FreshBooks is a comprehensive invoicing and accounting platform that integrates time tracking directly with invoice creation. Designed for established freelancers billing £3,000–£20,000 per month, it combines professional invoicing with light accounting features, making it ideal for those seeking to scale their business.
Wave offers unlimited invoices for unlimited clients with recurring billing and automatic payment reminders, all completely free. It is the ideal choice for new freelancers who want professional-grade invoicing without subscription costs. Payment processing is available for 2.9% + £0.30 per card payment.
Bonsai combines invoicing with contracts, proposals, tax tools, and accounting in a single platform. Automatic invoice generation from tracked time eliminates manual billing steps. It suits freelancers who need to manage their entire business lifecycle from proposal through payment.
HoneyBook bundles proposals, contracts, and invoices into single interactive packages, creating a seamless client experience. Designed for creative professionals, it emphasizes aesthetics alongside functionality. The Starter plan costs £29 per month when billed annually.
Zoho Invoice is a free invoicing and accounting tool that includes project management capabilities. The free plan allows two users, three projects, and up to 500 invoices per year. It delivers exceptional value for freelancers and small businesses seeking comprehensive invoicing features without cost.
Invoice Ninja offers professional invoicing with time-tracking, projects, Kanban boards, and expense tracking all included in the free plan. No credit card is required to get started. It suits freelancers and companies seeking advanced invoicing capabilities without subscription costs.
Plutio connects invoicing with proposals, time tracking, and client portals at a flat rate of £19 per month. Tracked hours automatically convert into line items within the same platform, eliminating the need to export and reimport data manually.
Square Invoices requires no monthly subscription fee for basic invoicing. Payment processing fees apply only when clients pay online. It is ideal for freelancers already using Square for in-person payment processing who want to extend those capabilities to remote clients.
Helcim offers invoicing and payment processing with no subscription fees. It uniquely allows freelancers to pass credit card fees to customers through surcharging and convenience fees at no additional cost. It suits freelancers particularly concerned about transaction costs.
Indy is a newer platform offering a free plan with limited features and a Pro plan at £12 per month billed annually. It combines proposals, contracts, time tracking, invoicing, and a basic client portal. It suits solo freelancers seeking a comprehensive business management solution.
Wave, Zoho Invoice, Invoice Ninja, Square Invoices, Helcim, and Indy all offer free invoicing plans. Wave and Invoice Ninja offer the most comprehensive free features, including unlimited invoices and clients. However, the cheapest truly unlimited paid option is Indy Pro at approximately £12 per month billed annually.
FreshBooks, Bonsai, Invoice Ninja, Plutio, and Indy all include integrated time tracking. FreshBooks integrates time tracking directly with invoice creation, whilst Plutio automatically converts tracked hours into invoice line items without requiring export steps.
Wave and Invoice Ninja offer the most generous free plans with no client or invoice limits. However, Zoho Invoice (free tier limited to 500 invoices yearly) and Indy (free tier with limited features) have restrictions. Most paid tools offer free trials, and all listed platforms provide at least a basic free option.