Guides · Updated 2026-10-15
Best free invoicing apps in the UK (2026): what's actually free
Plenty of apps say "free". Some are free forever, some are free only with a bank account, and some make their money on card fees. This guide lists the UK options we checked on each provider's own page on 15 October 2026, and the catch with each.
The free options
| App | What's free | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| Zoho Books | Free plan for very small businesses (£0) | Paid plans (£12, £24, £30 a month) for more features |
| Zoho Invoice | Free online invoicing for UK businesses, according to its UK site | Invoicing only; accounting is in Zoho Books |
| Square Invoices | Free plan: unlimited invoices and estimates, £0 a month | Card fees: 2.5% online, 1.75% in person; Plus plan £20 a month |
| Envoyce | "Totally free and unlimited (subject to a fair use policy)", no paid version | Simple invoicing, not full accounting |
| Tide | Business account with a free plan, including invoicing | Paid plans from £12.49 a month for more features |
| ServiceM8 | Free plan: 1 user, 30 jobs a month | Job management for trades; SMS 5p each; paid plans for more jobs |
| FreeAgent | Free with a NatWest, RBS or Ulster Bank business account, or Mettle (conditions apply) | Otherwise £19 a month for sole traders (excl. VAT) |
Only need the odd invoice? The free invoice template includes GOV.UK's required details, VAT, reverse charge and CIS, and prints or saves as a PDF.
Which to choose
- Sole trader, a few invoices a month, no VAT: Envoyce, Zoho Invoice or Square Invoices will do. Square suits you if you want customers to pay by card from the invoice and you accept the card fee.
- You need accounting and VAT returns too: Zoho Books' free plan, or FreeAgent if your bank makes it free. Check whether you'll need Making Tax Digital for VAT or Income Tax; see should I register for VAT?.
- You're a tradesperson who quotes, schedules and invoices: ServiceM8's free plan covers 30 jobs a month. Above that, compare Tradify, Powered Now and YourTradebase.
- You work under CIS: free apps often don't handle CIS. QuickBooks lists CIS in all its plans. See CIS explained.
What a UK invoice should show
Your business name and contact details, the customer's details, a unique invoice number, the date, what you supplied, the amount and payment terms. If you're VAT registered, VAT invoices have extra requirements, including your VAT number and the VAT amount. For reverse-charge construction work, the invoice must say the reverse charge applies (HMRC).
Getting paid faster
- Send the invoice the day the job is done, with a payment link.
- Set automatic reminders.
- For business customers, statutory interest on late payment is 8% plus the Bank of England base rate (GOV.UK).
Trade-specific invoicing guides: plumbers, electricians, builders, cleaners, window cleaners, landscapers.
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FAQ
What's the best totally free invoice app?
For simple invoicing, Envoyce, Zoho Invoice and Square Invoices' free plan cost nothing a month. Square charges a fee when customers pay by card. Checked 15 October 2026.
Is Zoho Invoice actually free?
Zoho's UK site describes Zoho Invoice as free online invoicing software. Zoho Books, its accounting product, also has a free plan, with paid plans from £12 a month.
Do free apps work for VAT?
Some do. Zoho Books says it handles VAT and Making Tax Digital; check the plan before relying on it.