Freelancers need to get paid smoothly, invoice professionally, and stay compliant — preferably, without losing billable hours to pesky admin tasks.
TL;DR (who should pick what)
- Pick Invoice Simple if you only need a super-quick mobile app to make and send basic invoices/estimates, already have your registrations sorted, and prefer to manage taxes yourself.
- Pick Xolo (Go / Leap) if you want invoicing plus integrated payments, EU-ready VAT handling and a compliant business setup that scales with cross-border clients.
Easy invoice apps vs business-grade compliance
Invoice Simple is popular because it makes invoices from your phone or browser in minutes. This is great when you just want a clean PDF and a simple way to take online payments.
Xolo also keeps invoicing simple, but its real value is what happens after you send the invoice: payments are collected through Xolo’s flow and VAT/compliance are handled for you.
If you’re a European freelancer, the question is: do you just need a fast invoice generator, or do you want the invoicing to plug into payments and VAT rules automatically?
What Invoice Simple does well for EU freelancers
Invoice Simple lives up to its name of simplicity. There’s a lot to be said about having an on-hand generator with lightweight tools, especially for the do-it-yourself lovers out there.
If you’re looking for:
- Ultra-fast, mobile-first invoicing. Create estimates, invoices, and receipts on iOS/Android with branded templates.
- Accepts online payments by connecting your own Stripe and/or PayPal accounts. You own the merchant relationship; Invoice Simple is the front-end.
- Lightweight features like basic reports, expense records, signatures, and PDF exporting; not a full accounting suite.
- Pricing: low monthly subscription with trial; tiers vary by features/limits. (Examples from industry roundups show entry prices in the single-digit $/month range.) Check the vendor’s pricing page for current plans.
Invoice Simple may be a good choice for you as a freelancer!
We find that Invoice Simple is limited in some aspects however. There’s no built-in tax filing or compliance, and its feature depths are lighter than larger finance stacks. You’ll have to handle VAT, business registration and account yourself, or hire an accountant separately.
Xolo (Go & Leap) for freelancers and invoices in a nutshell
Xolo was built by freelancers, for freelancers. It lets you send invoices without registering a company and handles a lot of what Invoice Simple can’t –– namely, accounting and compliance.
- Xolo Go: invoice without registering a company, pay-as-you-earn pricing (no monthly fee).
- Xolo automatically calculates VAT based on client details
- Its 5.9% fee is applied to the net (pre-VAT) amount per invoice
- Payments can be made via bank transfer and card
- Funds are paid out to your bank account.
- Xolo Leap: full Estonian e-Residency company management with monthly plans (Starter from €59/mo + VAT, higher tiers add more service). Register your business through Xolo, and let it handle your accounting and compliance, plus invoicing and expense tools (and stellar live support)
Xolo invoicing plugs directly into a service later of payments, VAT handling and compliance aimed at your international work in the EU. You can take the stress off your invoicing worries when it comes to compliance and calculations.
Feature comparison of Invoice Simple & Xolo
Cost reality check (subscription vs. service fee)
Invoice Simple’s typically low monthly subscription is a well-priced value for what they offer. You’ll need to bear in mind that paying Stripe or Paypal processing fees on card payments also exists. In addition, you may need to budget for an accountant or tax support elsewhere.
Xolo Go has no monthly fee, charging 5.9% on each invoice paid to you (great if you’re not sending multiple invoices consistently –– this service comes with compliance and VAT handling done for you.
Xolo Leap has a flat monthly cost. When you’re ready to scale your business into a registered company, Leap has your back from registration to continued growth and accounting.
If you only send a handful of small invoices and already manage taxes, the subscription app may be cheaper. If you value VAT automation, payout handling, and compliant docs, Xolo’s fee covers far more than an invoice generator.
Why this matters for EU freelancers
Getting VAT correct –– such as when to apply 0% VAT –– is where DIY tools can trip you up. Xolo calculates VAT automatically from your client details and keeps records in line with EU expectations.
Some business-to-business (B2B) clients are more comfortable paying invoices issued under a verified company framework with a visible VAT number on the invoice. If you’re winning over larger employers or corporations, this could prove quite useful.
Can Invoice Simple and Xolo work together?
You could draft in Invoice Simple and reissue through Xolo, but it’s double the work. In practice, we’d suggest you pick one flow: pure invoice app (DIY admin) or service-backed invoicing (admin handled).
Xolo or Invoice Simple –– who should you go with?
If you’re a local side-gig freelancer, sending the occasional invoice –– you’re confident about your tax setup –– Invoice Simple is a fast, and tidy, PDF invoice generator to get yourself paid.
But if you’re aiming to grow your business outside of just your local area, or want invoicing that covers payments, VAT and compliance automatically, Xolo is the long-term professional choice. We’d recommend starting on Xolo Go. You can send your invoices for free. You can easily move to Xolo Leap if your business grows and needs to reposition into something more concrete.
Create your first compliant invoice with Xolo Go → (no monthly fee, VAT handled automatically). Also see our country guides—for example, Ireland—for line-by-line invoice requirements and tips to get paid faster.
If you’re already a registered business, or looking to register, explore Xolo Leap plans (Starter from €59/mo + VAT) and run your one-person EU company with expert support.
FAQ about Invoice Simple & Xolo services
Does Invoice Simple include accounting and tax filing?
No. It’s primarily an invoicing/estimates/receipts tool with basic reporting—no full accounting or VAT filing.
Can I take card payments with both solutions?
Invoice Simple: Yes, via your own Stripe and/or PayPal connections.
Xolo: Yes. Clients can pay by bank transfer or card into Xolo’s account; Xolo reconciles and pays out to you.
Is there a mobile app?
Invoice Simple: Full iOS/Android apps.
Xolo: Native app for Leap; Go uses a mobile-friendly web app.
What are the current prices?
Invoice Simple: See the live pricing page for up-to-date tiers.
Xolo Leap: Plans currently start at €59/mo + VAT (Starter).
Xolo Go: No monthly fee; 5.9% on the net amount (pre-VAT) when you get paid out.