💰 Payments & Invoicing
Accept payments, send invoices, and manage your business finances without an accounting degree.
Top Pick
Stripe
The developer-friendly payment platform
2.9% + 30¢ per transaction
Stripe is the gold standard for online payments. Excellent API, global coverage, subscriptions, invoicing, and fraud protection — all in one.
Pros
- Best-in-class API
- Subscriptions built-in
- Global coverage
- Invoicing included
Cons
- Transaction fees add up
- Dashboard can be complex
- Support can be slow
Best for: Developers and SaaS founders who want the most flexible payment infrastructure.
Mid Range
FreshBooks
Invoicing and accounting for small business
From $17/mo (Lite)
FreshBooks is built for freelancers and small businesses: professional invoices, time tracking, expenses, and simple accounting — no CPA required.
Pros
- Beautiful invoices
- Time tracking
- Expense management
- Easy for non-accountants
Cons
- No free tier
- Limited clients on lower plans
- US-focused features
Best for: Freelancers and consultants who need professional invoicing and basic accounting.
Budget
Wave
Free accounting and invoicing
Free (invoicing + accounting)
Wave offers genuinely free invoicing, accounting, and receipt scanning. Revenue comes from payment processing and payroll — the core tools are free forever.
Pros
- Truly free
- Professional invoices
- Basic accounting
- Receipt scanning
Cons
- Limited integrations
- Payment processing has fees
- No time tracking
Best for: New businesses and freelancers who need free invoicing and basic bookkeeping.