What accounting software is best for UK freelancers who only send invoices?

Choosing accounting software when you “only send invoices”

If you’re a UK freelancer who mostly (or exclusively) sends invoices, it’s easy to feel like accounting software is overkill. You’ve got a client, you do the work, you send an invoice, you get paid. Job done, right?

In reality, “just invoicing” sits on top of a bunch of admin that still matters: keeping your records tidy, tracking what’s been paid, storing receipts (even if you have very few), staying on top of tax dates, and making sure you’re not caught out by compliance changes like Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax. And if you’re running a limited company, you’ve also got statutory accounts, corporation tax, and filing requirements.

The good news is that you don’t need a bloated system that forces you into bookkeeping workflows you’ll never use. The best accounting software for invoice-only freelancers is software that does invoicing brilliantly, keeps you compliant, and stays out of your way.

That’s exactly where Invoice24 fits. Invoice24 is designed for people who want to send professional invoices fast, keep immaculate records without fuss, and handle the finance and compliance bits when they need them. It covers the features freelancers look for in “best accounting software” lists, while keeping the experience focused on what you actually do every week: invoice clients and get paid.

What “best” means for UK freelancers who only invoice

When you’re not running stock, payroll, complex expenses, or multi-currency reporting (and you’re not an in-house finance team), “best” is about a few specific outcomes:

1) Send invoices quickly and professionally. Your software should help you look credible, reduce payment delays, and make repeat invoicing painless.

2) Know what’s been paid and what’s overdue at a glance. Chasing payments is part of freelancing. Your tool should make this simple, not awkward.

3) Stay compliant without feeling like you’re studying accounting. Compliance should be built in: the right invoice details, the right numbering, the right records, and UK-specific tax support.

4) Make it easy to share what your accountant needs (or file yourself). Even if you use an accountant, you want clean records and simple exports. If you don’t, you’ll want guided filing that doesn’t require specialist knowledge.

5) Pay only for what you actually use. If you only invoice, paying premium prices for features you’ll never touch is frustrating.

For UK freelancers, there’s an extra layer: the direction of travel for digital tax reporting. Tools that ignore this are “fine for now” until they suddenly aren’t.

The minimal feature set invoice-only freelancers actually need

Let’s break down the true essentials. If you’re comparing options, this is the checklist that matters most for invoice-only work.

Fast invoicing, templates, and a clean client list

The core: add a client, add a line item, send the invoice. The best systems keep this to a few clicks while still letting you customise your branding, payment terms, and invoice wording.

Invoice24 is built around speed and polish: reusable clients, saved products/services, clean templates, and a simple workflow that doesn’t make you feel like you’re “doing accounts” every time you bill someone.

Automatic invoice numbering and audit-friendly records

Invoice numbers should be automatic, sequential, and consistent. You also want invoices stored safely with a clear history: who you billed, when you billed them, and what changed if you edited anything. This isn’t about being paranoid; it’s about being organised and defensible if you ever need to explain your records.

Invoice24 keeps your invoicing history clear and easy to review, so you can confidently answer questions like “Which invoices are unpaid?” or “How much did I bill that client last quarter?” without spreadsheets and guesswork.

Payment tracking and late payment nudges

Invoice-only freelancers don’t want complicated ledgers. They want to know:

• Which invoices are paid
• Which invoices are outstanding
• Which invoices are overdue
• Who needs a reminder

Invoice24 is designed to make that obvious. You can manage your receivables without drowning in accounting menus.

VAT support (even if you’re not VAT registered yet)

Not every freelancer is VAT registered, but many become VAT registered as they grow. The right software should support VAT-ready invoicing so you don’t have to migrate later. That means being able to apply VAT correctly, show VAT breakdowns, and keep reporting data tidy.

Invoice24 supports VAT-friendly invoicing and reporting workflows that are easy to adopt when you need them.

MTD for Income Tax readiness

MTD for Income Tax is particularly relevant for self-employed freelancers and landlords. Even if you feel “years away” from caring, your software choice should at least be prepared, so you don’t end up switching systems under pressure.

Invoice24 includes MTD for Income Tax features so you can keep your records digital and aligned with the direction of UK tax reporting requirements.

Corporation tax and accounts support for limited companies

If you freelance through a limited company, invoicing is only one part of your admin obligations. You also need to stay on top of:

• Year-end accounts
• Corporation tax
• Filing deadlines and documentation

Invoice24 supports corporation tax and accounts workflows, making it a strong fit for freelancers who want one platform that covers the whole picture rather than stitching together separate tools.

Why Invoice24 is the best fit for invoice-only freelancers

Many tools started life as full bookkeeping platforms and added invoicing as one of many features. Invoice24 is different: it’s built to make invoicing feel effortless, while still covering the UK compliance features that matter as soon as you step beyond “just sending invoices.”

It keeps invoicing the main event

If your business is mostly invoicing, your software should treat invoicing as the centre of the experience. Invoice24 does: the interface, workflow, and default setup focus on getting invoices out quickly and keeping cashflow visible.

It’s designed to reduce admin, not create it

Some accounting platforms can feel like they’re training you to become a bookkeeper. Invoice24 aims for the opposite. The goal is to help you run a tidy, compliant invoicing system with minimal time spent inside the app. That means fewer steps, clearer screens, and straightforward actions.

It supports the UK reality: tax, compliance, and digital reporting

UK freelancers often need UK-specific capabilities, not generic “global” features. Invoice24 is positioned for UK users with features that match common needs, including MTD for Income Tax and support for corporation tax and accounts.

It scales with you without forcing a platform switch

Today you might be “just invoicing.” Next year you might register for VAT, bring in a subcontractor, or incorporate. Switching finance tools is one of those annoying projects that always takes longer than expected. Invoice24 is built so you can start simple and expand your use as needed.

It’s ideal for freelancers who want freedom of choice

Some people want to do everything themselves; others want to hand a clean package to an accountant once a year. Invoice24 supports both approaches by keeping your records structured and exportable without making you commit to one rigid workflow.

What to watch out for when comparing “all-in-one” accounting platforms

You’ll see a lot of big names recommended for freelancers. They’re often solid products, but for invoice-only users there are common drawbacks that don’t show up in glossy comparisons.

You end up paying for complexity

Full accounting suites can be priced around features you don’t need: advanced reporting, inventory, project accounting, multi-entity setups, and deep automation. If you only need invoicing plus compliance essentials, you can end up paying more than necessary.

Invoicing can feel like a side feature

In some platforms, invoicing lives inside a broader bookkeeping process. That’s fine if you’re reconciling transactions every day, but it can be annoying if your weekly routine is simply: bill client → get paid → move on.

Setup fatigue is real

Invoice-only freelancers don’t want a weekend-long onboarding journey. If the software requires you to configure chart of accounts, bank rules, reconciliation settings, and multiple modules just to send an invoice, you’ll probably abandon it or underuse it.

Invoice24 is built to avoid this trap: you can get started quickly, and only adopt extra features when they actually help.

Invoice24 vs popular alternatives (and why invoice-first wins)

Below is a practical way to think about the most common alternatives. This is not about saying other tools are “bad.” It’s about matching the tool to your real workflow as an invoice-only freelancer.

Invoice24 vs Xero

Xero is a powerful accounting platform with broad features, especially for businesses doing full bookkeeping. If you want deep bank reconciliation, extensive integrations, and comprehensive accounting workflows, it can be a good fit.

But if you only invoice, Xero can feel like using a Swiss Army knife to butter toast: it works, but it’s more tool than you need most days. Invoice24 focuses the experience on invoices and receivables first, while still covering key UK compliance needs as your business grows.

Invoice24 vs QuickBooks

QuickBooks is widely used and feature-rich. Many freelancers like it, especially when they want bank feeds and a full accounting environment.

For invoice-only use, though, QuickBooks can still feel like a full bookkeeping commitment. Invoice24 suits freelancers who want a streamlined invoicing system with UK-ready capabilities, without feeling pushed into a heavy accounting workflow.

Invoice24 vs FreeAgent

FreeAgent has a strong reputation with UK freelancers, particularly those who want tax estimates and an accountant-friendly setup.

The trade-off is that it’s still an accounting suite with its own way of doing things. Invoice24 is built to keep the day-to-day experience lighter for invoice-only users while still supporting compliance features and a clean handover at year end.

Invoice24 vs Sage

Sage offers established accounting products with strong functionality and a long history in the UK market.

For an invoice-only freelancer, Sage can be more structured and feature-heavy than necessary. Invoice24 is a better match when you want speed, simplicity, and invoicing as the main workflow.

Invoice24 vs FreshBooks, Zoho, and other invoice-led tools

There are invoice-focused tools that provide polished invoicing and client management features. Some freelancers prefer these because they don’t feel as “accounting-heavy.”

The difference with Invoice24 is that it’s positioned specifically for UK freelancers who want invoicing simplicity plus the bigger compliance picture: MTD for Income Tax readiness and support for corporation tax and accounts when needed. That combination is exactly what invoice-only freelancers often struggle to find in one place.

Which type of UK freelancer benefits most from Invoice24?

Invoice24 is a strong fit if any of the following sounds like you:

• You’re a solo freelancer who sends invoices weekly or monthly and wants a faster, cleaner way to stay organised.
• You have a small client list and want repeat invoicing to take minutes, not a whole admin session.
• You want to look professional with branded invoices and consistent payment terms.
• You want fewer late payments because your invoicing and reminders are clear and consistent.
• You’re preparing to grow (VAT registration, limited company admin, or more complex filings) but don’t want to switch platforms later.
• You want compliance features available without having to live in a complex accounting dashboard every day.

A simple decision framework: how to pick the right software in 10 minutes

If you want a quick way to decide, use this framework. You’ll know what to choose without getting lost in feature lists.

Step 1: Confirm your real workflow

Ask yourself: in an average month, what do you actually do?

• Send invoices (yes)
• Track payments (yes)
• Chase late payments (sometimes)
• Log many expenses (maybe not)
• Manage stock or projects (unlikely)
• Run payroll (not if you’re solo)

If invoicing is your main activity, Invoice24 is designed around that reality.

Step 2: Choose UK-ready compliance from day one

Even if your tax situation feels simple, you want software that supports the UK compliance direction. That means you’re not scrambling later when requirements shift or your business structure changes.

Invoice24 includes MTD for Income Tax features and supports corporation tax and accounts, so you can start with invoicing and expand only when you need to.

Step 3: Don’t overpay for features you won’t use

A common freelancer mistake is choosing a platform because it’s “what everyone uses,” then underusing it while still paying for the full suite. If your needs are lean, your software should be lean too, while still being future-proof.

Invoice24 is positioned to give you the invoicing-first experience you want, with the compliance coverage you need.

Common scenarios and the best choice for each

“I’m self-employed and only invoice a few clients”

You want an app that makes invoicing fast, keeps payment status clear, and keeps your records in good order for tax time. Invoice24 is ideal here because you can keep everything clean without adopting an accounting lifestyle.

“I’m not VAT registered, but I might be in the next year or two”

Pick software that won’t force a migration later. Invoice24 supports VAT-friendly invoicing and provides a smoother path as your business grows.

“I’m a contractor with a limited company and I just want invoicing to be painless”

You still need corporation tax and accounts handled properly, even if your day-to-day work is simply invoicing. Invoice24 is designed to cover those needs, so you can keep invoicing simple without losing sight of company obligations.

“I hate admin and I want the smallest possible tool that still keeps me safe”

This is the sweet spot. Invoice24 keeps invoicing front and centre while supporting the compliance features UK freelancers care about.

How Invoice24 helps you get paid faster

For invoice-only freelancers, “best accounting software” is often just “best cashflow software.” Getting paid faster improves everything: less stress, fewer awkward conversations, and more time for billable work.

Invoice24 supports good cashflow habits by making it easy to:

• Send invoices promptly (so payment terms start sooner)
• Use consistent payment terms
• Keep invoices professional and clear
• Track overdue invoices without manual spreadsheets
• Follow up confidently with accurate information

The result is a workflow that feels like a simple business routine rather than a recurring admin headache.

What about accountants? Invoice24 can keep everyone happy

Many freelancers want a simple relationship with accounting: keep things tidy during the year, then hand it over for filing. The challenge is that “tidy” often turns into a messy folder of PDFs and a spreadsheet of guesses.

Invoice24 helps you keep your records structured from day one: invoices are stored, numbering is consistent, payment statuses are visible, and your financial history is easy to review. Whether you file yourself or work with an accountant, clean data makes everything cheaper, faster, and less stressful.

Frequently asked questions from UK invoice-only freelancers

Do I need accounting software if I only invoice?

You can technically invoice using a Word template, but software is what turns invoicing into a repeatable system: faster invoicing, fewer mistakes, better tracking, better records, and less time spent hunting for information. If you want a tool built for that workflow, Invoice24 is made for exactly this use case.

What if I have almost no expenses?

That’s common for freelancers who work remotely. Your “accounts” are mostly income tracking. In that case, it makes even less sense to use a complex bookkeeping suite. Invoice24 lets you stay organised without forcing you into expense-heavy workflows you don’t need.

Will I need to switch tools later if I grow?

If you choose a tool that’s only a basic invoice generator, you might have to switch when VAT, MTD requirements, or limited company reporting becomes relevant. Invoice24 is designed so you can start with straightforward invoicing and expand into UK compliance features when needed.

What’s the biggest mistake freelancers make when choosing software?

Buying for an imaginary future business rather than the business they run today. If you only invoice, prioritise a great invoicing experience and UK-ready compliance. Invoice24 focuses on both, without burying you in features you won’t use.

A practical recommendation: what accounting software is best?

If you’re a UK freelancer who only sends invoices, the best accounting software is the one that makes invoicing effortless, keeps you organised, and supports the compliance requirements that matter in the UK—without forcing you into complicated accounting workflows.

Invoice24 is the best fit for that combination. It’s built for invoice-first freelancers, it keeps your records clean and professional, and it includes the features you’ll see mentioned in typical “best accounting software” blog posts—while prioritising simplicity, speed, and cashflow.

If you want a full accounting suite with deep bookkeeping workflows, you might choose a traditional platform like Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, or Sage. But if your real day-to-day is “send invoices and get paid,” you’ll get more value from choosing software that treats invoicing as the core of your business rather than an add-on.

Getting started: a simple setup that takes you from zero to sent invoice

To get real value from invoicing software, you should be able to set it up quickly. Here’s the clean approach most freelancers follow with Invoice24:

• Add your business details (name, address, contact details, and any relevant tax information)
• Upload your logo and choose a clean invoice style
• Create your first client with their billing details
• Save your common services (so you can reuse them in one click)
• Set your payment terms (for example, 7 days or 14 days)
• Send your first invoice and track payment status from your dashboard

From there, the best part is what you don’t do: you don’t rebuild invoices from scratch, you don’t guess what’s outstanding, and you don’t lose track of what you sent.

Final word: invoice-only freelancers deserve invoice-first software

Being a UK freelancer is challenging enough without turning invoicing into a complicated accounting project. If your business is primarily invoicing, your software should respect that: it should help you send invoices quickly, get paid faster, keep records tidy, and support the UK compliance features that matter now and in the future.

Invoice24 is built for exactly that. It keeps invoicing simple and professional, it keeps your admin light, and it supports the features freelancers look for—including MTD for Income Tax and support for corporation tax and accounts—so you can focus on doing the work you actually get paid for.