If you've searched for a free invoice app for Australian tradies, you've probably found a dozen options that all claim to be "free" — until you hit a monthly invoice cap, a payment processing fee, or a paywall around the one feature you actually needed, like GST breakdowns or an ABN field.
We build one of the apps on this list, so we're upfront about that. But this guide is written to help you compare properly — what "free" really means for each app, what's missing for Australian compliance, and which one actually fits how tradies work on site. No fabricated numbers, no cherry-picked comparisons — just what each app does and doesn't do.
What tradies actually need from an invoicing app
Before comparing apps, it helps to know what to look for. Most "small business invoicing" apps are built for a generic overseas market first and bolt on local features later — which matters a lot if you're issuing GST-compliant Tax Invoices in Australia.
- ABN field — your invoice needs to show your Australian Business Number, not just a generic "tax ID" field.
- GST calculated automatically — 10% GST worked out and shown as its own line, not just bundled into the total.
- "Tax Invoice" labelling — the ATO requires the words "Tax Invoice" to appear, so your customers can claim GST credits. See our guide on what must a Tax Invoice include.
- Works without signal — worksites and roof cavities don't have great reception. An app that only works online is a problem on the job.
- A genuinely free tier — not a 7-day trial that quietly starts charging your card.
- Quotes that convert to invoices — so you're not re-typing the same job twice.
The best free invoice apps for Australian tradies, compared
Here's how the most common options stack up on the things that matter to a sole-trader or small trade business in Australia.
| App | Genuinely free | Built for AU GST/ABN | Works offline | Quote → Invoice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TradesBill | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Invoice2go | Limited | Manual setup | Partial | ✓ |
| Wave | ✓ | Manual setup | No | Limited |
| Zoho Invoice | ✓ | Manual setup | No | ✓ |
| Square Invoices | Fees on payments | Manual setup | No | Limited |
| Word/Excel template | ✓ | You build it | ✓ | ✗ |
Note: "Manual setup" means the app can technically show GST and an ABN field, but you need to configure it yourself using generic tax settings — it's not built for Australia by default. It's easy to get wrong. See our checklist on what an ATO-compliant Tax Invoice must include.
App reviews: what each one is actually like to use
TradesBill
TradesBill is built specifically for Australian tradies — every invoice includes your ABN, the "Tax Invoice" label, and an automatic 10% GST breakdown by default, because that's how the ATO requires it, not as an optional setting buried in a menu. It's a Progressive Web App, which means it installs on your phone like a normal app but keeps working without signal — handy when you're quoting a job from a job site with no reception. Quotes convert to invoices in one tap, and it's free with no invoice cap, no card required to sign up, and no forced trial. The trade-off: it's a newer, Australia-only product, so it doesn't have the payroll or multi-currency features a larger international accounting suite might offer — it's built to do invoicing and GST well, not to be a full accounting platform.
Invoice2go
Invoice2go is a long-running, well-known invoicing app with a clean mobile interface and solid quote-to-invoice conversion. It's popular with tradies internationally. The free tier is limited in how many invoices you can send before you're prompted to upgrade, and GST/ABN fields need to be set up manually under generic tax settings rather than being an Australia-specific default. Offline support is inconsistent depending on the platform.
Wave
Wave is a Canadian invoicing and accounting platform with a genuinely generous free invoicing tier — no cap on the number of invoices for the core product. It's a solid choice if you want free accounting alongside invoicing. The catch for Australian tradies: it's not localised for Australia. There's no default ABN field or automatic "Tax Invoice" labelling, so you'd need to add these manually and double-check every invoice meets ATO requirements yourself. It also doesn't work offline, which is a real limitation on site.
Zoho Invoice
Zoho Invoice is a genuinely free, feature-rich invoicing tool from the wider Zoho software suite. It supports GST and tax customisation, and quote-to-invoice conversion is built in. Like Wave, it's an international product — Australian GST and ABN fields need manual configuration, and it's a browser/app-based tool without meaningful offline support. It can also feel like overkill if you just want to knock out a quick invoice between jobs, since it's part of a much larger business suite.
Square Invoices
Square Invoices is free to send invoices, but Square makes its money on payment processing — so if your customer pays through Square, a percentage fee applies to the transaction. That's a reasonable trade if you're already using Square for card payments on site. For pure invoicing without payment processing, it's a heavier tool than most tradies need, and Australian tax fields again require manual setup.
Word or Excel templates
Free, works offline, and you already know how to use it. The problem is compliance and consistency — it's entirely on you to remember every ATO-required field on every single invoice, and formatting tends to drift over time. One missed GST line or forgotten ABN can mean your customer can't claim their GST credit. It also doesn't track payment status, send reminders, or give you a BAS-ready summary at tax time.
Why "free" invoicing apps aren't always free for tradies
A few things to watch for when an app markets itself as free:
- Invoice caps — some free plans only allow a handful of invoices a month before you're pushed to a paid tier.
- Payment processing fees — the invoicing might be free, but a percentage is taken when your customer actually pays you.
- Feature paywalls — GST reporting, custom branding, or multiple business profiles are often locked behind a subscription.
- Trial-to-paid conversion — "free trial" apps often require a card upfront and start billing automatically once the trial ends.
The best free invoice app for tradies is one where "free" means free — no invoice cap, no card on file, and no features you actually need locked away.
Try the invoicing app built for Australian tradies
TradesBill is free forever — ABN, GST, and "Tax Invoice" labelling built in by default, and it works offline on site. No card required.
Start invoicing for freeFrequently asked questions
Is TradesBill really free, or is there a catch?
TradesBill's core invoicing — creating quotes and Tax Invoices, tracking payments, and managing clients — is free with no invoice cap and no card required. A Pro tier exists for advanced features like BAS reporting, but you can invoice on the free plan indefinitely.
Do I need an ABN to use a free invoice app?
You need an ABN to issue a Tax Invoice and charge GST. If you don't have an ABN yet, you can still send regular invoices — but you can't call them "Tax Invoices" or claim GST credits apply. Register for an ABN at the Australian Business Register before your first job if you're operating as a business.
Which free invoice app works best without internet access?
Progressive Web Apps like TradesBill are built to keep working offline and sync once you're back online — useful for tradies working in areas with poor reception. Most browser-based invoicing tools (Wave, Zoho Invoice, Square) require an active connection.
Can I switch invoicing apps later without losing my data?
Most apps, including TradesBill, let you export your client list and invoice history as CSV or PDF. It's worth checking an app's export options before you commit heavily to it, so you're never locked in.