3 Best Billy Alternatives in 2025
Last updated: February 2026 • 10 min read
Billy is a popular tool for european small businesses wanting simplicity. While it offers a free tier (1 user, limited features), its paid plans start at $15/mo. Whether you're looking for a cheaper option, better features, or an open-source solution, we've compiled the 3 best Billy alternatives to help you find the right fit.
📋 Quick Summary
- Total alternatives: 3
- Free alternatives: 2 (Wave, Zoho Books)
- Best overall: Wave
- Best free: Wave
Why Look for Billy Alternatives?
People commonly look for Billy alternatives for several reasons:
- Cost: While Billy has a free tier, its paid plans starting at $15/mo can add up quickly for growing teams.
- Feature gaps: Limited to Europe and basic features are common complaints.
- Simplicity: Some users find Billy overly complex for their needs and prefer simpler solutions.
- Data ownership: Organizations wanting data sovereignty prefer open-source, self-hosted alternatives.
- Better fit: Different tools excel at different use cases — you may find a tool that's specifically built for your workflow.
📊 Quick Comparison Table
| Tool | Free Tier | Starting Price | Rating | Open Source | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billy | ✓ 1 user, limited features | $15/mo | ⭐ 4 | No | European small businesses wanting simplicity |
| Wave | ✓ Free accounting and invoicing | Free | ⭐ 4 | No | Freelancers and micro-businesses wanting free accounting |
| FreshBooks | ✗ No | $17/mo | ⭐ 4.3 | No | Freelancers and service businesses |
| Zoho Books | ✓ Free for <$50K revenue | $15/mo | ⭐ 4.2 | No | Growing businesses in the Zoho ecosystem |
Detailed Reviews of Each Alternative
Wave
Free accounting software for small businesses and freelancers.
Wave is a free accounting platform that offers invoicing, accounting, and receipt scanning at no cost. It makes money through payment processing and payroll services. Wave is ideal for freelancers and very small businesses who need basic accounting without the cost.
Pros
- ✓ Completely free
- ✓ Easy to use
- ✓ Good for basics
- ✓ Receipt scanning
Cons
- ✗ Limited features
- ✗ No inventory
- ✗ No time tracking
- ✗ Basic reporting
FreshBooks
Accounting software built for service-based businesses.
FreshBooks is an accounting platform designed specifically for self-employed professionals and small service-based businesses. It excels at invoicing, time tracking, and expense management with an incredibly user-friendly interface that makes accounting less intimidating.
Pros
- ✓ Very user-friendly
- ✓ Great invoicing
- ✓ Time tracking built-in
- ✓ Beautiful design
Cons
- ✗ Limited for complex accounting
- ✗ Expensive for features
- ✗ Basic inventory
- ✗ Client limits on plans
Zoho Books
Online accounting software for growing businesses.
Zoho Books is an online accounting platform that's part of the Zoho ecosystem. It offers comprehensive features including invoicing, expense tracking, inventory management, and bank reconciliation. As part of Zoho's suite, it integrates seamlessly with Zoho CRM, Projects, and other Zoho apps.
Pros
- ✓ Free for small businesses
- ✓ Comprehensive features
- ✓ Zoho ecosystem
- ✓ Good value
Cons
- ✗ Complex interface
- ✗ Steep learning curve
- ✗ US features limited
- ✗ Support can be slow
🏆 Our Recommendations
❓ FAQ
What is the best free alternative to Billy?
The best free alternative to Billy is Wave, which offers Free accounting and invoicing.
Is there an open-source alternative to Billy?
There are no widely-used open-source alternatives to Billy at this time, but several affordable options exist.
What is the cheapest alternative to Billy?
The cheapest alternatives are the free options: Wave, Zoho Books. For paid alternatives, prices start from as low as $15/mo.
💰 Stop Overpaying for SaaS
Join smart professionals who receive our weekly roundup of the best SaaS deals, free alternatives, and money-saving tips.
Free forever. Unsubscribe anytime. No spam.