🧾 Compare
Invoicing Tools Compared
Five ways to bill customers, from free to paid, and what each charges when the customer pays by card.
Written and reviewed by the FlowHaxa Editorial TeamFigures checked October 13, 2026Link disclosure. Every provider link on this page is marked rel="sponsored". Right now none of them is a tracked partner link, so each button goes straight to the provider’s own site and FlowHaxa earns nothing from the click. If that changes, this notice will say so. Prices and rates come from each provider’s own pages. See how we make money.
The Short Answer
- Free and unlimitedWave Starter has unlimited invoices at no software cost.
- Open-source optionInvoice Ninja is free forever for up to 5 clients and can be self-hosted.
- Already using SquareSquare Invoices has no software fee on the Free plan, with card payments at 3.3% + 30¢.
- Heavy follow-up needsWave Pro adds automated late-payment reminders. Check whether the tool you pick includes them on your plan.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Provider | Software cost | Card payment fee | Free option | Watch for | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wave | $0 Starter. Pro is $19 a month or $190 a year. | 2.9% + 60¢ (Amex 3.4% + 60¢) | Unlimited invoices, estimates and bookkeeping records | Automated late-payment reminders are a Pro feature. | A handful of recurring customers |
| FreshBooks | $23 a month (Lite, 5 billable clients). Plus $43, Premium $70. | Not covered in this review | None | Pricing climbs with billable client count. Extra team members are $11 a month. | Owners who bill a small client list again and again |
| Square Invoices | $0 on the Free plan | 3.3% + 30¢ on Free. 2.9% + 30¢ on Plus ($49 a month). | Yes, pay only processing fees | Invoice card payments use the online rate. | Owners who already take payments through Square |
| Invoice Ninja | Free for up to 5 clients. Paid plan pricing: see provider. | Depends on the gateway you connect | Free forever for up to 5 clients, plus a self-hosted option | Paid tier prices were not confirmed for this review. | Owners comfortable with some setup, or with a developer on hand |
| Zoho Books | $0 Free plan. Standard is $20 a month, or $15 billed annually. | Depends on the payment gateway you connect | 1 user plus an accountant, up to 1,000 invoices a year, while revenue stays under $50K | The free plan ends when annual revenue passes $50K. | Owners who want invoicing and books in one place |
Checked October 13, 2026 against each provider’s own pages (listed under Sources). Prices, fees and rates change, so confirm on the provider’s site before you sign up.
Provider by Provider
Wave
Free invoicing, pay as you get paid
Best for: A handful of recurring customers
- Pro: No software cost on Starter
- Pro: Unlimited invoices
- Pro: Simple to start
- Con: Reminders are paid
- Con: 60¢ fixed fee stings on small invoices
FreshBooks
Polished, client-centred invoicing
Best for: Owners who bill a small client list again and again
- Pro: Clean design
- Pro: Plans scale with client count
- Con: No free plan
- Con: Client limits matter for businesses with many customers
Square Invoices
Invoices tied to a payment account
Best for: Owners who already take payments through Square
- Pro: No software cost
- Pro: Payments and invoices in one account
- Con: Highest card rate on the free plan
- Con: Tied to Square's processing
Invoice Ninja
Open source, self-hostable
Best for: Owners comfortable with some setup, or with a developer on hand
- Pro: Free tier and a self-hosted route
- Pro: Works with several payment gateways
- Con: More setup than the others
- Con: Client cap on the free tier
Zoho Books
Invoicing inside a full accounting tool
Best for: Owners who want invoicing and books in one place
- Pro: Free plan includes bookkeeping
- Pro: Very low paid entry price
- Con: Revenue ceiling on the free plan
- Con: Gateway fees depend on your setup
These buttons are sponsored links that go straight to each provider’s own site. Read the disclosure.
Faster Payment Starts With the Invoice
Most late payments are not refusals. The invoice was unclear, the due date was vague, or nobody reminded the customer. Put the due date, the amount, how to pay and your late-fee rule on the invoice itself, and send a reminder before the due date as well as after. Our guide to improving collections walks through the order of follow-ups.
Automatic Reminders Are the Feature That Pays for Itself
Of the five tools here, we confirmed automated late-payment reminders only on Wave Pro. Check the plan page of any other tool for the same feature before you rely on it.
If your tool does not send reminders, the free invoice follow-up template pack gives you the wording to send by hand at each stage.
Charge the Fee or Absorb It?
Every tool that takes card payments takes a cut, and a 3% fee on a large invoice adds up fast. Many businesses offer ACH or bank transfer as the default and treat cards as the convenient, slightly pricier option. Whatever you choose, say so on the invoice so nobody is surprised.
Pair It With the Right Books
An invoicing tool that does not talk to your accounting software costs you a weekly copy-and-paste. Read the accounting software comparison next if you have not picked one yet, and see accounts receivable and payable for how unpaid invoices show up in your cash position.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a free invoicing tool good enough?
For a handful of customers, yes. The limits show up as volume grows: reminders, recurring invoices and team access are the usual reasons people upgrade.
Which tool is best for Net-30 invoices?
Any of them can issue a Net-30 invoice. What matters is automated reminders and easy online payment, because those turn the due date from a wish into a habit.
How soon after the due date should I follow up?
A common pattern is a reminder shortly before the due date, another the day after, then firmer follow-ups at set intervals. Choose intervals you will actually keep, and write them down.
Keep Reading
FlowHaxa is an educational publisher, not a bank, lender or financial adviser. Read our disclaimer, and check large decisions with your accountant.