Here at Duda, we get asked about small business tools all the time. We each have our own favorites, and thought it’d be a good idea to put together a list of tools that our customers, agency partners or anyone who owns and operates a small business, might find useful. And since we know web developers are big fans of saving money, each of the options below is free or has a free option.
1. MakeSomeTime
MakeSomeTime is a beautiful business tool. In addition to a robust invoicing service, their tool includes time tracking and a sophisticated reporting option – that can show you a breakdown of how much of your time goes to which clients and when.
The free plan is a little thin, only allowing 2 invoices per month, but the plus plan is one of the cheapest premium plans on here at only $3 per month.
Free Option: 2 invoices per month
Premium price: Starts at $3/month for unlimited invoices
https://www.makesometime.com/
2. The Invoice Machine
The Invoice Machine hails from the deep spruce forests of Sweden. And although the tool is appropriately austere, it’s still powerful and very easy to use.
Includes time tracking options, and multiple language invoicing to easily translate your invoice into other languages and currencies. One of my favorite features is the ability to email directly from the service. Client pays your invoice? Send a thank-you email in just a few clicks.
Check out their overview video for a tour.
Free Option: 3 invoices per month
Premium price: Starts at $12 per month for 30 invoices
http://invoicemachine.com/
3. Paymo
Like some of the other entries on this list, Paymo includes time tracking and the ability to manage and track the time of your employees/staff. However, Paymo has a colorful, friendly interface and seems to really emphasize the robustness of their employee tracking features.
One feature that makes Paymo stand out in my mind, is their free smartphone apps available for iOS and Android, that give you quick access to all your account information and allow you and your staff to track time on the go.
Free Option: 1 invoice per month
Premium price: Starts at $9.95 per month for 30 invoices
http://www.paymo.biz/
4. Invoice Ocean
Don’t let the elegant design of Invoice Ocean fool you, it boasts a robust feature set under the hood. Including secure data storage, time tracking, and multiple languages.
Invoice Ocean even goes above and beyond, with options to organize your staff into departments and manage warehouse related tasks like release or acceptance of goods. This may be more than most small businesses need, but it’s nice to know it’s there.
Free Option: 3 Invoices per month
Premium price: $9 per month for unlimited invoices
http://invoiceocean.com/
5. Wave
Wave has a very impressive list of features for a free product, including some features only seen in the premium version of other products, like custom color invoices, accepting online payments, and recurring invoices.
However, unlike some of the other entries on this list, Wave isn’t a dedicated invoicing platform. Really, Wave’s suite of products include accounting, payroll, payments, invoicing, and personal finance management. Wave offers the invoicing product for free, but does charge a processing fee for accepting online payments or for premium support options (phone & live chat, email support is free). Wave also subsidizes the product with advertising.
I found Wave a little more challenging to set up than some of the other systems listed here, but I definitely got the impression that once you’ve moved over to the system it works pretty seamlessly.
Free Option: Unlimited
Premium Price: Charges for accepting online payments or premium support.
https://www.waveapps.com/invoice/
6. CurdBee
CurdBee has a very approachable interface that’s easy to hop into. In fact, you can try a demo of the platform without even signing up.
CurdBee has one of the strongest free offerings, with unlimited invoices included in the free plan. Their premium option also starts off relatively inexpensively at only $5 per month and includes more robust features like custom branding, payment reminders and PDF export.
Free Option: Unlimited
Premium price: Starts at $5 per month
http://curdbee.com/
7. Billable
Do you need to create an invoice right now? No time to sign up or learn a new system? Then Billable is for you. There’s no pesky sign up or marketing material to wade through. In fact, the Billable homepage is an invoice template. Just add your information and immediately print or download your invoice. No strings attached.
Free Option: Unlimited
Premium price: n/a
http://billable.me/
And there you have it. We know every business’ needs are different, and we hope this helps you in your search for an invoicing solution. Happy hunting.