Which one should you use?
If you want full control over your data and do not mind managing a server, Invoice Ninja's self-hosted option is a genuinely different kind of tool. If you would rather sign up and send a quote in minutes with nothing to install, update, or maintain, BillSend is the simpler path.
Feature comparison
Solo tradespeople and freelancers sending quotes and invoices
Freelancers and small businesses wanting an open-source, self-hostable invoicing platform
Quotes and invoices — nothing else
Invoicing, quotes, expenses, and a client portal, with the option to self-host
One flat monthly price, no per-user fees
Free if self-hosted (you run your own server); paid tiers on the hosted version
5 free quotes, 5 free invoices, and 5 free templates — no card required
Free if self-hosted; the hosted free tier is limited
Passwordless — a sign-in link is emailed to you, nothing to remember
Standard email + password account
Minutes — add your branding and send your first quote
Minutes on the hosted plan; self-hosting requires server setup and ongoing maintenance
English, Turkish, and Arabic
Supports many languages; self-hosted setup is technical regardless of language
| BillSend | Invoice Ninja | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Solo tradespeople and freelancers sending quotes and invoices | Freelancers and small businesses wanting an open-source, self-hostable invoicing platform |
| Core focus | Quotes and invoices — nothing else | Invoicing, quotes, expenses, and a client portal, with the option to self-host |
| Pricing model | One flat monthly price, no per-user fees | Free if self-hosted (you run your own server); paid tiers on the hosted version |
| Free plan | 5 free quotes, 5 free invoices, and 5 free templates — no card required | Free if self-hosted; the hosted free tier is limited |
| Sign-in | Passwordless — a sign-in link is emailed to you, nothing to remember | Standard email + password account |
| Setup time | Minutes — add your branding and send your first quote | Minutes on the hosted plan; self-hosting requires server setup and ongoing maintenance |
| Languages | English, Turkish, and Arabic | Supports many languages; self-hosted setup is technical regardless of language |
Frequently asked questions
Self-hosted means installing Invoice Ninja on your own server instead of using a company's cloud. It gives you full data control but means you are responsible for setup, updates, and security. BillSend is fully hosted — nothing to install or maintain.
The self-hosted version is free if you run your own server, which has its own costs and time investment. The hosted version has a limited free tier and paid plans. Check invoiceninja.com for current details.
If you do not want to manage a server or learn a feature-rich platform partly built for developers, BillSend's narrower focus — just quotes and invoices — is faster to learn and has nothing to maintain.
Invoice Ninja is a trademark of InvoiceNinja LLC. BillSend is not affiliated with or endorsed by Invoice Ninja. Competitor pricing and features can change — check invoiceninja.com for current details.
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