Best Invoicing Software for Freelancers 2026
Invoicing Software solutions help teams streamline workflows and improve productivity. Choosing the right platform for Freelancers need simple, affordable invoicing software that handles unlimited invoices, tracks time and expenses, accepts online payments, and doesn't require accounting expertise. Key priorities: ease of use, mobile apps, professional templates, and no transaction fees on the software itself. requires balancing features, ease of use, and total cost of ownership.
This guide evaluates the top options based on real-world pricing, user feedback, and feature depth to help you make an informed decision. We've analyzed pricing models, hidden costs, and value propositions to surface the best choices for different team sizes and budgets.
For freelancers, Wave is the best choice at $0/month with unlimited invoicing and professional features. Zoho Invoice offers a free tier for up to 5 clients, then $9/month for 500 customers. Bonsai provides comprehensive business management (invoices, contracts, proposals, time tracking) starting at $21/month. Harvest is ideal for hourly billing at $12/user/month with superior time tracking. Invoice Ninja offers open-source flexibility with self-hosting (free) or cloud hosting from $10/month.
Our Rankings
Wave
Wave is completely free for unlimited invoicing, making it unbeatable for budget-conscious freelancers. The software includes professional templates, expense tracking, receipt scanning via mobile app, and financial reporting at $0/month. Payment processing fees are transparent at 2.9% + $0.60 for credit cards and 1% for bank payments. The only cost is if you upgrade to Wave Pro at $16/month for recurring invoices and priority support. No monthly fees, no hidden costs for core invoicing features.
- Competitive pricing for the feature set
- Reliable platform with regular updates
- Responsive customer support
- Some feature limitations compared to premium options
Zoho Invoice
Zoho Invoice offers a generous free tier for up to 5 customers with unlimited invoices, time tracking, and expense management. For growing freelancers, the Standard plan at $9/month supports up to 500 customers and adds automated payment reminders and client portal access. The Professional plan at $19/month unlocks unlimited customers and recurring invoices. Multi-currency support and integration with Zoho's ecosystem make it ideal for international freelancers. Payment gateway fees vary by provider but are separate from software costs.
- Strong integration with Excel and other tools
- Reliable platform with regular updates
- Responsive customer support
- May lack some advanced features of competitors
- Some feature limitations compared to premium options
Bonsai
Bonsai is the best all-in-one platform for freelancers who need more than just invoicing. At $21/month (Starter plan), you get unlimited invoices, contracts, proposals, time tracking, expense tracking, and a client portal. The Professional plan at $39/month adds accounting integrations, workflow automations, and custom branding. Note that the advertised pricing requires annual commitment - monthly billing is 30% higher. Payment processing fees are 2.9% + $0.30. Best for freelancers who want comprehensive business management in one tool.
- Strong integration with Excel and other tools
- AI-powered search and insights
- Automated workflows save time
- May lack some advanced features of competitors
- Some feature limitations compared to premium options
Harvest Invoicing
Harvest excels at time tracking integration but the pricing at $12/user/month adds up quickly. The free plan is limited to 1 seat and 2 projects, which won't work for most freelancers. However, the Pro plan includes unlimited projects, recurring invoices, advanced reporting, and seamless integration between tracked time and invoices. Payment processing via Stripe costs 2.9% + $0.30. Best for freelancers who bill by the hour and need detailed time reports for clients. Annual billing required for the $12 rate (month-to-month is 10% higher).
- Strong integration with Excel and other tools
- AI-powered search and insights
- Not as feature-rich as market leaders
- May lack some advanced features of competitors
Invoice Ninja
Invoice Ninja offers unique flexibility with a free self-hosted option for tech-savvy freelancers who want complete control and zero monthly fees. The cloud-hosted Pro plan at $10/month includes recurring invoices, custom designs, and task management. The Enterprise plan at $14/month adds white-label branding and API access. Self-hosting requires technical expertise and server costs but eliminates software fees entirely. Payment gateway fees apply separately. Best for freelancers with technical skills or those who need white-label invoicing for client-facing work.
- Reliable platform with regular updates
- Responsive customer support
- Good documentation and training resources
- Not as feature-rich as market leaders
- May lack some advanced features of competitors
Evaluation Criteria
- Free or Low Cost: Freelancers operate on tight margins and need software that's free or under $25/month for essential features
- All in One Features: Time tracking, expense management, and invoicing in one platform eliminates app switching
- Professional Templates: Polished, customizable invoice designs that reflect a professional brand image
- Payment Processing: Accept credit cards and bank payments directly through invoices with transparent fees
- Mobile Access: Create and send invoices on the go via mobile apps for iOS and Android
How We Picked These
We evaluated 5 products (last researched 2026-01-30).
Total cost including hidden fees, implementation, and support
Depth and breadth of core functionality for this use case
Learning curve, setup time, and user experience
API access, native integrations, and ecosystem
Documentation, training resources, and customer service responsiveness
Frequently Asked Questions
01 What's the best free invoicing software for freelancers?
Wave is the best free option, offering unlimited invoicing, expense tracking, receipt scanning, and financial reporting at $0/month. You only pay for optional payment processing (2.9% + $0.60 for credit cards). Zoho Invoice also has a free tier for up to 5 customers with unlimited invoices.
02 Do I need separate time tracking and invoicing software?
Not necessarily. Bonsai ($21/month) and Harvest ($12/user/month) both combine time tracking with invoicing, eliminating the need for separate tools. Wave and Zoho Invoice also include basic time tracking. This integration saves time and reduces errors when converting tracked hours to invoices.
03 What are typical payment processing fees for freelance invoicing?
Most invoicing software charges 2.9% + $0.30 for credit card payments (Bonsai, Harvest via Stripe). Wave charges 2.9% + $0.60 for credit cards and 1% for bank payments. Zoho Invoice fees vary by payment gateway. These fees are separate from software subscription costs and are paid per transaction.
04 Can I customize invoice templates to match my brand?
Yes, all five options offer customizable templates. Bonsai's Professional plan ($39/month) provides the most extensive custom branding options. Wave, Zoho Invoice, and Harvest offer logo uploads and color customization on free or basic plans. Invoice Ninja's Enterprise plan ($14/month) includes white-label options to completely remove Invoice Ninja branding.
05 Which invoicing software works best for international clients?
Zoho Invoice has the strongest multi-currency support with automatic currency conversion and international payment gateways. Wave also supports multiple currencies at no extra cost. Bonsai handles international invoicing but requires the Professional plan ($39/month) for advanced features. Consider transaction fees for international payments, which are typically higher than domestic fees.
06 What hidden costs should I watch for?
Common hidden costs include setup/onboarding fees, data migration services, training and professional services, premium support plans, additional users beyond base tier, API access, storage overages, and feature add-ons.
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