Invoicing software should help a freelancer create clear bills, collect payment, track what is outstanding, and keep records organized. The right tool reduces admin work and makes it easier to forecast cash flow without forcing every business into a full accounting suite.
Today's products can combine invoice templates, one-time and recurring billing, payment reminders, online payment options, mobile access, and accounting sync. Coverage varies by provider, so compare the exact workflow—not just whether a feature appears on a checklist.
Prioritize the capabilities that match how you bill and how your clients prefer to pay:
This comparison uses official pricing and product information checked August 19, 2026. List prices, promotions, processing fees, and feature availability can change, so verify the linked provider page before purchasing.
FreshBooks combines invoicing with accounting, expense and mileage tracking, estimates, and financial reports. Current monthly list prices before its first-three-month promotion are $23 for Lite, $43 for Plus, and $70 for Premium. Lite supports five billable clients, Plus 50, and Premium unlimited clients. Automated recurring invoices and reminders appear across plans; Plus adds double-entry reports and bank reconciliation. Best for: freelancers who want invoicing and accounting in one product.
Square includes invoice features in Square Free at $0, Square Plus at $49 per month per location, and Square Premium at $149 per month per location. Free has no monthly subscription, and Square documents both unlimited invoices and recurring invoices; paid tiers add broader business features and lower some processing fees. Best for: freelancers already using Square for in-person or online sales.
Wave offers a $0 Starter plan with unlimited estimates, invoices, bills, and bookkeeping records. Pro is $19 per month or $190 per year and adds automatic bank imports and categorization, receipt capture, and automated late-payment reminders. Online payment fees are separate from the subscription. Best for: freelancers who want a low-cost invoicing and bookkeeping foundation.
Bonsai combines client, project, and time management. Basic is $15 per user monthly or $9 with annual billing, but invoicing and payments start on Essentials at $25 monthly or $19 with annual billing. Essentials also adds proposals, contracts, forms, scheduling, a client portal, expenses, income tracking, and subscription invoices. Best for: freelancers who want project delivery and billing in the same workspace.
HoneyBook manages a broader clientflow from inquiry through proposal, contract, invoice, and payment. Starter, Essentials, and Premium are $29, $49, and $109 per month when billed yearly. HoneyBook supports one-time, recurring, and custom invoice schedules plus Autopay. Its detailed fee guide lists manually entered Visa and Mastercard at 2.9% + $0.25, Amex, Discover, and card-on-file at 3.4% + $0.09, and client ACH at 1.5%. Best for: independent businesses that value a full clientflow system more than standalone invoicing.
Maroo is designed for wedding, event, and creative businesses that want invoicing connected to the same client record as their CRM and documents. Its Starter plan is free for businesses and freelancers invoicing under $5,000 per month. Leads and contacts, quotes, invoices, and the connected client record do not require a subscription on Starter. Business is an optional $50 per month upgrade for higher limits and advanced features, and Pro uses custom pricing.
Payment-fee context: Maroo lists card rates of 3.5%, 3.4%, and 3.25% and client ACH rates of 1.5%, 1.25%, and 1% across Starter, Business, and Pro. When eligible fees are passed to clients, Maroo Business costs the business $600 per year—the subscription fee. Passing a fee shifts it to the client; it does not eliminate the fee, and availability depends on the payment and applicable rules.
Billing workflow: Maroo supports recurring invoices with a billing frequency and optional end date, plus the ability to edit or cancel future invoices. That is separate from installments on one invoice and from Autopay. Maroo also supports card and ACH payments, automatic reminders, contractor payments, and a QuickBooks Online integration that syncs invoices, payments, customers, and associated fees going forward.
The best option depends on the work around the invoice. FreshBooks emphasizes accounting, Square connects invoicing with commerce, Wave offers a low-cost bookkeeping base, Bonsai connects projects and billing, and HoneyBook covers a broader clientflow. Maroo is a strong fit for wedding, event, and creative freelancers who want a free core CRM and invoicing workflow, true recurring invoices, contractor operations, and an eligible fee-pass option. Compare subscription cost, payment mix, recurring-billing needs, accounting workflow, and client experience before deciding.
