iv vs Invoice Ninja: Free Invoice Tool Comparison
Invoice Ninja is an open-source invoicing platform with a broad feature set: invoices, quotes, proposals, projects, tasks, expenses, and vendor management. It can be self-hosted for free or used as a hosted service with tiered pricing.
iv is a focused invoice generator that runs in your browser with no server, no self-hosting, and no setup. This comparison is straightforward about the trade-offs. We make iv.
Where Invoice Ninja is stronger
- Broader feature set. Proposals, project tracking, task management, expense tracking, and vendor management are all included. iv only handles invoices, quotes, and purchase orders.
- Open source. Invoice Ninja's code is public and auditable. You can fork it, modify it, and run it on your own infrastructure.
- Self-hosting option. If you have the infrastructure, you get full control over your data and no recurring fees.
- Client portal. Invoice Ninja includes a client-facing portal where customers can view invoices, make payments, and approve quotes.
Where iv is stronger
- Zero setup. iv works in your browser immediately. No server, no PHP, no MySQL, no Docker. Open the URL and start invoicing.
- No watermarks. Invoice Ninja's free hosted tier places branding on your documents. iv has no branding or watermarks on any plan.
- Offline-first. iv works without an internet connection. Invoice Ninja's hosted version requires connectivity; the self-hosted version requires your server to be running.
- Simpler onboarding. iv takes three steps: fill in details, preview, export. Invoice Ninja has a steep learning curve with many settings pages and configuration options.
- MCP tools. iv exposes 20 MCP tools for AI-assisted workflows. Invoice Ninja has no MCP integration.
- EU e-invoicing. iv supports ZUGFeRD, XRechnung, and Factur-X. Invoice Ninja has limited EU e-invoicing support.
- No signup required. Create and export an invoice without an account. Invoice Ninja requires registration.
Feature comparison
| Feature | iv | Invoice Ninja |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (paid from $7/mo) | Free (self-hosted) / $10/mo (hosted, no branding) |
| Setup required | None (browser-based) | Self-host: server + PHP + MySQL. Hosted: account signup |
| Branding on free docs | None | Yes (hosted free tier) |
| Invoice templates | 17 + custom editor | 11 templates |
| Offline support | Yes (local-first) | No (hosted) / Requires running server |
| Multi-currency | 45 currencies | Yes |
| EU e-invoicing | ZUGFeRD, XRechnung, Factur-X | Limited |
| MCP / AI tools | 20 tools | No |
| Proposals | No | Yes |
| Project tracking | No | Yes |
| Expense tracking | No | Yes |
| Client portal | Invoice viewer | Full portal |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Signup required | No | Yes |
When to choose Invoice Ninja
If you need proposals, project tracking, expense management, and a full client portal alongside invoicing, Invoice Ninja covers more ground. If you have the technical capacity to self-host and want full control over your infrastructure, it is a solid open-source option.
When to choose iv
If you want to create and send invoices with zero setup, no branding, and no hosting, iv is the simpler path. Freelancers and small teams who need fast invoicing without the overhead of a full business platform will find iv more focused and faster to start.
Frequently asked questions
Is Invoice Ninja really free?
Invoice Ninja's self-hosted version is free and open-source. The hosted version has a free tier with Invoice Ninja branding on documents. Removing the branding requires a paid plan ($10/month Enterprise). iv is free with no branding or watermarks on any plan.
Do I need to self-host Invoice Ninja?
For the full free experience without branding, yes. Self-hosting requires a server, PHP, MySQL, and ongoing maintenance. iv requires no hosting — it runs in your browser and stores data locally.
Does iv have as many features as Invoice Ninja?
Invoice Ninja has more features overall: proposals, projects, tasks, expenses, and vendor management. iv focuses on invoicing, quotes, and purchase orders. If you need project management and expense tracking alongside invoicing, Invoice Ninja covers more ground.
Can I migrate from Invoice Ninja to iv?
iv can import invoices from CSV and JSON formats. You can export your Invoice Ninja data and import the invoice records into iv.