Online Invoice Maker: Create Professional Invoices in 60 Seconds
Forget Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and clunky PDFs. The best invoice makers are online, free, and take 60 seconds to use. Here's what to look for โ and which one actually gets you paid.
What to Look for in an Online Invoice Maker
Not all invoice makers are equal. These six features separate a tool you'll love from one you'll abandon after week two:
Easy to use (no accounting degree required)
You should be able to create your first invoice in under 5 minutes. If you need a tutorial, it's too complicated.
Looks professional (client-facing quality)
The invoice is what your client sees. A clean, branded PDF says "serious professional" โ a Word doc says otherwise.
Auto-calculates tax
Set your VAT or sales tax rate once. Every invoice should then calculate tax automatically โ no manual maths.
Sends directly to client
The best tools email the invoice directly from the platform, with tracking to see when your client opened it.
Tracks payment status
Know which invoices are paid, overdue, and outstanding โ without digging through email threads.
Sends automatic follow-ups
This is the KEY differentiator. Most tools make you chase manually. The best automatically send reminders at day 3, 7, 14, and 30 โ escalating each time.
Top 5 Online Invoice Makers in 2026
Price
Free (3 invoices) ยท โฌ20/mo Pro
Best for
Freelancers who want to automate chasing
Key features
Invoice builder + 4-stage automated reminders
Chaser does what no other free invoice maker does: it automatically sends escalating payment reminders at day 3, 7, 14, and 30 after the due date. Create the invoice, send it, and Chaser chases your client while you focus on actual work.
Try Chaser Free โ#2 Invoice Ninja
Price
Free (self-hosted) ยท $12/mo cloud
Best for
Tech-savvy freelancers who want open-source
Key features
White-label, multiple gateways, time tracking
Great features but requires setup. No automatic follow-up escalation.
#3 Zoho Invoice
Price
Free forever (up to 1,000 invoices/yr)
Best for
Freelancers already in the Zoho ecosystem
Key features
Estimates, expenses, client portal, multi-currency
Very generous free tier. Reminders are manual, not automated.
#4 FreshBooks
Price
$19/mo (Lite) ยท $33/mo (Plus)
Best for
Freelancers who also need expense tracking
Key features
Time tracking, expenses, proposals, double-entry accounting
Powerful but expensive for solo freelancers.
#5 Wave
Price
Free invoicing (fees on transactions)
Best for
Freelancers who want 100% free forever
Key features
Accounting, receipts, payroll, bank sync
Solid free tool. No automated follow-ups โ reminders are manual.
How to Create an Invoice Online (Step by Step)
Choose an online tool
Pick a tool with the features you need (see above). For most freelancers, Chaser or Zoho Invoice is a great starting point.
Add your details
Enter your name, company name, address, and VAT/tax number if applicable. Do this once โ the tool saves it for every invoice.
Add client details
Enter the client name, company, and email address. Most tools save clients for future invoices.
List your services with amounts
Add line items: description, quantity, and unit price. The tool calculates totals and applies tax automatically.
Set the due date
Most freelancers use Net 14 or Net 30. Choose a date that matches your payment terms.
Send directly from the tool
Hit send. The tool emails a professional PDF directly to your client and tracks when they open it.
Try it now: Use our free invoice generator โ no sign-up needed. Download your PDF instantly.
Invoice Maker vs Invoicing Software: What's the Difference?
| Feature | Invoice Maker | Invoicing Software |
|---|---|---|
| Create invoices | โ | โ |
| Download PDF | โ | โ |
| Send to client | Sometimes | โ |
| Track payment status | โ | โ |
| Automatic follow-ups | โ | โ |
| Client history / reporting | โ | โ |
| Recurring invoices | โ | โ |
| Late payment escalation | โ | โ (Chaser) |
An invoice maker is great for one-off invoices. But if you invoice more than a few clients regularly, invoicing software saves hours per month and dramatically reduces late payments.
Start Free โ Upgrade When You Need It
Start with our free invoice generator for instant PDFs. When you're ready for automated chasing and payment tracking, upgrade to Chaser Pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free online invoice maker?
Chaser is the best free online invoice maker for freelancers who also want automated payment reminders. For a pure no-cost option, Zoho Invoice offers unlimited free invoices.
Can I create an invoice online for free?
Yes. Chaser (3 invoices free), Zoho Invoice (unlimited free), and Wave (free forever) all let you create professional invoices at no cost. Our free invoice generator also works with no sign-up.
What is the difference between an invoice maker and invoicing software?
An invoice maker creates a single invoice. Invoicing software tracks payment status, sends automatic reminders, and manages your entire invoice workflow across all clients.
Do online invoice makers calculate tax automatically?
Most good tools do. You enter your VAT or sales tax rate once and the tool applies it to every invoice. Chaser supports VAT rates of 0%, 9%, 20%, 21%, and 25%.
What should be included on a professional invoice?
Your name and address, client name and address, unique invoice number, invoice date, due date, itemised services with amounts, VAT/tax if applicable, total amount, and payment details.
Make your first invoice for free
Chaser creates professional PDF invoices and automatically chases them until paid. Free for 3 invoices.
No credit card needed ยท Setup in 2 minutes
Free 7-Day Email Course: Get Invoices Paid Faster
One practical lesson per day on invoicing, payment terms, and automated follow-up. Completely free.
Enroll free โ