Published February 25, 2026 · 16 min read
Getting paid should not cost money. That sounds obvious, but the invoicing software industry charges freelancers $15 to $50 per month to do something that should be simple: send a document that says "you owe me this much, please pay by this date." FreshBooks starts at $19/month. QuickBooks Self-Employed costs $15/month. HoneyBook charges $16/month. Over a year, that is $180 to $600 leaving your pocket before a single client pays you.
Here is what most freelancers do not realize: you can invoice professionally, track payments, send automatic reminders, and manage your entire billing workflow using tools that cost exactly zero dollars. Some of these free tools are better than the paid alternatives because they focus on doing one thing well instead of upselling you on features you do not need.
This guide covers the 12 best free invoicing tools for freelancers in 2026. For each tool, we cover what it does, what the free tier includes, and how to use it effectively in your freelance business. We also include a comparison table, a recommended invoicing workflow, and answers to the most common freelancer invoicing questions.
Invoice generators are the fastest way to create a professional invoice. No account required, no setup, no learning curve. Enter your details, add line items, download or send. These are ideal for freelancers who need invoices occasionally or want to avoid committing to a platform.
What it does: Creates professional, branded invoices directly in your browser. Add your logo, business details, client information, line items with descriptions and quantities, tax calculations, payment terms, and notes. Download as PDF or print directly. Runs entirely client-side with no data sent to any server.
Free tier: Completely free, unlimited invoices, no account required, no watermarks.
Why freelancers love it: Zero friction. You open the page, fill in the fields, and have a professional invoice in under two minutes. Because it runs in your browser, your financial data never leaves your computer. No signup means no spam emails trying to upsell you. It is the fastest path from "I need to invoice this client" to "invoice sent."
Best for: Quick one-off invoices, freelancers who want maximum privacy, anyone who hates creating accounts.
Try It Free on SpunkArtWhat it does: A clean, web-based invoice generator that lets you create invoices, estimates, and credit notes. Supports multiple currencies, tax rates, and discount options. You can send invoices directly via email from the platform or download as PDF.
Free tier: Free plan includes unlimited invoices, 1 user, and basic reporting.
Why freelancers love it: The interface is minimal and intuitive. You can create your first invoice within 60 seconds of landing on the page. The free plan includes enough features for most solo freelancers, and the ability to send invoices directly via email saves the step of downloading and attaching to a separate email.
Best for: Freelancers who want a simple web-based solution with email sending built in.
Try InvoicelyWhat it does: Generates invoices, estimates, and receipts with a straightforward form interface. Supports custom logos, multiple tax rates, and partial payment tracking. Available as a web app and mobile app for iOS and Android.
Free tier: Free to create and download invoices. The mobile app allows invoicing on the go.
Why freelancers love it: The mobile app is the differentiator here. If you are a freelancer who works on-site (photographer, contractor, consultant), being able to create and send an invoice from your phone immediately after completing work dramatically reduces payment delays. Studies show that invoices sent within 24 hours of project completion are paid 1.5x faster than those sent a week later.
Best for: Mobile freelancers who want to invoice immediately after completing work.
Try Invoice SimpleWhat it does: A client-side invoice tracking dashboard that lets you log invoices, mark payment status, set due dates, and see your outstanding balance at a glance. Data is stored in your browser's local storage, keeping everything private.
Free tier: Completely free, unlimited entries, no account required.
Why freelancers love it: Pairs perfectly with any invoice generator. After you send an invoice using any tool, log it in the tracker to monitor payment status. The dashboard shows total invoiced, total paid, total outstanding, and overdue amounts. It is the simplest way to know exactly where your money is at any moment.
Best for: Freelancers who use different invoicing methods and need a central tracking dashboard.
Try It Free on SpunkArtSpunkArt has 300+ free tools including invoice generators, contract templates, proposal builders, time trackers, and more. No signup required.
Explore All Free Tools Get Exclusive ToolsIf you need more than a simple invoice generator — recurring invoices, client management, expense tracking, basic accounting — these platforms offer comprehensive free tiers that rival paid software.
What it does: A complete accounting and invoicing platform built specifically for small businesses and freelancers. Create unlimited invoices, track income and expenses, manage receipts, run financial reports, and accept online payments. The invoicing and accounting features are completely free.
Free tier: Unlimited invoicing, unlimited receipt scanning, full accounting, financial reports, and unlimited bank connections. Payment processing (credit card and ACH) charges standard transaction fees.
Why freelancers love it: Wave is the gold standard for free invoicing because it does not cut corners. You get everything: professional invoice templates, automatic payment reminders, recurring invoices, client management, expense categorization, profit and loss reports, and bank reconciliation. Most paid competitors do not offer this much on their basic paid plans. Wave makes money through payment processing fees and optional payroll services, so the core product is genuinely free.
Best for: Freelancers who want a complete financial management solution at no cost.
Try Wave FreeWhat it does: Professional invoicing with time tracking, project management, and expense tracking. Part of the larger Zoho ecosystem, which means it integrates with Zoho CRM, Zoho Books, and dozens of other business tools if you use them.
Free tier: Free for up to 5 clients. Includes unlimited invoices per client, recurring invoices, time tracking, expense tracking, and multi-currency support.
Why freelancers love it: The five-client limit is actually generous for many freelancers. If you have a handful of regular clients (which is the most stable freelance business model), Zoho Invoice gives you enterprise-grade invoicing features at no cost. The time tracking integration is particularly valuable: track your hours within the same tool, then convert tracked time directly into invoice line items. No manual data entry, no errors.
Best for: Freelancers with a small, stable client base who want time tracking integrated with invoicing.
Try Zoho InvoiceWhat it does: An open-source invoicing platform with a generous free tier. Create invoices, quotes, and credit notes. Track time and expenses. Accept online payments through multiple payment gateways. Manage projects and tasks. The platform also offers a self-hosted option for maximum control.
Free tier: Free for unlimited clients and up to 100 invoices. Includes recurring invoices, 4 invoice templates, accept payments online, client portal, and basic reports.
Why freelancers love it: The open-source nature means transparency. You can inspect exactly how the software handles your data. The free tier's 100-invoice limit resets annually and is more than enough for freelancers sending 5-10 invoices per month. The client portal feature is a standout: your clients can log in to view their invoices, make payments, and download receipts without emailing back and forth.
Best for: Freelancers who value open-source software and want a client portal.
Try Invoice NinjaWhat it does: Create and send invoices directly through PayPal. Clients can pay with PayPal, credit card, or debit card. Automatic payment reminders, partial payment support, and invoice tracking built in. Works in over 200 countries and supports 25 currencies.
Free tier: Creating and sending invoices is free. PayPal charges transaction fees (2.99% + fixed fee) when clients pay.
Why freelancers love it: If your clients already use PayPal, this is the lowest-friction invoicing option available. Clients receive the invoice, click "Pay," and the money lands in your PayPal account. No need to set up a separate payment processor. The transaction fees are competitive with other payment processors, and many freelancers already have a PayPal business account. The international support is unmatched for freelancers with global clients.
Best for: International freelancers and anyone whose clients prefer PayPal payments.
Try PayPal InvoicingCreating invoices is half the job. The other half is making sure you actually get paid. These tools help you track payment status, manage cash flow, and follow up on overdue invoices.
What it does: Projects your future cash flow based on expected invoice payments, recurring income, and upcoming expenses. Shows a visual timeline of when money is expected to come in and go out, helping you identify potential cash gaps before they happen.
Free tier: Completely free, no account required, runs in browser.
Why freelancers love it: Cash flow is the number one killer of freelance businesses. A freelancer can have $20,000 in outstanding invoices and still not be able to pay rent because those invoices are not due for 30 to 60 days. This tool makes those gaps visible so you can plan ahead: negotiate shorter payment terms, invoice earlier, or set aside reserves.
Try It Free on SpunkArtWhat it does: A free, customizable spreadsheet template for tracking invoices, payment dates, client details, and outstanding balances. Includes formulas for automatic calculations and conditional formatting to highlight overdue invoices.
Free tier: Completely free with a Google account.
Why freelancers love it: Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one. A spreadsheet gives you complete control over your tracking system with zero learning curve. You can customize columns, add your own formulas, and structure the data exactly how your brain works. Google Sheets also means you can access it from any device and share it with a bookkeeper or accountant when tax season arrives.
Best for: Freelancers who prefer full control and simplicity over specialized software.
Open Google SheetsWhat it does: Track business expenses alongside your invoice income to understand your true profit. Categorize expenses by type (software, supplies, travel, meals), attach notes, and see monthly spending breakdowns. Exports to CSV for tax preparation.
Free tier: Completely free, no account, browser-based.
Why freelancers love it: Most freelancers track income but not expenses, which means they have no idea how much they actually earn. This tool pairs with the invoice tracker to give you a complete picture: gross income minus expenses equals real profit. When tax season arrives, you have categorized expenses ready to hand to your accountant or enter into your tax return.
Try It Free on SpunkArtWhat it does: A free time tracking tool that integrates with your invoicing workflow. Track hours by project and client, then export time reports that map directly to invoice line items. The free tier includes unlimited users, unlimited projects, and unlimited time tracking.
Free tier: Unlimited time tracking, unlimited projects, unlimited users, time reports, and project dashboards.
Why freelancers love it: Accurate time tracking is the foundation of accurate invoicing. If you bill by the hour, Clockify eliminates the guesswork. Start a timer when you begin work, stop it when you finish. At the end of the billing period, export your time report and use it as the basis for your invoice. No more undercharging because you forgot to log two hours on Tuesday. No more awkward conversations with clients about time estimates versus actual hours.
Best for: Hourly freelancers who need precise time tracking to justify their invoices.
Try Clockify Free| Tool | Unlimited Invoices | Recurring | Payment Tracking | Accounting | Account Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SpunkArt Invoice Generator | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Wave | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Zoho Invoice | 5 clients | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes |
| Invoice Ninja | 100/yr | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| PayPal Invoicing | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Invoice Simple | Yes | No | Partial | No | Optional |
| Clockify | N/A (time) | N/A | N/A | No | Yes |
Here is the complete invoicing workflow using only free tools. This system handles everything from time tracking to payment collection:
Research across invoicing platforms consistently shows that Net 15 payment terms result in faster payments than Net 30. The industry data from Wave and FreshBooks shows that invoices with Net 15 terms are paid an average of 8 days faster than Net 30 invoices. Additionally, invoices that include a late fee clause (even if you never enforce it) are paid 5-10% faster than those without one. Consider offering a small early payment discount (2% off if paid within 7 days) to incentivize fast payment.
A professional invoice is not just a payment request. It is a legal document that protects you in disputes and serves as a tax record. Every invoice you send should include these elements:
Invoice generators, contract templates, proposal builders, time trackers, expense managers, and more. All free, all in your browser, no signup required.
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