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Best Invoicing & Payment Software for UK Sole Traders 2026

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Best invoicing & payment tools for UK sole traders 2026

Get paid faster, look more professional and stop chasing clients. Independent reviews of the best invoicing software and card readers for UK sole traders.

UK-focusedFree options includedUpdated April 2026
On this page
  1. Quick picks
  2. Invoicing software reviews
  3. Card readers & payment tools
  4. Comparison table
  5. FAQ

Quick picks

Best all-in-one
FreeAgent
Invoicing, expenses, MTD and Self Assessment in one tool. Free with NatWest or RBS business account.
Free with NatWest · £14/mo otherwise
Read our review →
Best card reader
SumUp
No monthly fee, just 1.69% per transaction. Perfect for tradespeople, market sellers and mobile businesses.
No monthly fee · 1.69% per transaction
See card readers →
Best for invoicing only
Invoice Ninja
Powerful free invoicing with branded templates, automatic payment reminders and client portal.
Free plan · Pro from £12/mo
Read review →
Best business account
Tide
Business bank account with built-in invoicing. Send invoices, track who’s paid and accept bank transfers in one app.
Free plan available
See banking options →

Invoicing software reviews

FreeAgent
9.2/10
MTD readySelf AssessmentAuto remindersBranded invoices

FreeAgent is the strongest invoicing tool for UK sole traders because it combines professional invoicing with full accounting — meaning your invoices automatically flow into your tax records. Set up automatic payment reminders, accept online payments and track outstanding balances all in one place.

Pros
  • Automatic payment reminder emails
  • Accept online payments via Stripe or GoCardless
  • Invoices auto-reconcile with bank transactions
  • Professional branded invoice templates
  • Free with NatWest or RBS business account
Cons
  • £14/month without NatWest deal
  • Overkill if you only need basic invoicing
Pricing: Free with NatWest/RBS · £14/month otherwise · 30-day free trial
Read full FreeAgent review →
Invoice Ninja
8.1/10
Free planClient portalPayment reminders40+ gateways

Invoice Ninja is the best dedicated invoicing tool if you don’t need full accounting software. The free plan covers up to 100 clients with unlimited invoices, branded templates and automatic payment reminders. The client portal lets customers view and pay invoices online.

Pros
  • Generous free plan — up to 100 clients, unlimited invoices
  • Client portal for online invoice viewing and payment
  • Recurring invoice automation
  • Accepts Stripe, PayPal, and 40+ payment gateways
Cons
  • No MTD or tax filing features
  • UK-specific features more limited than FreeAgent
  • Interface less polished than premium rivals
Pricing: Free plan (up to 100 clients) · Pro from £12/month
See full invoicing comparison →

Card readers & payment tools

SumUp
8.8/10
No monthly feeTap to payAll card typesApp included

SumUp is the top card reader for sole traders who want to accept card payments with zero monthly commitment. Pay just 1.69% per transaction — no setup fee, no minimum volume. The SumUp Air reader costs around £39 and accepts all major cards including contactless and Apple/Google Pay.

Pros
  • No monthly fee — just 1.69% per transaction
  • Accepts all cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay
  • Next working day payouts
  • Free app with basic invoicing and reporting
  • Small, lightweight — ideal for tradespeople
Cons
  • Transaction fee higher than Stripe for very high volumes
  • No advanced accounting features
Pricing: Reader from ~£39 · 1.69% per transaction · No monthly fee
Zettle by PayPal
8.3/10
PayPal integrationNo monthly feeInventory tracking

Zettle is the natural choice if you already use PayPal. It offers card reader functionality with the security and brand recognition of PayPal, plus strong inventory management — useful for sole traders who sell products rather than services.

Pros
  • Seamless PayPal account integration
  • Strong inventory management features
  • No monthly fee — 1.75% per transaction
  • Good point-of-sale app
Cons
  • Slightly higher transaction fee than SumUp
  • PayPal account required
Pricing: 1.75% per transaction · No monthly fee

Invoicing & payment tool comparison

ToolPriceInvoicingCard paymentsMTDBest for
FreeAgentFree/£14FullVia StripeYesAll-in-one
Invoice NinjaFree/£12Full40+ gatewaysNoInvoicing only
SumUp1.69%/txnBasicYesNoCard payments
Zettle1.75%/txnBasicYesNoPayPal users
TideFree planYesVia appNoBanking + invoicing

Frequently asked questions

What must a sole trader invoice include?
UK invoices must include: your name and address, the client’s name and address, a unique invoice number, invoice date, description of goods or services, the amount owed, and your payment details. If VAT-registered, also include your VAT number and the VAT amount.
Do I need invoicing software or can I use a template?
A template works fine when starting out. Invoicing software becomes valuable once you have multiple clients — it automates payment reminders, tracks who owes you money, and connects to your bank account to reconcile payments automatically.
What’s the cheapest way to accept card payments as a sole trader?
SumUp has no monthly fee and charges just 1.69% per transaction — one of the lowest rates available. For very high volumes, negotiating a Stripe rate directly may be cheaper.
Can I send invoices for free?
Yes — Invoice Ninja’s free plan covers up to 100 clients with unlimited invoices. FreeAgent is also free if you bank with NatWest or RBS.