The Spoken Word

Invoicing web applications for freelancers

March 9, 2009

One of the most important task of a freelancer can sometimes be sending out invoices. There are clients who will send the payment almost immediately as soon as the work is done and then there are clients who wait for the invoice. Although this looks very simple from outside, sometimes managing payments and invoices becomes really difficult and time consuming.

Here are some of the best invoicing applications which can take care of your invoicing needs and more.

1. The Invoice Machine

This, in my opinion is the best invoicing application out is the market. The interface is sleek and it generates really professional and beautiful looking invoices. One can set options like currency, taxes, shipping, discounts, language, notes and more. It also contains a billing timer which can be used to find out the number of hours need to be billed.

Only 3 invoices can be generated using the free version. However, there are medium ($12 per month) and large($24 per month) options which can fulfill any freelancer’s need.

2. Harvest

Harvest is something more than an invoicing application. It can take care of time logging, expense tracking, estimates tracking etc…One can even export the invoices and bills into Quickbooks format.

It contains a SOLO pack priced at $12 per month which should be a perfect fit for a freelancer.

3. FreshBooks

One of the most popular invoicing applications out in the market. Apart from the standard features like time tracking, estimates, invoicing, expense tracking etc.. you can send a hard copy of the invoice to the client using its snail mail feature. One can even give client access to their invoices and account history. This can sometime impress clients.One can even setup recurring invoices which are then sent automatically.

With the free version one can send unlimited invoices but can manage only 3 clients. With the shuttle bus account ($14 per month) one can manage 25 clients. This I think should be an ideal fit for a freelancer.

4. BlinkSale

One of the more simple invoicing applications which does not contain too many features. This infact makes blinksale very simple and clean. Invoices can be tagged and recurring invoices can be sent automatically using its recurring feature.

Its free version is very basic and I wonder if it will fit anyone’s need. You cannot create PDF of your invoice in the free version. The silver ($12 per month) should fit a freelancer’s need.

If you know of any invoicing app better than the ones listed above please leave a comment.

Entry Filed under: Freelancer. Tags: freelancer invoicing.