Most “free” invoice tools are free only after you create an account and keep your data on their servers. Here’s an honest comparison of the popular options — by whether you need to sign up, what’s actually free, where your data lives, and which countries’ tax they handle — so you can pick the right one.
Compiled from each tool’s public information (2026). Always check the provider’s site for current terms.
Free BizDocthis tool |
Invoice Simpleapp |
Waveaccounting |
Zoho InvoiceZoho suite |
Invoice Ninjaopen source |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Create & download without an account | Yes | No — account | No — account | No — account | No — account |
| What’s free | Unlimited creation; 2 PDF downloads/hour. Free account saves 5 docs. | About 3 invoices / month on the free plan | Unlimited invoices (free plan) | Free forever (limits: 2 users, 500 invoices/year) | Free cloud plan (up to 5 clients); or self-host free |
| Your data stored on their servers | No — made in your browser (unless you save) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (or your own server if self-hosted) |
| US / UK / AU / CA tax built in | Yes — sales tax, VAT, GST, GST/HST | Varies by region | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Online card payments | No | Yes (fees) | Yes (fees) | Yes (fees) | Yes (fees) |
| Accounting / recurring / reminders | Basic management on PRO; no full accounting | Limited | Yes (full accounting) | Yes | Yes |
| Cheapest paid plan | PRO $15/mo (optional) | Paid tiers | Pro ~$19/mo | Free (upgrade path is Zoho Books) | Pro ~$14/mo |
Prices and free limits change — the figures above are from each provider’s public information in 2026 and may differ now. “Account” means you must register before you can create or download a document.
Free BizDoc lets you create and download an invoice PDF without an account. Invoice Simple, Wave, Zoho Invoice and Invoice Ninja all require you to register before you can create or download a document.
Wave’s invoicing and basic bookkeeping are free, and its paid Pro plan (around $19/month) adds features like automated reminders and custom branding. Online payments carry transaction fees. You do need a Wave account.
Yes — Zoho Invoice has a genuinely free plan with limits (for example a cap on users and invoices per year). It requires a Zoho account, and heavier needs move you to the paid Zoho Books.
There isn’t a hidden one. The core document tools are free with no sign-up; the free version limits you to 2 PDF downloads per hour. An optional PRO plan ($15/month) removes the limit and adds saving and basic management. Documents are generated in your browser and aren’t stored unless you choose to save them.
