Best Free Invoicing Software 2026: Top 10 for Freelancers
Professional invoices get you paid faster. But expensive invoicing software cuts into your profits. Here are the best free options for freelancers and small businesses.
Quick Comparison
| Software | Free Limit | Clients | Recurring | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wave | Unlimited | Unlimited | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Zoho Invoice | 5 | 5 | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| PayPal | Unlimited | Unlimited | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Invoice Ninja | 20 | Unlimited | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Square | Unlimited | Unlimited | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
1. Wave — Best Overall Free Invoicing
Limit: Unlimited invoices and clients
Wave offers truly unlimited free invoicing with professional templates.
Features
- ✅ Unlimited invoices & estimates
- ✅ Unlimited clients
- ✅ Recurring invoices
- ✅ Automatic payment reminders
- ✅ Accept online payments
- ✅ Mobile app
- ✅ Full accounting included
Why It’s #1
Wave is the only genuinely unlimited free invoicing solution. No hidden limits, no catch.
Best For: Freelancers wanting professional invoices without paying.
2. Zoho Invoice — Best for Growing Businesses
Limit: 5 clients on free plan
Zoho Invoice offers powerful features even on the free tier.
Features
- ✅ Professional templates
- ✅ Time tracking
- ✅ Expense tracking
- ✅ Multiple currencies
- ✅ Client portal
- ✅ Recurring invoices
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Clients |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 5 |
| Basic | $9/mo | 50 |
| Standard | $19/mo | 500 |
Best For: Businesses planning to scale with Zoho ecosystem.
3. PayPal Business — Best for Getting Paid
Limit: Unlimited
If you accept PayPal, their invoicing is free and instant.
Features
- ✅ Unlimited invoices
- ✅ Accept PayPal, cards
- ✅ Mobile invoicing
- ✅ Payment tracking
- ✅ Automatically linked to PayPal
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Everyone knows PayPal | Higher transaction fees |
| Instant setup | Limited customization |
| Fast payments | Not full accounting |
Best For: Those who already accept PayPal payments.
4. Invoice Ninja — Best Open Source
Limit: 20 clients free
Open source option with self-hosting available.
Features
- ✅ 20 clients free (cloud)
- ✅ Unlimited (self-hosted)
- ✅ Professional templates
- ✅ Time tracking
- ✅ Expense tracking
- ✅ Payment integrations
Best For: Tech-savvy users who want control.
5. Square Invoices — Best for In-Person
Limit: Unlimited
Square’s invoicing is completely free with no monthly fees.
Features
- ✅ Unlimited invoices
- ✅ Accept cards
- ✅ Recurring billing
- ✅ Integrates with Square POS
- ✅ Mobile app
Best For: Businesses with both online and in-person sales.
Features Comparison
| Feature | Wave | Zoho | PayPal | Square |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited invoices | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Recurring | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Time tracking | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Expenses | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Online payments | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Payment Processing Fees
| Platform | Credit Card | ACH/Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Wave | 2.9% + $0.60 | 1% ($1 min) |
| PayPal | 3.49% + $0.49 | N/A |
| Square | 3.3% + $0.30 | Free |
| Stripe | 2.9% + $0.30 | 0.8% |
How to Create Professional Invoices
-
Include all required info:
- Your business name/logo
- Client details
- Invoice number
- Date and due date
- Itemized services
- Payment terms
-
Set clear payment terms:
- Due on receipt
- Net 15 (15 days)
- Net 30 (30 days)
-
Make payment easy:
- Accept credit cards
- Include payment link
- Offer multiple options
-
Follow up:
- Send reminders before due date
- Thank clients for payment
- Keep records
Conclusion
Wave is our top pick—unlimited invoicing with full accounting features, all free.
For businesses planning to grow, Zoho Invoice provides more scalable features.
If you already use PayPal or Square, their built-in invoicing is convenient and free.
Last updated: January 2026