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Multicurrency Billing: Managing International Business Without a Headache
Invoicing in foreign currencies becomes essential as soon as you work with international customers. Here's how to equip yourself well.
🌍 Why is multi-currency billing crucial?
Typical scenario: You are a consultant in digital marketing and charge an American customer $5,000 for a mission. Without the right tools, you need to:
- Manually convert to euros at today's rate
- Manage exchange rate variations between quotes and payments
- Maintain complex accounts with exchange rate differences
- Risk costly conversion mistakes
Concrete financial impact: On a bill of 5,000, a variation of 2, a variation of 2% in the exchange rate represents 100, a variation of 2 in difference, or around €90. Multiply by the number of invoices...
💱 Essential features for multi-currency billing
Automatic exchange rate management
| 💱 Feature | ⭐ Importance | 💡 Use Case Example |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time Exchange Rates | ★★★ | Automatic billing at the current day’s exchange rate (Xero, QuickBooks update rates in real time) |
| Exchange Rate History | ★★★ | Analyze 30-day rate variances via NetSuite and Xero to adjust margins |
| Custom Fixed Rate | ★★ | Lock a fixed rate for a 6-month project in Synergy or Accelo to avoid fluctuations |
| Multi-currency Simultaneously | ★★★ | Issue an invoice in EUR with visible USD equivalent, supporting 160+ currencies via Xero and Invoicera |
| Unlimited Currency Support | ★★ | Invoice in Naira, Dollar, and Euro simultaneously with automatic synchronization in BigTime |
International tax compliance
Mandatory information depending on the country:
- European Union: Intra-community VAT number mandatory
- United States: No VAT but specific information depending on the state
- Canada: GST/HST by province
- United Kingdom: VAT with post-Brexit rules
🏆 Recommended software for multi-currency billing
Complete solutions (SMEs/businesses)
Sellsy
- Price: 49€/month and more
- Supported currencies: 150+ currencies
- Advantages: Automatic exchange rates, integrated accounting
- Perfect for: Businesses with strong export activity
- Price: €10/month (Pro plan)
- Supported currencies: 100+ currencies
- Advantages: Multilingual interface, invoices in customer currency
- Perfect for: VSEs/SMEs starting internationally
Accessible solutions (freelances/auto-entrepreneurs)
| 🔧 Software | 💶 Price/month | 💱 Currencies Supported | 🎯 Specialization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiime AE | €12 | 10 main currencies 💱 | Self-employed, simplicity-focused |
| Facture.net | €8 | 15 currencies 💱 | French interface, local support |
| Wave | Free | 20+ currencies 💱 | Free accounting included |
💼 Practical tips to optimize your international billing
Smart pricing strategy:
- Invoice in your customer's currency to facilitate payment
- Add an indexing clause on exchange rates for long projects
- Offer fast payment with a discount to reduce currency risk
Example of a contractual clause:“The prices are expressed in EUR. In the event of a variation in the EUR/USD rate greater than 3% between the signature of the quote and the invoicing, an adjustment may be applied.”
Management of exchange rate differences:
- Open a multi-currency account at your bank
- Use services like Wise (ex-TransferWise) to cut fees
- Invoice quickly after delivery to limit currency exposure
Specialized Invoicing Software by Business Sector
Each profession has its own specificities. Discover the solutions adapted to your sector to increase efficiency.
🔧 Services and Consulting
Consultants and service providers have specific needs:
- Timesheet billing
- Multi-phase project management
- Invoicing of deposits and situations
- Monitoring of profitability by mission
Recommended solutions:
Freebe (specialized freelancers)
- Price: 0-29€/month
- Specialties: Time tracking, interactive online quotes
- Ideal for: Consultants, Graphic Designers, Developers
- Unique feature: Integrated electronic quotation signature
Sellsy (complete business solution)
- Price: 49€/month and more
- Specialties: CRM + invoicing, project management
- Ideal for: Agencies, consulting firms
- Unique feature: Profitability dashboard by customer
🛍️ E-commerce and Product Sales
| 🎯 Need | ⚠️ Problem | 🛠️ Software Solution |
|---|---|---|
| 📦 Inventory Management | Automatic stock decrementing | WooCommerce / Shopify integration |
| 🧾 Automated Invoicing | High volume of orders | Automated invoicing API |
| 💰 Variable VAT | Multiple products, different rates | VAT configuration by product category |
| 🚚 Deliveries | Delivery notes + invoices | Customizable templates |
Dedicated e-commerce software:
Dolibarr (open source)
- Price: Free (accommodation required)
- Advantages: Complete ERP management, customizable
- Disadvantages: Technical installation, maintenance required
- Perfect for: SMEs with IT team, tailor-made needs
Sage Business Cloud Accounting
- Price: 25€/month
- Benefits: Integrated accounting, automatic tax compliance
- Perfect for: Traditional + online commerce
🏗️ Construction and Crafts
Specificities of the building sector
Strict regulatory requirements:
- Mandatory information (RGE qualification, insurance, etc.)
- Regulated installments (30% maximum before start)
- Retention of guarantee (5% on public works)
- Situation invoices for long construction sites
Specialized construction solutions:
| 🔧 Software | 💸 Price (HT/month) | 🏗️ BTP Specialization | 🌟 Unique Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obat |
€25 (Micro-enterprise) |
Estimates, invoicing & site management |
🎤 Voice estimates 📱 Mobile & web app 🛠️ Free support 6 days/7 ⭐ Library of 30,000 reference documents |
| Gescant |
$183.33 HT/year (~€15.28/month) |
Site tracking & invoicing |
📊 Variants & sub-tasks 📜 Final General Settlement (DGD) 🔄 Remote maintenance & updates included 🖥️ Mac & PC compatible |
| Batappli |
$39 (Estimates) |
Costing, invoicing & site tracking |
📚 Integrated BatiChiffrage library 🖊️ Electronic signature 📆 Scheduling & intervention management 📲 Native mobile app |
Regulated Liberal Professions (Doctors, Lawyers, Accountants)
Specific constraints:
- Respect for professional ethics
- Agreed rates (doctors)
- Invoicing fees with specific VAT
- Professional secrecy and strengthened GDPR
Adapted solutions:
Medical office - Resto'Logic
- Price: €25/month per practitioner
- Specialties: SESAM-Vitale teletransmission, third party payer
- Compliance: Approved Health Data Hosting (HDS)
Law Firm - LexisNexis Fakteo
- Price: On request (≈ 60€/month)
- Specialties: Invoicing fees, provisions on expenses
- Advantages: Business legal software integration
🎨 Creative and Artistic Sectors (Photographers, Designers, Artists)
Special needs:
- Invoicing user fees and licenses
- Managing copyright assignments
- VAT on copyright (specific rules)
- Integrated portfolios for presentation
Creative solutions:
Invoice Ninja
- Price: €10/month (pro version)
- Advantages: Customizable, multi-company templates
- Perfect for: Creative freelancers, design agencies
Debitoor (now SumUp)
- Price: 12€/month
- Benefits: Optimized mobile app, receipt scanning
- Perfect for: Digital nomads, creatives on the go
🍽️ Catering and Proximity Shops
Regulatory constraints:
- Anti-waste law (doggy bag mandatory)
- Allergen display
- Restaurant VAT (10% vs 20% depending on service)
- Mandatory certified cash register
Business solutions:
| 🔧 Solution | 💸 Price/month | 🏷️ Specialization | 🔌 Payment Integration | 📱 Platforms | 🚀 Key Features | ⭐ Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightspeed Restaurant | €69 Essentials +14 days free trial |
🍽️ Full-service restaurant | SumUp, Stripe, Yavin, Adyen | iPad, Android, Windows, Mac |
• Table & menu management • KDS & table-side ordering • Offline mode & cloud sync • Advanced reporting & loyalty |
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ 4.2/5 |
| Melkal | €39 + 4-year hardware warranty 90 days free |
☕ Bar & café | Integrated TPE, Apple Pay, Google Pay | Web, iOS, Android, PC |
• SMS/email receipts (digital) • Stock & loyalty management • Instant multi-device printing • NF525 compliant & tax certificate |
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ 4.5/5 |
| Clyo Systems | €25 Software only NF525 certified |
🛍️ Local retail | CB via Zettle, QR codes | Windows PC, Android |
• Cashiering & multi-VAT • Stock & inventory management • Multi-location & delivery • CA dashboard & loyalty |
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ 4.0/5 |
🎯 How to choose according to your activity
Methodology in 4 steps:
- Identify your regulatory constraints (VAT, mandatory information, etc.)
- List your specific business needs (stock management, time tracking, etc.)
- Evaluate your budget and technical skills
- Test 2-3 solutions with their free trial version
Questions to ask yourself:
- Does my sector have specific legal obligations?
- Do I need integrations with my existing tools?
- What is my billing frequency? (daily vs monthly)
- Is my team comfortable using digital tools?
The right software is the one that adapts to YOUR business processes, not the other way around!
Final opinion
Invoicing tools help you generate accurate quotes and invoices, automate reminders, connect to your accounting software, and stay connected to your customers.
It is essential to make the right choice based on your needs.
For example, if you're a freelancer or run a small business, you can opt for cost-effective solutions like ZipBooks or Wave.
However, if you want a tool that's a bit more advanced and has advanced features, you can choose Freshbooks, which has a reasonable subscription price.
If you are looking for free billing software, turn to the Zoho software Invoice (or invoice.net)
FAQ
Which software is best for a self-employed person?
Henrri and Wave are ideal thanks to their free plans and Factur-X compliance, perfect for smaller budgets (Henrri).
Is the software compliant with e-invoicing 2026?
Yes, all the software listed (Axonaut, QuickBooks, Zoho Invoice, etc.) respect the anti-VAT fraud law and the Factur-X format (Impots.gouv.fr).
Can I use free software for an SME?
Wave or Zoho Invoice offer free plans, but for CRM needs or advanced reports, Axonaut or QuickBooks are more suitable (Appvizer).
What software supports multi-currency billing?
QuickBooks, Xero, and FreshBooks allow billing in multiple currencies, ideal for international freelancers (Xero).
How do I test software before paying?
Most offer free trials: QuickBooks (30 days), FreshBooks (30 days), Axonaut (15 days), Zoho Invoice (14 days) (CapTERRA).
Does the software include online payments?
Yes, Wave, Zoho Invoice, FreshBooks, and QuickBooks integrate Stripe and PayPal for fast payments (FreshBooks).
What software for complete management (invoices + CRM)?
Axonaut and QuickBooks offer robust CRM integrations, ideal for SMEs (Axonaut).
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