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The Best Truly Free Invoicing Software for UK Users in 2025

For freelancers, sole traders, and small businesses in the UK, invoicing software is a vital tool for managing cash flow and maintaining professionalism.  While many invoicing platforms advertise "free" tiers, the reality is often different.

by Darren Street

by Darren Street

17 June 2025

Indeed, most apps restrict key features, limit the number of invoices or clients, or are heavily geared toward North American users and expensive pro subscriptions. Finding truly free invoicing software that works well in the UK can be tricky, but we've discovered a few options that genuinely deliver.

Envoyce Free Invoicing – 100% Free, UK only

In 2021, Envoyce made its invoice software completely free for all its users, and this policy continues in 2025. Unlike many others, it’s not a “free tier” with limited access; it’s the full version of the software, including customisable invoices, quotations, multiple users with full products and customer tracking.

For UK users, Envoyce ticks several important boxes: it supports GBP, VAT configuration, and HMRC-compliant invoicing. You can brand your invoices, emailing, WhatsApp support & has a invoice status links, and a special accountant link access.

Pros:

  • 100% free, full version

  • Supports UK tax settings and GBP

  • Highly professional template

  • Invoice summary including debtor analysis and income trending

Cons:

  • No MTD VAT submissions (due winter 2025)

  • Lacks built-in full bookkeeping 

Invoice Ninja (Self-Hosted Version)

Invoice Ninja offers a cloud-based free plan and a 100% free self-hosted version. While the hosted free version restricts users to 20 clients, the self-hosted option is fully open-source and unlimited in its features. For those with some technical know-how or access to web hosting, this is a powerful and completely free solution.

It supports custom branding, recurring invoices, time tracking, payment gateways (like Stripe), and UK-friendly tax settings. It's ideal for UK freelancers or agencies who want more control over their data.

Pros:

  • Fully open-source, no ongoing costs

  • Supports GBP and VAT

  • Highly customisable with modules and themes

  • Advanced features without paywall

Cons:

  • Requires self-hosting and significant tech skills

  • No as easy to use as others
  • Setup may be too complex for casual users

PayPal Invoicing

While PayPal charges transaction fees, the invoicing tool itself is free and available globally. You can generate unlimited invoices, add your logo, set tax rates (including UK VAT), and allow clients to pay instantly online. It lacks full bookkeeping features, but for simple invoicing, it's quick and reliable.

Pros:

  • Simple and fast to use

  • UK-ready tax settings

  • Automatically links with PayPal payments

Cons:

  • Heavily tailored for PayPal instant payments
  • Not as customisable as others

  • Transaction fees apply if customers pay through PayPal

 

Final Thoughts

For truly free invoicing in the UK, Envoyce is the most robust and accessible option, offering a full suite of tools without cost or client limits. Invoice Ninja’s self-hosted version is ideal for users comfortable managing their own server. Meanwhile, PayPal Invoicing offers a simple, trusted way to invoice and collect payments, albeit with some limitations.

Free doesn't always mean compromised—if you pick the right tool, you can invoice professionally without spending a penny.