Best Invoicing Software for Freelancers UK (2025) – Easy, Compliant & Affordable
Looking for the best invoicing software for freelancers UK in 2025? Managing invoices efficiently is crucial for freelancers to get paid on time and stay compliant with UK tax laws. This guide reviews the top invoicing tools tailored specifically for UK freelancers, helping you find the right software to simplify your billing and accounting.
Quick Comparison Table
| Software | Best For | Starting Price (GBP) | Free Plan | Free Trial | HMRC/MTD Compliant | UK Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks | Full financial management | From £8/month | No | 30 days | Yes | Yes |
| Zoho Invoice | Free for small client lists | From Free (up to 5 clients) | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Wave | Cost-effective invoicing | Free | Yes | No | Limited | No |
| FreshBooks | Creatives and consultants | From £13/month | No | 30 days | Yes | Yes |
| Xero | Scalable accounting | From £16/month | No | 30 days | Yes | Yes |
| Bonsai | All-in-one freelance management | From £15/month | Trial only (7 days) | Yes | Limited | No |
| Xolo | Simplified business management | From £29/month | No | 14 days | Yes | Yes |
QuickBooks Self-Employed – Full Financial Management
QuickBooks Self-Employed is ideal if you want a tool that covers more than just invoicing. It tracks expenses, mileage, and helps prepare your Self-Assessment tax return. If you want to keep everything organised in one place, this is a strong option.
Best features include expense tracking, tax estimation, and automatic bank import. It works well for freelancers who deal with varied expenses and want HMRC-compliant records. However, if you only need simple invoicing or want a free tool, this might be more than you need. The interface can feel a bit complex for beginners.
Free trial available: 30 days
Cost: Paid plans from £8/month
Pros:
- Comprehensive expense and tax tracking
- HMRC-compliant, good for Self-Assessment
- Automatic bank imports save time
Cons:
- No free plan
- Can be overwhelming for simple invoicing needs
- Mobile app limited compared to desktop
Zoho Invoice – Best Free Option for Small Client Lists
Zoho Invoice offers a free plan that supports up to five clients. It has customizable invoice templates, time tracking, and a client portal for communication. This makes it ideal if you’re just starting out or have a small number of clients.
It’s easy to use, integrates well with other Zoho apps, and supports UK tax compliance. The downside is that the free plan limits the number of clients. If your client list grows, you’ll need to upgrade. Some advanced features take time to learn.
Free trial available: No (free plan available)
Cost: Free for up to 5 clients, paid plans start higher
Pros:
- Free for small client base
- Good UK tax support and invoicing features
- Integrates well with Zoho ecosystem
Cons:
- Client limit on free plan
- Less suitable for larger businesses
- Learning curve for advanced features
Wave – Cost-Effective, Free Invoicing
Wave offers unlimited invoicing and recurring billing completely free, making it a good choice if budget is a priority. It also provides basic accounting tools but lacks strong UK tax compliance features. Customer support isn’t UK-based, which might be a drawback for some.
Wave is simple and effective for freelancers with straightforward needs. If you require HMRC-compliant tax filing or local support, you might want to consider other options.
Free trial available: N/A (free software)
Cost: Free
Pros:
- Completely free with no limits on invoicing
- Simple, easy-to-use interface
- Includes basic accounting features
Cons:
- Limited UK tax compliance
- No UK-based customer support
- Not ideal for complex accounting needs
FreshBooks – Best for Creatives and Consultants
FreshBooks combines invoicing with time tracking and client management. It’s well suited for freelancers who bill by the hour or manage projects. It supports UK tax compliance and integrates with common payment gateways.
The interface is user-friendly and the mobile app is strong. There’s no free plan, and pricing increases with more features and users, which might not suit those on a tight budget.
Free trial available: 30 days
Cost: Paid plans from £13/month
Pros:
- Easy time tracking and project management
- Strong mobile app
- Good UK tax compliance
Cons:
- No free plan
- Pricing grows quickly with add-ons
- Some users find it expensive
Xero – Scalable Professional Accounting
Xero is a full accounting platform that includes invoicing. It supports multi-currency invoicing, automatic VAT submissions, and connects with UK payroll and banking. This makes it ideal if you want a solution that grows with your business.
It’s professional and powerful but can be overwhelming if you only want simple invoicing. The starting price is higher than many other options.
Free trial available: 30 days
Cost: Paid plans from £16/month
Pros:
- Comprehensive accounting and invoicing
- HMRC Making Tax Digital compliant
- Strong UK payroll and bank integration
Cons:
- Higher cost for basic plans
- Can be complex for beginners
- More features than needed for simple invoicing
Bonsai – All-in-One Freelance Management
Bonsai is designed specifically for freelancers needing more than just invoicing. It offers contract templates, proposals, time tracking, and tax estimates alongside invoicing. This helps manage the whole client workflow from one place.
It’s easy to use and reduces the need for multiple apps. Bonsai doesn’t offer a free plan, just a 7-day trial. It’s not suitable for larger businesses or teams needing multiple user accounts.
Free trial available: 7 days
Cost: Paid plans from £15/month
Pros:
- Combines contracts, invoicing, and time tracking
- Simplifies freelance workflow
- Easy to use
Cons:
- No free plan, only short trial
- Limited accounting features
- Not for larger teams
Xolo – Simplified Business and Tax Management
Xolo combines invoicing with bookkeeping, tax filing, and company setup support. It’s great for freelancers who want to handle all their business admin in one place. The software supports Making Tax Digital compliance and integrates with business bank accounts.
Xolo is focused on UK freelancers but comes at a higher price. It’s not the best fit if you only need simple invoicing or want a free tool. Invoice customization options are limited.
Free trial available: 14 days
Cost: Paid plans from £29/month
Pros:
- Full business management, including tax filing
- UK-focused compliance and support
- Handles company setup and banking
Cons:
- Higher cost than most invoicing tools
- Limited invoice customization
- Not suitable if you only want invoicing
Summary: Choosing the Best Invoicing Software for UK Freelancers
Picking the right invoicing software depends on your specific needs and budget. If you want a full financial management tool that handles taxes and expenses, QuickBooks Self-Employed and Xero are excellent choices with strong UK compliance. For freelancers starting out or with a small client base, Zoho Invoice offers a solid free plan and easy upgrades.
If keeping costs down is your priority, Wave provides completely free invoicing with basic features, though it lacks UK-specific tax support. Creatives and consultants who need time tracking alongside invoicing will find FreshBooks intuitive and feature-rich.
For freelancers wanting an all-in-one platform including contracts and proposals, Bonsai is tailored to your workflow, while Xolo stands out if you want to combine invoicing with business setup and tax filing services — though it comes at a higher price.
Most platforms offer free trials, so try a couple to see which fits your workflow best before committing. The right software will save you time, reduce errors, and help you get paid faster.
