Creating professional invoices shouldn't cost money or require complex software. Whether you're a sole trader, freelancer, or small business owner, free invoice generators let you produce ATO-compliant tax invoices in minutes without accounting expertise or subscription fees.
This guide compares the 10 best free invoice generators for Australian businesses in 2026. We'll cover GST compliance, ease of use, customization options, and hidden limitations. By the end, you'll know exactly which tool suits your invoicing needs—whether you're sending your first invoice or your hundredth.
Note: Features and limitations are accurate as of February 2026 and may change. This comparison is for general guidance only and is not legal or financial advice—always verify current capabilities with each provider and consult appropriate professionals for compliance matters.
Quick picks: best free invoice generators
RosterElf Invoice Generator — Best overall
Unlimited invoices, no signup, GST-compliant. Perfect for Australian sole traders and small businesses.
Wave — Best for payment processing
Unlimited invoices with integrated payment collection and accounting features.
Zoho Invoice — Best for project billing
Free for 5 clients with time tracking and project management integration.
Canva — Best for custom branding
Thousands of design templates with full visual customization.
Why use free invoice generators
Free invoice generators solve a specific problem: you need to bill clients professionally without investing in full accounting software. They're ideal when you're starting out, working on a project basis, or running a simple service business where invoicing is straightforward.
What free invoice generators provide:
- Professional invoice templates with ABN and GST fields
- Automatic calculation of subtotals, GST, and totals
- Instant PDF download and printing options
- Basic customization (logo upload, business details, payment terms)
- No recurring subscription costs
These tools work best for businesses with simple invoicing needs: service providers, consultants, freelancers, and small retailers. If you're starting a business in Australia, free invoice generators provide a cost-effective way to bill clients professionally from day one. If you need expense tracking, recurring billing, or integration with accounting software, you'll likely outgrow free options as you scale—but they're an excellent starting point.
What to look for in a free invoice generator
Not all free invoice generators are created equal. Before comparing specific tools, here's what matters most for Australian businesses:
ATO compliance features
Look for tax invoice templates with ABN fields, automatic 10% GST calculation, and clear formatting that meets ATO requirements for GST-registered businesses.
Ease of use
The best tools let you create professional invoices in under 5 minutes without tutorials or complex setup. Simple forms, auto-calculations, and instant PDF export are essential.
Customization options
Logo upload, custom color schemes, and payment terms should be standard. Advanced tools offer multiple templates and full design control for brand consistency.
Hidden limitations
Free tiers often cap invoice volume, client numbers, or require watermarks. Check whether "free" means genuinely unlimited or restricted to trial features.
1. RosterElf invoice generator
The RosterElf Invoice Generator is a completely free, Australian-focused tool designed specifically for small businesses and sole traders. It works instantly in your browser with no account creation, data collection, or invoice limits.
Key features
- Tax invoice and regular invoice templates for GST-registered and non-GST businesses
- Automatic GST calculation at 10% with clear subtotal, GST, and total fields
- Logo upload and customizable business details (ABN, address, payment terms)
- Save drafts locally in your browser for quick repeat invoicing
- Instant PDF download and print options—no watermarks or branding
Key strengths
- Genuinely unlimited and free—no invoice caps, client limits, or paid upsells
- Privacy-focused—drafts saved locally on your device, not uploaded to servers
- Australian compliance—designed around ATO requirements for tax invoices
- Fast and simple—create professional invoices in under 3 minutes
Limitations
- No client database or invoice history tracking—you manage records yourself
- No payment processing integration or online payment links
- No recurring invoices or automated reminders
Pricing
Free forever
No signup, no invoice limits, no paid tiers. Completely free for personal and commercial use.
Best for
Australian sole traders, freelancers, and small businesses who need unlimited professional invoices without account signup or subscription costs. Perfect for simple project-based billing where you don't need payment tracking or client management features.
Ready to create your first invoice?
No signup needed • Takes less than 3 minutes
2. Wave
Wave is a comprehensive free accounting platform that includes unlimited invoicing, expense tracking, and basic bookkeeping. It's one of the most feature-rich free options available, with strong payment processing integration.
Key features
- Unlimited invoices with customizable templates and branding
- Automatic payment reminders and recurring invoice scheduling
- Online payment links (credit card and bank transfer) with integrated processing
- Client portal where customers can view invoices and payment history
- Expense tracking and basic financial reporting included
Key strengths
- Full accounting suite—invoicing plus bookkeeping and financial reports
- Payment processing—customers pay online directly from invoices
- Invoice automation—recurring billing and auto-reminders save time
Limitations
- Payment processing fees: 2.9% + $0.60 per credit card transaction
- Account required—you must sign up and provide business details
- Limited Australian award compliance features compared to Xero or MYOB
Pricing
Free core features
Invoicing is free. Payment processing costs 2.9% + $0.60 per credit card transaction. Payroll is paid add-on.
Best for
Small businesses and freelancers who want free unlimited invoicing with payment processing integration. Ideal if you need recurring invoices, automated reminders, and basic accounting features without investing in full accounting software.
3. Zoho Invoice
Zoho Invoice is a dedicated invoicing platform from the Zoho business software suite. The free plan supports up to 5 clients with robust features including time tracking, expense management, and multi-currency support.
Key features
- Up to 5 clients and 1,000 invoices per year on free plan
- Built-in time tracking and project-based billing
- Automated payment reminders and recurring invoice templates
- Multi-currency and multi-language invoice support
- Mobile apps (iOS and Android) for invoice creation on the go
Key strengths
- Time tracking integration—bill clients based on tracked hours automatically
- Client portal—customers can view invoices, download PDFs, and make payments
- Customizable templates—extensive design options and custom fields
Limitations
- Free plan limited to 5 clients maximum—must upgrade for more
- 1,000 invoice per year cap on free tier (about 83 per month)
- Payment processing requires paid gateway integration or third-party services
Pricing
Free for 5 clients
Paid plans start at $15/month for unlimited clients and 5,000 invoices per year.
Best for
Freelancers and consultants with a small, stable client base (5 or fewer) who need time tracking and project billing features. Excellent for service businesses where hours worked drive invoice amounts.
4. Invoice Simple
Invoice Simple (formerly Invoice Generator) is a mobile-friendly tool that prioritizes speed and simplicity. The free tier allows 3 invoices, with paid plans unlocking unlimited invoicing and premium features.
Key features
- 3 free invoices per month (estimates and receipts also available)
- Professional templates with logo upload and custom branding
- Instant PDF generation and email delivery from the app
- Mobile apps optimized for iPhone and Android users
- Works offline—create invoices without internet connection
Key strengths
- Mobile-optimized—create professional invoices from your phone in minutes
- User-friendly interface—intuitive design with minimal learning curve
- Estimates and receipts—also generate quotes and payment receipts
Limitations
- Only 3 invoices per month on free plan—restrictive for active businesses
- No recurring invoices or automated reminders on free tier
- Limited reporting and client management features
Pricing
Free for 3 invoices/month
Paid plan at $9.99/month for unlimited invoices, recurring billing, and premium templates.
Best for
Mobile users who invoice occasionally (3 or fewer clients per month) and need fast PDF generation on the go. Perfect for tradespeople, freelancers, and service providers who work from their phones.
5. PayPal Invoicing
PayPal Invoicing is built into PayPal business accounts and lets you send professional invoices with integrated payment collection. It's trusted, simple, and ideal for businesses already using PayPal for payments.
Key features
- Unlimited invoices with no monthly fees—pay only when you receive payments
- Integrated PayPal payment button—customers pay directly from invoices
- Automatic payment confirmation and receipt emails
- Basic template customization with logo and business branding
- Tracking for sent, viewed, and paid invoice statuses
Key strengths
- Payment integration—customers pay instantly with credit cards or PayPal balance
- Brand trust—clients recognize and trust PayPal for secure payments
- No monthly subscription—pay-as-you-go pricing based on received payments
Limitations
- Payment processing fees: 2.6% + $0.30 per transaction in Australia
- Limited customization compared to dedicated invoicing software
- No accounting integration or expense tracking features
Pricing
Free invoicing
No monthly fee. Payment processing costs 2.6% + $0.30 per transaction when customers pay via PayPal.
Best for
Freelancers and online service providers who want fast payment collection with a trusted brand. Ideal if you already accept PayPal payments and want integrated invoicing without separate software.
6. Square Invoices
Square Invoices is part of the Square business ecosystem, designed for businesses that combine in-person sales with invoice-based billing. It offers unlimited free invoices with integrated Square payment processing.
Key features
- Unlimited invoices with no monthly subscription fees
- Integrated Square payment processing—customers pay via link with credit cards
- Automated payment reminders and recurring invoice scheduling
- Mobile app for creating and sending invoices on the go
- Integration with Square POS, inventory, and accounting tools
Key strengths
- POS integration—seamlessly connects with Square point-of-sale systems
- Payment automation—recurring invoices and auto-reminders reduce manual work
- Professional appearance—clean, modern invoice templates with custom branding
Limitations
- Payment processing fees: 2.2% + $0.30 per invoice payment in Australia
- Best value when using other Square products—less compelling as standalone tool
- Limited third-party accounting software integration compared to Wave or Zoho
Pricing
Free unlimited invoices
Payment processing costs 2.2% + $0.30 per invoice payment. No monthly subscription required.
Best for
Retail and hospitality businesses that combine in-person sales with invoice billing. Perfect if you already use Square POS and want integrated invoice management within the same platform.
7. Invoicely
Invoicely is a cloud-based invoicing platform with a generous free tier supporting 1 business and up to 5 clients. It includes time tracking, expense management, and multi-currency invoicing for international clients.
Key features
- Free plan supports 1 business and up to 5 clients
- Time tracking and expense management included
- Multi-currency support for international invoicing
- Recurring invoices and automated payment reminders
- Mobile app access for iOS and Android
Key strengths
- International focus—multi-currency and multi-language support out of the box
- Expense tracking—manage business expenses alongside invoices
- Clean interface—intuitive dashboard with clear navigation
Limitations
- 5 client maximum on free plan—must upgrade for more
- Invoicely branding on invoices unless you upgrade to paid plan
- Limited reporting and analytics compared to paid competitors
Pricing
Free for 5 clients
Paid plans start at $9.99/month for unlimited clients and custom branding.
Best for
Freelancers with international clients who need multi-currency invoicing and expense tracking. Good fit for service providers with a small, stable client base under 5 businesses.
8. Canva Invoice Maker
Canva Invoice Maker brings Canva's design platform capabilities to invoice creation. It's ideal for businesses that want highly customized, visually branded invoices using Canva's extensive template library.
Key features
- Thousands of professional invoice templates with full design customization
- Drag-and-drop editor for custom layouts, fonts, colors, and graphics
- Brand kit integration—apply consistent branding across all invoices
- PDF and image export options for download or print
- Collaboration features—share draft invoices with team members
Key strengths
- Design flexibility—unmatched customization compared to standard invoice generators
- Brand consistency—use your brand kit to maintain visual identity
- Template variety—thousands of designs for different industries and styles
Limitations
- No automatic calculations—you must manually enter totals and GST amounts
- No client database, invoice tracking, or payment processing features
- Requires Canva account—free tier has limited templates and features
Pricing
Free basic templates
Canva Pro ($17.99/month) unlocks premium templates, brand kit, and collaboration features.
Best for
Creative businesses and freelancers who prioritize visual branding and want complete design control over invoice appearance. Best suited for businesses already using Canva for marketing materials.
9. Invoice Ninja
Invoice Ninja is an open-source invoicing platform available as both a free cloud service and self-hosted solution. It's feature-rich and developer-friendly, appealing to tech-savvy businesses that want control over their invoicing data.
Key features
- Free cloud plan supports up to 20 clients and unlimited invoices
- Recurring invoices, quotes, and credit notes included
- Time tracking and project billing with task management
- Open-source codebase—self-host for complete data control
- Multiple payment gateway integrations (Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net)
Key strengths
- Open-source flexibility—customize and self-host if needed
- Feature-rich free tier—includes project management and time tracking
- Developer-friendly—API access and webhooks for custom integrations
Limitations
- 20 client limit on free cloud plan—requires paid plan or self-hosting for more
- Steeper learning curve compared to simpler invoice generators
- Self-hosting requires technical expertise for server setup and maintenance
Pricing
Free for 20 clients
Paid plans at $10/month (Pro) and $14/month (Enterprise) for unlimited clients and advanced features.
Best for
Tech-savvy freelancers and agencies who want open-source flexibility with rich features. Excellent for businesses that need project management integration or plan to self-host for data privacy.
10. FreshBooks
FreshBooks is a premium invoicing and accounting platform with a 30-day free trial. While not permanently free, it's worth considering if you need comprehensive features and plan to invest in paid software after evaluating options.
Key features
- Unlimited invoices and expense tracking during trial and on all paid plans
- Time tracking with billable hours and project-based invoicing
- Automated late payment reminders and recurring invoice templates
- Mobile apps with receipt scanning and expense capture
- Financial reports including profit/loss, sales tax, and expense summaries
Key strengths
- Professional reputation—trusted by over 30 million small businesses worldwide
- Comprehensive platform—invoicing, accounting, proposals, and time tracking in one place
- Excellent support—award-winning customer service with phone and chat options
Limitations
- Not permanently free—30-day trial only, then $19-60/month depending on plan
- Higher cost than competitors—premium pricing for premium features
- Client limits on lower tiers—Lite plan caps at 5 billable clients
Pricing
$19/month
Lite plan after 30-day free trial. Plus ($33/month) and Premium ($60/month) plans for growing businesses.
Best for
Small businesses ready to invest in paid software who want a comprehensive invoicing and accounting solution. Good fit during the trial period to test premium features before committing to ongoing costs.
Comparison table: free invoice generators at a glance
Quick comparison of key features across all 10 tools. Scroll horizontally on mobile to see all columns.
| Tool | Free tier limit | GST support | Payment processing | Signup required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RosterElf | Unlimited | No | No | |
| Wave | Unlimited | Yes (2.9% + $0.60) | Yes | |
| Zoho Invoice | 5 clients, 1,000/year | Third-party | Yes | |
| Invoice Simple | 3 invoices/month | No | Yes | |
| PayPal | Unlimited | Yes (2.6% + $0.30) | Yes | |
| Square | Unlimited | Yes (2.2% + $0.30) | Yes | |
| Invoicely | 5 clients | No | Yes | |
| Canva | Unlimited templates | Manual entry | No | Yes |
| Invoice Ninja | 20 clients | Yes (via integrations) | Yes | |
| FreshBooks | 30-day trial only | Yes (via integrations) | Yes |
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Our verdict: which free invoice generator is best?
The best free invoice generator depends on your business needs and invoicing volume. Here's our recommendation based on common scenarios:
Best overall: RosterElf invoice generator
For Australian businesses that need unlimited, no-strings-attached invoicing, the RosterElf Invoice Generator is unbeatable. It's genuinely free forever with no signup, no invoice caps, and proper GST compliance. Ideal for sole traders, freelancers, and small businesses that want simple, professional invoices without ongoing costs.
Best for payment processing: wave or square
If you need customers to pay online directly from invoices, Wave and Square both offer integrated payment processing. Wave suits service businesses with simple accounting needs, while Square is better for businesses combining invoicing with in-person sales through Square POS.
Best for project-based billing: zoho invoice or invoice ninja
Freelancers who bill by the hour or project should consider Zoho Invoice (up to 5 clients) or Invoice Ninja (up to 20 clients). Both include time tracking and project management features that automatically convert tracked hours into invoice line items.
Best for visual branding: canva invoice maker
Creative businesses and agencies that prioritize brand appearance should use Canva Invoice Maker. The design flexibility is unmatched, though you'll sacrifice automatic calculations and invoice tracking features found in dedicated invoicing software.
For most Australian small businesses, we recommend starting with RosterElf Invoice Generator for its unlimited free access and Australian compliance focus. As you grow and need payment tracking, recurring invoices, or integrated accounting, consider upgrading to Wave or a paid solution like Xero or MYOB that integrates with workforce management tools.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free invoice generator for Australian businesses?
The RosterElf Invoice Generator offers the most comprehensive free solution for Australian businesses, with GST-compliant tax invoice templates, ABN fields, automatic calculations, and no signup required. Wave is another excellent option if you need payment processing integration. For simple one-off invoices, Invoice Simple provides fast PDF generation.
Are free invoice generators ATO-compliant for Australian businesses?
Most invoice generators provide templates with required fields, but you remain responsible for supporting compliance with ATO requirements. Look for tools that include ABN fields, GST calculation (10%), clear payment terms, and tax invoice designation for GST-registered businesses. Always verify your invoices meet current ATO standards.
Do I need to create an account to use free invoice generators?
It depends on the tool. RosterElf Invoice Generator, Invoice Simple, and Canva work without signup for basic PDF generation. Wave, Zoho Invoice, and PayPal require account creation but offer additional features like payment tracking, recurring invoices, and client management.
Can free invoice generators handle GST calculation automatically?
Yes, most Australian-focused free invoice generators include automatic GST calculation at 10%. Look for tools with dedicated "Tax Invoice" or "GST Invoice" templates that add GST to line items and show clear subtotal, GST amount, and total fields as required by the ATO.
What are the limitations of free invoice generators?
Free invoice generators typically limit recurring invoices, client database size, custom branding, payment gateway integrations, and automated reminders. Most cap invoice volume at 5-20 per month or 1-5 clients. For growing businesses, paid plans ($10-30/month) unlock unlimited invoicing, expense tracking, and reporting.
Can I add my business logo to invoices created with free generators?
Yes, most free invoice generators support logo upload, including RosterElf, Wave, Zoho Invoice, Canva, and Invoice Ninja. Logo placement and branding customization varies—Canva offers the most design flexibility, while simpler tools place logos in standard header positions.
Ready to create professional invoices instantly?
Use the RosterElf Invoice Generator to create unlimited GST-compliant invoices for your Australian business. No signup, no limits, completely free forever.
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