{"id":2678,"date":"2025-08-14T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.zoomlavilin.com\/?p=2678"},"modified":"2025-08-14T13:30:25","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T13:30:25","slug":"my-8-favorite-invoice-billing-software-solutions-for-small-businesses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.zoomlavilin.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/14\/my-8-favorite-invoice-billing-software-solutions-for-small-businesses\/","title":{"rendered":"My 8 favorite invoice & billing software solutions for small businesses"},"content":{"rendered":"
For the longest time, I was on the fence about creating manual invoices<\/a> versus using invoice software for my side hustle. My tech-savvy friends often raved about using the latter for their small businesses. Still, I wondered if it would work for me or if adding a new tool would make things more complex and lengthy. Honestly, I was too lazy to try it out.<\/p>\n One fortunate quarter, when business was busier than usual, I was scrambling to find time; even sending my invoices on time felt like a struggle. I was chatting with a friend who said, \u201cAre you seriously wasting your time and not using a free invoice software for small businesses? They\u2019ll make your life so much easier!\u201d<\/p>\n That was my eureka moment. This time, I decided to step back and set aside a few hours (amidst all the pressure) to explore how invoice software works. As I dove deep into the features, I was impressed. I saw how easy it made even other things, and then there was no looking back.<\/p>\n If you are where I was, my experience and learnings around invoice software might help you make the shift. Read along to learn more.<\/p>\n Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n \n Most people believe such tools are for mid-sized or large businesses with high volumes and prefer to use a simple solution like an invoice template<\/a>. I was one of them, too.<\/p>\n However, I\u2019ve experienced firsthand that invoice software is handy for anyone and everyone billing clients or customers, especially those who like to do it faster, smarter, and with fewer mistakes. Smarter because you can use an invoice software to set up templates, calculate taxes, send payment reminders, and even track which invoices are paid, overdue, or outstanding.<\/p>\n Popular invoicing solutions for small businesses also integrate with accounting systems, CRM platforms, and payment gateways. This way, they help to streamline the entire billing and cash flow process. On that note, let me take you through some of the best options I\u2019ve found.<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n You may wonder why go through a roundup for a simple task like invoicing that you\u2019re already doing manually. But here\u2019s the fact: Without smooth invoicing, your cash flow can slow down, admin work can pile up, and worse, you may even create friction with clients.<\/strong> These are risks you can\u2019t afford.<\/p>\n Here are some of the best free, freemium, and paid invoice software options for small businesses.<\/p>\n HubSpot Payment Links<\/a> is a powerful invoice software feature in HubSpot\u2019s Commerce Hub<\/a>. With this solution, your invoice software doesn\u2019t just integrate with the HubSpot CMS \u2014 it\u2019s already part of it. I\u2019ve tried it and can vouch that it makes sending out invoices and collecting payments super easy.<\/p>\n To use it, you simply need to create a payment link to process a one-time or recurring payment (depending on your requirements) using straightforward steps. You can even embed your manual invoices with these links or add them to your emails.<\/p>\n Next, you have to share it with your customers and get paid. They\u2019ll be delighted with the ease of payment and the exceptional checkout experience. And that\u2019s not it. Using it can also accomplish many tasks that a generic invoice software cannot do alone. For instance, it can instantly update customer accounts with purchase history.<\/p>\n Moreover, as the Payment Links integrates into HubSpot\u2019s Smart CRM, you no longer have to switch between multiple tabs, tools, and systems. You can keep your commerce and customer data in one unified space for a seamless and efficient workflow. I found this feature incredibly helpful for a small business with limited resources.<\/p>\n What I <\/strong> It\u2019s a smart tool that massively reduces work for those with existing HubSpot accounts (which is most of us, right?). Personally, I\u2019ve used it to pull product information straight from my existing HubSpot account without manually inventing line items, and that is something I love!<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n If you have a business, you\u2019ve probably already heard of QuickBooks. They\u2019re considered by many to be the gold standard in accounting software. I think their invoicing tool, QuickBooks Online, is brilliant too \u2014 and is way more than simply invoice software.<\/p>\n Much like the functionality of the HubSpot Sales Hub, QuickBooks Online automatically connects invoices and payments to accounting tools. You can use it to create custom invoices, turn estimates into invoices, or even duplicate invoices across multiple customers. When a customer pays an invoice, it gets recorded in your bookkeeping and included in your reporting dashboard. This way, you can see cash flow, profit and loss, and other financial data. You can also get help with taxes.<\/p>\n I\u2019m a big fan of the accessibility and integrations. Many businesses are already familiar with and use QuickBooks. This familiarity and additional features, such as invoicing and connecting your billing to your main QuickBooks software, make it a winner. Moreover, its extensive and smooth integrations also save a lot of time.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n FreshBooks is a payment-integrated invoice software that\u2019s designed for small businesses focused on services. You can use the invoice software to set a retainer fee and track billable hours against it. For any changes in the scope of work, the tool makes it easy to highlight what\u2019s new and discuss it with the client. It also does the heavy lifting for admin tasks like sending reminders and charging late payment fees.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a video showing how to use it.<\/p>\n I appreciate that FreshBooks grows with your small business through its tiered pricing model. While their Lite plan focuses on basic invoicing, the software quickly becomes an all-in-one accounting solution as you upgrade. Higher plans can also handle other small business needs like payroll, inventory, and ecommerce.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Indy is an invoice software designed from the ground up to give small business owners, entrepreneurs, freelancers, and other self-employed professionals everything they need to get paid faster. It offers simple, easy-to-use invoicing and streamlines the business. How it integrates with the rest of their tool suite is what I think makes their invoicing software stand out.<\/p>\n With Indy, you get a shared space where all your work lives. You can bring clients into your workspace so you\u2019re always on the same page, even when you\u2019re not in the same room. You can also turn proposal estimates and time-tracking sheets into billable invoices with just a click. The flexible online and offline payment options it provides make it easier for clients to pay you and for you to avoid costly processing fees.<\/p>\n Indy is an excellent choice for small service-oriented businesses looking to create and send professional invoices quickly and create a unified source of truth. I find it\u2019s brilliant as it keeps everything from proposals to signing contracts, tracking billable hours, managing tasks, creating invoices, and receiving payment in one space.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Zoho Invoice is a lightweight, cloud-based, free invoicing software that is powerful for small businesses, especially agencies. The software handles invoicing, expense, and time tracking, and gives you an extensive library of invoice templates, all entirely free of charge.<\/p>\n I like that you can access the invoicing solution through the Zoho Invoice app and Zoho\u2019s online accounting software, Zoho Books.<\/p>\n When you send out invoices using it, your customers can access a self-service customer portal to make payments. They can do this manually or allow auto-debit for hassle-free recurring payments. As for your convenience, you can use it anywhere with an internet connection. It also offers simple automation options to simplify your life further.<\/p>\n I love that it is free invoice software for small businesses. It truly helps take invoicing off the to-do list. Most other options give this kind of freedom at some price.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n InvoiceApp is another leading online invoicing and billing platform designed to simplify and streamline the invoicing process for startups, small business owners, and freelancers. What stands out is its user-friendly interface and robust features, which make creating, managing, and sending professional invoices easy.<\/p>\n Their software is built on the foundation of convenience and innovation, which I find is a significant differentiator. Another aspect that stands out to me is how comprehensive its features are, compared to the price to pay. Using it, small businesses can focus on their core operations while managing their financial transactions effectively.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Billdu is another excellent, easy-to-use invoicing software for small businesses. Its intuitive interface and comprehensive features simplify creating and sending professional-looking invoices, all through the invoicing app.<\/p>\n In addition, Billdu helps you book, sell, and even get paid. Its compatible apps, such as the appointments app, online store app, and website builder, give you the convenience of everything you need in one place.<\/p>\n I love the app\u2019s simplicity and the fact that it gives you a full 30-day trial with everything unlocked without asking for any billing info. This communicates that they trust their work, and you can learn what you need and don\u2019t if you decide to go for a paid plan. I also like Billdu\u2019s reputation for updating its features frequently to meet the evolving needs of its users.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n So far, all of my suggestions have been invoicing software options that handle payments. PayPal is slightly different. It is a payment software that can also handle invoicing. Its invoicing tools are simple, intuitive, and free with the merchant account. Just create an invoice using the template and send it by email. That\u2019s all!<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a video showing how easy this is.<\/p>\n If you need a payment gateway but don\u2019t need fancy inventory management or other features, PayPal can be a great free invoice software for your small business. This is especially true if you use it to sell with a QR code.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
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Best Invoice Software for Small Businesses<\/h2>\n
1. HubSpot Payment Links<\/a><\/h3>\n
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2. QuickBooks Online<\/a><\/h3>\n
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3. FreshB<\/a>ooks<\/a><\/h3>\n
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4. Indy<\/a><\/h3>\n
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5. Zoho Invoice<\/a><\/h3>\n
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6. InvoiceA<\/a>pp<\/a><\/h3>\n
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7. Billdu<\/a><\/h3>\n
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8. PayPal<\/a><\/h3>\n
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