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Invoice guide

Free Invoice Builder Online — Create & Send Professional Invoices (2026)

Build a professional invoice in 2 minutes. Add line items, VAT, your logo, and download as PDF. Then let Chaser follow up automatically if they don't pay.

May 15, 2026·6 min read

Try Chaser's free invoice builder

PDF invoices, VAT, logo, auto-numbering. Free for 3 invoices.

Build your first invoice →

What makes a good free invoice builder?

Not all free invoice makers are equal. Here's what separates a professional tool from a basic form:

📄

PDF download

Professional A4 layout, not a badly formatted web page

🔢

Line items

Multiple services/products with quantities, rates, descriptions

🧾

VAT/tax calculation

Auto-calculate tax amounts per line or overall

🖼️

Logo support

Your brand on every invoice — builds trust with clients

🔑

Auto invoice numbers

Sequential numbering (INV-2026-001, etc.) for your records

📧

Send by email

Email the invoice directly from the tool with a professional template

📦

Save clients & products

Don't re-type client info every time — build a catalog

Payment reminders

Automatic follow-up when invoices go overdue

How to build an invoice online with Chaser (step by step)

1

Add your company details

Enter your name or company name, address, VAT number, and upload your logo. It gets saved to your account — only needed once.

2

Fill in client information

Client name, email, billing address. Chaser saves clients so repeat invoices take seconds.

3

Add line items

Description, quantity, rate, and VAT rate per line. Subtotals calculate automatically. Or pick from your saved product catalog.

4

Set payment terms

Choose due date (Net 7, Net 14, Net 30, or custom). Add your bank details or Stripe payment link.

5

Download PDF or send

Download a professional A4 PDF or send the invoice directly to your client via email. Chaser tracks when they open it.

6

Get paid automatically

If the invoice isn't paid by the due date, Chaser starts sending reminder emails automatically. No awkward chasing.

Comparison: free online invoice builders

ToolPriceAuto-chaseBest for
ChaserFree (3 invoices) / €20/moFreelancers who hate chasing
WaveFree❌ Manual onlySmall businesses, basic invoicing
PayPal InvoicingFree + 2.9% fee1 manual reminderPayPal-primary businesses
Google Docs/SheetsFreeOne-off invoices, no automation
Invoice Generator .comFreeQuick download, no account needed

* Most free invoice tools cover the basics. Only Chaser automatically follows up when invoices aren't paid.

What a professional invoice must include

Legal requirements vary by country, but these fields are universally expected:

Invoice number (unique, sequential)
Invoice date
Due date (Net 14, Net 30, etc.)
Your full name or business name
Your address
Your tax/VAT number (if applicable)
Client name and address
Client tax number (B2B, where applicable)
Line items: description, quantity, rate
Subtotal before tax
Tax rate and amount
Total amount due
Payment instructions (bank, PayPal, Stripe link)
Currency

The one thing most invoice builders miss

Creating an invoice is easy. Getting paid is the hard part.

Research from Xero shows the average invoice is paid 45 days late. A 2024 Freelancers Union survey found 87% of freelancers have been paid late. Not because clients can't pay — because no one followed up assertively enough.

Most invoice tools send one reminder, then stop. Chaser sends 4 escalating reminders:

Day 3

Friendly reminder

Assumes oversight, professional tone

Day 7

Firm follow-up

Requests payment timeline

Day 14

Urgent notice

Mentions pausing ongoing work

Day 30

Final notice

Implies accountant/collection

This is why Chaser users recover significantly more revenue than with manual follow-up — not because the emails are magic, but because they're consistent.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free online invoice builder?+

Chaser offers a free invoice builder that includes line items, VAT calculation, company logo, auto-numbered invoices, and PDF download. It's free for your first 3 invoices. Unlike Wave or FreshBooks, it also automatically chases late payments via a 4-stage email sequence — so you get paid, not just invoiced.

Can I build an invoice online without creating an account?+

For a quick one-off invoice without saving, use Chaser's free invoice template tool at /tools/invoice-template — fill in the fields and download the PDF directly. For recurring invoices, saved client data, and automatic follow-up, create a free account.

What should a professional invoice include?+

A professional invoice must include: your name/company and address, client name and address, invoice number, invoice date, due date, itemized list of services/products with quantities and rates, subtotal, applicable taxes (VAT/GST), total amount due, payment instructions (bank details, PayPal, Stripe link), and your payment terms (e.g. Net 14 or Net 30).

How do I add VAT to my invoice?+

In the Chaser invoice builder, each line item has a VAT rate selector (0%, 9%, or 21%). The subtotal, VAT amount, and total including VAT are all calculated automatically. Your VAT number can be saved to your account profile and pre-fills on every invoice.

Is there a free online invoice maker that sends automatic payment reminders?+

Yes — Chaser. It's the only free invoice builder that also automatically chases late payments. Add an overdue invoice and Chaser sends escalating reminder emails at Day 3, 7, 14, and 30. Free for 3 invoices.

Build your first invoice free

Professional PDF invoices with line items, VAT, and your logo — plus automatic follow-up if they don't pay. Free for 3 invoices, no credit card required.

Create free invoice →