Invoicing software for French freelancers: the 2026 comparison

Prices taken from the publishers’ websites on 6 October 2026, excluding VAT unless stated. Other details were taken on 30 September 2026.

Since 1 September 2026, every business must be able to receive electronic invoices. From September 2027, French sole traders (micro-entrepreneurs) will also have to issue them through an approved platform. The good news: several invoicing tools now offer a free plan that covers this obligation.

We compared six solutions popular with independent workers, on the criteria that really matter when you work alone.

The comparison table

Show Free plan Approved platform

Six invoicing tools compared, in alphabetical order (prices checked on 6 October 2026, excluding VAT unless stated)

Software	Free plan	Cheapest paid plan	Approved platform	Best for
Abby	Yes: unlimited invoices and quotes, estimate of URSSAF contributions	€5.40/month excl. VAT on promotion (Start plan, €9 without it)	Yes	Small budgets, keeping an eye on thresholds
Freebe	Free e-invoicing; full app is paid	€12.50/month, billed €150 a year incl. VAT (all included)	No, uses a partner approved platform (SUPERPDP)	Freelancers who want to automate everything
Henrri	Yes: completely free software	—	No, uses partner approved platforms	A simple, 100% free tool
Indy	Yes: unlimited invoices and quotes, automated bookkeeping, e-invoicing	€9/month excl. VAT billed annually, €12 billed monthly (Plus plan)	Yes	Managing everything in one place, for free
Pennylane	Yes, for micro-enterprises only: up to 1,200 invoices a year	€7/month, VAT status not stated by the publisher (Starter plan, outside micro-enterprises)	Yes	Moving to a company later on
Tiime	Yes: unlimited invoices and quotes, unlimited e-invoicing	€9.99/month excl. VAT (Initial plan)	Yes	Invoicing and tracking payments

“Approved platform” or “partner solution”: what’s the difference? An approved platform is registered by the French tax authority to transmit electronic invoices. Software that is not approved can still be compliant by relying on a partner platform: what matters to you is that your invoices are sent through an approved platform. Check this before you choose.

Our criteria

1. The real cost for a micro-entrepreneur, not the headline price.
2. 2027 compliance: an approved platform, or a clearly stated partnership.
3. Time saved: URSSAF returns, payment reminders, bank reconciliation.
4. The way out: being able to export your invoices and switch tools without losing everything.

The 6 tools at a glance

Abby

A free plan with unlimited invoices and quotes, a receipts ledger, an estimate of URSSAF contributions and alerts when you approach the VAT thresholds. Paid plans are among the cheapest on the market (from €5.40/month excl. VAT on promotion, €9 without it).

Who it’s for: the micro-entrepreneur who watches their thresholds and their budget.

Freebe

Designed for freelancers: e-invoicing is free (through the partner approved platform SUPERPDP), and the full app costs €12.50/month (€150 a year incl. VAT), with bank sync, URSSAF returns, time tracking and online payment.

Who it’s for: the freelancer who wants to automate all their admin in a single subscription.

Henrri

Completely free invoicing software that sends e-invoices through partner approved platforms.

Who it’s for: anyone who only wants to invoice, simply and without paying.

Indy

A very complete free plan: unlimited invoices and quotes, automated bookkeeping, an optional business account and e-invoicing as an approved platform. The Plus plan (€9/month excl. VAT, billed annually) adds e-signatures and automatic reminders; the Autonomie plan (formerly Premium) automates the mandatory returns.

Who it’s for: the micro-entrepreneur who wants a single free tool to invoice and keep their books.

Pennylane

A free plan for micro-enterprises only: sending and receiving e-invoices, up to 1,200 invoices a year, one user. If your business grows into a company, paid plans start at €7/month (VAT status not stated by the publisher), with no data migration.

Who it’s for: the freelancer who plans to set up a company.

Tiime

Free, unlimited invoicing and e-invoicing, with no credit card required and free access for your accountant. Paid plans (from €9.99/month excl. VAT, Initial plan) add automated admin.

Who it’s for: the freelancer who works with an accountant, or who wants a proven free solution.

Our pick for your profile

• You’re starting out and want zero costs: Indy or Tiime. Both are free and approved.
• You keep an eye on your micro-enterprise thresholds: Abby.
• You’ll soon move to a company: Pennylane.
• You want to automate all your admin: Freebe or Indy’s Autonomie plan.

What if you invoice clients abroad?

None of these publishers highlights invoicing in English or in a foreign currency in their free plans: check this before you choose. In the meantime, our invoice generator creates free invoices in French or English, for France, the UK and the US, right in your browser.

Two related guides: which approved platform to choose as a micro-entrepreneur and business bank account for a micro-entrepreneur.

FAQ

Does a micro-entrepreneur have to pay for e-invoicing? No. Several approved platforms offer a free plan to receive and issue electronic invoices.

Can I keep my current tool? Yes, if it is an approved platform itself or if it sends your invoices through a partner approved platform. Ask your software publisher.

When should I choose? You must already be able to receive electronic invoices since 1 September 2026. The obligation to issue them starts in September 2027: choosing now gives you time to get to grips with the tool.

Transparency

The links on this English page are plain links. On the French pages, Clairsmith may earn a commission from some of these publishers, at no extra cost to you; the ranking does not depend on it and rests on the criteria above. Our partners and affiliate policy.