xTom - Comparing the 6 Best Self-Hosted Invoicing Apps

Invoicing is a critical component of any business, ensuring that payments are tracked, managed, and received in a timely manner.

And while many cloud-based solutions are available, self-hosted invoicing apps offer greater control, customization, and often enhanced privacy. Plus many of them are open sourced and free.

That said, in this article we'll compare some of the best self-hosted invoicing apps, highlighting their key features, benefits, and potential drawbacks.

But first, let me go a bit further in depth why one would pick a self-hosted solution over a cloud-based option:

Why choose self-hosted invoicing apps over cloud options?

Paid hosted invoicing solutions like FreshBooks, QuickBooks Online, and Xero offer convenience, automatic updates, and customer support.

They're often the go-to choice for businesses that prioritize ease of use and are willing to pay for a subscription service.

However, self-hosted invoicing apps present several advantages:

Cost savings:

Hosted solutions: Monthly or annual subscription fees that can add up over time.
Self-hosted solutions: Typically free or one-time purchase costs, with expenses mainly for hosting and maintenance.

Data privacy and control:

Hosted solutions: Data stored on third-party servers, potentially subject to data breaches and access by the service provider.
Self-hosted solutions: Complete control over data, stored on your own servers, enhancing privacy and security.

Customization:

Hosted solutions: Limited to the features and customizability offered by the provider.
Self-hosted solutions: Greater flexibility to customize features and integrations to suit specific business needs.

No vendor lock-in:

Hosted solutions: Dependence on the provider's infrastructure and policies.
Self-hosted solutions: Freedom to switch hosting providers or modify the software without restrictions.

The 6 best self-hosted invoicing apps

Now that we've covered why one would want to use a self-hosted invoicing app, let's compare the 6 best ones currently available.

1. Invoice Ninja

Invoice Ninja

Overview: Invoice Ninja is both a free and paid application (depending on your needs) and overall a powerful and versatile invoicing application that provides comprehensive features for small to medium-sized businesses.

It's open-source and can be self-hosted, giving businesses complete control over their invoicing processes.

Key features:

Create and send professional invoices and quotes.
Accept payments online with integrated payment gateways.
Track expenses and time for projects.
Multi-currency and multi-language support.
Customizable templates and branding options.
Recurring invoicing and auto-billing.
Detailed financial reports and analytics.

Benefits:

Feature-rich and highly customizable.
Supports multiple users with role-based access.
Active community and regular updates.

Drawbacks:

Can be complex to set up and configure for non-technical users.
Requires server resources and maintenance.

2. InvoicePlane

InvoicePlane

Overview: InvoicePlane is another free and open-source invoicing solution designed for simplicity and ease of use.

It's suitable for freelancers, small businesses, and medium-sized enterprises looking for a straightforward invoicing system.

Key features:

Create, manage, and send invoices and quotes.
Track payments and partial payments.
Client management with detailed records.
Multi-language and multi-currency support.
Customizable invoice templates.
Simple reporting and analytics.

Benefits:

User-friendly interface with an intuitive design.
Easy to install and configure.
Active community support.

Drawbacks:

Limited advanced features compared to other solutions.
Customization options are somewhat restricted.

3. Siwapp

Siwapp

Overview: Siwapp is free and simple yet effective invoicing application focused on providing essential invoicing features without the complexity of larger systems.

It's ideal for small businesses and freelancers who need a reliable invoicing tool.

Key features:

Create and send invoices quickly.
Track payments and due dates.
Basic client management.
Customizable invoice templates.
Recurring invoicing.
Simple financial reports.

Benefits:

Lightweight and easy to set up.
Clean and minimalistic interface.
Requires minimal server resources.

Drawbacks:

Limited feature set.
Not as actively maintained as other solutions.

4. BambooInvoice

BambooInvoice

Overview: BambooInvoice is a free, simple, and user-friendly invoicing application designed for freelancers and small businesses.

It focuses on providing an easy-to-use interface with essential invoicing features.

Key features:

Create and send professional invoices.
Client management with detailed records.
Track payments and invoice status.
Customizable invoice templates.
Multi-language support.
Basic reporting.

Benefits:

Very easy to set up and use.
Clean and straightforward interface.
Lightweight and requires minimal server resources.

Drawbacks:

Limited to basic invoicing features.
Less customizable compared to other solutions.
Fewer updates and community support.

5. Akaunting

Akaunting

Overview: Akaunting is a free comprehensive accounting software that includes invoicing as one of its core features.

It's designed to be an all-in-one financial management solution for small to medium-sized businesses.

Key features:

Invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting.
Client and vendor management.
Multi-currency and multi-language support.
Inventory management.
Customizable templates and email notifications.
Extensive app marketplace for additional features.

Benefits:

All-in-one solution for financial management.
Highly customizable with plugins and apps.
Active community and regular updates.

Drawbacks:

More complex than dedicated invoicing apps.
May require more server resources.

6. OpenSourceBilling

OpenSourceBilling

Overview: OpenSourceBilling is a free and open-source invoicing solution designed for simplicity and efficiency.

It's ideal for freelancers and small businesses looking for an easy-to-use and self-hosted invoicing system.

Key Features:

Create and manage invoices and quotes.
Client management with detailed records.
Track payments and invoice status.
Customizable invoice templates.
Recurring invoices.
Basic reporting and analytics.

Benefits:

Easy to set up and use.
Lightweight and requires minimal server resources.
Active community and regular updates.

Drawbacks:

Limited advanced features compared to other solutions.
Customization options are somewhat restricted.

Summarization

Feature/software	Invoice Ninja	InvoicePlane	Siwapp	BambooInvoice	Akaunting	OpenSourceBilling
Key Features	Comprehensive invoicing, online payments, expense tracking, customizable templates	Simple invoicing and quotes, multi-language support, basic reporting	Simple invoicing, recurring invoices, minimalistic	Simple invoicing, client management, customizable templates	All-in-one accounting, inventory management, customizable	Simple invoicing, client management, recurring invoices
Ease of Use	Moderate	Easy	Very Easy	Very Easy	Moderate	Easy
Customization	High	Medium	Low	Medium	High	Medium
Community Support	High	High	Medium	Low	High	Medium
Server Requirements	Moderate	Low	Very Low	Very Low	Moderate	Low
Best For	Businesses needing comprehensive features	Freelancers and small businesses	Small businesses and freelancers	Freelancers and small businesses	Small to medium-sized businesses needing comprehensive financial management	Freelancers and small businesses

Conclusion

Choosing the right self-hosted invoicing app depends on your specific business needs, technical expertise, and the level of control you require.

Invoice Ninja offers comprehensive features and customization, making it suitable for businesses looking for a complete invoicing solution.

InvoicePlane, BambooInvoice, and OpenSourceBilling provide simpler alternatives for those who need essential invoicing capabilities without the complexity.

Siwapp offers a minimalistic approach for small businesses and freelancers, while Akaunting stands out as an all-in-one financial management tool.

By evaluating these options based on your requirements, you can find the right self-hosted invoicing app for you.

Looking for hosting?

If you're looking for the right host for your favorite applications, xTom would be happy to step in and complete the job.

We're a decade plus infrastructure as a service provider that provides colocation, transit, dedicated servers, and beyond.

For self hosting smaller apps though, our KVM NVMe VPS line over at V.PSwill work perfectly.

Thanks for giving this article a read and happy self-hosting!