Best free invoice tools for freelancers

Quick comparison

The tools

1. Wave: unlimited invoices plus bookkeeping

Wave's Starter plan lets you create unlimited estimates, invoices, bills and bookkeeping records, and you can invoice from the mobile app. Online payments are optional; Wave lists 2.9% + $0.60 per credit card payment and 3.4% + $0.60 for Amex, and approval involves identity verification and a credit review. Auto-importing bank transactions and automatic late-payment reminders are listed as Pro features (Pro is $190 a year, billed annually). Source: Wave pricing.

2. Zoho Invoice: free with a yearly cap

Zoho calls Zoho Invoice "forever-free". The free plan includes quotes, recurring invoices, automatic payment reminders, expense tracking, time logging and a customer portal. The limits: up to two users, three projects and 500 invoices a year, and invoices carry "Powered by Zoho Invoice" branding. One catch: Zoho deletes data from accounts inactive for over 180 days (it says it warns you first). Source: Zoho Invoice pricing.

3. Invoice Ninja: unlimited invoices for up to 5 clients

Invoice Ninja's Free plan is $0 with unlimited invoicing for up to 5 clients. It includes 11 invoice templates, your logo, recurring invoices and auto-billing, deposits and partial payments, time tracking and a client portal. Clients pay through a gateway you connect (it names Stripe, PayPal, Square, GoCardless and more), so card fees are the gateway's. Automatic late-payment reminders and removing "Created by Invoice Ninja" need Ninja Pro ($14 a month). Source: Invoice Ninja pricing.

4. Square Invoices: free plan, low bank-transfer fees

Square Free has no monthly subscription; you pay only when you take a payment. Its invoice features include unlimited invoices, recurring invoices, deposits, automatic payment reminders, estimates and contracts. On Square Free, an online card payment on an invoice costs 3.3% + 30¢, an ACH bank transfer costs 1% with a $1 minimum, and cash or check is free. Cards issued outside the US add 1.5%. Source: Square Invoices pricing.

5. PayPal invoicing: pay per payment

PayPal's US fee page lists these rates for invoice payments: 3.49% + $0.49 when the client pays with PayPal or Venmo, 2.99% + $0.49 for a standard credit or debit card, and 1% capped at $10.00 for Pay by Bank (ACH). International invoice payments add 1.50%. PayPal also lists an optional Invoicing Subscription at $14.99 a month. Source: PayPal merchant fees.

6. Invoice-Generator.com: a PDF in two minutes

If you need one invoice today, Invoice-Generator.com lets you enter your details, line items, tax and discounts, add your logo, change the currency, and download a PDF for free with no signup. Its homepage says you can also send invoices and accept payments online; for a quick PDF, put your payment details on the invoice. Source: Invoice-Generator.com.

How to pick

• One invoice, no account: Invoice-Generator.com, or build the quote in our quote builder and save it as a PDF.
• Fewer than 5 regular clients: Invoice Ninja's free plan covers you, with recurring invoices and deposits.
• More clients, under 500 invoices a year: Zoho Invoice gives you reminders, time tracking and a client portal at $0.
• You also want free bookkeeping: Wave Starter keeps invoices and records in one place.
• Big invoices: fees add up. On a $2,000 invoice, a card payment at 2.9% or more costs at least $58, while Square's 1% ACH fee is $20 and PayPal's Pay by Bank is capped at $10. Ask clients to pay by bank where you can.
• Your clients live in PayPal: PayPal invoicing lets them pay from an account they already have; check the 1.50% international fee if they're abroad.

Whichever tool you pick, the payment fee comes out of what you keep. Our hourly rate calculator helps you build costs like these into your rate.

FAQ

Sources

• Wave: Pricing
• Zoho Invoice: Pricing
• Invoice Ninja: Pricing plans
• Square: Invoices pricing & plans
• PayPal: Merchant fees (US)
• Invoice-Generator.com: Free Invoice Generator

Last checked Nov 4, 2026. Prices and limits change; check the vendor's page before you sign up. We have no affiliate relationship with any tool listed. Not legal or tax advice.