If you run a small online business, you’re going to need a specific set of tools to help you get paid.
In other words, you’re going to need some invoicing software.
Luckily, there are plenty of great invoicing software options in the market right now. And the best part is, many of them are free to use, which saves you on overhead and allows you to keep growing your business.
But how are you supposed to know which one is the best choice?
After all, what works for one business may not work for you.
To help you out, and guide you in making an informed business decision, we’ve rounded up some of the top free and premium invoicing web applications for SMBs.
So, let’s get started!
Zoho sets out to make online invoicing simple and affordable for freelancers and small business owners. It comes with features such as time tracking and online payment collection. It even comes with open APIs that allow you to integrate with third-party services such as PayPal, Google Apps, and Zoho CRM, all of which make managing your online business that much easier.
Not to mention, you can enable automated reminders to those that owe you money, so you know you get paid on time, every time.
Other notable features of Zoho include:
Wave Accounting is a free, cloud-based accounting platform built with small business owners in mind. For instance, easily track outgoing expenses, customize financial reports, and of course, create and send invoices online to everyone that owes you money.
And to make collecting money even simpler, all you have to do is link your bank account to your Wave account and let the money automatically deposit where it needs to go.
Other notable features of Wave Accounting include:
Invoice Home lets you create original and completely brandable invoices. Or, you can choose from the hundreds of pre-designed templates and make the process of getting paid even faster.
In addition, you can collect online payments via credit card, PayPal, Authorize.net, or Stripe, or even print and send invoices to customers. And you can always trust that the financial data and transactions you’re conducting online are safe thanks to Invoice Home’s software that saves customer data, product information, and reports in one secure location.
Other notable features of Invoice Home include:
FreshBooks has long been touted the industry leader when it comes to free invoicing web applications. It’s a cloud-based accounting software that comes with standard features such as time tracking, subcontractor management, and integration with other software such as Basecamp and QuickBooks.
What’s more, FreshBooks comes with expense tracking, team collaboration tools, and automatic payment deposits. That said, FreshBooks is only free to try for 30 days, so you can see if you like what it has to offer. So, be aware that if you decide to use FreshBooks, you’ll have to invest a minimum of $15/month after the 30 days.
Other notable features of FreshBooks include:
Invoice Ninja is another one of those free invoicing web applications we feel can make any small business run smoothly. It has an easy to use interface, making invoicing easy on beginners and seasoned business owners alike.
Plus, you can access Invoice Ninja anywhere you’re conducting business, including social media. This is a rare feature not found in many free invoicing web applications.
Other notable features of Invoice Ninja include:
QuickBooks is another premium invoicing software that lets you try things out for 30 days and then you have to pay a minimum of $12/month. That said, this comprehensive accounting solution, complete with invoicing functionality is worth the premium price tag.
To start, connect your bank account to your QuickBooks account, sync with popular apps for business management, and even snap pictures of receipt to help with expense reporting. Plus, customize your invoices in terms of color schemes, logos, and invoice fields to make sure your customers know what they’re being charged for and how to make a payment.
Other notable features of QuickBooks include:
Paydirt lets you create customized invoices that you can print or send as PDFs to customers online. But more than that, this invoicing web application automatically creates invoices from the work you log, making your life a lot easier.
Plus, it sends email notifications when an invoice is overdue, accepts credit card payments, and displays unpaid, overdue, and draft invoices on a simple interface so you always know where you’re at in the payment process with each customer. Just keep in mind that Paydirt is not free. Though there’s a free trial, plans start at $8/month afterwards.
Other notable features of Paydirt include:
Brightbook is 100% free and suitable for contractors, freelancers, and small businesses. In short, this free invoicing web application lets you access your accounting system (including invoices) anywhere there’s an internet connection.
It will also display how you’re doing financially in real-time, let you log unlimited bills and payments received, and even allow you to add as many users to your account as you want.
Other notable features of Brightbook include:
Billdu touts itself as a professional invoice maker for small business that aims to save time and make invoicing customers a cinch. To start, access your business from any desktop, tablet, or smartphone. From there, create simple invoices, complete with a ‘Pay Now’ button that customers can click right away.
In addition, utilize the receipt scanner and expense management tools, go mobile, and even send out estimates and quotes to those interested in doing business with you. Keep in mind that although extremely cheap (starting at $1.99/month) Billdu is only free to try and is not free for life.
Other notable features of Billdu include:
CloudBooks in an online invoicing software that offers users a 30-day free trial (after that it starts at $10/month) and comes with features such as time tracking, invoice, and other business management tools to help you grow and succeed.
You maintain control over your invoicing cycles, can send unlimited invoices, and can get paid with ease when you use this powerful accounting software. Plus, there are required fields for taxes, so you never miss a beat and find yourself in trouble with the tax man.
Other notable features of CloudBooks include:
Inv24.com is the perfect solution for small and medium sized business owners looking for affordable but basic invoicing functionality.
With it, access your business’ data from any device, let Inv24.com handle the calculations, and never worry about having to download any software or applications, saving yourself disk space on your device.
Other notable features of Inv24.com include:
Akaunting is a free accounting software for online businesses looking to manage their money without spending money.
With it, you can access financials at any time so long as you’re online, trust that your data is safe and secure, and create invoices fast so you get paid when the time comes. And best of all, you’ll have access to a lifetime of free updates, meaning your free invoicing software won’t become outdated or vulnerable.
Other notable features of Akaunting include:
Due.com is the last of the invoicing web applications we want to share with you. Perfect for freelancers and SMBs looking to spend time making money not collecting it, Due.com equips you with all the features you need to manage payment collection, and so much more.
For example, get a quick glimpse of sent, received, saved, and paid invoices in the beginner friendly dashboard. In addition, create unlimited invoices, access your account from any mobile device, and integrate with PayPal and Stripe so your customers can pay with ease how they want to.
Other notable features of Due.com include:
And there you have it! 13 of the very best free and premium invoicing web applications for small businesses.
Running a small business shouldn’t be expensive, especially when it comes to invoicing. After all, the whole point of invoicing is to make money and grow your business, not hold it back. That’s why investing in free or affordable invoicing software is so important. So, do your research and determine which invoicing features you have to have, and which ones you can sacrifice for now. Then, choose an invoicing web application that meets your needs and start getting paid.
Are you ready to launch an eCommerce shop and start sending out invoices for your products or services, but need help crafting a highly converting online store that people will love? Get in touch with Keen to Design today and see how we can help. We can create a stunning eCommerce shop that people recognize and love. And in addition to using that free invoicing software, you’ll generate a profit in no time with us by your side helping you out.