Most autónomos still type invoices in Word and export to PDF. That workflow wastes time, invites errors, and will become non-compliant when VeriFactu mandatory software kicks in for autónomos on 1 July 2027. This guide compares the best free invoicing apps in Spain, explains what to check before committing, and shows how to send a compliant invoice in under ten minutes.
Quick answer
Best free app overall: renn Free Plan. Up to 25 invoices per month, unlimited clients, VeriFactu-compliant, full IRPF and IVA support included at zero cost.
Best free app if you only send a few invoices:SumUp Facturas. Up to 4 per month, VeriFactu-ready, simple interface.
Best free app for higher volume:Zoho Invoice. Free forever, up to 1,000 invoices per year, strong automations.
Do free apps handle IVA and IRPF? The good ones do. Check that the template shows tax base, rate, and total separately and supports 21%, 10%, and 4% IVA.
When does VeriFactu apply to autónomos? 1 July 2027 (Royal Decree 15/2025). Companies must comply from 1 July 2026. No revenue threshold.
How free invoicing apps work
Free invoicing apps run in the cloud. You sign in, add your logo and tax data once, and the software generates a legal PDF each time you send. Providers monetise through invoice caps, paid bank feeds, or a cut on card payments.
Before you commit, check these limits:
Invoice caps: 4 to 25 per month is typical on free tiers. Over that and you hit a wall mid-month.
Client caps: some plans allow only 5 customers before forcing an upgrade.
Watermarks or ads: visible on PDFs sent to clients. Undermines your professional image.
Export restrictions: full CSV or XML export may sit behind a paywall when you want to switch tools.
VeriFactu roadmap: ask before you commit. If the provider has no published timeline, that is a risk.
GDPR note: Spanish data protection rules require appropriate safeguards whether servers are EU-based or covered by Standard Contractual Clauses. Request a data-processing agreement before migrating your client list to any tool.
Key features to check in a free invoice app
Spanish-compliant template: NIF or CIF fields, sequential invoice numbering, IVA and IRPF lines, legal footer.
VeriFactu-ready: cryptographic hash, QR code on invoice, immutable records, AEAT submission path.
Multi-language support: Spanish, English, and Catalan for cross-border clients.
Mobile app: useful when billing on the go. Check whether offline drafts are supported.
Receipt capture: snap expense tickets and link them to the correct quarter.
Payment links: embedded Stripe or PayPal reduce late payments significantly.
Basic reports: quarterly VAT summary and CSV export compatible with Modelo 303.
Top free invoice apps: full comparison
renn
Free for up to 25 invoices per month, unlimited clients, no credit card required.
VeriFactu-compliant invoices generated automatically. Hash and QR included.
IRPF withholding and all IVA rates (21%, 10%, 4%, 0%) included on every plan.
Designed for non-accountants. Invoice ready in under 3 minutes.
Upgrade path includes quarterly Modelo 303 and 130 filing handled by real accountants.
Bilingual: interface and documents in Spanish and English.
Best fit: autónomos who want invoicing plus full compliance without a separate gestor. Start free at renn.
Payment-gateway markups: some apps add 0.5% on top of Stripe fees. Read the payments page, not just the invoicing page.
Brand-removal fees: removing the provider logo from your client-facing PDFs can cost €2 per invoice or require a paid plan.
Data export fees: full CSV export may sit behind a €10+ paywall. Check before migrating your client list.
Client or product caps: entry plans often cap you at 5 or 10 clients. After that you pay or you are stuck.
Phone support: universally paid-tier only. On free plans expect email-only with multi-day delays.
Read the full pricing page, not just the headline plan, before committing any client data to a new tool.
Free vs. paid: when to upgrade
Free apps work well when you are starting out or testing a business idea. They stop working when:
You hit the monthly invoice cap mid-month and cash flow stops.
Client-facing watermarks or ads on your PDFs undermine your professional image.
You need bank feeds, Modelo 303 filing, or payroll. None of these come on free tiers.
You need phone support and email-only response times create AEAT deadline risks.
VeriFactu becomes mandatory and your free tool has no certified path.
Most apps offer upgrade tiers at €8 to €15 per month with unlimited invoices and basic bank feeds. If you send more than 30 invoices per month or need quarterly tax filing, a platform like renn recovers its cost through saved hours and avoided fines. Full comparison at online accounting platform.
How to choose the right app for your situation
Three questions narrow the field fast:
Monthly invoice volume: under 4 per month, SumUp Facturas works. 4 to 25, renn Free Plan. Over 25 or variable, Zoho Invoice or a paid plan.
Spanish tax compliance: if you invoice Spanish clients and need IRPF and IVA preconfigured, eliminate Invoice Ninja and Zoho Invoice from the shortlist unless you are comfortable with manual setup.
VeriFactu readiness: if you will still be on this tool in July 2027, it must be on AEAT’s certified list. renn, SumUp Facturas, and FacturaDirecta are already there. Invoice Ninja and Zoho Invoice are not confirmed.
Three quick examples:
Graphic designer, 6 invoices/month, wants custom PDF: FacturaDirecta for its design flexibility, then switch to renn when quarterly filing becomes a priority.
Consultant, 15 invoices/quarter, files Modelo 303 independently: renn Free Plan for the full compliance stack at zero cost.
Marketplace seller, high invoice volume, mostly international clients: Zoho Invoice for bulk invoicing and payment links, with manual tax field setup.
VeriFactu: what autónomos need to know
When does it apply? Companies from 1 July 2026. Autónomos from 1 July 2027 (Royal Decree 15/2025). No revenue threshold. All autónomos are affected regardless of turnover.
What changes in practice? Each invoice must include a cryptographic hash and a QR code generated by certified software. The hash prevents edits after issuance. To correct a mistake, you issue a factura rectificativa, not an edited copy.
What happens if you use non-compliant software? Using software that allows post-issuance edits carries a fine of €50,000 per year or €1,000 per device under RD 15/2025.
How to verify compliance: check that your tool appears on AEAT’s certified invoicing system (SIF) list before 1 July 2027. renn, SumUp Facturas, and FacturaDirecta are already certified. Invoice Ninja and Zoho Invoice have no confirmed roadmap as of May 2026.
The best free invoicing app is the one that stays compliant, stays free long enough to matter, and gives you a clear path to VeriFactu before the July 2027 deadline. renn’s Free Plan covers all three: 25 invoices per month at zero cost, full IVA and IRPF support, and VeriFactu certification already built in. If you send fewer than 4 invoices per month, SumUp Facturas is a solid alternative. If you need high volume and serve mostly international clients, Zoho Invoice works but requires manual tax setup.
Whichever tool you choose, verify it is on AEAT’s certified list before 1 July 2027. For autónomo registration and ongoing quarterly filing, renn handles setup and compliance from one platform.
