Best Online Platforms for Creating Professional Invoices in 2026
We reviewed the top invoice tools available today — comparing price, features, ease of use, and privacy. Here are the five best, starting with the one we think most freelancers and small businesses should use first.
Not every freelancer or small business owner needs full accounting software just to send an invoice. The right tool depends on how often you invoice, how many clients you have, and whether you want to store data in a cloud account or keep everything local and private.
We've narrowed it down to five platforms that cover the full range — from completely free and no-account-required, to fully-featured subscription tools for high-volume billing.
Stubingly
The fastest free invoice generator for freelancers and small businesses
Best for: Freelancers, contractors, and small businesses who need a clean PDF invoice fast without signing up for anything.
Pros
- 100% free — no subscription, no watermarks
- Multi-currency with per-line VAT/GST support
- Payment link, bank details, Net 7–60 terms
- Instant PDF download, fully browser-based
- No account needed — your data never leaves your device
Cons
- No built-in payment processing
- No recurring invoice scheduling
Wave
Full accounting software with free invoicing built in
Best for: Small businesses that want invoicing bundled with bookkeeping in one free tool.
Pros
- Free invoicing with unlimited clients
- Built-in bookkeeping and expense tracking
- Accepts credit cards and bank transfers
- Automatic payment reminders
Cons
- Requires account creation
- Payment processing fees (2.9% + $0.60)
- Can feel heavy for simple invoice needs
FreshBooks
Premium invoicing with time tracking and client portal
Best for: Agencies and consultants who bill by the hour and need time tracking integrated with invoices.
Pros
- Time tracking billed directly to invoices
- Client portal for viewing and paying invoices
- Automated late payment reminders
- Proposal and contract tools
Cons
- Starts at $19/month
- Client limit on lower plans
- Overkill for occasional invoicing
Invoice Ninja
Open-source invoicing with a generous free tier
Best for: Tech-savvy freelancers who want open-source flexibility or the option to self-host their invoicing.
Pros
- Free for up to 20 clients
- Self-hosted option available
- Multiple payment gateways
- Recurring invoices and auto-billing
Cons
- UI can be complex for beginners
- Branding on free plan
- Requires account creation
Zoho Invoice
Generous free plan with multi-currency and client portal
Best for: Growing small businesses already using Zoho CRM or other Zoho tools.
Pros
- Free for up to 1,000 invoices per year
- Multi-currency and multi-language
- Client portal and payment gateway support
- Part of the Zoho ecosystem
Cons
- Requires account registration
- Invoice limit on free plan
- Interface is feature-dense
Quick comparison
| Platform | Price | No sign-up | Multi-currency | PDF download |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stubingly | Free | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wave | Free* | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| FreshBooks | $19+/mo | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Invoice Ninja | Free* | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Zoho Invoice | Free* | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
* Free plans have limitations — see individual reviews above.
Free · No sign-up · No watermarks
Create your invoice now
Multi-currency · VAT/GST support · Payment link · Bank details · Instant PDF
Open Invoice Generator →🔒 100% browser-based · Nothing stored on our servers