Running a small business in France? Then you already know — invoicing isn’t just “send and forget.”
Some clients need PDFs, others want structured XML files. If you sell to the public sector, they’ll ask for Chorus Pro. And let’s not forget VAT, late payments, duplicate invoice numbers, or missing legal lines.
At a certain point, sending invoices manually just doesn’t cut it anymore. You need a system — ideally one that doesn’t feel like more work than it’s worth.
That’s where a good invoicing tool comes in.
This article breaks down:
What small and mid-sized businesses in France actually need from invoicing software
What to avoid
A few tools that genuinely help — whether you’re a 2-person agency or a growing team of 20
Why a Proper Invoicing Tool Saves Time (and Money)
You might think Excel or Word gets the job done. And sure, if you only have a few clients and no growth plans, maybe that’s fine.
But for most SMBs, manual invoicing becomes a mess over time:
- You lose track of who paid and who didn’t
- Reminders fall through the cracks
- Someone forgets to add the TVA line or enters the wrong client address
- And then… your accountant spends hours trying to clean it all up
What to Look for in Invoicing Software (Specifically in France)
Here’s a short list of what matters — especially if your business is based in France or sells to French clients.
1. Legal compliance
You need the invoice to match French legal requirements: SIRET, TVA, invoice number formatting, legal mentions (like “TVA non applicable…” for certain cases), and more.
2. VAT management
Whether you’re registered for VAT or not, your invoicing tool should support both options and handle calculations clearly. This is especially important if you’re scaling or working internationally.
3. Payment tracking & automation
Knowing who’s paid and who hasn’t — and sending reminders when needed — is non-negotiable for healthy cash flow. Bonus if you can link your bank account or integrate with accounting tools.
4. PEPPOL & Chorus Pro compatibility
If you deal with the public sector, you’ll need to send invoices through Chorus Pro — or via PEPPOL. Your tool should support this natively or through a certified provider.
5. Customization + branding
Your invoice should look like it came from your company, not some generic system. Bonus if you can set up invoice templates per client or project type.
6. Multi-user support
If your company isn’t just you, the software should allow different team members to create or manage invoices — without risking errors.
5 Invoicing Tools That Actually Work for SMBs in France
These tools are all solid — depending on the size of your business, the type of clients you work with, and whether you need Chorus Pro/PEPPOL support.
Maginvoice
Best for: SMBs that need a clean, compliant, scalable invoicing system
Maginvoice is built with French (and European) businesses in mind. It’s great if you’re looking for something simple enough for your team to use without training — but powerful enough to handle things like Chorus Pro or PEPPOL when needed.
Why it works:
French invoice compliance out of the box
Built-in PEPPOL and Chorus Pro integration
Easily switch between quotes and invoices
See who paid, who didn’t — and send reminders
Friendly for small teams, with room to grow
If you’re tired of juggling spreadsheets and uploading files to platforms manually, Maginvoice does most of that for you.
Henrri
Best for: Small businesses on a budget that want something reliable
Henrri is one of the best-known free invoicing tools in France. It’s 100% compliant, works entirely online, and doesn’t limit your usage.
Highlights:
Fully free (no trial, no surprise charges)
Designed for French legal standards
Send quotes, invoices, and follow-ups
Customizable templates
It’s not the most modern interface, but for a lean operation that needs basics covered well, Henrri is solid.
Sage Business Cloud Compta & Facturation
Best for: SMBs that want invoicing plus full accounting
Sage is well-known in the business software space. Their invoicing module is part of a broader suite, so it’s ideal if you want to go beyond just sending bills — think inventory, expense tracking, VAT returns, etc.
Why some SMBs prefer Sage:
Combines invoicing + accounting
Includes VAT, payroll, reporting
Recognized by accountants and compatible with many banks
Chorus Pro supported via add-ons
It can feel like overkill for micro-businesses, but if your business is growing and needs more financial oversight, it’s worth considering.
Pennylane
Best for: Businesses that want real-time financial insights with invoicing built in
Pennylane blends invoicing with bookkeeping and connects directly with your accountant. It’s modern, intuitive, and great for companies that want to stay on top of cash flow without hiring a CFO.
What makes it different:
Invoice and expense tracking in one dashboard
Shared access with your accountant
French VAT-compliant
Clean design, easy to use
If you’re trying to get out of “spreadsheet accounting,” Pennylane helps you upgrade — without the complexity.
Tiime
Best for: SMBs looking for an all-in-one solution with banking
Tiime offers invoicing, business banking, expense tracking, and collaboration with accountants — all in a mobile-first platform. If you want everything in one app (and hate logging into five different tools), it’s a smart choice.
What stands out:
Issue invoices, get paid, manage cash in one place
Connects to Tiime Business Bank
Real-time insights and tax tools
Chorus Pro-compatible via partners
Perfect for modern teams that value simplicity and real-time control.
