Software comparison
Best Free Invoicing App for Handymen (2026): Square vs Wave vs Zoho Invoice
Three invoicing apps a handyman can genuinely use for $0 a month, what each free plan leaves out, and what you'll actually pay in card fees on a typical $400 job.
Prices checked Oct 19, 2026 on each vendor's official pricing page. Software companies change prices and run promos often, so confirm before you buy.
A handyman's invoicing is different from a cleaner's or a lawn guy's. Most jobs are one-offs, many need a deposit for materials, and you often want to hand over the invoice before you leave the driveway. The good news is that you don't need to pay a monthly fee for any of that. Three apps offer genuinely free plans that work for a one-person handyman business. They differ in card fees and in what they hold back for paid plans.
Every price and limit below comes from each company's own pricing page, checked on October 19, 2026.
The three free options at a glance
| Square Invoices (Square Free) | Wave (Starter) | Zoho Invoice (Free) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Invoice limit | Unlimited | Unlimited | 500 per year |
| Estimates / quotes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deposits | Yes | Listed as a feature; confirm on Starter | Not stated on pricing page |
| Automatic payment reminders | Yes | No (Pro plan, $19/mo) | Yes |
| Online card fee | 3.3% + 30¢ | 2.9% + 60¢ (Amex 3.4% + 60¢) | Depends on the payment option you connect |
| In-person card fee | 2.6% + 15¢ (Tap to Pay on phone, no reader needed) | Not listed | Not listed |
| Bank transfer (ACH) | 1%, $1 minimum | Not listed on pricing page | Not listed |
| Catch | Higher online card fee than paid Square plans; no custom invoice templates on Free | Late reminders and receipt capture are Pro features | "Powered by Zoho Invoice" branding; 2 users; 3 projects |
Square Invoices: the best free pick for most handymen
Square's free plan isn't a trial. Square says you pay nothing monthly, only processing fees when you take a payment. For a handyman, the free plan covers a lot:
- Unlimited invoices and recurring invoices (daily, weekly, monthly or yearly).
- Estimates sent by email, text or link.
- Deposits: request money upfront for materials, then set a separate due date for the balance.
- Automatic payment reminders before, on or after the due date.
- Contracts with e-signature, which is useful for bigger jobs and change orders.
- Tap to Pay on iPhone and Android, so you can take a card in the driveway with no reader.
Fees on Square Free: 3.3% + 30¢ for online and invoice card payments, 2.6% + 15¢ in person, 3.5% + 15¢ for a keyed-in card or card on file, and 1% (with a $1 minimum) for ACH bank transfers through an invoice. Next-day transfers to your bank are free. Square Plus ($49/mo per location) lowers the online card fee to 2.9% + 30¢ and adds custom invoice templates, payment schedules and a $10 cap on ACH fees. That's only worth it at higher volume.
Start with Square Invoices (free)
Wave: free invoicing plus free bookkeeping
Wave's Starter plan is free and includes unlimited estimates, invoices, bills and bookkeeping records, a mobile app, and a dashboard for cash flow. If you'd otherwise pay for accounting software at tax time, that's a real saving.
The trade-offs: card payments on Starter cost 2.9% + 60¢ (3.4% + 60¢ for Amex), and online payments require approval, including identity verification and a credit review. Automatic late-payment reminders, bank-transaction import and unlimited receipt capture are on Pro at $19/mo (or $190/yr). Pro also drops the 60¢ fixed fee on your first 10 card transactions each month.
Zoho Invoice: free automatic reminders and a customer portal
Zoho Invoice calls itself "forever-free." Its pricing page lists quotes, recurring invoices, automatic payment reminders, expense tracking, time tracking and projects, and a self-service customer portal. It also offers 24/5 email and phone support.
The limits are on the same page: up to two users, three projects and 500 invoices per year, and invoices include "Powered by Zoho Invoice" branding. For a handyman sending 5 to 30 invoices a month, 500 a year is plenty. Zoho also says data from accounts inactive for over 180 days is deleted after notice, so log in now and then or keep backups.
What you'd actually pay on a $400 job
The app is free, but card payments aren't. Here's the fee on a single $400 job at the published rates:
| How the customer pays | Fee |
|---|---|
| Square Free, card through the invoice (3.3% + 30¢) | $13.50 |
| Square Free, Tap to Pay in person (2.6% + 15¢) | $10.55 |
| Square Free, bank transfer through the invoice (1%) | $4.00 |
| Wave Starter, card online (2.9% + 60¢) | $12.20 |
| Invoice Simple, card online (3.49% + 49¢), for comparison | $14.45 plus the subscription |
| Cash, check or Zelle | $0 (record it as paid) |
The cheapest habit, whatever app you use, is to ask repeat customers and landlords to pay by bank transfer.
When a paid app is worth it
- Invoice Simple starts at $6.99/mo for 3 invoices a month, $14.99/mo for 10, and $21.99/mo for unlimited invoices with client signatures and deposits. It's simple and well-rated, but not free. We compare it head-to-head in Square vs Invoice Simple for contractors.
- Joist retired its free plan. Basics is $10/mo for 5 documents a month, and Pro ($17/mo) adds unlimited documents, your logo and photos.
- Jobber (Core from $29/mo billed annually) makes sense once you're scheduling other people or booking jobs online. See how to send professional quotes from your phone.
Our pick
Start with Square Invoices on the free plan if you want deposits, reminders and on-the-spot card payments for $0 a month. Try Square Invoices
Pick Wave if free bookkeeping matters more to you than automatic reminders. Pick Zoho Invoice if you want automatic reminders and a customer portal and don't mind the Zoho branding.
Not ready for any app? Our free invoice template is written for landscapers but works fine for handyman jobs too.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free invoicing app for a handyman?
For most handymen, Square Invoices on the Square Free plan: $0 a month, unlimited invoices and estimates, deposits, automatic payment reminders, and Tap to Pay on your phone. You pay only processing fees, 3.3% + 30¢ for online or invoice card payments (checked Oct 19, 2026).
Is Wave really free?
Wave's Starter plan has no monthly fee and includes unlimited estimates, invoices and bookkeeping records. You pay 2.9% + 60¢ per credit card payment (3.4% + 60¢ for Amex) if you accept cards. The Pro plan ($19/mo or $190/yr) adds automatic late-payment reminders and lower card fees on your first 10 transactions each month.
What are the limits of Zoho Invoice's free plan?
Zoho Invoice says its free plan allows up to two users, three projects and 500 invoices per year, and adds "Powered by Zoho Invoice" branding. It includes quotes, recurring invoices, automatic payment reminders, time tracking and a customer portal.
Does Joist still have a free plan?
No. Joist's pricing page says its free plan is no longer available. Joist Basics is $10/mo for up to 5 documents a month, and every plan has a 14-day free trial with no credit card.
Can I take a deposit before buying materials?
Yes with Square Invoices: deposits are included on the free plan, and you can set a separate due date for the balance. Invoice Simple only includes deposits on its Premium plan ($21.99/mo). Wave lists deposits through estimates as a feature, so confirm it's on the free Starter plan when you sign up.
Do I need an app at all?
Not if you send only a few invoices a month. A free printable or spreadsheet template works fine at first. The main reasons to switch are online card payments, automatic reminders, and not retyping customer details.
Sources we checked
- Square Invoices pricing and plans (checked Oct 19, 2026)
- Wave pricing page (checked Oct 19, 2026)
- Zoho Invoice pricing page (US) (checked Oct 19, 2026)
- Invoice Simple pricing page (checked Oct 19, 2026)
- Joist pricing page (checked Oct 19, 2026)
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