If you’re a freelancer in France, there’s a good chance you’ve run into at least one of these situations:
You sent an invoice and waited… and waited.
You weren’t sure if you needed to include TVA.
A client asked for something called a “Facture en Chorus Pro” and you had no idea what that meant.
You’re not alone. Invoicing as a freelancer in France can get complicated — fast. Between legal formatting, tax numbers, and clients who expect things to be done “just so,” it’s easy to feel like invoicing is more work than the actual project.
That’s why finding the right invoicing tool matters. Not just for making things look good, but for saving you time, helping you avoid mistakes, and maybe even getting you paid faster.
Why You Shouldn’t Be Making Invoices in Word
Let’s be honest: a lot of freelancers start by using Word or Excel to make invoices. It feels quick and flexible — and it works… until it doesn’t.
Here’s why it’s worth switching to an actual invoicing tool:
You’ll stay compliant with French laws (things like invoice numbering, SIRET, TVA, mentions légales).
You won’t forget anything — most tools remind you what to include.
You can track what’s paid and what’s still pending, without digging through your inbox.
Some tools even connect to Chorus Pro, which is required if you invoice public-sector clients.
What to Look for in a Freelancer-Friendly Invoicing Tool
You don’t need enterprise-level software. But you do want something that works in France, understands how micro-entrepreneurship works, and won’t make your life harder.
Here are the things that matter:
- It follows French rules (TVA, SIRET, auto-entrepreneur mentions).
- It’s easy to use — you shouldn’t need a tutorial every time.
- It lets you track invoices and payments, ideally with simple reports.
- Bonus points if it lets your client pay online or connects to Chorus Pro.
Also — make sure it’s not overkill. If you’re a solo worker, you don’t need a full-blown ERP with 100 features you’ll never touch.
Tools That Actually Work: 5 Invoicing Platforms Worth Checking Out
Freebe
Who it’s for: Micro-entrepreneurs who want something built for French freelancers
Freebe is made specifically for auto-entrepreneurs in France. It’s tight with URSSAF, tracks your TVA limits, and calculates contributions for you. If you’re just working inside France and want something built for the system, it nails it.
Why it’s great:
French-first platform
Bank sync + URSSAF-ready
Handles quotes, contracts, and invoices
Super simple interface
It’s subscription-based, but if you’re deep into the micro-entrepreneur ecosystem, it’s worth the money.
Henrri
Who it’s for: Freelancers who want something solid and totally free
Henrri has been around for a while — it’s not flashy, but it’s completely free and actually built for French rules. You can create unlimited invoices and quotes, track payments, and keep things tidy without paying a cent.
Why it’s great:
100% free (for real)
No invoice limit
Legal compliance built in
Perfect if you’re just getting started
If you’re not ready to pay for software, this is one of the few tools that won’t make you compromise on quality.
QuickBooks France
Who it’s for: Freelancers who want invoicing + accounting together
QuickBooks is a global name, but their French version is surprisingly solid. You get invoicing, expense tracking, VAT reports, and a bunch of extras if you’re looking for more control over your numbers.
Why it’s great:
Combines invoicing + accounting
Works with French TVA rules
Mobile app is super smooth
Good if you’re scaling up or working internationally
It’s probably overkill for some freelancers, but if you’re juggling lots of income streams, it gives you visibility across the board.
Tiime
Who it’s for: Freelancers who want everything in one place (including banking)
Tiime is a newer platform that’s really slick. It’s mobile-first, has a built-in business bank account, and connects with accountants too. If you like working from your phone and want your money + invoicing in the same spot, Tiime is worth looking at.
Why it’s great:
Beautiful mobile app
Banking + invoicing + accountant access
Works well for VAT and French taxes
Built for the self-employed
Tiime is growing fast in France, and for good reason — it makes things feel modern.
Maginvoice
Who it’s for: Freelancers who just want invoicing to work — especially if they deal with public clients.
Maginvoice is built for freelancers and small businesses in Europe, and yeah, we’re biased — but it’s made to handle all the stuff that usually trips people up: French tax rules, PEPPOL, Chorus Pro, and more. The interface is clean, you can send a quote and turn it into an invoice, and it keeps track of who paid and who didn’t.
Why it’s great:
It works with Chorus Pro (huge if you work with any government client)
Built-in PEPPOL support
Auto-reminders, payment tracking
Designed with freelancers in mind — no fluff
If you’ve been piecing things together with PDFs and spreadsheets, this is a major upgrade.
