Buyer’s guide
Best invoice software 2026
A practical comparison of the leading invoicing tools, written by people who build one. The goal here is to help you pick correctly the first time.
How to choose
Step 1: Decide if you need accounting or just invoicing. A pure invoicing tool (like Aviy) is faster, cheaper, and easier. Full accounting (QuickBooks, Xero) costs more and takes hours to set up, but covers tax filing, payroll, and reporting.
Step 2: Check the free tier. If a tool only offers a 30-day trial, you will be paying before you have decided whether it fits. Permanent free tiers (Aviy, Wave, Zoho Invoice) let you live with the tool for a few weeks before committing.
Step 3: Check multi-currency and tax handling. If you bill across borders, multi-currency should be native, not a paid add-on. If you charge VAT, GST, or sales tax, the tool needs per-line and per-document tax overrides.
Step 4: Try the actual document creation flow. Time how long it takes to send your first invoice. If a tool takes 15 minutes per invoice, you will hate it within a week. AI generators (like Aviy) typically clock under 60 seconds.
The shortlist
Aviy
Try Aviy free →Best for: Freelancers, agencies, consultants, and small businesses who want fast, AI-powered invoicing.
Highlights
- Free forever for the AI invoice generator + six document types
- Natural-language input - describe an invoice in one sentence
- Multi-channel sending: email, WhatsApp, SMS, Telegram, Slack
- Stripe + PayPal payments - keep your own processor accounts
- Multi-currency on every plan, multi-business, team roles
- iOS and Android apps available
Caveats
- Focused on invoicing - pairs cleanly with any accounting tool you already use
FreshBooks
Aviy vs FreshBooks →Best for: Service-based businesses willing to pay for a bundled invoicing + light bookkeeping tool.
Highlights
- Established brand in the invoicing space
- Recurring invoices on paid plans
Caveats
- No permanent free tier - 30-day trial only
- No AI invoice generator
- Multi-currency is a paid add-on on lower plans
- Each business needs its own subscription
QuickBooks
Aviy vs QuickBooks →Best for: Businesses that need full accounting in the same tool and accept a long learning curve.
Highlights
- Industry-standard recognition with accountants
- Wide integration ecosystem
Caveats
- No permanent free tier
- Steep learning curve; many users hire a QuickBooks-certified bookkeeper
- Hours of setup before sending the first invoice
- No AI invoice generator
- Multi-currency only on Essentials plan and above
Wave
Aviy vs Wave →Best for: Microbusinesses with simple invoicing needs and tight budgets.
Highlights
- Free invoicing on the core plan
Caveats
- No AI invoice generator
- No native quotes, credit notes, or purchase orders
- Limited template customisation
- Mobile apps deprecated for many regions
Zoho Invoice
Aviy vs Zoho Invoice →Best for: Businesses already inside the Zoho ecosystem (CRM, Books, Mail).
Highlights
- Tight integration with other Zoho products
Caveats
- Free tier capped at 1,000 invoices per year
- No AI invoice generator
- UI feels dated compared to modern tools
- Most valuable only if you already use other Zoho products
Xero
Aviy vs Xero →Best for: Larger small businesses that need full accounting and have an in-house bookkeeper.
Highlights
- Strong UK / AU / NZ market position
Caveats
- No permanent free tier - 30-day trial only
- No AI invoice generator
- Multi-currency only on Premium plan and above
- Pricing scales aggressively past entry-level
- Hours to days of chart-of-accounts setup before the first invoice
Invoice Simple
Aviy vs Invoice Simple →Best for: Solo sellers who bill once or twice a month from a phone and don't need credit notes or recurring billing.
Highlights
- Quick on-phone forms
Caveats
- No AI invoice generator - manual form-filling every time
- Free invoices are limited; full features paywalled
- No credit notes or purchase orders
- Email + SMS only (no WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack)
Invoice2go
Aviy vs Invoice2go →Best for: Tradespeople with years of Invoice2go history who don't want to migrate.
Highlights
- Long-established mobile-first workflow
Caveats
- No AI invoice generator - manual form-filling every time
- No permanent free tier; paid-only beyond the trial
- Invoice2go Payments is a locked-in processor
- No native credit notes or purchase orders
- Email + SMS only (no WhatsApp / chat channels)
Square Invoices
Aviy vs Square Invoices →Best for: Retail, food, or in-person businesses already using Square POS hardware.
Highlights
- Tight integration with Square POS hardware
Caveats
- Square Payments only - locked-in processor
- Per-transaction fees on every paid invoice
- Single currency per account; tied to country
- No native quotes, credit notes, or purchase orders
- No AI invoice generator
Try Aviy or skip to a comparison
Free to start. No credit card. Sub-minute first invoice. Or read a head-to-head with FreshBooks or QuickBooks before you decide.