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This guide is written for freelancers and small businesses operating in France. It compares the main French invoicing and accounting products and explains the national e-invoicing reform. The regulatory dates and PDP requirements below are specific to France.
Have you already spent two hours comparing Pennylane, Indy, Freebe and Dougs on websites that all conclude that ‘it depends on your needs’? This guide takes a clearer position. The right choice depends mainly on your legal structure, whether you need a professional bank account and how closely you work with an accountant.
What Changes in September 2026
French electronic invoicing requirements arrive in two stages:
- 1 September 2026: all businesses, including small companies and VAT-registered freelancers, must be able to receive electronic invoices through an approved platform.
- 1 September 2027: the obligation to issue electronic invoices extends to small businesses, SMEs and micro-entrepreneurs.
If you work with large companies or mid-sized businesses, they may require your invoices in the correct electronic format from 2026. Before subscribing, ask each provider whether it is approved as a PDP or works with an approved PDP, and request a concrete compliance timetable.
The Honest Comparison
Freebe: Built Specifically for Freelancers
Typical price: €9 to €15 per month.
Freebe makes quotes and invoices quick to create, keeps payment tracking clear and supports URSSAF workflows for micro-entrepreneurs. It is a strong fit for solo freelancers who need straightforward invoicing.
Its cash-flow view is basic, and businesses operating as SAS or SASU can outgrow it. Its bank integration is also less extensive than some competitors.
Best for: solo freelancers, micro-entrepreneurs and simple invoicing.
Indy: Free Invoicing with Automated Accounting Options
Typical price: the invoicing module is free and unlimited. Paid accounting starts around €25 per month.
Indy combines solid bank synchronisation with automated accounting for BNC professionals, including VAT and tax-return workflows. It is optimised for independent professionals and micro-entrepreneurs rather than every company structure.
Best for: BNC freelancers and independent professionals who want affordable accounting automation.
Shine: Professional Banking and Invoicing in One Flow
Typical price: invoicing is included with eligible plans.
Shine is attractive when the real need is to connect a professional account, quotes, invoices, reminders and receipts. Its included invoicing can prevent an early subscription to a separate product. It is less useful if you already use Qonto, Pennylane or an accountant-imposed workflow.
Best for: freelancers, micro-entrepreneurs and small French businesses that want banking and invoicing together.
Pennylane: Strong Collaboration with an Accountant
Typical price: from approximately €37 per month.
Pennylane provides real-time accountant collaboration and a strong cash-flow view for small businesses with multiple customers and denser financial operations. It is often presented as a universal freelance solution, but a solo freelancer issuing ten invoices a month may pay for capabilities they do not use.
Best for: structured small businesses and founders working closely with an accountant.
Dougs: Software and Accounting Firm Combined
Typical price: from approximately €49 per month.
Dougs combines software with human accounting support. For a growing SASU, it can cost less than a traditional accounting firm. For a new freelancer, €49 to €80 a month is substantial. It is a product for delegating accounting rather than merely starting to invoice.
Best for: growing SASU or SAS businesses and founders who want to delegate accounting.
Qonto: Often Enough for Existing Customers
Typical price: the invoicing module is included with the banking subscription.
If Qonto is already your professional account, its integrated invoicing is sufficient for many freelancers issuing fewer than 15 to 20 invoices a month. Paying for an additional basic invoicing product may create an unnecessary duplicate.
Best for: existing Qonto customers with moderate and straightforward invoicing.
Which Product Fits Which Profile?
| Profile | Recommended product | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Micro-entrepreneur | Freebe, Indy or Shine | Simple invoicing; Shine if you also need the professional account |
| BNC independent professional | Indy | Automated accounting and VAT workflows |
| Active SASU freelancer | Pennylane or Dougs | More complete accounting oversight |
| Small business with 2 to 10 employees | Pennylane | Cash-flow visibility and accountant collaboration |
| Small business wanting full delegation | Dougs | Combined software and accounting service |
| Professional account plus invoices | Shine or Qonto | Avoid duplicating banking and invoicing subscriptions |
Three Questions to Ask Before Subscribing
1. Is the Product Ready for the 2026–2027 French Reform?
Ask whether the provider is an approved PDP or a partner of an approved platform. A vague answer without a dated commitment is a warning sign.
2. Does It Connect to My Professional Bank Account?
Manual transaction entry should not be necessary in 2026. Check the supported-bank list before committing, because coverage differs between providers.
3. What Is the Real 12-Month Cost?
Some products charge extra for automated reminders, accountant access or archived-invoice storage. Calculate the price using the capabilities you will actually need.
ToolTrim Verdict
For a French micro-entrepreneur who only needs invoices, start with Indy’s free invoicing or Freebe. Choose Shine when professional banking is part of the same decision. For a SASU or a more structured business working with an accountant, Pennylane or Dougs is usually more coherent. Existing Qonto customers should test the included module before adding another subscription.
The most important 2026 criterion is not the longest feature list. It is a credible and documented path to compliance with France’s electronic-invoicing reform. Verify the current PDP status directly with the provider before committing to an annual plan.
Published 8 May 2026. Sources referenced by the French edition: economie.gouv.fr, Cegid and portail-autoentrepreneur.fr.
Frequently asked questions
When does electronic invoicing become mandatory for freelancers in France?
From 1 September 2026, French businesses, including VAT-registered freelancers and small businesses, must be able to receive electronic invoices. The issuing obligation extends to small businesses and micro-entrepreneurs from 1 September 2027.
What is the best invoicing software for a freelancer in France in 2026?
It depends mainly on legal structure. Freebe, Indy or Shine suit many micro-entrepreneurs. Indy is strong for BNC professionals. Pennylane or Dougs better fit SASU and EURL structures. Existing Qonto or Shine customers may find the integrated invoicing sufficient.
Should a freelancer choose Pennylane or Indy?
Indy is optimised for independent professionals, BNC activity and micro-entrepreneurs. Pennylane is better suited to structures that work with an accountant or need more complex cash-flow oversight. Paying for both usually creates an expensive overlap.
What is a PDP in French electronic invoicing?
A PDP is an approved platform used to transmit electronic invoices under the French reform. Ask whether your invoicing provider is an approved PDP or partners with one, and verify its current status before subscribing.
Is Freebe compatible with France’s mandatory electronic invoicing reform?
Freebe has been adapting its product to the reform. Compliance status can change, so verify the provider’s current PDP timetable directly before purchasing or renewing an annual plan.
