7 Best Free Invoice Generators in 2022

Any freelancer or small business owner is familiar with the headaches that can come with creating and managing invoices. One of the easiest ways to deal with this is by using an invoice generator, which simplifies the billing process. These invoice generators were designed to assist you with your invoicing needs and are also free—ideal for any budget. The right solution for you will depend on your particular needs and how complex your invoices are:

• Zoho Invoice: Best overall free invoice generator
• ZipBooks: Best free invoice generator for occasional invoices
• Sunrise: Best free bookkeeping software that includes invoicing
• Invoice Generator: Best free invoice generator for sending invoices without setting up an account
• Square: Best free invoice generator for accepting POS and online payments
• PayPal: Best free invoice generator for mobile devices
• Invoice Ninja: Best free invoice generator for frequent invoicing

Zoho Invoice: Best Overall Free Invoice Generator

Zoho Invoice is a free invoicing and billing software for small businesses. Along with a free invoice generator, it also comes with other free features including an estimate generator, revenue forecaster, income tax calculator, expense report generator, and stock keeping unit (SKU) generator. Zoho Invoice seamlessly integrates with other Zoho apps and also with Stripe, PayPal, Google Drive, and Dropbox. Its interface is easy to navigate, and it supports multiple currencies and languages.

Key Features

• Self-service client portal: Your customers will log into the portal to view and pay invoices, and you will receive an alert. Users can also share project data with clients, accept or decline estimates, or provide comments and feedback.
• Customizable invoices: You can select the invoice template and customize it with your logo, font, and colors.
• Mobile app: Zoho Invoice has a full-featured mobile app that is also available on Apple Watch. It allows you to send invoices, estimates, and account statements to customers via iMessage, and use the time tracking widget for billing.
• Multiple currencies and languages: Not only do you have the ability to send your invoice in your customer’s currency, but you can also select from a variety of languages.
• Time and reimbursements: You can track time, mileage, and billable expenses, which you can add to invoices.

Creating an Invoice

You can create invoices in Zoho Invoice by either importing them from other systems or by creating them manually. There is an option to create either recurring or nonrecurring invoices. Zoho Invoice will generate recurring invoices automatically and send them via email at a scheduled date and time. Nonrecurring invoices can be created on the Invoicing tab, as shown below:

Our Expert Opinion

Zoho Invoice is a comprehensive invoicing website that is suitable for startups and sole proprietors. It is both flexible and easy to navigate, with intuitive features and a powerful mobile app that allows you to create invoices on the go. It also integrates with several other Zoho products, including an expense report generator. You will have access to many advanced features, such as time tracking and the ability to invoice in multiple languages and currencies, all at a price that is free forever.

Read Zoho Invoice Review

ZipBooks: Best Free Invoice Generator for Occasional Invoices

ZipBooks is a free cloud-based invoicing software for small businesses. In addition to its invoicing capabilities, it also has time and expense tracking features. Its user interface is easy to navigate, and it has an intuitive design. Its Starter plan offers a good variety of features, including the ability to connect a single bank account, track unlimited customer and vendor details. ZipBooks also has a unique feature in that it assigns each invoice you create an “Invoice Quality Score,” which suggests what details matter so that you can get paid faster. Because you have to type each invoice and this can take time, ZipBooks is best for occasional invoicing.

Key Features

• Customizable invoices: ZipBooks offers a variety of customizable invoices that can be sent as a PDF, or it creates a link automatically for your customer to access the invoice.
• Late payment reminders: The ability to send late payment reminders to customers is a convenient feature that allows you to stay on top of your accounts receivable (A/R).
• Ease of use: ZipBooks consistently receives high praise for its ease of use as well as its highly intuitive and color-coded user interface.
• Invoice Quality Score: ZipBooks created the Invoice Quality Score to let you know how your invoices rate on a scale of 1 to 100. The higher the score, the more likely you are to receive optimal outcomes like getting paid on time.
• Time and project tracking: You can track time by multiple activities, create projects and assign them to customers, and then add specific tasks to those projects. These are paid features that are available with the Smarter and Sophisticated plans.

Creating an Invoice

ZipBooks gives you the option to invoice your customers manually or to set up a subscription for continuous billing that you can customize to your needs. As shown below, you have the option to add a logo, either save your invoice as a PDF and email or print and send it. ZipBooks will also automatically create a link for your customer to access the invoice:

Our Expert Opinion

ZipBooks is an intuitive bookkeeping software that comes loaded with an extensive feature set. It simplifies the complexity of accounting by automating as many processes as possible. It is also uniquely programmed to give you business advice and health scores based on the data you’ve entered. Although lacking in some areas such as inventory management, ZipBooks offers an easy-to-use interface and an excellent time tracking capability. The free Starter plan is especially beneficial for new businesses or businesses that would like to save money while not compromising capable accounting.

Read ZipBooks Review

Sunrise: Best Free Bookkeeping Software That Includes Invoicing

Sunrise is user-friendly free accounting software that allows you to send unlimited invoices to your customers. Its invoice template can be customized with your company logo and colors. You can set up payment reminders easily for overdue invoices as well as recurring invoices. Sunrise also has a basic client portal where customers can view and pay their invoices. It has a great feature set for small businesses and freelancers, which includes the ability to send customized invoices with your logo.

Key Features

• Customized invoices: You can create invoices with an invoice template that has custom fields and automated price calculations. You also can include discounts and set up recurring invoices.
• Double-entry accounting: Sunrise has a complete general ledger that allows you to perform double-entry accounting. You can also customize your chart of accounts and opening balances.
• Multiple currency support: This feature allows you to bill your customers in their currency of choice.
• Mobile app: Available for both Android and iOS, Sunrise’s mobile app lets you view, create, and edit invoices as well as track their status. You can also send invoices and collect payments directly from your mobile device

Creating an Invoice

Sunrise supports four types of sales forms: invoices, estimates, quotes, and recurring invoices. Although there is only one invoice template, you can customize it by changing the layout, adding a logo, and a background image if desired. As shown below, you are also able to indicate the types of payment methods that you will accept—bank drafts, cash, check, Stripe, PayPal, or Square:

Our Expert Opinion

If you want simple, basic bookkeeping at an affordable price, I would consider Sunrise. It provides an excellent user experience and supports much of the functionality that a freelancer or small business might need. Although it lacks some advanced features such as time and inventory tracking, it makes up for it with its functionality with its customizable invoices, quotes, and estimates.

Read Sunrise Review

Invoice Generator: Best Free Invoice Generator for Sending Invoices Without an Account

Invoice Generator allows you to create and send invoices to clients and accept payments online without having to create an account and log in first. You just need to type the relevant information, add your logo, and opt for any tax, shipping, or discount costs. Invoice Generator doesn’t keep a copy of invoices that you create, so you won’t be able to track your accounts receivable. When creating the invoice, you can choose which payment methods you plan to accept. Invoice Generator allows you to add links for PayPal, Venmo, and Square Cash.

Key Features

• Ease of use: With only one main page to navigate, it can’t get any easier than this when it comes to creating and sending invoices to your customers.
• Payment links: You have the option of adding payment links for PayPal, Venmo, and Square Cash to any invoice.
• Invoice customization: Although customization options are limited, you can add your logo to invoices.
• No sign-in required: The only option in this buyer’s guide that doesn’t require you to create an account to create and send invoices, Invoice Generator is a great option if you need quick access to billing customers.

Creating an Invoice

It’s simple to create an invoice with Invoice Generator. You just need to fill out the template with all of the details you want on your invoice and, once you are finished, you can opt to download a PDF or send invoices to customers through the Invoiced Business Network which is free to use. Once you are registered you can send digital invoices to your customers securely.

Our Expert Opinion

A web-based invoice generator tool, Invoice Generator excels with its simplicity and the fact that it doesn’t require you to log in to an account to send invoices or receive payments from customers via PayPal, Venmo, or Square Cash. If you are looking for more features, consider upgrading to Invoiced, Invoice Generator’s parent company, for access to customer relationship management (CRM) features and a dashboard.

Square: Best Free Invoice Generator for Accepting POS and Online Payments

Square works with almost any ecommerce platform, making it an ideal choice if you’d like to accept point-of-sale (POS) and online payments. It also gives you the ability to send estimates that you can convert easily into an invoice as well as share contract templates along with your invoices. The Square Invoice free mobile app lets you track the status of invoices from any digital device. Square also lets you create recurring invoices, schedule invoices to be sent at a later date, and schedule automatic payment reminders.

Key Features

• Invoice customization: Within your account settings, you’ll find a few options for customizing your invoices. These include adding a logo, selecting a color, adding a custom message or return policy, and choosing whether or not you want your address displayed.
• Item library: To speed up the invoice creation process, Square allows you to build an item library of your products and services. Once an item is in your library, it can be added to any invoice.
• Invoice scheduling: For your convenience, Square allows for both recurring invoices and scheduling your invoice to be sent in the future.
• Mobile app: No matter where you are, the Square Invoices mobile app allows you to send digital estimates and invoices, track status of payments, sent payment reminders, and accept payments.

Creating an Invoice

With Square, you have the option to send invoices from your mobile device via the app, or from your Square dashboard. You can do this by selecting Create Invoice, add your invoice details, and customize the appearance by changing the color and uploading a logo. As shown below, you can preview your invoice to see how it will appear to your client. Once you’ve sent it, you can easily track the status of when the invoice was viewed and paid:

Our Expert Opinion

If you want to synchronize your online and in-person payments, Square is your best option. It comes with ecommerce capabilities for your online sales and also POS hardware that lets you accept payments in person or post-sale payments from an invoice. For invoicing, you can opt to use the Square Invoices or POS app. Square’s item library and additional features such as recurring invoices make invoicing customers quick and efficient.

Read Square for Retail Review

PayPal: Best Free Invoice Generator for Mobile Devices

One of the biggest names in online payment processing, PayPal is a mobile-friendly invoice software that allows you to create and send invoices in just minutes on any digital device. You can also save online invoice templates for quick entry, send automated payment reminders, review account activity, and issue refunds on the go. Once logged in, you’ll see a dedicated tab just for invoicing and PayPal will pull in data from your recent contacts to create the invoice. The invoice editor is configured for mobile devices, with large buttons and easy data entry. Access to invoicing features requires a PayPal business account.

Key Features

• Mobile app: PayPal has been configured for mobile devices, making invoicing a breeze.
• Ease of use: With a user-friendly display and intuitive navigation, it is a great option for new businesses or computer novices.
• Batch invoicing: PayPal allows you to send up to 100 invoices simultaneously, making your invoicing process more efficient.
• Multicurrency support: You can invoice customers and accept payments in 25 currencies.

Creating an Invoice

You can create a professional-looking invoice in PayPal for free, and your customers can pay even without a PayPal account. As shown below, once you log into your account click on Tools and then click Invoicing. Click Create Invoice, and you only need your customer’s email address to send the invoice. They can pay securely by credit or debit card, PayPal, or PayPal Credit:

Our Expert Opinion

The experience of using PayPal for invoicing is quick and intuitive, and you can create an invoice with just a few line items or something more advanced that allows for tips, partial payments, or photos to be included. Customers receive the invoice through their PayPal account, where they can pay with a credit card, debit card, or PayPal balance. This ease of use makes PayPal an easy choice if you’re looking to create invoices on your mobile device.

Read PayPal Commerce Platform Review

Invoice Ninja: Best Free Invoice Generator for Frequent Invoicing

Invoice Ninja is an excellent tool for small business owners who invoice frequently because of its ability to accommodate bulk invoicing and to set up automatic payments for recurring customers. If you sign up for the free user plan, you can manage up to 100 clients and unlimited invoices, plus advanced features like branded invoices, auto-billing, time tracking, and direct payment integration with more than 40 gateways. However, the drawback is that each invoice has a “Created by Invoice Ninja” watermark unless you upgrade to the paid plan for $10 per month. This increases your maximum clients to unlimited and grants access to 10 professional invoice templates.

Key Features

• Client portal: Invoice Ninja provides a portal for your clients that allows them to open and view your invoices and make payments. You can also view when a client has opened your invoice and track the status of payments.
• Bulk invoicing: If you have a need to send the same invoice to multiple customers, you can take advantage of this time-saving feature.
• Automatic payments: You can set up automatic payments for recurring customers, and also automatic reminders for late payments.
• Time tracking: Invoice Ninja also comes with a free time tracker, which can be launched from within your online account or by using a downloaded desktop icon. Once you have completed the task, you can simply click and add your time to an invoice.
• Fully customizable: Invoice Ninja also has a free, open-source version for local installation and customization.

Creating an Invoice

Invoice Ninja’s real-time PDF creator shows you exactly what your invoice will look like as you are creating it. When you fill in details such as service descriptions or payment information, you’ll see the text appear right away. You can also create a custom domain URL for your online invoicing. Multiple payment gateways including Stripe, PayPal, WePay, and Authorize.net are also supported:

Our Expert Opinion

Invoice Ninja is a cloud-based invoicing, billing, and payment management software. It is not just an invoice generator, however. It’s also features basic CRM software for task management and inventory. Users can create professional invoices from scratch or use built-in templates. The software also integrates with more than 50 payment gateways, including PayPal and Stripe.

Read Invoice Ninja Review

When To Use Bookkeeping Software

If you’re looking for a solution that offers more than just invoicing capabilities, then you might want to consider full bookkeeping software that also offers great invoicing, like FreshBooks. You should consider bookkeeping software for:

• Tracking income and expense to file a tax return
• Tracking cash flow
• Managing bills from vendors
• Analyzing profit and loss from specific projects
• Printing financial statements for banks, insurance companies, or other interested parties

Check out our article on the best small business accounting software for a list of great bookkeeping software.

How We Evaluated Free Invoice Generators

We considered many factors when determining the best free invoice generators. These factors include:

• Free forever: We placed top priority on invoice generators that are free forever, not just for a limited time.
• Invoice limitations: We looked at whether each software has limitations on the number of customers or invoices that are sent per month as well as whether it is possible to email invoices from within the program.
• Templates: While most offer some form of invoice customization options, we considered the depth of these options, like whether it is possible to add your logo, change the color scheme, and add a personalized message.
• Sales tax: We looked at whether it is possible to collect and track collected sales tax, to simplify sales tax filings and payments.
• Reports: The types of reports available were a focus here, whether that is an aged A/R report, a balance by customer summary, or a list of outstanding invoices.
• Automation: Any features that automate frequent tasks were evaluated, such as setting up recurring invoices and creating items that can be added to invoices without retyping the entire description.
• Payment: The ability to accept short payments from customers, or less than the amount due, was also considered. We also looked at whether it is possible to issue a credit memo and apply it to a future invoice.
• Ease of use: Ranging from basic to requiring developer skills, we looked at the skill level required to use these invoice generators.
• Inventory management: While not a deal-breaker, we looked at whether the software contained an inventory management feature.
• Mobile app: If a mobile app is available, we considered whether it is possible to create and send invoices from your device.

Are you willing to pay for an invoice generator with more features? Check out our guide to the best invoicing software for additional options.

Bottom Line

Invoicing customers for the products and services that you sell is a key component of your cash flow. Using an invoice generator is a great option if you’re on a budget or a new small business with very little expenses. Each of the options discussed allow you to create professional-looking invoices and, in many cases, accept payments online. The best option for you is the one that suits the needs of your business.