Free Invoicing Tools for a New Business: How to Choose

A free invoicing tool can carry a new business a long way, as long as you know what its free tier covers before your client list depends on it. Check the limits, how clients pay, and how you'd move your records if you outgrow it.

Billed publishes this page, and Billed is invoicing software. Billed is listed first; the other tools are in alphabetical order and aren't ranked. Each tool is described only in words quoted from its own website, checked October 31, 2026.

What to check about a free tool

• The limits. Read the provider's own pricing page for caps on invoices, clients or users, and what moves to a paid tier.
• Taking payments. Check what card and online payments cost on the payment provider's own pages, not only the invoicing tool's.
• How invoices look. Check whether you can add your own logo and whether the tool's name appears on what your clients see.
• Your records. Make sure you can export your clients, invoices and payments, so you can switch later without retyping them.
• The upgrade path. Note which features you'd need next (recurring invoices, reminders, time tracking) and which tier includes them.

Tools to compare

Billed

• Customizable Invoices: Billed's invoice software page says "Choose an invoice template, add your logo and business details, and save the products and services you sell so you can pull them into an invoice instead of retyping them."
• Payment Reminders: Billed's help center says "You can set a schedule of payment reminders before and after the invoice's due date."
• Invoice Reports: Billed's invoice software page says "Invoice reports show which invoices are paid, partially paid or past due, and you can see who owes you money and send them a payment reminder."

Billed's plans and prices are on its own pricing page; check it before you decide.

Invoice Ninja

Invoice Ninja's home page (checked October 31, 2026) says "Yes, it's really free" and describes its invoicing as "Create, send and manage invoices with ease." It also says "Set up recurring invoices and auto-bill clients." Compare it with Billed on Billed vs Invoice Ninja.

Wave

Wave's invoicing page (checked October 31, 2026) says "Create and send professional invoices to your customers in seconds." It also says "Create invoices whenever and wherever you want with Wave’s free app for iOS and Android." Compare it with Billed on Billed vs Wave.

Zoho Invoice

Zoho's Zoho Invoice page (checked October 31, 2026) lists it as a "100% Free invoicing solution." The same page says "Zoho Invoice is primarily used by small businesses and freelancers to create and send invoices and collect payments faster." Compare it with Billed on Billed vs Zoho Invoice.

Worked example: the time a tool saves

Sample figures, as an illustration only: a new consultancy sends 6 invoices a month. Typed from scratch, each takes about 15 minutes, so 6 × 15 = 90 minutes a month. With saved clients and line items, say 5 minutes each, 6 × 5 = 30 minutes. That's 90 − 30 = 60 minutes a month, or 12 × 60 = 720 minutes (12 hours) a year. Time your own invoices in a trial to see whether the numbers hold for you.

When this guide isn't for you

If you already invoice a steady client base and need payroll, inventory or full accounting, compare paid accounting software directly. If you're choosing for a phone-first side business, see the side hustle guide below.

Related Articles

• How to Choose Invoicing Software for a Side Hustle
• How to Choose Billing Software for a Service Business
• How to Choose Invoicing Software as a Solopreneur
• How to Start Freelancing

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I check before relying on a free invoicing tool?

The limits on its free tier, what taking payments will cost, whether your own branding shows on invoices, and whether you can export your records if you switch later. Each provider's own pricing page is the place to confirm them.

How do I find out what card payments will cost?

Read the fee pages of the payment provider you plan to connect before you send your first invoice, as well as the invoicing tool's own pricing page.

How do I move to another tool later?

Export your client list, invoices and payment history first, then set up the new tool with the same invoice numbering so your records continue without a gap.