Best Invoicing Software UK 2026
We compared 8 invoicing tools on price, features, UK compliance, and ease of use. Here's what we found.
Choosing invoicing software shouldn't take longer than sending your first invoice. But with dozens of tools on the market — each claiming to be the best — it's hard to know where to start. We tested eight popular options head-to-head, focusing on what actually matters for UK freelancers and small businesses.
How We Evaluated
We scored each tool on UK compliance (VAT, HMRC templates, sequential numbering), ease of use, pricing transparency, free plan generosity, and features relevant to sole traders and small businesses. We're honest about where competitors excel.
At a Glance
| Tool | Free Plan | Paid From | Best For | UK Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experi | 5 invoices, 3 clients | £7/mo | UK freelancers & sole traders | ★★★★★ |
| Xero | No (30-day trial) | ~£15/mo | Growing businesses needing accounting | ★★★★☆ |
| QuickBooks | No (30-day trial) | ~£14/mo | Businesses wanting accounting + invoicing | ★★★★☆ |
| FreshBooks | No (30-day trial) | ~£12/mo | Service-based freelancers | ★★★☆☆ |
| Wave | Free invoicing | Free (paid add-ons) | Budget-conscious micro businesses | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Sage | No (trial available) | ~£14/mo | Established UK businesses | ★★★★★ |
| Zoho Invoice | Free (up to 5 clients) | Free (part of Zoho) | Businesses in the Zoho ecosystem | ★★★☆☆ |
| Invoice Ninja | 100 clients free | ~£8/mo | Tech-savvy users wanting customisation | ★★☆☆☆ |
Individual Reviews
1. Experi
OUR PICKA UK-focused invoicing platform built specifically for freelancers, sole traders, and small businesses. Experi concentrates on doing invoicing well rather than trying to be a full accounting suite.
Pricing: Free plan (5 invoices, 3 clients) | Pro £7/month (unlimited)
Pros
- ✅ Built for UK compliance from day one
- ✅ VAT, CIS, and credit note support
- ✅ Clean, modern interface
- ✅ No branding on invoices (even free)
- ✅ Automated payment chasing
- ✅ Affordable Pro plan at £7/mo
- ✅ Quote-to-invoice conversion
Cons
- ⚠️ No built-in accounting features
- ⚠️ Newer platform (launched 2025)
- ⚠️ Free plan limited to 5 invoices
Best for: UK freelancers and sole traders who want a dedicated invoicing tool without the complexity (or cost) of full accounting software.
2. Xero
A cloud accounting powerhouse popular with UK accountants. Xero is a full-featured platform that includes invoicing as part of a comprehensive accounting suite.
Pricing: From ~£15/month (no free plan, 30-day trial)
Pros
- ✅ Full double-entry accounting
- ✅ Excellent bank reconciliation
- ✅ Huge UK app marketplace
- ✅ MTD-compatible for VAT
- ✅ Multi-currency support
- ✅ Trusted by UK accountants
Cons
- ⚠️ Overkill if you only need invoicing
- ⚠️ Steeper learning curve
- ⚠️ More expensive than invoicing-only tools
- ⚠️ No free plan
Best for: Growing businesses that need full accounting with invoicing, especially those working closely with an accountant.
3. QuickBooks
Intuit's accounting software is one of the most recognised names in small business finance. QuickBooks Online includes robust invoicing alongside its accounting features.
Pricing: From ~£14/month (no free plan, 30-day trial)
Pros
- ✅ Strong accounting features
- ✅ Good mobile app
- ✅ Receipt capture and expense tracking
- ✅ MTD-compatible
- ✅ Integrates with many third-party apps
Cons
- ⚠️ Can feel cluttered for simple invoicing
- ⚠️ Pricing has increased regularly
- ⚠️ US-centric design adapted for UK
- ⚠️ Support quality varies
Best for: Small businesses wanting a well-known, all-in-one accounting and invoicing solution with strong third-party integrations.
4. FreshBooks
FreshBooks started as an invoicing tool and grew into a lightweight accounting platform. It's particularly popular with service-based freelancers who bill by the hour.
Pricing: From ~£12/month (no free plan, 30-day trial)
Pros
- ✅ Excellent time tracking built-in
- ✅ Beautiful invoice templates
- ✅ Easy expense management
- ✅ Good client portal
- ✅ Intuitive user interface
Cons
- ⚠️ Not UK-focused (Canadian company)
- ⚠️ Limited UK VAT compliance features
- ⚠️ More expensive than UK alternatives
- ⚠️ Client limit on lower plans
Best for:Service-based freelancers who need time tracking alongside invoicing and don't need deep UK compliance features.
5. Wave
Wave offers genuinely free invoicing and accounting — no trial, no time limit. It monetises through payment processing and payroll add-ons rather than the core product.
Pricing: Free for invoicing and accounting (paid add-ons for payments and payroll)
Pros
- ✅ Completely free invoicing
- ✅ Unlimited invoices and clients
- ✅ Basic accounting included
- ✅ Receipt scanning
- ✅ No credit card required
Cons
- ⚠️ Not designed for UK market
- ⚠️ Limited VAT support
- ⚠️ No CIS or UK-specific features
- ⚠️ Ads and upselling within the app
- ⚠️ Limited customer support
Best for:Very early-stage businesses or side-hustlers who need basic invoicing at zero cost and don't need UK-specific compliance.
6. Sage
A UK institution in business software, Sage has been serving British businesses for decades. Sage Accounting includes invoicing as part of its cloud accounting platform.
Pricing: From ~£14/month (trial available)
Pros
- ✅ Deep UK roots and compliance
- ✅ MTD-compatible
- ✅ CIS support on higher plans
- ✅ Bank feeds and reconciliation
- ✅ Established, trusted brand
Cons
- ⚠️ Interface feels dated compared to newer tools
- ⚠️ Complex for simple invoicing needs
- ⚠️ No free plan
- ⚠️ Support can be slow
Best for: Established UK businesses that want a traditional, trusted accounting platform with full HMRC compliance.
7. Zoho Invoice
Zoho Invoice is part of the broader Zoho business suite. It offers free invoicing that integrates tightly with Zoho CRM, Zoho Books, and other Zoho products.
Pricing: Free (part of the Zoho ecosystem)
Pros
- ✅ Free to use
- ✅ Professional invoice templates
- ✅ Time tracking included
- ✅ Multi-currency support
- ✅ Strong Zoho ecosystem integration
Cons
- ⚠️ Not UK-focused
- ⚠️ Limited standalone value outside Zoho
- ⚠️ VAT handling not as robust for UK
- ⚠️ Can feel overwhelming with Zoho upsells
Best for: Businesses already using (or planning to use) other Zoho products who want invoicing tightly integrated into their workflow.
8. Invoice Ninja
An open-source invoicing platform that offers a generous free plan. Invoice Ninja is popular with developers and tech-savvy users who value transparency and customisation.
Pricing: Free (up to 100 clients) | Pro from ~£8/month
Pros
- ✅ Open source and self-hostable
- ✅ Generous free plan (100 clients)
- ✅ Highly customisable
- ✅ API access
- ✅ Multiple invoice templates
Cons
- ⚠️ Not UK-focused
- ⚠️ No built-in VAT/CIS compliance
- ⚠️ Steeper learning curve
- ⚠️ Self-hosting requires technical skills
- ⚠️ Less polished interface
Best for:Tech-savvy freelancers who want an open-source, customisable invoicing platform and don't mind configuring UK compliance manually.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Experi | Xero | QB | FB | Wave | Sage | Zoho | Ninja |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK VAT support | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ |
| CIS deductions | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Credit notes | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Payment chasing | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ⚠️ |
| Quotes | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Free plan | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Full accounting | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Our Verdict
There's no single "best" invoicing tool — it depends on what you need. If you want full accounting with invoicing, Xero or QuickBooks are excellent choices. If you bill by the hour, FreshBooks has the edge on time tracking. If budget is paramount, Wave gives you a lot for nothing.
But if you're a UK freelancer or sole trader who needs compliant, professional invoicing without the complexity of accounting software, Experiis the strongest option. It's built for the UK from day one, the free plan has no branding on invoices, and Pro is just £7/month — less than half the price of most competitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best invoicing software for UK sole traders in 2026?
For pure invoicing, Experi offers the best combination of UK compliance, affordability, and ease of use. If you also need accounting, Xero or QuickBooks are strong choices — though they cost more and are more complex.
Is there free invoicing software that works for UK businesses?
Yes. Experi has a free plan with UK-compliant templates and VAT support. Wave offers completely free invoicing but lacks UK-specific features. Zoho Invoice and Invoice Ninja also have free tiers.
Do I need MTD-compatible invoicing software?
If you're VAT-registered, you already need MTD-compatible software. From April 2026, MTD expands to sole traders earning over £50,000. Using compliant invoicing software ensures your records meet HMRC's digital requirements.
What features should I look for in UK invoicing software?
Look for HMRC-compliant templates, automatic VAT calculations, GBP as default currency, sequential invoice numbering, payment tracking, credit note support, and the ability to email invoices as PDFs. CIS support matters for construction.
How much does invoicing software cost in the UK?
Prices range from free to over £30/month. Most paid plans fall between £7–£25/month. Experi Pro is £7/month, FreshBooks starts at ~£12/month, QuickBooks at ~£14/month, and Xero at ~£15/month.
Try Experi Free Today
UK-compliant invoicing with VAT, CIS, and payment chasing built in. Start with our free plan — no credit card required.
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