Choosing the right invoicing platform saves hours every month and keeps you on the right side of Hacienda. This guide gives you a short list by use case, a Verifactu compliance checklist, and real price ranges. For the wider picture, start with our electronic invoice guide.
Quick answers:
What is the best invoicing platform right now? renn, FacturaDirecta, Quipu, and Holded are the strongest options for autónomos and small businesses. Each balances ease of use with compliance.
Do I need Facturae for every invoice? No. Only when billing a public administration. Facturae is the XML format used for B2G via FACe.
When does B2B e-invoicing become mandatory? It rolls out in phases once the Ministerial Order under the Crea y Crece law is published. Pick a Verifactu-ready tool now.
Is a free app enough? For simple invoicing, yes. Always check the Verifactu and Facturae roadmap before committing.
Best invoicing platform: picks by use case
Freelancers and service autónomos:FacturaDirecta. Clean interface, Verifactu mode active, taxes in one click. If you also want bank reconciliation, Quipu is a strong alternative.
Small businesses that need more than invoicing:Holded. Invoicing, inventory, projects, bank reconciliation, and SEPA direct debits in one place.
Start free with simple invoicing:Zoho Invoice or SumUp Invoices. Strong for sending invoices and collecting online. Verify compliance limits before relying on them long-term.
Why these platforms stand out:
Verifactu readiness and immutable invoice records under RD 1007/2023
Facturae export for public-sector clients
VAT and IRPF handling per line, including recargo de equivalencia
Bank connectors, reconciliation, and payment links
Transparent euro pricing
Note on global tools:Stripe Invoicing and FreshBooks are excellent for online payments and AR but do not ship Facturae or Verifactu natively. Use them for international clients and add a local layer if you need Verifactu mode or Facturae.
Verifactu in brief: from 1 July 2027, the software you use to issue invoices must be a certified invoicing system (SIF) compliant with RD 1007/2023. In Verifactu mode it sends records to the AEAT in real time. Outside that mode it still must meet the anti-tampering rules. Pick a tool that is already prepared.
B2B e-invoicing: the Crea y Crece law makes structured B2B e-invoicing mandatory in phases once the final Ministerial Order is published. Your software must issue structured invoices, support signatures, and interoperate with other platforms.
B2G via FACe: if you bill public administrations, you need Facturae 3.2.1 or 3.2.2 and the ability to submit via FACe. Confirm your platform does this natively.
TicketBAI: if you operate in the Basque Country, TicketBAI is mandatory. In Bizkaia it is part of the Batuz system. Confirm your software is TicketBAI-certified.
Compliance checklist before you commit:
Verifactu-ready under RD 1007/2023: QR on invoices, immutable records, full audit trail, optional AEAT submission
Facturae 3.2.x export and FACe submission, native or via connector
VAT and IRPF per line, including recargo de equivalencia
Bank connectors and reconciliation; SEPA direct debits for recurring billing
Easy invoicing and time tracking; strong for agencies and consultancies.
Heads up: verify local formats and compliance coverage.
Free invoicing apps: when they work and when they don’t
When they work well: Zoho Invoice is free and very strong on automations. SumUp Invoices has no fixed fee you only pay if you collect by card or link. Both are good options to start, or when most clients pay online.
When they fall short: if you need to issue Facturae for public administrations or will be operating in Verifactu mode after 1 July 2027, you need a clear compliance path: native features, a reliable add-on, or a migration plan that does not lose your data.
Hidden costs to watch:
Online payment fees (approximately 0.4% on Stripe plus card fees)
Scan and client-count limits on free plans
No bank connectors and slower support on the free tier
Best by use case
Service autónomos and micro-businesses: start with renn or Quipu. If you must start at zero spend, use Zoho Invoice and plan the switch when Verifactu or FACe become mandatory.
SMBs with products and stock: pick Holded or STEL Order. You will want inventory, delivery notes, and SEPA direct debits.
Agencies and consultancies with time tracking: FreshBooks or Zoho Books. They combine time-tracking and invoicing and connect well with project tools.
International payments as a priority: pair your local compliance platform with Stripe Invoicing or the vendor’s native payment links. Reconcile through bank connectors.
Basque Country: verify the vendor’s TicketBAI certification and that QR-based flows work end to end.
Integrations, payments, and bank reconciliation
Payment gateways: choose between Stripe (approximately 0.4% per paid invoice plus card fees) and the vendor’s native payment links. For B2B, confirm SEPA direct debit and batch remittances.
Bank support: check supported banks, auto-reconciliation rules, CSV fallback, and feed refresh frequency.
Accountant handoff: your accountant needs their own access. Exports should include CSV and journal entries split by VAT and IRPF.
Automation and API: look for Zapier, Make, or REST API connections to CRM, proposals, and project tools.
Pricing and plan limits
Typical monthly ranges excluding VAT:
Basic invoicing: €6 to €15. Examples: Billin basic, FacturaDirecta basic.
