Invoicing Tools Compared
Five ways to bill wholesale and B2B customers, from free to paid, and what each charges when the customer pays by card.
Written and reviewed by the BizCredX Editorial Team Figures checked October 13, 2026
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The Short Answer
- Free and unlimitedWave Starter has unlimited invoices at no software cost.
- Open-source optionInvoice Ninja is free forever for up to 5 clients, and can be self-hosted.
- Already using SquareSquare Invoices has no software fee on the Free plan, with card payments at 3.3% + 30¢.
- Heavy follow-up needsWave Pro adds automated late-payment reminders. Check whether the tool you pick includes them on your plan.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Provider | Software cost | Card payment fee | Free option | Watch for | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wave | $0 Starter. Pro is $19 a month or $190 a year. | 2.9% + 60¢ (Amex 3.4% + 60¢) | Unlimited invoices, estimates and bookkeeping records | Automated late-payment reminders are a Pro feature. | Sellers with a handful of wholesale accounts |
| FreshBooks | $23 a month (Lite, 5 billable clients). Plus $43, Premium $70. | Not covered in this review | None | Pricing climbs with billable client count. Extra team members are $11 a month. | Sellers who bill a small client list repeatedly |
| Square Invoices | $0 on the Free plan | 3.3% + 30¢ on Free. 2.9% + 30¢ on Plus ($49 a month). | Yes, pay only processing fees | Invoice card payments use the online rate. | Sellers who already take payments through Square |
| Invoice Ninja | Free for up to 5 clients. Paid plan pricing: see provider. | Depends on the gateway you connect | Free forever for up to 5 clients, plus a self-hosted option | Paid tier prices were not confirmed for this review. | Sellers comfortable with some setup, or with a developer on hand |
| Zoho Books | $0 Free plan. Standard is $20 a month, or $15 billed annually. | Depends on the payment gateway you connect | 1 user plus an accountant, up to 1,000 invoices a year, while revenue stays under $50K | The free plan ends when annual revenue passes $50K. | Sellers who want invoicing and books together |
Checked October 13, 2026 against each provider's own pages (listed under Sources). Prices, fees and rates change, so confirm on the provider's site before you apply.
Provider by Provider
Wave
Free invoicing, pay as you get paid
Best for: Sellers with a handful of wholesale accounts
- No software cost on Starter
- Unlimited invoices
- Simple to start
- Reminders are paid
- 60¢ fixed fee stings on small invoices
FreshBooks
Polished, client-centred invoicing
Best for: Sellers who bill a small client list repeatedly
- Clean design
- Plans scale with client count
- No free plan
- Client limits matter for wholesale sellers
Square Invoices
Invoices tied to a payment account
Best for: Sellers who already take payments through Square
- No software cost
- Payments and invoices in one account
- Highest card rate on the free plan
- Tied to Square's processing
Invoice Ninja
Open source, self-hostable
Best for: Sellers comfortable with some setup, or with a developer on hand
- Free tier and a self-hosted route
- Works with several payment gateways
- More setup than the others
- Client cap on the free tier
Zoho Books
Invoicing inside a full accounting tool
Best for: Sellers who want invoicing and books together
- Free plan includes bookkeeping
- Very low paid entry price
- Revenue ceiling on the free plan
- Gateway fees depend on your setup
Invoices and Net Terms
If you sell wholesale, your customers will often ask for Net-30 terms. The invoice becomes your receivable, and how fast it gets paid decides your cash position. The same arithmetic runs in the other direction when you buy on terms, which is covered in our Net-30, Net-60 and Net-90 comparison.
Pick a tool that sends reminders automatically before and after the due date. Chasing a late invoice by hand is a poor use of your week.
Charge the Fee or Absorb It?
Every tool that takes card payments takes a cut, and a 3% fee on a large wholesale invoice adds up fast. Many B2B sellers offer ACH or bank transfer as the default and treat cards as the convenient, slightly pricier option. Whatever you choose, state it on the invoice so nobody is surprised.
Pair It with the Right Books
An invoicing tool that doesn't talk to your accounting software will cost you a weekly copy-and-paste. Read our accounting software comparison next if you haven't picked one yet.
Ready to Open an Account?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is a free invoicing tool good enough?
For a handful of wholesale customers, yes. The limits show up as volume grows: reminders, recurring invoices and team access are the usual reasons people upgrade.
Which tool is best for Net-30 invoices?
Any of them can issue a Net-30 invoice. What matters is automated reminders and easy online payment, because those move the due date from a wish to a habit.
Do invoices help me build business credit?
Issuing invoices doesn't build your credit file. Paying your own vendors on time does, particularly with vendors that report to business bureaus.
Keep Comparing
This is informational, not financial advice. Vendor terms, card offers, and bureau reporting policies change, and a general guide can't account for your specific credit history or business situation. Confirm current terms directly with the issuer or vendor before applying. See our editorial policy for how we verify what we publish.