8 Instruments I Examined for Seamless Billing

Once I first began freelancing earlier than my full-time job, I assumed the toughest half can be discovering purchasers. Seems, that was solely half the battle. The true problem was getting paid on time.

At first, I despatched invoices utilizing primary templates, manually monitoring funds in a spreadsheet. However between chasing overdue invoices and double-checking numbers, I shortly realized I wanted a greater system. I wished one thing that might automate my invoicing, hold issues organized, and, most significantly, assist me receives a commission sooner—with out spending a fortune on software program.

That’s once I fell into the rabbit gap of free invoicing software program. I examined a number of choices, searching for the most effective steadiness of options, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness. Some have been surprisingly highly effective, whereas others have been extra bother than they have been price.

So, I examined a number of free billing software program choices to see which of them assist freelancers and small companies streamline their billing with out breaking the financial institution. 

In case you’re bored with bill complications like I used to be, you’re in the best place. I’ll share the most effective free invoicing software program instruments I examined to see which of them assist freelancers and small companies streamline their billing with out breaking the financial institution. 

Skip the trial and error and discover the right answer for you.  

8 free invoicing instruments I’d suggest for seamless billing

For me, free invoicing software program has been a game-changer—eliminating the stress of manually creating invoices, monitoring funds, and reminding purchasers to pay. In case you’ve ever struggled with retaining your funds so as or misplaced monitor of unpaid invoices (like I’ve earlier than), you’ll understand how shortly issues can spiral uncontrolled.

At its core, free invoicing software program helps you create, ship, and handle invoices with out the trouble of spreadsheets or handbook monitoring. However the most effective ones do way more than that. Most of the instruments I examined supply options like automated cost reminders, on-line cost choices, bill customization, and even expense monitoring, all with out costing a dime.

Instruments that dealt with cost reminders and recurring invoices saved me a lot time. Manually following up on unpaid invoices will not be enjoyable, so I appreciated the free on-line invoicing software program that did it for me.

What makes these free invoicing software program price it: My perspective

A free invoicing device ought to do extra than simply generate an bill. No less than, that’s what I spotted after testing a number of choices. One of the best ones aid you monitor funds, automate follow-ups, combine with cost processors, and handle bills.

In case you’re evaluating free invoicing instruments, here is what I might counsel to maintain you in thoughts:

• Ease of use: Belief me, the very last thing you need is to spend an hour determining the best way to ship an bill. I choose instruments that provide a clear dashboard, intuitive navigation, and pre-built bill templates so I can ship invoices in only a few clicks. Bonus factors for drag-and-drop options and straightforward shopper administration!
• Variety of invoices and purchasers allowed: Not all free plans are created equal. Some allow you to ship limitless invoices, whereas others cap you at 5 per 30 days. I all the time verify these limits earlier than committing to a platform—particularly if I plan to scale my enterprise. In case you’re simply beginning out, a restricted free plan may work, however for frequent invoicing, search for larger bill allowances.
• Fee processing and on-line funds: The better I make it for purchasers to pay me, the sooner I get my cash. I all the time verify if the software program helps on-line cost integration with PayPal, Stripe, or direct financial institution transfers. Some free invoicing instruments solely allow you to monitor funds manually, which may sluggish issues down.
• Automation and cost reminders: I don’t have time to chase late funds. One of the best free invoicing instruments mechanically ship cost reminders, so I don’t must ship these awkward follow-up emails. Some even permit recurring invoices, which is a lifesaver if in case you have retainer charges and purchasers.
• Expense monitoring: I choose invoicing software program that does greater than ship invoices; it also needs to assist me monitor bills and taxes. A number of free choices supply primary reporting options, which makes tax season approach much less irritating. If I can see a transparent breakdown of paid, pending, and overdue invoices, that’s a serious win.
• Cellular accessibility: I don’t all the time have my laptop computer on me, so I like invoicing instruments with a cell app or at the very least a mobile-friendly internet model. With the ability to ship an bill or verify cost standing on the go is a large plus.

I examined over 25 billing software program, and the eight under stood out for his or her options, ease of use, particular use circumstances, and free trials. 

The checklist under comprises real person critiques of the most effective billing software program. It’s essential to notice that distributors providing a free trial are additionally thought of free on this checklist. 

To be included on this class, an answer should:

• Present options to create a number of sorts of invoices
• Be capable of consolidate a number of invoices into one or cut up an bill
• Embrace templates for invoices and different paperwork
• Permit customers to ship invoices in several codecs (PDF, MS Phrase) by way of varied communication channels (electronic mail, efax)
• Supply studies and analytics on the standing of every bill
• Embrace cost alert notifications
• Combine with software program options akin to ERP, CRM, and accounting packages

*This information was pulled from G2 in 2025. Some critiques could have been edited for readability. 

QuickBooks Desktop Professional is a superb device for managing funds, and I extremely suggest it for small to medium-sized companies. It gives all of the important options for bookkeeping, invoicing, and monetary reporting. 

The most effective points of QuickBooks Desktop Professional is its invoicing capabilities. Creating and sending invoices is extremely easy, and the software program gives skilled bill templates that make what you are promoting look polished. I additionally beloved the flexibility to monitor bill funds and due dates mechanically, which helps stop money stream points. Plus, QuickBooks integrates with cost processing programs so purchasers will pay invoices seamlessly.

I used to be additionally impressed by the complete monetary reporting instruments. QuickBooks makes it simple to generate studies on money stream, revenue and loss, and bills. It’s excellent for enterprise homeowners who want detailed monetary insights at their fingertips. It’s also possible to hyperlink your financial institution accounts for automated transaction monitoring, which saves a ton of time on reconciliation.

Nonetheless,  Bill administration can generally really feel clunky, particularly when coping with a number of invoices directly. Whereas customization choices exist, they’re considerably restricted, and I want there have been extra flexibility in bill design. One other concern is that updates to invoices can take longer than anticipated, which will be irritating when making last-minute adjustments.

One other factor that bothered me was the occasional lag and glitches. Whereas QuickBooks is dependable more often than not, some customers (myself included) have skilled slowdowns, particularly when dealing with massive quantities of information. Customer help is also higher, as getting assist for technical points isn’t all the time a easy course of.

Certainly one of my largest frustrations is the push towards QuickBooks On-line. Many people nonetheless choose the management of a desktop model, nevertheless it seems like Intuit is nudging customers towards their cloud-based possibility as a substitute of enhancing the desktop expertise.

What I dislike about QuickBooks Desktop Professional:

• When dealing with a number of invoices directly, I want the workflow have been a bit extra streamlined.
• I’d love extra design flexibility to make my invoices stand out to purchasers.

What G2 customers dislike about QuickBooks Desktop Professional:

“They’ve eliminated the easy buy mannequin and moved to a subscription-only mannequin. This has elevated my price fourfold, and I’ve zero further worth for the added price. Additionally, generally, when Outlook makes SW updates, they’re incompatible with QB, and I’ve a tough time sending invoices. Additionally, the built-in service provider providers from Intuit are very costly. ”

– QuickBooks Desktop Professional Evaluate, Bernhard H.

FreshBooks is among the invoicing instruments I’ve relied on for some time now. What units FreshBooks aside for me is its simplicity and effectivity. 

I really like how easy it’s to ship skilled invoices. The platform gives recurring invoices, which means I don’t must manually ship the identical bill each month. Plus, there are cost reminders that mechanically notify purchasers when an bill is due, saving me from chasing down late funds.

One other standout function is the late charges possibility. FreshBooks permits me to arrange automated late charges, guaranteeing that I receives a commission on time. It’s a small however highly effective device for retaining money stream regular.

FreshBooks additionally features a shopper portal, which I believe is a incredible addition. Purchasers can log in to view their invoices, verify cost historical past, and make funds instantly—all with out the same old back-and-forth emails.

In case you’re working with worldwide purchasers, FreshBooks helps multi-currency funds, although I’ve seen some customers point out that it might use slightly refinement. FreshBooks isn’t nearly invoicing—it additionally helps with time monitoring. I can log billable hours and mechanically convert them into an bill, which is a game-changer for freelancers who cost hourly charges.

Expense monitoring is one other function I recognize. You’ll be able to add receipts, categorize bills, and hyperlink them on to invoices, making tax time an entire lot simpler. FreshBooks shines with regards to ease of use. The interface is straightforward, the automation options save time, and it integrates effectively with cost gateways like PayPal and Stripe. 

The dashboard is well-organized, giving me a fast snapshot of excellent invoices, funds, and bills at a look.

Nevertheless it’s not excellent. One concern I’ve observed is bill customization—the templates are clear {and professional}, however should you’re somebody who likes deep customization, you may discover it a bit restrictive.

One other minor frustration is that whereas FreshBooks helps integrations, some third-party app integrations don’t all the time work seamlessly. In case you depend on exterior instruments, double-check their compatibility.

What I dislike about FreshBooks:

• I want I had extra management over how my invoices look. The templates are good, however I would like extra personalization choices.
• I really like having entry on the go, however some options aren’t as highly effective as they’re on a desktop.

What G2 customers dislike about FreshBooks:

“One factor that I dislike about FreshBooks is that the recurring invoices with automated funds pull funds on the bill date as a substitute of the due date. This has precipitated points with a few of my purchasers.”

– FreshBooks Evaluate, Dana M.

BigTime has rather a lot going for it with regards to invoicing and billing, however like several software program, it has its quirks, too. I’ve been utilizing it for some time now, and I can confidently say it makes the entire course of smoother, however there are some things I want have been totally different.

The most effective issues about BigTime is the way it brings all the pieces beneath one roof. Time monitoring, billable hours, and challenge administration all feed instantly into invoicing, so nothing falls by way of the cracks. I don’t must spend time chasing down lacking hours or manually including up bills—it’s all there, able to go.

I additionally recognize the automated reminders for timesheets. I can arrange alerts that nudge my staff to log their time, which suggests we’re invoicing precisely and never lacking out on billable hours.

The budgeting and monitoring instruments are strong. Once I arrange a shopper challenge, I can enter funds limits, monitor bills, and ensure we’re not overspending. This helps hold invoices exact, and I can see profitability in real-time. 

I do want there was extra flexibility in enhancing invoices. As soon as an bill strikes from draft to generated, there’s no simple approach to tweak quantities or make changes. That’s a ache, particularly when coping with advanced contracts.

The automation settings may really feel overwhelming. BigTime lets me automate billing and process scheduling, which is nice in principle, however setting it up takes time. If the settings aren’t excellent, I may miss reminders or find yourself with scheduling hiccups.

Whereas the QuickBooks integration is useful, I’ve had moments the place syncing doesn’t go easily. Typically, names don’t pull appropriately into invoices, and infrequently, syncing takes longer than anticipated.

A giant frustration is that I can’t export timesheets on to QuickBooks Payroll anymore. That was an excellent helpful function, and now that it’s gone, payroll processing takes additional steps.

BigTime is a superb device for retaining invoices correct and initiatives on funds. In case you want a centralized system for monitoring billable hours and turning them into invoices with minimal effort, it’s an ideal choose. However should you want deep customization or count on flawless automation, you may run into some snags. General, it’s a robust invoicing answer with room for enchancment!

What I dislike about BigTime:

• I want there was an choice to override quantities when drafting invoices. Advanced shopper contracts typically require changes that BigTime doesn’t all the time permit.
• Whereas automation is nice, organising billing schedules or workflows generally is a problem. Typically, reminder notifications don’t set off appropriately, which slows us down. 

What G2 customers dislike about BigTime:

“Pricing is excessive for companies beneath three staff. Though it is marketed as a lot a month, you get charged extra. The coaching progress is by yourself. Customer support is poor at finest. Unable to talk to a human. Points with billing and invoicing take weeks to get mounted.”

– BigTime Evaluate, Curt Ok.

Automation is a lifesaver. BILL AP/AR makes processing invoices and funds simple, serving to cut back human error and missed funds. As soon as arrange, it takes care of a lot of the heavy lifting, which is a large time-saver. The approval course of is basically sturdy, too, particularly for companies that want a number of sign-offs. Plus, the audit path ensures transparency and prevents tampering. I additionally love that I can ahead invoices straight to BILL’s inbox, which simplifies monitoring and retains all the pieces organized. Sending invoices, monitoring their standing, and organising funds is tremendous easy, making it an ideal system for companies that have to hold all the pieces in verify.

That mentioned, there are some issues that want enchancment. Not all the pieces will be automated, and generally I nonetheless must course of invoices manually, which defeats the aim. Syncing with QuickBooks can also be flawed—BILL solely syncs a technique, which means I can’t absolutely depend on it for correct information. I all the time must double-check in QuickBooks to make sure all the pieces matches. The system may also be a bit inflexible when dealing with out-of-the-ordinary invoices. It forces me to work inside its construction, even once I want exceptions. In case you want each invoicing and invoice cost options, be able to pay additional. There are cheaper methods to deal with one aspect of the method, however BILL forces you to pay for each if you would like all the pieces in a single place.

BILL AP/AR is a strong invoicing device that takes the stress out of funds and approvals, nevertheless it’s not excellent. If automation, approval workflows, and bill monitoring are your priorities, it’s an ideal match. Simply be ready to work round some limitations, particularly with regards to automation flexibility and syncing with QuickBooks. Would I like to recommend it? Sure, however provided that its strengths align together with your wants.

What I dislike about BILL AP/AR:

• Once I signed up, I anticipated bank card auto-charging and PayPal integration—it seems each have been discontinued with out discover. Additionally, should you sync with QuickBooks, ACH funds can create duplicate transactions, making reconciliation a ache.
• If I ship an bill to somebody outdoors the BILL community, they get pestered to create an account, which isn’t all the time handy for them. 

What G2 customers dislike about BILL AP/AR:

“Invoice.com is a bit sluggish. Typically, we have now to course of some invoices manually. In some occasions, it won’t auto-capture the bill the place we should always do it manually.”

– BILL AP/AR Evaluate, Priya R.

Maxio makes invoicing and billing easy. The automated invoicing system lets me schedule recurring invoices, decreasing handbook effort. I additionally just like the cost monitoring function, which mechanically notifies purchasers of overdue funds. This automation has saved me time chasing invoices.

Certainly one of Maxio’s finest points is its integration with accounting software program like Xero. I can sync monetary information with out manually transferring info, making bookkeeping smoother. Nonetheless, I’ve observed that generally the Xero sync fails or lags, requiring me to recheck my information.

The reporting dashboard is one other standout. It gives real-time income monitoring, so I can see excellent funds and monetary tendencies at a look. The customized monetary studies give deep insights into money stream, which has been nice for decision-making.

That mentioned, Maxio has some downsides. The customization choices for bill templates are fairly restricted. In order for you a totally branded bill format, you may be annoyed by the dearth of flexibility. I additionally discover that the workflow automation instruments might be extra adaptable—they work effectively for traditional processes, however if in case you have a posh billing construction, chances are you’ll want workarounds.

The buyer help expertise has been hit-or-miss. When issues work, it’s nice. However should you run right into a severe concern, getting a well timed response from help will be difficult. Troubleshooting integration errors takes longer than it ought to.

Lastly, pricing is a priority. Maxio is on the costly aspect, and should you don’t absolutely make the most of its automation and integration options, it may not really feel price the associated fee. It’s an ideal device, however you could consider whether or not its strengths align with what you are promoting wants.

In case you want sturdy automation and monetary monitoring, Maxio does an ideal job. But when customization, seamless integrations, and fast help are dealbreakers, think about taking a look at different choices.

What I dislike about Maxio: 

• If one thing goes incorrect, getting assist isn’t fast. Assist response occasions are sluggish, and resolving advanced points takes too lengthy.
• I want I had extra management over bill templates and workflow setups. The inflexible construction makes it arduous to tailor issues to my enterprise wants.

What G2 customers dislike about Maxio:

“Customer support may be very sluggish and takes at the very least 24 to 48 hours to acknowledge any concern.”

– Maxio Evaluate, David B.

I’ve been utilizing Wave for my enterprise, and if there’s one factor it does effectively, it’s invoicing. Whether or not you’re a freelancer, a small enterprise proprietor, or simply want a straightforward approach to invoice purchasers, Wave makes the method easy and stress-free.

Creating invoices is easy. The system is tremendous intuitive—you simply fill within the particulars, customise it together with your emblem, and ship it off in a number of clicks. There’s even a collection of bill templates that look skilled and clear, although I want there have been extra choices. As soon as the bill is out, Wave takes care of the follow-ups. The automated reminder system ensures that overdue invoices don’t get forgotten, and it’s a lifesaver when coping with late-paying purchasers. No extra awkward emails asking, “Hey, did you see that bill?”

Getting paid?  Wave makes it simple for me to just accept funds on-line. My purchasers will pay utilizing bank cards or financial institution transfers proper from the bill, which is a complete game-changer as a result of it eliminates all that pointless back-and-forth about cost strategies. That mentioned, cost processing will be sluggish at occasions, and I’ll admit it’s irritating once I’m ready for funds to clear.

One other factor I really like is monitoring my invoices. I can shortly see which of them are paid, pending, or overdue, which makes managing my funds rather a lot simpler. However I’ve observed that monitoring isn’t all the time 100% correct. Typically, there are glitches, and the standing of an bill doesn’t replace appropriately, which generally is a little unreliable.

Whereas invoicing in Wave is nice, there are some things I want have been higher. Sometimes, funds take longer than anticipated to come back by way of, and that may throw off my money stream. The bill designs are good, however I’d like to see extra selection to raised match my branding. Additionally, whereas the automated reminders are tremendous useful, I want I had extra management over when and the way they’re despatched.

In case you’re searching for a free invoicing device that covers the necessities and not using a ton of pointless complexity, Wave is a strong selection. It’s simple to make use of, seems to be skilled, and does a lot of the heavy lifting for me. Positive, there are a number of quirks, however general, it’s an ideal possibility for anybody who desires hassle-free invoicing with out spending a fortune on software program.

What I dislike about Wave:

• Transactions don’t all the time import appropriately, and once in a while, my accounts disconnect for no purpose.
• Whereas Wave helps with primary tax monitoring, I generally want there have been deeper insights and extra reporting options.

What G2 customers dislike about Wave:

“Buyer help seems like it will probably take eternally to resolve, together with some lackluster options which are lacking on the free tier model (as anticipated). There have additionally been some app glitches inflicting a reset of the app wanted.”

– Wave Evaluate, verified person.

If there’s one factor I really like about Xero, it’s how simple it makes invoicing. I can craft skilled invoices in only a few clicks. With customizable templates, I can add my emblem, alter colours, and set cost phrases that match my enterprise. Whether or not I desire a smooth, fashionable look or one thing easy and useful, Xero helps me make invoicing really feel like a part of my model.

No extra ready round for checks! Xero integrates with digital cost instruments like Stripe, PayPal, and Sq., making it simpler for my purchasers to pay invoices on-line. Meaning sooner funds and improved money stream for my enterprise.

Chasing down funds? Not anymore. Xero’s automated cost reminders save me time. As an alternative of manually following up, I can set automated notifications to remind purchasers when an bill is due (or overdue). Much less stress, extra on-time funds.

On the go? No downside. With the Xero cell app, I can create and ship invoices straight from my telephone or pill. Whether or not I’m at a gathering, touring, or simply away from my desk, invoicing is all the time at my fingertips.

Xero’s invoicing options are designed to streamline my billing course of, enhance money stream, and supply a seamless cost expertise for me and my purchasers. With customization, automation, and cell flexibility, it’s a game-changer for my enterprise, making invoicing easy.

What I dislike about Xero:

• I can create invoices, however the templates and customization choices are fairly restricted. I’d love extra flexibility in branding and design.
• Once I need assistance, I generally have to attend longer than anticipated for a response.

What G2 customers dislike about Xero:

“Usability on cell app function. Additionally can be good to have late payment and curiosity calculations on overdue invoices. Buyer help continues to be missing with none actual skill to name them by telephone.”

– Xero Evaluate, Rayn V. 

I have been utilizing Zoho Books for invoicing, and truthfully, it is among the best instruments on the market should you want one thing easy, environment friendly, and cost-effective. Whether or not you are a freelancer or a small enterprise proprietor, it takes the headache out of getting paid on time. 

Creating invoices is a breeze. The interface is clear, and I can customise invoices with my emblem and branding. It solely takes a number of clicks to generate a skilled bill. When you’ve got purchasers you invoice recurrently, the recurring invoices function is a lifesaver. I can set them up and neglect about manually creating them every month. 

Chasing funds is a problem, however Zoho Books automates it with cost reminders that notify purchasers when their bill is due, decreasing late funds. Purchasers may pay by way of Stripe, PayPal, and different cost gateways, making the entire course of extra handy.

In fact, there are some drawbacks. The free plan has an bill restrict, so should you ship numerous invoices, you will hit the cap shortly and have to improve. Whereas the invoices look good, I want there have been extra design and format choices to tweak them additional. That mentioned, if invoicing is an enormous a part of what you are promoting, Zoho Books is a strong selection. The automation and ease of use make it stand out, however should you want limitless invoices or extra customization, you may have to improve or search for workarounds.

What I dislike about Zoho Books:

• Options like automation and detailed reporting require higher-tier plans, which really feel limiting at occasions.
• I hit the bill cap fairly quick, which suggests I’ve to improve to a paid plan prior to I’d like.

What G2 customers dislike about Zoho Books:

“There is a restrict on the variety of month-to-month invoices, plus, extra superior options are solely out there for extra premium variations.“ 

– Zoho Books Evaluate, Tebogo H.

To get an entire deal with in your funds, the best accounting software program might help you monitor bills, handle money stream, and keep tax-ready.