Best Invoicing Software for Freelancers
Product | Promotion | Learn more | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
FreshBooks Learn more on FreshBooks' secure website | 4.5/5 Best for Overall freelance invoice software | $19/month Additional pricing tiers (per month): $33, $60, custom. | 30-day free trial or monthly discount (terms vary). | Learn more on FreshBooks' secure website |
Square Invoices Learn more on Square Invoices' secure website | 5.0/5 Best for Including contracts | $0 Additional pricing tiers (per month): $20. | 30-day free trial of the Plus plan. | Learn more on Square Invoices' secure website |
Wave Invoicing | 4.5/5 Best for Free software | $0 Additional pricing tiers (per month): $16. | N/A | |
Bonsai | Best for End-to-end project management | $24/month Additional pricing tiers (per month): $39, $79. | 7-day free trial | |
HoneyBook | Best for Streamlined client experience | $19/month Additional pricing tiers (per month): $39, $79. | 7-day free trial or 50% off for the first year if billed annually. |
Our pick for
Overall freelance invoice software
FreshBooks
on FreshBooks' secure website
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $33, $60, custom.
or monthly discount (terms vary).
Pros
- Stay in touch with clients through the FreshBooks mobile app and get notified when invoices have been viewed or become overdue.
- Intuitive, customizable invoicing capabilities compete with those of more robust accounting solutions.
- Track time and add billable hours to invoices in all plans.
- Weekday phone support in all plans.
Cons
- Lacks features that quickly growing companies need, like audit trails for accountants to review.
- Highest-tier Select plan only comes with two users (additional users add $11 per month) and lower-tier plans put limits on billable clients.
- Least expensive plan lacks double-entry accounting reports, bank reconciliation and accountant access.
Our pick for
Including contracts
Square Invoices
on Square Invoices' secure website
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $20.
of the Plus plan.
Pros
- Unlimited invoicing, estimates, contracts, users and clients in all plans.
- Integrates with Square’s all-in-one payment platform.
- Streamlined and intuitive.
- Ability to process in-person and online card payments as well as cash, checks, ACH transfers, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Send recurring invoices.
- Automatic payment reminders.
- Gives clients the option to include a tip.
Cons
- Must use Square’s in-house payment processing to accept online payments.
- Free plan does not enable custom invoicing fields and the ability to auto-convert estimates into invoices.
Our pick for
Free software
Wave Invoicing
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $16.
Pros
- No billable client or invoice limits.
- Integrates with Wave Accounting.
- Recurring invoices and automatic billing for repeat clients.
- Automatic online payment reminders.
- Converts estimates into invoices.
Cons
- Limited features may not be suited for fast-growing businesses.
- Must use Wave’s in-house payment processing to accept online payments.
Our pick for
End-to-end project management
Bonsai
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $39, $79.
Pros
- Unlimited clients and projects in all plan tiers.
- Extensive library of invoice templates, open to all plan tiers.
- Can also send proposals and contracts.
- Upgrade, downgrade or cancel your plan at any time.
- Add-ons for additional collaborators and tax assistance are available.
Cons
- Lower plan tiers limit the number of project collaborators.
- No phone support available, email and in-app chat only.
Our pick for
Streamlined client experience
HoneyBook
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $39, $79.
or 50% off for the first year if billed annually.
Pros
- Manage all aspects of a project and client experience, not just invoices.
- Access to a library of templates across all plan tiers.
- Smooth and attractive client experience.
- Mobile app has robust functionality, including the ability to create and send invoices, share files, track time, access reports and more.
Cons
- Must use HoneyBook as your payment processor to accept online payments.
- QuickBooks Online integration only available at higher tier plan.
Our picks for best freelance invoice software
FreshBooks: Best overall
- $19 per month for the Lite plan.
- $33 per month for the Plus plan.
- $60 per month for the Premium plan.
- Custom pricing for the Select plan.
Wave Invoicing: Best for free software
Square Invoices: Best for including contracts
- $0 per month for the Free plan.
- $20 per month for the Plus plan.
Bonsai: Best for end-to-end project management
- $24 per month for the Starter plan.
- $39 per month for the Professional plan.
- $79 per month for the Business plan.
HoneyBook: Best for streamlined client experience
- $19 per month for the Starter plan.
- $39 per month for the Essentials plan.
- $79 per month for the Premium plan.
How to invoice as a freelancer
- The word “INVOICE”: This is a clear and standard indicator that payment is owed for services.
- Invoice number: This will be helpful for tracking, reference and recordkeeping purposes.
- Contact information: You’ll want to include your business name, physical address, email address and phone number as well as your client’s contact information.
- Pricing details: In addition to listing the price for your services, you’ll want to add an explanation of the specific work that’s been done. If you bill on an hourly versus a project basis, then include your hourly rate along with the number of hours worked. Be sure the total amount owed is big, clear and easy for your client to see.
- Payment information: If you’re using invoice software to send the invoice, then it will often take your client directly to a payment page that will enable a card payment or electronic fund transfer. But if you’re sending an invoice you created via email or by mail, then you’ll need to inform your client of how to pay you (e.g., whom to make a check payable to, or your identifying information to be paid via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or similar service).
- Due date: Similar to the total amount owed, you’ll want to be sure the payment due date is highly visible to help ensure you get paid on time.
- Client name.
- Invoice number.
- Total amount invoiced.
- Payment due date.
- Invoice send date.
- Payment received date.