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Comparison of the Best Invoicing Software: Guide for VSEs, SMEs & Freelancers

Find the best invoicing software to simplify billing, track customers, and automate recurring invoices. Essential tools for every business.

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📆 Last update:

08/2025

Key Takeaways

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).

classement de G2 pour les logiciels de facturation

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.

interface de quickbooks

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.
Zoho Invoice - logiciel de facturation

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)
🧾 Software ⚙️ Key Features 💶 Price (per month) 🌟 Rating ✅ Advantages ⚠️ Disadvantages 🎯 Ideal For
Axonaut • Invoices & quotes + CRM
• Bank synchronization
• Factur-X (French standard)
€49.99 HT/user ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5) • Fully integrated French solution
• Intuitive interface
• Limited external integrations
• Price is exclusive of VAT (VAT added)
French SMEs & TPE
FreshBooks • Invoicing & quotes
• Time & expense tracking
• Online payments
$15 ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.4/5) • Very user-friendly
• Excellent time tracking
• Not suited for high-volume use
• No multi-currency support
Freelancers & micro-businesses
QuickBooks Online • Multi-currency & advanced reports
• Full accounting suite
• AI-powered automations
$15 (Simple Start) ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.2/5) • Strong integrations
• Advanced reporting
• Steep learning curve
• Costs increase quickly with features
SMEs & freelancers
Xero • Multi-currency & inventory
• Banking & invoicing
• App Marketplace
$13 (Starter) ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.0/5) • Excellent integrations
• Multi-currency management
• Dense interface
• Limited French support
SMEs & international workers
Wave • Invoicing & quotes
• Basic accounting
• Integrated payments
Free (1% card fee) ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3.8/5) • Complete free plan
• Factur-X compliant
• Few automations
• No French support
Self-employed individuals
Zoho Invoice • Unlimited free plan
• Basic CRM
• Online payments
Free / $9 ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.6/5) • Highly generous free tier
• Multilingual
• Limited French support
• Fewer advanced modules
SMEs & independent professionals
Henrri • Invoicing & quotes
• Automated reminders
• Factur-X compliant
Free ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5) • 100% free for French users
• Very intuitive
• Limited scalability
• No built-in CRM
Small French TPE & self-employed

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

QuickBooks Intuit - logiciel de facturation
  • 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  - logiciel de facturation
Hiveage - Top billing and accounting software

To select the right software for your business:

  1. Identify your needs : Simple billing (Henrri) or complete management with CRM (Axonaut).
  2. Verify compliance : Ensure compliance with the anti-VAT fraud law and Factur-X.
  3. Test the interface : One intuitive interface is essential for non-experts. Ex. : Wave is acclaimed for its simplicity (CapTERRA).
  4. Consider integrations : Connection with your bank, accounting (Sage, QuickBooks), or CRM (HubSpot).
  5. 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?

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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
  • 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

Zoho Invoice

  • 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)

🔧 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

consulting, edp, businessman, business people, notebook, meeting, consulting, consulting, consulting, consulting, consulting, meeting, meeting, meeting

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

e-commerce, shopping, parcels, packages, office, desk, business, laptop, work, equipment, e-commerce, e-commerce, e-commerce, e-commerce, e-commerce
🎯 Software Solutions for E-commerce Challenges (2025)
🎯 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

excavator, heavy equipment, construction, heavy machinery, construction equipment, caterpillar, construction site, excavator, construction, construction, construction, construction, construction

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:

🔧 BTP-Specific Software Comparison (2025)
🔧 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)

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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)

camera, photographer, photography, profession, professional, portrait, camera, camera, camera, camera, photographer, photographer, photographer, photographer, photographer

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

outdoor dining, restaurant, bar, waiter, al fresco, city, customers, group, patrons, people, street, tables, chairs, restaurant, restaurant, restaurant, restaurant, restaurant

Regulatory constraints:

  • Anti-waste law (doggy bag mandatory)
  • Allergen display
  • Restaurant VAT (10% vs 20% depending on service)
  • Mandatory certified cash register

Business solutions:

🔧 Comparison of POS Solutions for Restaurants and Retail (2025)
🔧 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:

  1. Identify your regulatory constraints (VAT, mandatory information, etc.)
  2. List your specific business needs (stock management, time tracking, etc.)
  3. Evaluate your budget and technical skills
  4. 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).

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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