Making an invoice seems simple - until a mistake costs you a client or a fine from Hacienda. Most freelancers and micro‑businesses still type bills in Word, export to PDF, and hope the VAT adds up. That manual routine wastes time, invites errors, and will soon fail Spain’s Verifactu rules. This guide picks the best app for making free invoices, shows hidden limits, and helps you send your next factura in minutes while staying compliant.
Quick Q&A
Q: What is the best app for making free invoices in Spain?
A: renn’s Free Plan tops our list for 2025: up to 25 invoices a month, Spanish tax fields pre‑filled, and a clear Verifactu roadmap.
Q: Do free invoice apps include VAT and IRPF?
A: The good ones do. Always check that the template shows base, tax rate, and total separately and that you can switch between 21 %, 10 %, and 4 % IVA.
Q: Will free apps work with Verifactu?
A: From 1 July 2026 freelancers must issue secure e‑invoices. Look for “Verifactu‑ready” or an official roadmap from the provider.
Best app for making free invoices: Quick answer
renn Free Plan is the best app for making free invoices in Spain.
You get up to 25 invoices each month, unlimited clients, Spanish templates with NIF/CIF fields, and early access to Verifactu XML export. The mobile editor works offline and syncs once you reconnect.
Close runner‑ups like Zoho Invoice and Invoice Ninja fell short because they either cap clients or lack native Spanish fields.
How free invoicing apps work
A free invoicing app lives in the cloud. You sign in, add your logo and tax data, and the software builds a legal PDF every time you hit Send. Providers make money later - either by charging for extra invoices, offering paid bank feeds, or taking a cut on card payments.
Watch for these limits before you fall in love:
- Invoice caps (10-25 per month is common).
- Client caps (certain plans allow only five customers).
- Watermarks or ads on PDFs.
- Limited exports when you switch tools.
GDPR reminder: Spanish GDPR rules require that your data be protected by strict safeguards - it may be stored inside or outside the EU as long as the service uses GDPR‑compliant protections such as EU‑based servers or Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs). Always request a data‑processing agreement. Always ask support for a data‑processing agreement.
Key features to look for in a free invoice app
- Spanish‑compliant template - NIF/CIF, client data, sequential number, IVA, IRPF, legal footer.
- Verifactu‑ready - signed XML export or published roadmap.
- Multi‑language - Spanish, English, Catalan by default for cross‑border work.
- Mobile app with offline drafts - so you can bill on the train.
- Receipt capture - snap tickets and link them to expenses.
- Payment links - embed Stripe or PayPal to cut late payments.
- Basic reports - VAT to pay, quarterly sales, CSV for Modelo 303.
Comparison of top free invoice apps in Spain (2025)
renn (top pick) - Free for up to 25 invoices a month and unlimited clients, NIF/CIF + IVA fields pre-filled, Verifactu beta already live, iOS + Android apps with offline sync, no card-processing surcharge.
SumUp Facturas (ex Debitoor) - Free plan allows 4 invoices a month; Spanish template and IVA ready; already compatible with Verifactu; card payments cost 2.9 % + €0.15.
FacturaDirecta - Unlimited invoices for up to 10 clients/products on the free tier; Spanish taxes built-in; Verifactu-ready today; web-only and charges €5 per user to export data.
Invoice Ninja - Unlimited invoices for up to 5 clients; Spanish tax fields available via community add-on (manual); no Verifactu roadmap yet; free PDFs carry a “Powered by Invoice Ninja” footer.
Zoho Invoice - Free forever for 1 000 invoices per year and up to 3 users; Spanish taxes handled through custom fields; no announced Verifactu plan; Zoho branding removed only on paid plans.
Billdu - No permanent free tier (30-day full-feature trial only). Paid plans start at €4.99/mo with unlimited invoices (Lite = 10-client cap); no public Verifactu timeline; free PDF invoices carry a watermark.
Debitoor - Brand folded into SumUp in 2022; new sign-ups are redirected to SumUp Facturas, so there’s no standalone free plan any more.
Why renn leads: native Spanish template, Verifactu beta already live, and no ads or watermarks.
Hidden costs to watch
- Payment‑gateway mark‑ups - some apps add 0.5 % on top of Stripe fees.
- Brand‑removal fees - removing the provider logo can cost €2 per invoice.
- Backup exports - full CSV may sit behind a €10 paywall.
- Phone support - often paid‑tier only.
Read the pricing page carefully before migrating your entire client list.
Pros & cons : Free invoice app vs. Paid solutions
Pros
- Zero cost while you test a business idea.
- Faster than Word or Excel templates.
- Mobile billing keeps cash flow moving.
Cons
- Caps force upgrades once you grow.
- Ads or watermarks can look unprofessional.
- Limited automation: no bank feeds or Modelo 303 filing.
- Email support can take days.
If you send more than 30 invoices a month or need payroll, a paid suite like Holded or Quipu may pay for itself through saved hours and lower fines.
How to choose the right free invoice app for your business
- Invoice volume - if under ten a month, SumUp or Debitoor might work.
- VAT models needed - renn or FakturaDirecta export to Modelo 303.
- Growth speed - pick a tool with clear, affordable upgrade tiers.
Mini‑case studies
- Graphic designer - 6 invoices/mo, values branding → chooses Billdu for unlimited invoices + custom PDF design.
- Consultant - 15 invoices/quarter, files Modelo 303 → picks renn for CSV export to tax software.
- Marketplace seller - dozens of micro‑invoices → selects Zoho Invoice for bulk invoicing + Stripe links.
What happens when you outgrow a free plan?
Hitting the invoice cap mid‑month can freeze cash flow. Two options:
- Upgrade - most apps offer €8-€15 monthly tiers with unlimited invoices + bank feeds.
- Switch - export data and migrate to an accounting suite before quarter‑end.
Plan the move during a slow week to avoid duplicate invoice numbers.
Want a deeper look at full‑scale accounting platforms? Click here.
Step‑by‑Step: Create your first invoice in 10 minutes
- Sign up - enter email and verify DNI/NIE.
- Add business info - logo, trade name, NIF/CIF, address.
- Create client - input the client NIF/CIF and the system validates the format.
- Add items - pick 21 %, 10 %, or 4 % IVA from dropdown.
- Preview - check totals and legal footer.
- Send - click "Email & WhatsApp." The app attaches PDF and XML (for Verifactu) automatically.
Common Verifactu questions
When do freelancers need to comply?
Freelancers and small businesses under €8 M turnover must issue Verifactu secure e‑invoices from 1 July 2026.
How will the XML look?
The structure is similar to Facturae 3.2, but each invoice includes a signed hash that prevents edits.
Where can I read the official rule?
See article 29.2 j of the Spanish General Tax Law on the Agencia Tributaria site.
Bottom line
The best app for making free invoices in Spain is the one that stays free until your business scales, keeps you inside Spanish tax rules, and offers a clear path to Verifactu. renn’s Free Plan hits those points today, but any tool in this guide can work if it matches your volume and growth. Choose wisely, and your invoices will take minutes - not hours.
