The 6 Best Invoicing Software for Freelancers
Share this article:
Searching for the best invoicing software for freelancers? Invoicing software can significantly streamline your business operations, allowing you to focus more on what you do best – delivering excellent work for your clients.
In this blog, we’ll explore what freelance invoicing entails and why it’s crucial for every freelance business. We’ll also review some of the top invoicing software options to help you decide which is best for you.
Let’s get started!
What Is Freelance Invoicing, and Why Is It Important?
Freelance invoicing is the process of billing clients for services rendered. A standard invoice documents the work that has been completed, as well as the agreed compensation and payment terms.
Effective freelance invoicing is essential because it:
- Reduces the likelihood of incorrect or late payments.
- Protects you in the event of payment disputes.
- Helps you track your earnings, expenses, and overall financial health.
- Simplifies tax filing and makes it easier to meet your legal obligations.
- Shows professionalism, enhancing your credibility with clients.
6 Great Examples of Freelancing Software
Choosing the right invoicing software can make all the difference in managing your freelance business. Here are some of the top options with unique features, along with their pros and cons (note that paid plans are in US Dollars (USD)).
1. FreshBooks
FreshBooks is a popular tool for freelancers and small businesses. It’s known for its customizable invoicing templates, which allow you to incorporate your own branding (like your logo and color palette) into the design. You can set up automatic payment reminders and late fees, as well as recurring invoices for repeat clients. The tool also allows users to generate useful reports for profit and loss, expenses, and more.
Plans start at $19 a month, and you have the option of signing up for a 30-day trial.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Easy to use, especially for beginners
- Wide range of invoicing features
- Unlimited time and expense tracking
- Mobile app option (iOS and Android) for on-the-go invoicing
- Payment options include VISA, MasterCard, AMEX, and Apple Pay
- Integration with over 100 partner apps
- Customer support available from 8am to 7pm on weekdays
Cons:
- The Lite plan only allows unlimited invoices for up to five clients
- The Lite plan doesn’t include accountant access, bank reconciliation, or double-entry fundamentals
- Additional users cost an extra $11 per month
2. Harvest
Two small business owners launched Harvest in 2006. Today, it serves the time tracking and billing needs of over 70,000 freelancers, small businesses, and departments within Fortune 500s worldwide.
Harvest boasts a wide range of invoicing features. Users can create invoices from timesheets, track project and task expenses, and set up automated invoices and reminders. It also allows you to generate detailed reports, which can be exported to other project management tools (like Asana or Slack) or shared with an accountant.
Users can access unlimited invoices for unlimited projects for about $11 per month. You can try the software for free for 30 days, with no credit card required (but you’ll be limited to one seat and two projects).
Pros:
- Beginner-friendly, intuitive interface
- The free version is ideal for freelancers and solopreneurs
- Wide range of invoicing features, including automated reminders
- Offers time-tracking and reporting tools
- Integration with payment tools like Stripe and PayPal for seamless payments
- Mobile app option (iOS and Android) for on-the-go invoicing
- Paid plan can be canceled at any time
Cons:
- Free version limitations might be restrictive for some freelancers
- Customer support is limited to email and X (formerly Twitter)
- Limited advanced accounting features
- Limited integration capabilities with some project management systems
- Fewer invoice customization options than other software
3. Wave Accounting
Wave Accounting is a great option for new freelancers or those on a budget. Invoices can be created quickly using customizable templates, with instant notifications when an invoice is viewed, due, or paid. Payment information is automatically synced with Wave’s accounting feature, making bookkeeping much easier.
The starter plan is completely free, or you can go for the Pro plan at $16 per month.
Pros:
- User-friendly and easy to set up
- Unlimited, customizable invoices available with the free plan
- Invoices can be sent automatically, or via links or PDFs
- Dashboard shows invoice statuses and performance reports, all in one place
- The Wave app (iOS and Android) allows for on-the-go invoicing
- No contract, hidden fees or charges
Cons:
- Recurring payments, auto-reminders, and deposit requests are only available with the Pro plan
- Live-person chat and email support is not available for free users
- Mobile app doesn’t offer the full functionality of the desktop version
- Fewer third-party integrations than other software
4. Bonsai
Bonsai is particularly popular for end-to-end management. As well as financial management tools, it also has client and project management tools. When it comes to invoicing, Bonsai allows you to automate everything from creation to payment reminders and recurring payments. Users can receive credit card and Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments in over 100 currencies.
Plans start at $25 per month, with additional pricing tiers at $39 and $79. If you want to try before you buy, Bonsai offers a seven-day trial period.
Pros:
- Free plan is ideal for new freelancers and contractors
- Extensive library of customizable invoice templates (for all plans)
- Unlimited clients and projects (for all plans)
- Ability to automate the whole invoicing process
- Ability to send proposals and contracts
- Multi-currency and multi-language support
- Plans can be changed or canceled at any time
- Mobile app for iPhone and Android users
Cons:
- Some features locked behind higher-tier plans, such as the number of project collaborators
- Mobile app lacks some of the functionality of the desktop version
- Customer support is limited to email and in-app chat
5. HoneyBook
Founded in 2013, HoneyBook is an all-in-one clientflow management platform used by over 100,000 independent businesses. Professionally designed invoice templates can be customized to match your branding and scheduled to be sent at a specific date and time.
Plans start at $19 a month, but a 50% discount is offered for the first year if you choose annual billing. Like Bonsai, there’s the option of doing a seven-day free trial.
Pros:
- Quick setup and easy to use
- Extensive library of customizable templates available for all payment plans
- Invoices and payment reminders can be pre-scheduled
- Integrates with a wide range of popular small business tools
- Smooth client experience
- Mobile app can perform invoicing functions, including file sharing, track time, and access reports
- Chat and email support available seven days a week
- Users can change or cancel plans anytime
Cons:
- Transaction fees for credit card and ACH payments can add up over time
- Some features are only available with the Essentials and Premium plans
- Some integrations (e.g., QuickBooks) aren’t available with the Starter plan
- Requires the use of its payment processor to accept online payments
6. Square
Square Invoices is known for its user-friendly design, making it easy for not-so-techie users to navigate its invoicing platform. The free plan allows you to send unlimited invoices, estimates, and contracts, and schedule recurring invoices. You can also track invoices in real-time from the project dashboard.
Square is free but does offer a Plus plan at $20 monthly for growing businesses that need advanced features.
Pros:
- Allows you to send unlimited invoices, estimates, and contracts
- Custom invoice templates can be saved and reused
- Invoices can be sent via email, SMS, or hyperlink
- Real-time invoice tracking from your laptop or mobile device
- Integrates with accounting software such as QuickBooks Online and Xero
Cons:
- Many features are only available with the Plus plan (e.g., custom invoice layouts)
- Invoice processing fees, even with the Plus plan
- Must use the platform’s in-house payment processing in order to accept online payments
Which Software Is Right for You?
Unfortunately, there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ software. You’ll need to consider your budget, business type, and individual needs to make an informed decision. To choose the right software, we suggest considering the following:
- The number of people who will be using the software
- Customer reviews
- The software’s invoicing features
- How much time you need to decide if the software is right for you (trial periods)
- The number of potential clients you will have
- The variety of invoicing templates available and whether they can be customized
- Your preferences for contacting customer service
- Whether the software is easy to use
- Whether the software has integration capabilities with other tools you use
You’ll get more invoicing features if you pay for plans. Having said that, we recommend considering software programs with trial periods. We also recommend software that allows you to cancel plans at any time. Finally, it’s a good idea to contact the relevant customer services to address any questions or concerns you may have, either before or during a trial period.
Becoming A Freelancer
Do you dream of escaping the 9 to 5 grind and becoming a freelancer? Consider our comprehensive course, Becoming A Freelancer. It’s the ultimate guide to setting up a freelancing business from scratch! You’ll learn how to set up your ideal freelance business, find prospective clients, and so much more. We offer free lessons for this course.
Leave a Comment
Your email address will not be published.