The best billing software is the one that matches how you charge customers: fixed subscriptions, usage, one-off invoices or a mix. Check how it handles plan changes, failed payments, tax on invoices and your accounting software. This page lists ten platforms in no particular order, then shows how to choose one for your business.
Billing software looks simple until a customer upgrades halfway through the month, a card fails, or finance asks why the invoice total doesn't match the contract. That's where you see the gap between a tool that sends invoices and one that's built to run recurring revenue.
Below are ten billing platforms in no particular order, sorted alphabetically: free starter options for early software teams, invoice-led tools for recurring billing, and enterprise platforms for complex billing models. Each description comes from the platform's own website, re-checked today. If you only send the odd invoice, a simpler invoicing app is probably all you need; there's a note on that further down.
Billing platforms compared at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the platform's own site describes a free plan or a free option for setting up and testing, Trial only means a free trial or sandbox without an ongoing free plan, and No means you'll start with a demo or a plan.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alguna | Quote-to-revenue billing | Early SaaS teams starting on a free plan | Yes |
| BillingPlatform | Enterprise billing platform | Enterprises mixing one-time and usage billing | No |
| Billsby | Subscription billing | Subscription firms testing billing before launch | Yes |
| ChargeOver | Recurring invoicing and billing | Invoice-based recurring billing teams | Trial only |
| Hyperline | SaaS billing and revenue | Growing software companies | No |
| Stripe Billing | Subscription and usage billing | Online businesses already taking card payments | No |
| Tabs | B2B revenue automation | B2B finance teams invoicing from contracts | No |
| Zenskar | Order-to-cash billing | Teams wanting every feature on every plan | No |
| Zoho Billing | Subscription billing app | Small firms needing quotes and subscriptions | Trial only |
| Zuora | Subscription billing platform | Large subscription businesses | No |
Billing software, listed alphabetically
Alguna
Best for: Early-stage software teams that want automated invoicing and usage-based billing before they have a billing team, starting on a free forever plan.
BillingPlatform
Best for: Enterprises that mix one-time, recurring and usage-based billing and want to change the mix without rebuilding their system.
Billsby
Best for: Subscription businesses wanting to set up and test billing with unlimited users and no time limit on a free option before going live.
ChargeOver
Best for: Billing teams who want unlimited invoices, QuickBooks and Xero integrations and no annual contracts, with a free sandbox account to try first.
Hyperline
Best for: Finance teams at growing software companies who want subscriptions, quotes, automated invoicing and dunning in one platform, with usage-based billing on higher plans.
Stripe Billing
Best for: Software and subscription businesses that want subscriptions, invoices and usage-based billing on the same platform they use for payments.
Tabs
Best for: B2B finance teams who want invoices sent automatically from contracts, with collections and revenue recognition on the same platform.
Zenskar
Best for: Teams that want billing, revenue recognition and order-to-cash in one place, with every feature included rather than gated by tier.
Zoho Billing
Best for: Small firms needing one-time or subscription billing with quotes, dunning and a customer portal, with a 14-day free trial before choosing a plan.
Zuora
Best for: Large subscription businesses that want flexible billing models, with revenue and CPQ products sitting alongside billing.
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What a UK VAT invoice has to show
In the UK, GOV.UK says that when a VAT-registered business sells goods or services it must show VAT information on the invoice, and that the invoice must include the business's VAT number and show the VAT separately.
It sounds basic, but plenty of billing tools built elsewhere treat tax as a single total, or tuck the VAT number into a footer you can't edit. If you sell to UK customers and you're VAT-registered, ask each vendor to produce a sample invoice with your VAT number on it and VAT as its own line before you sign anything. If you sell into other countries, ask the same question about their rules, and check the detail with your accountant.
Choosing a billing platform in six steps
- List how you charge today: flat subscriptions, seats, usage, one-off invoices or a combination.
- Map the awkward moments: upgrades, downgrades, pauses, refunds and failed card payments.
- Check which payment providers and accounting tools the platform connects to.
- Produce a sample invoice that shows your tax details exactly as your customers need them.
- Run a test customer through a full cycle, from sign-up to renewal and cancellation.
- Decide who owns billing day to day, and give them the trial, not just the founder.
Subscription, usage or invoice-led billing?
- Fixed subscriptions: a subscription billing tool with dunning and a customer portal covers most needs.
- Usage-based: you'll need metering, so check how usage data gets into the platform and how often.
- Contract-led B2B: look for invoices generated from contracts and built-in collections.
- Mixed models: enterprise platforms let you combine one-time, recurring and usage charges, though setup takes longer.
Signs you've outgrown a basic invoicing app
- You're editing invoices by hand every time a customer changes plan.
- Failed payments go unnoticed until a customer complains.
- Finance spends days each month reconciling billing with your accounting software.
- Sales are promising deals your current tool can't bill for.
If none of that sounds familiar, you may not need a billing platform yet. My comparison of simpler invoicing apps for freelancers covers lighter tools, and this guide to chasing overdue invoices without losing the client helps whichever system you use.
Do you make billing software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on billing software
Choose for the billing model you'll have in a year, not the one you had at launch. If you're an early software team, a free starter plan lets you get usage billing right before it matters. If you're invoice-led and selling to other businesses, put contract-to-invoice automation and collections ahead of fancy subscription features.
And test the dull parts first: a mid-month upgrade, a failed card, a credit note and a correctly formatted tax invoice. If a platform handles those cleanly in a trial or demo, the rest is usually fine. If it stumbles on them, no feature list will make up for it.
Frequently asked questions
What is billing software?
Billing software creates and sends invoices, charges customers on a schedule and tracks what's owed, often handling subscriptions, usage and failed payments automatically.
What's the difference between billing and invoicing software?
Invoicing apps mainly create and send invoices. Billing platforms add subscriptions, usage metering, plan changes, dunning and revenue reporting.
Is there free billing software?
Yes. A few platforms offer a free starter plan or a free option for testing, and several others offer a free trial or sandbox.
What must a UK VAT invoice include?
GOV.UK says a VAT-registered business must show its VAT number and show the VAT separately on the invoice. Check the full list with your accountant.
What is dunning?
Dunning is the process of retrying failed payments and reminding customers to update their card details, so you don't lose subscribers to an expired card.
Can billing software connect to my accounting system?
Most can. Check the exact integration with your accounting tool and what syncs, such as invoices, payments and credit notes.
