Best Invoicing Software for Freelancers and Solopreneurs (2025)
You did the work—now get paid. The right invoicing tool means faster payments, less chasing, and looking professional to clients.
⚡ Quick Picks
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The Freelancer Invoicing Problem
Here's what nobody tells you: the average freelancer spends 4-6 hours per month on invoicing, follow-ups, and reconciling payments. That's a full workday you could spend on billable work—or living your life.
Even worse, late payments kill cash flow. The typical payment delay is 2-4 weeks past due date. Without automated reminders and professional systems, you're essentially giving clients free loans.
The right invoicing software solves this by:
- Looking professional: Branded invoices that get taken seriously
- Automating follow-ups: Polite payment reminders without the awkwardness
- Accepting online payments: Make it easy for clients to pay instantly
- Tracking everything: Know who's paid, who's late, and what you're owed
- Saving time: Recurring invoices, templates, and auto-import from time tracking
What We Looked For
We tested 6 popular invoicing tools with these freelancer-specific criteria:
- Ease of use: Set up in minutes, not hours
- Professional invoices: Customizable, brandable, beautiful
- Payment options: Credit cards, ACH, PayPal—client's choice
- Automation: Recurring invoices, auto-reminders, late fees
- Affordability: Free or low-cost plans that don't break the bank
- Time tracking: Built-in or easy integration (billable hours → invoices)
The Best Invoicing Tools for Solopreneurs
FreshBooks
FreshBooks is built specifically for freelancers and small service businesses. It's not trying to be everything—it's trying to be the best at getting you paid for your time.
Why Freelancers Love It:
- Built for service businesses: Time tracking, project budgets, and client management all in one
- Stupid easy invoicing: Create a professional invoice in under 60 seconds
- Automatic payment reminders: Set up polite nudges at 7, 14, and 30 days past due
- Client portal: Clients see their invoices, payments, and project status in one place
- Expense tracking: Snap receipt photos, auto-categorize, ready for tax time
- Retainers: Set up recurring monthly invoices for ongoing clients
The Trade-offs:
- No free plan—starts at $17/month (but 30-day free trial)
- Limited to 5 clients on the cheapest plan
- Not ideal for product/e-commerce businesses
Wave
Wave is genuinely free for invoicing, accounting, and receipt scanning. You only pay when you accept credit card payments—and even then, the rates are competitive.
Why Freelancers Love It:
- Actually free: Unlimited invoices, unlimited clients, $0 cost
- Full accounting included: Not just invoicing—real double-entry accounting
- Receipt scanning: Snap photos, auto-import expenses
- Bank connections: Auto-import transactions, reconcile in minutes
- No client limits: Invoice 1 client or 1000, same price ($0)
The Trade-offs:
- No time tracking (need integration with Toggl or Clockify)
- Customer support is email-only on free plan
- Fewer automation features than paid competitors
QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks is the 800-pound gorilla of small business accounting. It's overkill when you're starting, but if you plan to grow beyond just yourself, it's the platform that scales.
Why Freelancers Love It:
- Accounting powerhouse: The gold standard for bookkeepers and accountants
- Tax preparation: Seamless handoff to accountants, TurboTax integration
- 1099 management: Easy contractor payments and tax forms
- Payroll: Add employees later without switching platforms
- Advanced reporting: Real business intelligence, not just basic reports
The Trade-offs:
- Steep learning curve—can feel overwhelming
- More expensive as you add features
- Overkill for simple invoicing needs
Stripe Invoicing
If you already use Stripe for payments, their invoicing is a no-brainer. And if you don't—consider it. Stripe processes payments faster than anyone, meaning cash in your account quicker.
Why Freelancers Love It:
- Fastest payouts: 2-day transfers to your bank (instant available for 1% fee)
- No monthly fee: Only pay when you get paid (0.5% per invoice)
- Global payments: Accept payments from 135+ countries
- Subscription billing: Perfect for retainer clients
- Payment links: Send a link, get paid—dead simple
The Trade-offs:
- No time tracking (purely invoicing/payments)
- Limited accounting features—export to QB/Xero for books
- Invoices are functional, not beautiful
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Monthly Cost | Best For | Time Tracking |
|---|---|---|---|
| FreshBooks | $17/mo | Service businesses | ✓ |
| Wave | ✓ Free | Budget-conscious | ✗ |
| QuickBooks | $15/mo | Growth/scaling | ✓ |
| Stripe | ✓ Free | Fast payments | ✗ |
Our Recommendations
Just starting out: Use Wave. It's genuinely free and you can always upgrade later.
Established freelancer: FreshBooks. The time tracking + client portal + automated reminders save hours monthly.
Planning to hire/scale: Start with QuickBooks. You'll grow into it instead of migrating later.
Invoicing Best Practices
- Invoice Immediately: Don't wait until month-end. Invoice within 24 hours of delivering work.
- Set Clear Terms: "Net 14" beats "Net 30." Offer 2% discount for payment within 7 days.
- Require Deposits: 50% upfront for projects over $1,000. Filters out problem clients.
- Automate Follow-ups: Let software send reminders at 7, 14, and 30 days past due.
- Accept Credit Cards: Even with the fee, you get paid faster.
- Track Patterns: Fire consistently late clients or require deposits.
Red Flag: If a client says "I prefer to pay by check" and consistently pays 30+ days late, require credit card or 100% upfront. Cash flow > convenience.
Bottom Line
The best invoicing software is the one you'll actually use. Don't overthink it:
- Start with Wave if you're bootstrapped (free)
- Upgrade to FreshBooks when you have 5+ clients and value your time
- Consider QuickBooks if you have an accountant or plan to hire
- Add Stripe as a payment option on any platform (fastest payouts)
Every day you delay is a day you're not getting paid efficiently. Pick one, set it up this afternoon, and invoice your next client professionally.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tools we've tested or extensively researched. Our opinions are independent.