By no means, starting a freelance career is like climbing up an arduous path up a steep hill. It is time-consuming, overwhelming and a bit confusing at times.

The most important things are the portfolio and the clients. If you already have both you are born under a lucky star. But before starting working on the projects, you should think about how you are going to manage your finances.

Freelancers usually find finance management a dreadful part of the business. But how you are going to be a successful professional without taking care for your business’s expenses, taxes, payments …

You need to send your clients invoices and estimates and you are probably willing to use a online tool which is easy to manage, well-designed and just suitable for your freelance business.

Here is a selection of some of the greatest and free tools for freelance designers.

Due.com

Due is a one of best tools for invoicing because of its functionalities and beautiful design. The dashboard is well-organized and intuitively designed. There are beautifully designed invoice templates that will be suitable for your online presence. It is an option to upload and add your logo to be included on the invoices.

It is also possible to use the time tracking system so your clients know exactly how much time you spend on their projects.

Sage One

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Sage One is an online accounting software that is specifically designed for small business owners that do not have any bookkeeping experience. The best news is that it is completely free. There are customizable quotes and estimates. Invoice templates are super easy to use and customize.

You can check progress and figures with beautifully crafted reports. And there is also an option for a bank integration so you can link your financial accounts. Sage One also make it easy to invoice clients in 32 global currencies.

Invoice Ninja

Invoice Ninja is an online invoicing and time tracking application with a forever free plan. 10 invoice templates are provided so you can make an impression on your clients. Quotations are also incorporated so you can easily send one to a client for approval. Clients also can convert quotations to invoices and pay online.

Invoice Ninja makes it possible to email invoices to clients and accept online payments. You can integrate your account with Stripe.com, Paypal and Authorize.net or choose from 30+ top payment gateways. Invoice Ninja is a very flexible tool for freelancers.

Workweek



Workweek is a new application suitable for freelance designers but it is still in development stage. It seems a promising one. The features are very tempting for anyone starting online business. There is a free plan which includes a portfolio website with inbuilt invoice system and payment processing.

You can get tasks online by using the contact form on your website and set up a meeting. When project is given, you can create and send invoice and get paid online. For $4 or $8 a month you can get some other amazing features. Workweek sounds like a great app so you can sign up to receive a notification when it is available.

Invoice App

Invoice App is also created to help freelances and small businesses. It is an app that provides invoice and project management which can be done on your desktop computer and laptop or on you mobile phone. Invoices are easily created, adjusted and emailed. Online payments are also easy to be used and you select your payment option.

You can also create proformas and quotes, manage projects and track the time you spend on a particular project or task. The Forever Free plan includes 5 invoices per month, 5 clients, 5 companies and 5 files. Great for a starting freelancer. For $3.99 a month you get an unlimited access.

Project and finance management is crucial for any freelancer and choosing the right tool is important for a smooth working process. Most freelancers try a few tools to see which one is the best one in terms of functionality, features and options. I do hope you found a tool that will suit your needs.

Do you have a suggestion for an online invoicing tool? Leave a comment below and I can add it to the list.