Invoicing for Designers: The 5 Best Invoice Software Tools
Graphic designers are paid for creative work, but getting paid still means invoices, reminders and bookkeeping. The right invoicing software turns that into a few clicks: branded invoices, tracked hours and online payments in one place. Below are the five best invoice tools for freelance designers and design studios, what each one is best at, and how to choose between them.
The 5 best invoicing tools for designers at a glance
| Software | Best for | Standout features | Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| FreshBooks | Freelancers and small studios that want one all-in-one tool | Custom invoices, time tracking, expense management, reporting | Paid |
| HoneyBook | Designers who manage long client projects | Branded invoices and contracts, client communication, project management | Paid |
| Invoice2go | Freelancers who just want to invoice fast | Quick invoices, multiple payment options, expense tracking | Paid, low cost |
| Dubsado | Studios that want automated, custom workflows | Custom workflows, automated onboarding, client management | Paid |
| Melio | Designers who want free invoicing with payments | Free invoicing, payment automation, Xero integration | Free standard features |
Prices change often, so check each tool’s pricing page before you sign up.
Why graphic designers need invoicing software
Designers juggle several clients at once: a logo for a startup, a website for a local shop, a retainer for monthly social graphics. Without a system, unpaid invoices slip through and cash flow suffers. Invoicing software helps you:
- Send professional invoices that look as polished as your design work
- Bill hours accurately by tracking time per project
- Stay organized with payments, overdue invoices and deadlines in one view
- Get paid faster by sending invoices instantly and accepting online payments
Key features to look for in invoice software for designers
- Customizable, branded templates: a must for graphic design invoices that carry your logo, colors and style
- Time tracking: bill clients for the hours you actually worked
- Recurring invoices: made for retainer clients and long-term projects
- Online payments: PayPal, Stripe or card payments so clients can pay from the invoice
- Expense tracking: keep costs next to income, which helps at tax time
- Client management: client details and project notes in one place
1. FreshBooks: best overall invoicing software for designers
Best for: Freelancers and small design businesses that want invoicing, accounting and time tracking in one tool.
FreshBooks is built for freelancers and small business owners, which makes it a natural fit for graphic designers who want to spend less time on billing.
- Customizable invoices that match your brand
- Time tracking that turns billable hours into invoices
- Expense management linked to specific projects
- Online payments via PayPal, credit card and more
- Client management with client details and project progress
How it compares: FreshBooks balances ease of use, automation and designer-friendly features, and backs it with strong customer support. It is the best all-round choice for most designers.
2. HoneyBook: best for client management
Best for: Creatives and service businesses that need client management and invoicing together.
HoneyBook stands out for its CRM tools: projects, client messages, contracts and invoices live in one platform, which suits designers with long-term or high-value clients.
- Branded contracts and invoices
- Client communication with messages, proposals and invoices in one place
- Project management with scheduling and tasks from start to finish
How it compares: HoneyBook leans more toward CRM and project management than FreshBooks, but its invoicing is solid. Pick it if managing the client relationship is the bigger headache.
3. Invoice2go: best for quick, simple invoicing
Best for: Freelancers and small businesses that want to create and send invoices fast.
Invoice2go keeps invoicing as simple as possible, so you can send an invoice without learning a complex system.
- Simple invoicing: create and send invoices in minutes
- Multiple payment options, including PayPal
- Expense tracking in the same app
How it compares: A no-frills tool that is great for quick billing. It lacks the time tracking and detailed reporting of FreshBooks.
4. Dubsado: best for automated workflows
Best for: Designers and studios that want custom, automated invoicing and client onboarding.
Dubsado combines client management, project tracking and invoicing, with workflows you can tailor to how your studio works.
- Custom workflows that automate invoicing and onboarding
- Professional invoices that reflect your brand
- Client management for messages, contracts and payments
How it compares: Dubsado is the most customizable option, but it has a steeper learning curve than FreshBooks and fits designers with more complex processes best.
5. Melio (acquired by Xero): best free option
Best for: Designers who want simple, free invoicing with payments built in.
Melio makes sending invoices and receiving payments straightforward, and its Xero integration suits designers who already keep their books in Xero.
- Payment automation: send and receive payments through the platform
- Free invoicing with no monthly subscription for standard features
- Simple interface that is easy for beginners
How it compares: Melio has less reporting and no time tracking compared with FreshBooks, but it is hard to beat if you want to invoice and get paid for free.
How to choose the right invoicing software
- You want one tool for invoices, hours and expenses: FreshBooks
- Client relationships and contracts take most of your time: HoneyBook
- You only need to send invoices quickly: Invoice2go
- You run a studio and want automated workflows: Dubsado
- You want free invoicing, or you already use Xero: Melio
How to make an invoice for graphic design work
Whichever tool you use, a clear design invoice gets paid faster. Include:
- Your name or studio name, logo and contact details
- The client’s name and address
- An invoice number, the issue date and the due date
- An itemized list of services: logo concepts, revisions, page layouts, illustrations
- Hours and hourly rate, or a flat project fee per item
- Subtotal, any tax and the total due
- Payment terms and the payment methods you accept
- Usage rights or license terms if the project includes them
Branded invoice templates for designers
If you prefer to design your own invoice, or want a branded layout to match your portfolio, start from a template. These sets include a matching invoice, estimate and project brief, editable in Photoshop, Illustrator and Word. See all 33 invoice design templates for more styles.
1. Invoice – Graphic Design Services
A crisp white invoice with bright blue dot accents and a blue table header, plus a matching estimate and brief. Clean enough for any design service.
A4 and US Letter · Photoshop, Illustrator and Word · invoice, estimate and brief (per the preview)
2. Invoice – Professional Graphic Designer
A bold magenta-to-orange gradient sidebar with a script logo beside a clean white billing table. Made for designers whose invoice should show off their style.
A4 and US Letter · Photoshop, Illustrator and Word · invoice, estimate and brief (per the preview)
3. Invoice – Graphic Design Studio
Warm gold accents and a striped header give this studio invoice a refined, premium feel.
A4 and US Letter · Photoshop, Illustrator and Word · invoice, estimate and brief (per the preview)
4. Invoice – Digital Design Studio
Teal headings and footer bars on a minimal layout, with room for your logo at the top. A modern pick for digital and web studios.
A4 and US Letter · Photoshop, Illustrator and Word · invoice, estimate and brief (per the preview)
Frequently asked questions
What is the best invoicing software for graphic designers?
FreshBooks is the best all-round choice: it combines branded invoices, time tracking, expense management and online payments. HoneyBook and Dubsado suit designers who need more client management or automation, Invoice2go is the simplest, and Melio is free.
Is there free invoicing software for designers?
Yes. Melio offers free invoicing for its standard features, with payment automation and a Xero integration.
Can I add my logo and brand colors to my invoices?
Yes. FreshBooks, HoneyBook and Dubsado all let you create customized, branded invoices. For full design control you can also start from a designed invoice template.
Which tool tracks billable hours?
FreshBooks tracks time per project and turns the hours into an invoice. Invoice2go and Melio do not focus on time tracking.
What should a graphic design invoice include?
Your details and logo, the client’s details, an invoice number and dates, itemized services with hours or fees, the total, payment terms and accepted payment methods.
Want an invoice as well designed as your work?
Browse invoice, estimate and brief templates made for designers and studios.