3 Best Invoice Ninja Alternatives in 2025
Last updated: February 2026 • 10 min read
Invoice Ninja is a popular tool for freelancers and agencies wanting free invoicing. While it offers a free tier (Free (self-hosted)), its paid plans start at $10/mo (cloud). Whether you're looking for a cheaper option, better features, or an open-source solution, we've compiled the 3 best Invoice Ninja alternatives to help you find the right fit.
📋 Quick Summary
- Total alternatives: 3
- Free alternatives: 2 (Wave, Harvest)
- Best overall: FreshBooks
- Best free: Wave
Why Look for Invoice Ninja Alternatives?
People commonly look for Invoice Ninja alternatives for several reasons:
- Cost: While Invoice Ninja has a free tier, its paid plans starting at $10/mo (cloud) can add up quickly for growing teams.
- Feature gaps: Self-hosting required for free and complex setup are common complaints.
- Simplicity: Some users find Invoice Ninja overly complex for their needs and prefer simpler solutions.
- Better fit: Different tools excel at different use cases — you may find a tool that's specifically built for your workflow.
📊 Quick Comparison Table
| Tool | Free Tier | Starting Price | Rating | Open Source | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invoice Ninja | ✓ Free (self-hosted) | $10/mo (cloud) | ⭐ 4.2 | ✓ Yes | Freelancers and agencies wanting free invoicing |
| FreshBooks | ✗ No | $17/mo | ⭐ 4.3 | No | Freelancers and service businesses |
| Wave | ✓ Free accounting and invoicing | Free | ⭐ 4 | No | Freelancers and micro-businesses wanting free accounting |
| Harvest | ✓ 1 seat, 2 projects | $10.80/user/mo | ⭐ 4.3 | No | Agencies and freelancers tracking billable time |
Detailed Reviews of Each Alternative
FreshBooks
Accounting software built for service-based businesses.
FreshBooks is an accounting platform designed specifically for self-employed professionals and small service-based businesses. It excels at invoicing, time tracking, and expense management with an incredibly user-friendly interface that makes accounting less intimidating.
Pros
- ✓ Very user-friendly
- ✓ Great invoicing
- ✓ Time tracking built-in
- ✓ Beautiful design
Cons
- ✗ Limited for complex accounting
- ✗ Expensive for features
- ✗ Basic inventory
- ✗ Client limits on plans
Wave
Free accounting software for small businesses and freelancers.
Wave is a free accounting platform that offers invoicing, accounting, and receipt scanning at no cost. It makes money through payment processing and payroll services. Wave is ideal for freelancers and very small businesses who need basic accounting without the cost.
Pros
- ✓ Completely free
- ✓ Easy to use
- ✓ Good for basics
- ✓ Receipt scanning
Cons
- ✗ Limited features
- ✗ No inventory
- ✗ No time tracking
- ✗ Basic reporting
Harvest
Time tracking and invoicing for teams.
Harvest is a time tracking and invoicing tool designed for teams and freelancers. It offers simple time tracking, expense management, project budgets, and invoicing. Harvest integrates with popular project management and accounting tools.
Pros
- ✓ Simple and effective
- ✓ Great integrations
- ✓ Clean interface
- ✓ Reliable
Cons
- ✗ Limited free plan
- ✗ Basic features
- ✗ Expensive for teams
- ✗ No task management
🏆 Our Recommendations
Best Overall Alternative:
FreshBooks — Freelancers and service businesses
Best Free Alternative:
Wave — Free accounting and invoicing
❓ FAQ
What is the best free alternative to Invoice Ninja?
The best free alternative to Invoice Ninja is Wave, which offers Free accounting and invoicing.
Is there an open-source alternative to Invoice Ninja?
There are no widely-used open-source alternatives to Invoice Ninja at this time, but several affordable options exist.
What is the cheapest alternative to Invoice Ninja?
The cheapest alternatives are the free options: Wave, Harvest. For paid alternatives, prices start from as low as $10.8/mo.
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