

Curated list of invoicing software

Full write-ups for each tool. Pricing, deployment, strengths and limitations.

BILL (formerly Bill.com) provides invoicing within its AP/AR automation platform, connecting invoice creation to payment processing, accounts receivable tracking, and bank synchronization for small business accounting workflows.

Best for

Small businesses using BILL for AP automation that want to add invoicing and AR tracking without adopting a separate tool.

Main tradeoff

Invoicing features are secondary to BILL's core AP automation. Template options and invoicing UX are less polished than dedicated invoicing tools.

Buying motion

Self-serve signup. Invoicing included in BILL plans starting at $45/user/month.

Not ideal for

Businesses that need rich invoicing features (time tracking, project billing, beautiful templates) as their primary use case rather than AP automation.

“Teams usually judge BILL on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

Published per-user pricing ($49, $65 and $89 perTwo-way sync with QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop andAP, AR invoicing and Spend & Expense cards
Per-user pricing gets expensive as more approvers andEssentials syncs only by CSV; automatic accounting syncExtra fees for faster payments, check voids, failed

Upflow has one of the most accessible mid-market AR automation profiles in the category. The platform integrates natively with Stripe, Chargebee, and other billing platforms, particularly valuable for SaaS companies where invoicing and subscription billing are managed outside the ERP.

Best for

Mid-market SaaS and B2B companies that want fast AR automation deployment integrated with Stripe, billing platforms, and modern ERP/accounting systems.

Main tradeoff

Cash application automation depth is not as advanced as enterprise platforms for complex remittance matching.

Buying motion

Self-serve trial available; inside sales for larger deployments.

Not ideal for

Credit management and advanced dispute workflow are not the primary focus.

“Teams usually judge Upflow on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

Unlimited user seats on every planReminders by email, SMS, call and letterConnects to billing tools such as Stripe Billing
Plan prices are not publishedThe Payments add-on has its own monthly feeCash Application Agent and Salesforce sync only on

Versapay's primary differentiation is its collaborative AR model: a customer-facing payment portal where buyers can view invoices, communicate about disputes, and make payments online. Rather than one-directional dunning emails, Versapay carries two-way communication that reduces dispute resolution time and accelerates payment.

Best for

Mid-market to enterprise B2B companies that want to improve customer payment experience and collaborative AR alongside collections automation.

Main tradeoff

Cash application automation depth at very high volumes is less mature than HighRadius or Billtrust for complex remittance scenarios.

Buying motion

Mid-market to enterprise sales; implementation typically 4 to 10 weeks.

Not ideal for

Collections prioritization analytics are less AI-driven than HighRadius.

“Teams usually judge Versapay on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

Customer portal where buyers view invoices, pay andAutomatic cash application that posts to the ERPIntegrated ACH, card and wire payments
No public pricing; payment processing fees are quotedPortal benefits depend on customers adopting itConfirm which ERP connector is included for your

QuickBooks Online includes invoicing as a core feature within its cloud accounting platform, connecting invoices directly to the general ledger, accounts receivable aging, and tax reporting. It is the most widely adopted invoicing solution for US small businesses.

Best for

US small businesses (1-50 employees) that need invoicing integrated with full double-entry accounting, bank feeds, and tax preparation.

Main tradeoff

Invoice template customization is more limited than FreshBooks. The platform's breadth means the invoicing UX is not as polished as purpose-built invoicing tools.

Buying motion

Self-serve signup with free trial. Invoicing included in all QuickBooks plans starting at $30/month. Accountant referral channel drives most adoption.

Not ideal for

Freelancers who only need invoicing without accounting overhead, or businesses that want the most beautiful invoice templates for client-facing presentation.

“Teams usually judge QuickBooks on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

Largest ecosystem of integrations and accountant supportIntuitive interface for non-accountantsCovers invoicing, expenses, payroll, and taxes in one
Outgrown quickly by companies with multi-entity or complexPricing has increased significantly over recent yearsCustomer support quality is inconsistent

FreshBooks leads the invoicing category for freelancers and small service businesses with polished invoice templates, automated payment reminders, and integrated time tracking that connects billable hours directly to invoices.

Best for

Freelancers, consultants, and service-based small businesses (1-20 employees) that need professional invoicing with time tracking and expense capture.

Main tradeoff

Accounting depth is limited compared to QuickBooks or Xero. Growing businesses will eventually need to migrate to a full accounting platform.

Buying motion

Self-serve signup with 30-day free trial. Pricing from $19/month. Freelancer word-of-mouth and organic search drive acquisition.

Not ideal for

Product-based businesses needing inventory management, or companies with complex multi-entity accounting requirements.

“Teams usually judge FreshBooks on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

One of the easiest invoicing experiences for smallBuilt-in time tracking and project managementExtremely easy to use for non-accountants
Not a full double-entry accounting system for allLimited inventory and complex reporting capabilitiesPricing scales by number of billable clients

Xero provides invoicing within its cloud accounting platform, with strong multi-currency invoice support and a clean UI that appeals to international small businesses and their accountants.

Best for

Small businesses with international clients that need multi-currency invoicing integrated with full cloud accounting, especially popular in UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

Main tradeoff

US-specific features (state sales tax, payroll integration) trail QuickBooks. App ecosystem for US businesses is smaller.

Buying motion

Self-serve signup with 30-day free trial. Pricing from $15/month. Accountant partner program drives referrals globally.

Not ideal for

US-only businesses that need strong state sales tax support, or companies that want invoicing without full accounting platform overhead.

“Teams usually judge Xero on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

Clean, modern cloud interface with excellent UX1,000+ connected apps in the marketplaceStrong bank feed and reconciliation features
Payroll only available in select countriesInventory management is basicLess dominant in the US market compared to

Zoho Invoice provides free invoicing software with project tracking, time tracking, and multi-currency support as part of the broader Zoho ecosystem. The platform is genuinely free for invoicing with no hidden transaction fees.

Best for

Small businesses already using Zoho products (CRM, Books, Projects) or those seeking a free, full-featured invoicing tool with international support.

Main tradeoff

Standalone invoicing only; you need Zoho Books for full accounting. UX can feel dated compared to FreshBooks or Wave.

Buying motion

Self-serve free signup. Upsell path to Zoho Books ($15/month) for full accounting. Part of Zoho's ecosystem acquisition strategy.

Not ideal for

Businesses that need invoicing tightly integrated with non-Zoho accounting software, or teams that prioritize design-forward invoice templates.

“Teams usually judge Zoho Invoice on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

Completely free with no user limitsProfessional invoice templates and customizationBuilt-in time tracking and expense management
Not a full accounting solution; you need ZohoPayment gateway options are limited in some regionsLess feature-rich than FreshBooks for project-based billing

Wave offers free accounting and invoicing software for micro-businesses and freelancers, monetizing through payment processing and payroll add-ons. It provides genuine double-entry accounting at no cost.

Best for

Micro-businesses and freelancers that need free accounting and invoicing software with optional paid payroll and payment processing.

Main tradeoff

Feature set is minimal compared to QuickBooks or Xero. No inventory, no project tracking, limited integrations. Support is limited on the free tier.

Buying motion

Self-serve free signup. No sales team for core product. Paid add-ons for payroll ($40/month) and payment processing (2.9% + $0.60 per transaction).

Not ideal for

Any business that needs app integrations, inventory tracking, multi-currency support, or accountant-level reporting customization.

“Teams usually judge Wave on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

Core accounting and invoicing are completely freeSimple, clean interface for non-accountantsReceipt scanning via mobile app
Very limited features compared to paid alternativesPayroll and payments cost extraNo inventory management or advanced reporting

Harvest combines time tracking with invoicing for professional services firms, enabling teams to track billable hours and convert them into invoices with a single click. Time tracking accuracy directly improves billing accuracy.

Best for

Professional services firms, agencies, and consultancies (5-100 employees) where accurate time tracking is the foundation of the billing process.

Main tradeoff

Invoicing is tied to the time tracking workflow. Not ideal for product businesses or companies that invoice based on milestones, subscriptions, or fixed fees.

Buying motion

Self-serve with free trial. $12/user/month pricing. Strong adoption in design agencies and consulting firms through word-of-mouth.

Not ideal for

SaaS companies with subscription billing, product businesses with inventory-based invoicing, or companies that do not bill based on time and materials.

“Teams usually judge Harvest on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

Tracked hours turn into invoices in a fewClean, simple interface that teams actually useGood project budget and utilization reporting
Not suitable for product-based or subscription invoicingLimited accounting features beyond invoicingPricing adds up for larger teams

HoneyBook combines invoicing with proposals, contracts, and client management in a single platform designed for creative professionals. The end-to-end client workflow from proposal through payment is its core value proposition.

Best for

Creative professionals (photographers, designers, event planners, coaches) that need proposal-to-payment workflows with contracts, invoicing, and scheduling in one tool.

Main tradeoff

Not a general-purpose invoicing or accounting tool. Limited reporting and no double-entry accounting. Industry focus means features may not fit non-creative businesses.

Buying motion

Self-serve signup with free trial. Pricing from $19/month. Strong word-of-mouth in creative communities (wedding, photography, design).

Not ideal for

Businesses outside creative services, or companies that need full accounting integration, inventory management, or enterprise-scale invoicing.

“Teams usually judge HoneyBook on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

All-in-one client management from proposal to paymentBeautiful templates for proposals, contracts, and invoicesBuilt-in scheduling and client communication
Not built for high-volume B2B invoicingLimited accounting featuresPricing can feel high for a single-user freelancer

Square Invoices extends Square's payment ecosystem into professional invoicing with a focus on businesses that also accept in-person payments. Invoices sync with Square POS data for unified payment reporting.

Best for

Small businesses already using Square POS that need to add invoicing for custom orders, deposits, or service work alongside their in-person payment processing.

Main tradeoff

Invoicing features are lighter than dedicated platforms like FreshBooks. Locked into Square's payment processing rates (2.9% + $0.30 online).

Buying motion

Self-serve through Square account. Free for basic invoicing. Plus plan at $20/month for custom fields and templates.

Not ideal for

Businesses that do not use Square for in-person payments, or companies that need advanced invoicing features like time tracking, project billing, or complex recurring schedules.

“Teams usually judge Square Invoices on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

Free to create and send invoicesIntegrated card payment processingWorks within the broader Square ecosystem
Payment processing fees on every card transactionLimited customization compared to dedicated invoicing toolsBest for businesses already using Square for payments

Stripe Invoicing brings Stripe's payment infrastructure to invoice-based billing, enabling SaaS companies and online businesses to send invoices that accept 135+ currencies and dozens of payment methods without integrating a separate invoicing tool.

Best for

SaaS companies, marketplaces, and online businesses already on Stripe that need to add manual invoicing alongside their automated billing.

Main tradeoff

Not a standalone invoicing tool. Limited invoice template customization. No time tracking, expense management, or accounting features.

Buying motion

Self-serve through Stripe Dashboard. Per-invoice pricing ($0.40 per paid invoice plus Stripe processing fees). No separate subscription required.

Not ideal for

Traditional businesses that do not use Stripe for payment processing, or companies that need rich invoice templates, time tracking, or integrated accounting.

“Teams usually judge Stripe Invoicing on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

Runs on Stripe's global payment infrastructureDeveloper-friendly API for custom invoice workflowsHosted payment pages simplify customer payments
Per-invoice fee on top of payment processing costsLess feature-rich than dedicated invoicing platformsRequires Stripe account and comfort with its dashboard

PayPal Invoicing uses the PayPal payment network to let businesses send invoices and accept payments through PayPal, credit cards, and Venmo. No additional software required beyond a PayPal Business account.

Best for

Micro-businesses and freelancers already using PayPal that want to send professional invoices without adopting a separate invoicing tool.

Main tradeoff

Payment processing fees (2.99% + fixed fee) are higher than dedicated invoicing tools with alternative payment gateways. No accounting, time tracking, or expense management.

Buying motion

Self-serve through PayPal Business account. No additional signup required. Monetized through payment processing fees.

Not ideal for

Businesses that need detailed financial reporting, time tracking, or integration with accounting software for automated reconciliation.

“Teams usually judge PayPal Invoicing on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

Free invoice creation and sendingGlobal payment acceptance through PayPalFamiliar payment experience for customers
PayPal payment processing fees applyVery basic invoicing featuresLimited customization and automation

Melio focuses on small business bill pay and invoicing, offering free ACH payments and a simple interface for businesses that need to send invoices and pay vendors without complex accounting software.

Best for

Very small businesses (1-20 employees) that want simple invoicing paired with bill pay and vendor payment management at minimal cost.

Main tradeoff

Very limited compared to full accounting platforms. No general ledger, no financial reporting, no payroll. Purely a payments and invoicing tool.

Buying motion

Self-serve free signup. Monetized through card payment fees (2.9%) and optional premium features.

Not ideal for

Businesses that need accounting, financial reporting, or multi-entity management alongside their invoicing.

“Teams usually judge Melio on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

Free for bank transfer paymentsPay by card even when vendors only acceptSimple QuickBooks integration
Card payment fees can add up quicklyLimited AP automation features beyond paymentsNot designed for mid-market or enterprise scale

Bonsai provides invoicing alongside proposals, contracts, time tracking, and tax preparation specifically for freelancers. The platform bundles every administrative tool a solo professional needs into a single subscription.

Best for

Freelancers and independent consultants that want a single platform for proposals, contracts, invoicing, time tracking, expense tracking, and estimated tax payments.

Main tradeoff

Designed for individual freelancers and very small teams. Outgrown quickly by businesses that need team collaboration, multi-entity accounting, or inventory management.

Buying motion

Self-serve signup with free trial. Pricing from $21/month. Freelancer community marketing and content drives acquisition.

Not ideal for

Businesses with more than 5 employees, product-based companies, or teams that need enterprise-grade accounting and reporting.

“Teams usually judge Bonsai on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

All-in-one freelancer platform from proposal to tax prepAutomated tax estimation and quarterly remindersProfessional proposal and contract templates
Not suitable for companies beyond small agency sizeAccounting features are basicSome features require higher-tier plans

Shortlist criteria

Teams usually compare invoicing software vendors on workflow fit, implementation effort, reporting, and how much manual work is left after rollout.

The better products in invoicing software shorten cycle time, tighten controls, and leave a record that controllers, auditors, and the CFO can follow.

What to validate before you buy

  • Clarify which invoicing software workflow is consuming the most time today.
  • Check whether ERP integrations and approval logic fit the current operating model.
  • Compare how much manual follow-up and exception handling each tool actually removes.

What shows up across the current market

Common pricing models in this category include Per user / month, Custom quote, Free, Subscription, and Per invoice. Deployment patterns represented here include Cloud. We have published 15 software profiles in this category.

Shortlist criteria

Which workflow should invoicing software fix first? How much implementation, training and process cleanup will you still need after purchase? Does the pricing still work as headcount, entities or transaction volume grow? Which reporting, control or integration gaps are likely to cause problems six months after rollout?

How we selected these tools

We included the tools that hold up best on implementation effort, pricing structure, trial access, workflow coverage and published reviews. Read how we review software for the full methodology, and see our editorial guidelines for how we handle vendor relationships.

When to evaluate invoicing software

Invoicing software pays off when invoice accuracy, payment collection, and the client billing experience directly affect how fast you get paid.

It is especially useful for service businesses, freelancers, and contractors whose cash flow depends on billing quickly and correctly.

Common evaluation mistakes

Buyers often choose on invoice design without testing processing fees, accounting sync, and what happens when a client disputes or pays late.

Another common mistake is picking a general invoicing tool without confirming it handles the billing structures the business actually uses.

Building your shortlist

Build the shortlist on payment speed, accounting integration, and total processing cost.

Before committing, run a real invoice-to-payment test that includes a recurring invoice and a late payment.

Types of invoicing software tools

Freelancer and solo business invoicing tools

Best when you need something simple and cheap, with built-in time tracking.

SMB invoicing platforms

For businesses that need recurring billing, client portals, and accounting integration.

Industry-specific invoicing tools

For specialized billing such as construction progress billing, AIA forms, or legal trust accounting.

Key features to look for in Invoicing Software

Invoice creation, templates, and delivery that fit how you bill clients. This is often what separates tools that look alike, once you compare rollout effort, fit and ongoing admin work.

Online payment acceptance at competitive processing fees. This is often what separates tools that look alike, once you compare rollout effort, fit and ongoing admin work.

Recurring invoices and subscription billing where needed. This is often what separates tools that look alike, once you compare rollout effort, fit and ongoing admin work.

Automated payment reminders for overdue invoices. This is often what separates tools that look alike, once you compare rollout effort, fit and ongoing admin work.

Accounting integration so invoices aren't entered twice. The tool has to work with the systems you already run. Check that it supports your ERP, banks and other core systems natively, not through custom work.

Time tracking and project billing if you bill by the hour. This is often what separates tools that look alike, once you compare rollout effort, fit and ongoing admin work.

Cost and pricing expectations

Invoicing software ranges from free basic tools to paid plans with payment processing, recurring billing, and accounting integration.

At volume, payment processing fees (typically 2 to 3.5% per transaction) are often the real cost of an invoicing tool.

Compare total cost including transaction fees, not just the subscription price.

When this category is overkill

A dedicated invoicing tool is sometimes overkill when your accounting system already handles invoicing well enough.

It can also be unnecessary when invoice volume is so low that running another system isn't worth it.

Other options and adjacent paths

Accounting software with built-in invoicing when fewer systems matters more than invoicing features.

AR automation tools when collections, cash application, and customer follow-up are bigger problems than creating invoices.

Invoicing Software buyer guides

No buyer guides for this category yet.

Invoicing Software comparisons

More invoicing software guides

Narrower versions of this page, by team type, company size or use case.

Invoicing Software terms to know

Common questions about invoicing software

What should buyers compare in invoicing software?

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Start with payment processing fees, time tracking integration, recurring invoice support, and how cleanly invoicing data flows into your accounting system.

What is the best free invoicing software?

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Wave, Invoice Ninja, and PayPal Invoicing offer free plans with basic invoice creation and payment collection. Paid tools typically add recurring billing, time tracking integration, and lower processing fees at volume.

What is the difference between invoicing software and billing software?

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Invoicing software focuses on creating and sending individual invoices and collecting one-time or ad hoc payments. Billing software handles recurring subscription plans, usage-based pricing, dunning automation, and subscriber lifecycle management. A freelancer typically needs invoicing software; a SaaS company typically needs billing software.

Can invoicing software handle recurring invoices automatically?

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Yes. Most paid invoicing platforms support recurring invoice schedules with automatic delivery and payment reminders. For complex subscription billing (usage metering, proration, or plan changes), dedicated billing software is more reliable.

What payment processing fees should buyers watch for?

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Most invoicing platforms charge 2.5–3.5% plus $0.30 per card transaction. Some tools offer lower rates at volume or allow using your own payment processor. ACH payment fees are typically lower than card fees and worth comparing if invoice amounts are large.