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Head-to-head · Freelance Invoicing Software

Bonsai vs Invoice Ninja

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Bonsai #4 in Freelance Invoicing Software 8.8/10 From $9/user/mo (annual) · 7-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Bonsai
Invoice Ninja #6 in Freelance Invoicing Software 8.3/10 Free plan · paid from $14/user/mo Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Invoice Ninja

Bonsai leads on 0 checks, Invoice Ninja on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreBonsai · 8.8/10
  • Free planonly Invoice Ninja
  • Free trialonly Bonsai
  • Most featuresBonsai · 5 of 5

Bonsai scores higher on our rubric for freelance invoicing software: 8.8 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.

Bonsai is the better fit for freelancers wanting an all-in-one workspace. Invoice Ninja is the better fit for freelancers who want flexible free or self-hosted invoicing.

  • Bonsai fits best

    Freelancers wanting an all-in-one workspace

  • Invoice Ninja fits best

    Freelancers who want flexible free or self-hosted invoicing

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Bonsai 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Invoice Ninja 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.3
Ranking #4 in Freelance Invoicing Software #6 in Freelance Invoicing Software
Best for Freelancers wanting an all-in-one workspace Freelancers who want flexible free or self-hosted invoicing
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price From $9/user/mo (annual) · 7-day trial Free plan · paid from $14/user/mo
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile, Desktop, Browser extension Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Chrome extension Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Integrations 8 integrations 12 integrations
Features Bonsai 5/5 · Invoice Ninja 1/5
Recurring invoices ✓ ✓
Online payments ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Time tracking ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Expense tracking ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Client portal ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Mobile apps Ios and android Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Recurring invoices support weekly, biweekly, monthly, or yearly schedules
  • Combines invoicing, time and expense tracking, and a client portal
  • Integrates with QuickBooks Online, Xero, Stripe, and PayPal
  • Free plan includes recurring invoices, auto-billing, and online payment gateways
  • Pro adds unlimited clients and invoices, reminders, reports, and REST API access
  • Hosted apps, self-hosting, and integrations including Stripe, PayPal, and Zapier
Cons
  • Invoicing and payments start at the Essentials plan
  • The lowest annual price requires annual billing
  • Elite requires a three-user minimum
  • Free plan is limited to 5 clients
  • Advanced functions such as bank sync and PEPPOL access require Enterprise
  • Many options across hosted and self-hosted editions may take time to evaluate
Our verdict

Bonsai brings invoicing into a wider workspace for freelancers, agencies, and other client-based businesses. Alongside invoices and online payments, it covers project and client management, time and expense tracking, contracts, proposals,…

Read the review →

Invoice Ninja is invoicing and payment software for freelancers, contractors, consultants, agencies, and small businesses. It covers creating and sending invoices and quotes, collecting online payments through connected gateways, recurring…

Read the review →
  1. BonsaiFreelance Invoicing Software 8.8From $9/user/mo (annual) · 7-day trial
  2. Invoice NinjaFreelance Invoicing Software 8.3Free plan · paid from $14/user/mo

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Bonsai — where it wins

    • Recurring invoices support weekly, biweekly, monthly, or yearly schedules
    • Combines invoicing, time and expense tracking, and a client portal
    • Integrates with QuickBooks Online, Xero, Stripe, and PayPal

    Where it doesn't

    • Invoicing and payments start at the Essentials plan
    • The lowest annual price requires annual billing
    • Elite requires a three-user minimum

  • Invoice Ninja — where it wins

    • Free plan includes recurring invoices, auto-billing, and online payment gateways
    • Pro adds unlimited clients and invoices, reminders, reports, and REST API access
    • Hosted apps, self-hosting, and integrations including Stripe, PayPal, and Zapier

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan is limited to 5 clients
    • Advanced functions such as bank sync and PEPPOL access require Enterprise
    • Many options across hosted and self-hosted editions may take time to evaluate
  • Bonsai8.8/10 · From $9/user/mo (annual) · 7-day trial

    An invoicing option for freelancers who want project, client, and payment tools together.

    Visit BonsaiFull verdict →
  • Invoice Ninja8.3/10 · Free plan · paid from $14/user/mo

    Flexible invoicing with a free tier, payment tools, and hosted or self-hosted options.

    Visit Invoice NinjaFull verdict →

More comparisons

All freelance invoicing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update