Invoice Ninja

Invoice Ninja is a popular free and open-source invoicing platform for freelancers, contractors and small businesses. It focuses on doing invoicing, quoting, payments and expense tracking well, with the flexibility of both a hosted cloud version and a self-hosted option for those who want full control of their data.

Invoicing and quotes

At its core, Invoice Ninja lets you create professional, branded invoices and quotes quickly, with customisable templates and your logo. You can set up recurring invoices for retainer clients, send automatic payment reminders to chase late payers, and convert accepted quotes into invoices in a click. This covers the essential billing workflow that freelancers and small businesses rely on to get paid.

Online payments

The platform integrates with a wide range of payment gateways, so clients can pay invoices online by card or other methods directly from the invoice. Faster, easier payment means better cash flow — a critical benefit for any small operator. Clients also get a portal where they can view and pay their invoices and see their history.

Expenses, time tracking and projects

Beyond billing, Invoice Ninja includes expense tracking, project and task management, and time tracking, so you can log billable hours and turn them into invoices. This makes it more than a simple invoice generator — it's a lightweight business-management tool for service providers who bill by time or project.

Free and open-source

A defining feature is that Invoice Ninja is free and open-source. There's a generous free hosted tier, affordable paid plans that remove branding and add features, and a self-hosted version you can run on your own server for complete data ownership and no per-user fees. This openness and value make it especially appealing to the technically-inclined and to businesses that want control over their tools.

Who it's for

Invoice Ninja is ideal for freelancers, contractors and small businesses that want capable, low-cost or free invoicing and payments, with optional time tracking and expenses. It's particularly attractive to those who value open-source software and the choice between a hosted service and self-hosting.

For a freelancer or small business that wants professional invoicing and online payments without a recurring cost — and the freedom of open-source — Invoice Ninja is a powerful, flexible choice.

Why freelancers choose Invoice Ninja

Invoice Ninja's appeal comes down to value and control: it delivers professional invoicing, quotes, online payments, expenses and time tracking without forcing a monthly bill, and its open-source nature means you can even self-host for complete data ownership. For freelancers and small businesses watching every cost, the generous free tier covers the essentials, while affordable upgrades remove branding and unlock extras as you grow. Getting started is quick — set up your business details and a template, connect a payment gateway, and you can send your first invoice in minutes. For anyone who wants capable, transparent invoicing they can trust and even run on their own terms, Invoice Ninja is a standout choice that respects both your budget and your independence.