Quick answer: For most small businesses, Zoho Invoice is the strongest all-round free option, with a feature-rich free plan. Wave suits businesses that want free invoicing plus basic bookkeeping. Invoice Maker is best for fast mobile invoicing, including offline. Square Invoices suits businesses that already take payments with Square. ZipBooks is a simple free starting point with basic accounting. "Free" usually means free to send invoices; payment processing fees and premium features may cost extra.
Disclosure: Invoice Maker is made by Codematics, the team behind this blog. We've tried to describe every app fairly, including where others are the better choice.
Introduction
When you're running a small business, every monthly subscription adds up. So it makes sense to ask: can I invoice my customers professionally without paying for software?
The answer is yes. Several good invoice apps offer genuinely useful free plans. But they're built for different kinds of businesses, and "free" doesn't always mean the same thing. Some limit features, some charge when customers pay, and some push you toward a paid upgrade.
This comparison looks at five popular free invoicing options, explains what each free plan really includes, and helps you pick the right one for how your business works.
What Makes a Good Free Invoice App?
Before comparing apps, here's what we looked for:
- Genuinely free: a useful free plan, not just a short trial
- Professional invoices: clean PDF invoices with your logo and details
- Mobile access: an app for creating invoices on the go
- Client management: saved customer details
- Payment tracking: see what's paid, pending, or overdue
- Reminders: help with chasing late payments
- Ease of use: quick to learn without accounting knowledge
Is a Free Invoice App Really Free?
Often, yes, for creating and sending invoices. But keep these common catches in mind:
- Payment processing fees: if customers pay online by card or bank transfer through the app, a fee is usually taken from each payment
- Feature limits: some features, such as automated reminders, custom templates, or extra users, may be reserved for paid plans
- Usage caps: some free plans limit things like bank connections or users
- Branding: a few free plans may show the provider's branding on your documents
None of these are dealbreakers, but it's worth knowing before you choose.
The 5 Best Free Invoice Apps for Small Businesses
1. Zoho Invoice: Best Overall Free Option
Zoho Invoice is a dedicated invoicing tool from Zoho, a large business software company. Its free plan is unusually generous for an invoicing product.
What the free plan includes: invoices and quotes, recurring invoices, automated payment reminders, time and expense tracking, a customer portal, and reports.
Pros:
- Lots of features at no cost
- Strong automation, including recurring invoices and reminders
- Web and mobile apps
- Connects with other Zoho products
Cons:
- More screens and settings to learn than simpler apps
- Usage limits on the free plan; check Zoho's site for current details
- Invoicing only, not full accounting
Best for: small businesses that want automation and reports without paying.
2. Wave: Best Free Invoicing With Bookkeeping
Wave combines invoicing with basic accounting. Its free Starter plan includes unlimited invoices and estimates, plus bookkeeping tools, and there's a Wave mobile app.
Pros:
- Free invoicing and basic accounting in one place
- Unlimited invoices and estimates on the free plan
- Good if you want your books and invoices together
Cons:
- Features like automated payment reminders and recurring invoices are part of the paid Pro plan
- Built around accounting, so it can feel like more than you need just for invoices
- Processing fees apply when customers pay online
Best for: small businesses that want free invoicing plus simple bookkeeping.
3. Invoice Maker: Best for Mobile and Offline Invoicing
Invoice Maker is a mobile app built for creating invoices and estimates quickly on your phone, including where there's no internet.
Key features:
- Quick invoices and estimates in a few taps
- Custom Templates with your logo, signature, and stamp
- Real Time Tracking of viewed, paid, and overdue invoices
- Payment Reminders for unpaid invoices
- Multiple Currency Support for international customers
- Offline Access, with changes syncing later
- Client Management and Invoice PDFs
Pros:
- Designed for phones first, so it's fast on site or on the move
- Works offline, which is rare among invoicing apps
- Very little to learn
- Available on iPhone and Android
Cons:
- No web dashboard; it's a mobile app
- No built-in payment processing, so customers pay you directly by your usual methods
- Focused on invoicing, not bookkeeping
Best for: tradespeople, field workers, and small businesses that invoice on the go. For a full walkthrough, see how to create a professional invoice using an invoice maker app.
4. Square Invoices: Best if You Already Use Square
Square Invoices is part of Square's payments platform. Its free plan covers invoices, recurring invoices, estimates, and contracts, and it connects directly to Square payments. A paid Plus plan adds features such as payment schedules and custom invoice templates.
Pros:
- Easy for customers to pay by card or bank transfer
- Works smoothly with Square's point-of-sale tools
- Free plan includes estimates and recurring invoices
Cons:
- Processing fees are taken from each online payment
- Some features need the paid Plus plan or a Square account
- Best value only if you're already in the Square ecosystem
Best for: retailers and service businesses that already take payments with Square. Check Square's site for current fees.
5. ZipBooks: Simple Free Plan With Accounting Basics
ZipBooks offers a free Starter plan that includes unlimited invoices and customers, one connected bank account, basic reports, and the ability to accept payments through Square or PayPal.
Pros:
- Unlimited invoices and customers on the free plan
- Basic accounting and reports included
- Simple to get started
Cons:
- The free plan connects only one bank account
- Fewer template and automation options without upgrading
Best for: new and very small businesses that want free invoicing with basic bookkeeping.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Zoho Invoice | Wave | Invoice Maker | Square Invoices | ZipBooks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes (Starter) | Check store listing | Yes | Yes (Starter) |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes | Yes, mobile-first | Yes | Check provider |
| Works offline | Check provider | Check provider | Yes | Check provider | Check provider |
| PDF invoices | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Payment tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Automated reminders | Yes | Paid plan | Yes | Yes | Check provider |
| Estimates/quotes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Check provider |
| Multiple currencies | Yes | Yes | Yes | Check provider | Check provider |
| Bookkeeping | No | Yes | No | No | Basic |
| Built-in online payments | Yes (with fees) | Yes (with fees) | No | Yes (with fees) | Via Square/PayPal |
Features, limits, and fees change often. Check each provider's website for current details before deciding.
Which Free Invoice App Should You Choose?
- You want the most free features: Zoho Invoice
- You want invoicing and bookkeeping together: Wave or ZipBooks
- You invoice on site or often lack signal: Invoice Maker
- You already use Square to take payments: Square Invoices
- You just want quick, simple invoices from your phone: Invoice Maker
- You need customers to pay online by card: Zoho, Wave, Square, or ZipBooks
If you're a solo freelancer rather than a small business, our guide to the best invoice maker apps for freelancers looks at the options from that angle.
Tips for Getting the Most From a Free Invoice App
- Set up your profile and template fully on day one.
- Save your regular customers so invoicing takes seconds.
- Use one numbering format and never reuse numbers.
- Check processing fees before switching on online payments.
- Review unpaid invoices weekly. Here's how to keep track of unpaid invoices and get paid on time.
- Know when to upgrade: if you keep hitting a free plan's limits, a paid plan may save time overall.
Moving away from spreadsheets? Read why small businesses are switching to invoice maker apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free invoice app for small businesses?
For most small businesses, Zoho Invoice offers the most features on its free plan. Wave suits those who want bookkeeping too, Invoice Maker suits mobile and offline invoicing, and Square Invoices suits businesses already using Square.
Are free invoice apps really free?
Creating and sending invoices is usually free, but online payment processing typically has fees, and some features may require a paid plan.
Which free invoice app works offline?
Invoice Maker supports offline invoicing, letting you create and edit invoices without internet and sync later.
Can I accept card payments with a free invoice app?
Yes, with apps that include online payments, such as Square, Wave, or Zoho, though processing fees apply to each payment.
Do I need accounting software or just an invoice app?
If you mainly need to bill customers and track payments, an invoice app is usually enough. If you also want bookkeeping, choose an option like Wave or ZipBooks.
Is it safe to use a free invoice app?
Reputable apps protect your data. Check each app's security information; Invoice Maker, for example, encrypts data on your device and in transit.
Final Thoughts
There's no single best free invoice app, only the best one for your business. Zoho Invoice is the most feature-rich free option. Wave and ZipBooks add bookkeeping. Square is ideal if you already take payments with it. And if you want fast, simple invoices from your phone, even without internet, Invoice Maker is a strong choice.
Whichever you pick, the right free app can save you hours every month and help you get paid faster.
👉 Want fast mobile invoicing that works offline? Download Invoice Maker on the App Store or Google Play.