Invoicing apps for SA freelancers compared: Zoho Invoice, Rebill, Invo and ZELF
Four rand-friendly ways to invoice clients, compared on price, limits, VAT and getting paid, including when a free app is the better choice.
Short answer
If you send fewer than 500 invoices a year, Zoho Invoice is free. Rebill and Invo both start free with monthly limits and cost R99 a month for unlimited invoicing. ZELF charges 1 credit per issued invoice, so 60 invoices a year cost R42.86 to R60, and the jobs you ran for a client can go straight onto their invoice.
South African freelancers have better invoicing options than a few years ago, and several are free. The differences are in the limits: invoices per month, number of clients, whether VAT and recurring invoices are included, and how clients pay.
This comparison prices one invoice a month for five clients, 60 invoices a year, on each app's published plans. ZELF is our product, so we have stuck to published facts and said where another app is the better fit.
A year of invoicing 5 clients
One invoice a month for each of 5 clients, or 60 invoices a year. Most rand-priced invoicing apps have a free tier, so the real question is which limit you hit first.
| Option | What you get | One year, 5 clients |
|---|---|---|
| ZELF | 1 credit per issued invoice, quotes free. The client's unbilled ZELF jobs drop onto the invoice as lines. | R42.86–R60.00 |
| Zoho Invoice | Free, up to 500 invoices a year, 2 users and 3 projects. | Free |
| Rebill Free | Up to 10 invoices a month and 5 clients. No VAT, recurring invoices, reminders or online payments. | Free |
| Rebill Premium | R99 a month. Unlimited invoices, VAT, recurring billing, reminders and South African payment gateways. | R1 188.00 |
| Invo Free | 5 invoices and 5 quotes a month, unlimited clients, VAT tax invoices and payment links. | Free |
| Invo Solo | R99 a month for unlimited invoices and quotes. Recurring billing starts on the R249 Business plan. | R1 188.00 |
List prices from each vendor's own pricing page on 10 October 2026: annual billing where offered, before VAT where the vendor quotes it that way. Dollar prices at R16.50 to the dollar. ZELF costs run from the Platinum to the Copper credit pack rate.
How to choose an invoicing app in South Africa
- 1 Count your invoices and clients. Free plans cap one or the other: Rebill Free at 10 invoices a month and 5 clients, Invo Free at 5 invoices and 5 quotes a month.
- 2 If you are VAT-registered, check that VAT is on your plan. Rebill only includes VAT on Premium.
- 3 Check how clients pay: through your own Yoco, PayFast or Paystack account, a payment link, or EFT only.
- 4 Check that invoices meet SARS rules: a serial number, the client's details on full tax invoices over R5 000, and VAT shown when you are a vendor.
Which app fits which freelancer
Low volume, not VAT-registered
Zoho Invoice, Rebill Free or Invo Free will do it for nothing, within their limits.
VAT vendor on retainers
Rebill Premium or Invo Business cover VAT and recurring billing for a monthly fee. ZELF covers both for 1 credit per invoice issued.
Agency billing client jobs
ZELF is built for this: link pages, QR codes and image jobs you ran for a client land on their invoice as line items.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the cheapest invoicing app in South Africa?
On price alone, Zoho Invoice, at R0 for up to 500 invoices a year. Rebill and Invo also have free plans with monthly limits. Among paid options at low volume, ZELF costs least: 60 invoices a year come to R42.86 to R60.
Does ZELF take a fee on payments?
No. Card payments go through your own Yoco account at your Yoco rate, and ZELF takes nothing from the money you collect.
Can I use ZELF only for invoicing?
Yes. Quotes are free and each issued invoice costs 1 credit. The other tools are there when a client job needs them.
Sources
Invoices
Quote the job, invoice the client, get paid by card or EFT.
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