Zoho Invoice is free invoicing software for freelancers, sole traders and very small firms that need to send invoices and quotes and get paid. The catch, as of Oct 2026, sits in the limits rather than the price: two users, three projects, up to 500 invoices a year, a Powered by Zoho Invoice badge, and data deleted after 180 days of inactivity.
Free invoicing sounds too good to be true, which is why people look for a Zoho Invoice review before they hand it their client list. I read Zoho's own pricing page, and the free part is simple; it's the limits where your decision sits.
Zoho Invoice's free plan, line by line
| Free plan area | Price or what you get | The limit that bites |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 0 dollars on the US page | None listed; the page says it's free for small business owners, freelancers and entrepreneurs |
| Users | Team access on one account | Up to two users |
| Projects | Timesheets and project tracking | A maximum of three projects |
| Invoices | One-click invoices, recurring invoices, email or PDF | Up to 500 invoices a year |
| Organisations | Several businesses under one Zoho login | Up to two organisations |
| Branding | Templates you can edit to match your brand | A Powered by Zoho Invoice badge is included |
| Data | Kept in your account while you use it | Deleted within 20 days once you've been inactive for more than 180 days |
That's how the page read as of Oct 2026, on the United States edition. Check the vendor's pricing page before you buy into any workflow, especially if you're outside the US.
The 180-day inactivity rule in Zoho Invoice
This is the line I'd want every new user to read. Zoho's FAQ says that if you're inactive for more than 180 days, your associated data will be deleted within the next 20 days. You'll get a notification first, and you can keep your data by logging back in or backing it up. That's unusual for a tool that holds your invoice history.
It won't touch you if you invoice every month. It can catch out a seasonal business, a side project that goes quiet over winter, or anyone who signs up, sends a few invoices and moves on. If that sounds like you, export your records before you step away, and don't treat the account as your only archive.
The other two limits that shape the decision are the badge and the volume cap. Zoho says the Powered by Zoho Invoice branding is there to spread goodwill, and I didn't see a paid way to remove it on this page. The 500 invoices a year cap is generous for a freelancer, but a business sending invoices daily will hit it.
What Zoho Invoice handles for free
- Tax-compliant invoices in one click, sent by email or saved as a PDF
- Payments by cards, e-wallets and ACH (ACH is a US bank transfer method, listed on the US page)
- Automated payment reminders
- Invoice templates you can modify to match your brand
- Quotes and recurring invoices
- Expense records, projects and timesheets
- A self-service customer portal and reports on sales, receivables and expenses
- Integrations with Zoho CRM, Analytics and Books, plus apps for iOS and Android
Automated reminders are the feature I'd switch on first, and they work best alongside clear payment terms on every invoice. If late payers are your real headache, I've also written about using AI to chase late invoices.
Support is listed as 24/5 free email and voice support. On privacy, Zoho says it neither shows ads nor sells your information, and its FAQ describes its own security measures. There's also a demo account you can explore before signing up, which I'd use to check the templates.
When you'll outgrow Zoho Invoice
There's no paid Zoho Invoice plan on the page. Past the limits, Zoho points growing businesses to Zoho Billing as the advanced option, or asks you to contact its product experts by email to find a fit. So the upgrade path is a different product, which is worth knowing before you build habits around this one.
Who Zoho Invoice is for, and who it isn't
It suits freelancers, sole traders and very small firms that mostly need to send tidy invoices and quotes, take card or ACH payments, send reminders and record expenses without a monthly bill. The page itself lists freelancers, consultancies, contractors, auto repairs, law firms, and travel and tourism among the businesses it's suited for.
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Skip it if you send more than 500 invoices a year, if more than two people need access, if you want your own branding with no badge, or if your account might sit untouched for months.
My advice on Zoho Invoice
I'd start using it today if you're a freelancer or a two-person business that sends a steady trickle of invoices and wants reminders and card payments without paying for software. I'd skip it if you need your own clean branding or a bigger team, and I'd set a reminder to log in every few months, because the 180-day rule is the one thing here that can cost you.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Zoho Invoice free?
Yes. The pricing page shows 0 dollars and says Zoho Invoice is free for small business owners, freelancers and entrepreneurs.
How many invoices can I send with Zoho Invoice?
Up to 500 invoices a year, with up to two users and a maximum of three projects.
Can I remove the Powered by Zoho Invoice branding?
The page says Zoho Invoice includes Powered by Zoho Invoice branding and doesn't list a way to remove it. For bigger needs it points you to Zoho Billing.
What happens if I stop using Zoho Invoice?
If you're inactive for more than 180 days, Zoho says your data will be deleted within the next 20 days. You'll get a notification first, and logging back in or backing up keeps it.
