For the entrepreneurs, auto-entrepreneurs, TPE, SMES, and freelancers In France, a invoicing software is essential to automate the creation of invoices, the management of quotes, the monitoring of payments, and to comply with legal compliance (anti-VAT fraud law, Factur-X format).
In 2025, with the obligation of electronic invoicing for all French businesses (Impots.gouv.fr), solutions like Axonaut, QuickBooks, QuickBooks, Zoho Invoice, Henrri, FreshBooks, Wave, and Xero stand out for their intuitive interface, their automation, and their data security.
What is a billing software?
One invoicing software is a digital tool that automates the creation of invoices, the management of quotes, and the monitoring of payments. It guarantees legal compliance with the anti-VAT fraud law (article 88 of the 2016 Finance Act) and the Factur-X format, mandatory in 2025.
These solutions offer dashboards, financial reports, online payment options, and integrations with accounting tools (e.g. QuickBooks, Sage) or CRM (HubSpot), reducing errors and reducing the time spent on administration. They also allowonline archiving secured invoices for 10 years, in accordance with French legislation.
Benefits of using billing software
Invoicing software offers concrete benefits for TPE, SMES, and independents :
Automation : Generation of invoices in one click and automatic reminders for Unpaid, saving up to 10 hours/month (Appvizer).
Legal compliance : Compliance with the obligations of the anti-VAT fraud law and the format Factur-X, guaranteeing valid invoices for Chorus Pro (Impots.gouv.fr).
Payment tracking : Alerts for late payments and bank sync for smooth management.
Professionalism : Customizing documents with logo, colors, and legal notices for a professional image.
Accessibility : Solutions Cloud for access from any device (PC, mobile).
Integrations : Connection with tools like Stripe, PayPal, or Sage For a commercial management complete.
Key features of billing software
High-performance invoicing software should include:
Creating invoices : Customizable templates with legal notices and Factur-X format.
Quotation management : Fast transformation of quotes into invoices.
Payment tracking : Alerts for Unpaid and integration of online payments (Stripe, PayPal).
Financial reports : Dashboards to track turnover, VAT, and expenses.
Legal compliance : Respect for the anti-VAT fraud law and RGPD for the data security.
Integrations : Connection with accounting tools (Sage, QuickBooks) or CRM (HubSpot, Zoho).
Online archiving : Secure storage of invoices for 10 years.
Multicurrency billing : Ideal for international freelancers.
Best billing software
Here is a selection of best billing software, integrating Zoho Invoice, FreshBooks, QuickBooks, Xero, Wave, Axonaut, and Henrri, based on the simplicity, the conformity, and the user reviews (Capterra, Appvizer):
🧾 Comparison of Invoicing and Accounting Software for French SMEs (2025)
Analysis: Henrri and Wave are perfect for auto-entrepreneurs thanks to their free plans and compliance Factur-X. Axonaut and QuickBooks are suitable for SMES with CRM and accounting needs. FreshBooks is ideal for freelancers thanks to its time tracking. Xero excels for international businesses with its multi-currency billing (CapTERRA).
Free software and free trials
Henrri : 100% free, unlimited, with Factur-X, automatic reminders, and personalization.
Wave : Free for billing, 1% fee per transaction for online payments.
Zoho Invoice : Free plan (1000 invoices/year, 1 user), 14 day trial for paid plans.
QuickBooks : Free 30-day trial, Simple Start plan at €10/month.
FreshBooks : Free 30-day trial, starting at €15/month.
Xero : Free 30-day trial, starting at €12/month.
Axonaut : Free trial for 15 days, starting at €14/month.
Tip: Start with Henrri or Wave For the TPE on a low budget, or test QuickBooks for advanced accounting needs (Appvizer).
Adaptability to the size of the company
🏢 Recommended Invoicing Software by Company Size (2025)
🏢 Company Size
🔧 Recommended Software
✨ Why It’s Ideal
Self-Employed / Micro-businesses
Henrri, Wave
100% free, ultra-simple interface
Freelancers
FreshBooks, Zoho Invoice
Multi-currency invoicing & built-in time tracking
SMEs
Axonaut, QuickBooks Online, Xero
Native CRM, bank sync, and advanced reporting
International Companies
QuickBooks Online, Xero
Strong multi-currency management & global tax analysis
Compliance with anti-VAT fraud law
All software listed is in compliance with the anti-VAT fraud law (article 88 of the 2016 Finance Act) and in the format Factur-X, mandatory in 2025. They include:
Legal information : SIRET number, VAT, due date, and other obligations.
Secure archiving : Retention of invoices for 10 years in the cloud.
Factur-X : XML/PDF format for electronic invoicing, compatible with Chorus Pro.
How do I choose the right software?
Hiveage - Top billing and accounting software
To select the right software for your business:
Identify your needs : Simple billing (Henrri) or complete management with CRM (Axonaut).
Verify compliance : Ensure compliance with the anti-VAT fraud law and Factur-X.
Test the interface : One intuitive interface is essential for non-experts. Ex. : Wave is acclaimed for its simplicity (CapTERRA).
Consider integrations : Connection with your bank, accounting (Sage, QuickBooks), or CRM (HubSpot).
Evaluate the costs : Compare free plans (Henrri, Wave) and paying for your budget.
Conclusion
In 2025, the invoicing software suchlike Axonaut, QuickBooks, Zoho Invoice, Henrri, FreshBooks, Wave, and Xero simplify the commercial management For the TPE, SMES, and independents. Henrri and Wave are perfect for self-employed entrepreneurs thanks to their free plans, while Axonaut and QuickBooks are suitable for SMEs with CRM and accounting needs. All comply with the anti-VAT fraud law and the Factur-X format, guaranteeing legal compliance.
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
💱 Currency Management Features in Accounting Software
💱 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
🔧 Comparison of Invoicing Software with Multi-Currency Support (2025)
🔧 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
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 2025?
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).