Ireland’s freelance economy is booming. From graphic designers to IT consultants, more professionals are moving away from traditional employment in favor of freelancing. But one challenge remains consistent: how do you handle invoicing and compliance without drowning in admin?
Traditionally, Irish freelancers had to register as sole traders or set up a limited company before issuing invoices. For newcomers and part-timers, this can feel like unnecessary complexity. That’s why more people are turning to “invoice without a company” solutions. These platforms let you work with clients, issue invoices, and get paid — all without registering a business upfront.
Two names often come up in this space: Xolo Go and Bullet. Both help freelancers manage invoicing, but they take very different approaches.
👉 If you’re just starting out, don’t miss our Beginner’s Guide to Becoming a Freelancer in Ireland.
Before diving into comparisons, let’s clarify. An “invoice without a company” service acts as a legal and administrative wrapper around your freelance activity. Instead of you handling tax, VAT registration or compliance, the platform does it for you.
You:
The platform:
These services offer freelancers who are just starting out, or sending limited or irregular invoices, an unbeatable service that saves them time, money and headache.
Xolo Go is a popular Invoice without a company solution designed for freelancers across Europe and Ireland. With a few clicks, you can:
It’s especially useful for digital professionals working with international clients. Xolo makes sure your invoicing look –– and are –– professional while removing the red tape of setting up a business.
Bullet is an Irish accounting and invoicing software provider. Its tools are designed for small businesses and freelancers who are already registered as sole traders or limited companies.
This means that bullet is a strong local provider, but not a company registration-free service. Bullet offers freelancers and limited Irish companies:
Unlike Xolo Go, Bullet does not allow you to invoice without a registered business. Instead, it helps you manage your accounts more easily after you’ve gone through the setup process.
Feature |
Xolo Go |
Bullet |
Invoice without a company |
✅ Yes — invoice clients without registering a business |
❌ No — requires you to be a registered business |
Target market |
Freelancers & solopreneurs across Europe |
Registered sole traders & SMEs in Ireland |
Setup |
Instant; no registrations required |
Requires prior business registration |
Invoicing |
Professional, multi-currency invoices |
Localized Irish invoicing (with VAT management) |
Compliance & taxes |
Xolo handles VAT and compliance automatically |
User manages compliance with software assistance |
Best suited for |
Freelancers testing freelancing or with international clients |
Established Irish businesses needing accounting |
👉 Want more comparisons? Check out our other breakdown: Xolo Go vs Conta — Invoice Without a Company in Ireland.
With Xolo Go, you can:
Ireland’s freelancing community is thriving, but traditional business registration can hold new freelancers back. While Bullet is a solid choice for registered businesses that need accounting software, it doesn’t solve the problem of invoicing without a company.
That’s where Xolo Go shines — letting you freelance, invoice and get paid legally, without the overhead of setting up a business.
Yes. With Xolo Go, you can issue professional invoices without registering as a sole trader or limited company. Bullet, however, requires you to already be registered before you can use its invoicing software.
Xolo Go acts as the legal invoicing entity. You create an invoice via Xolo, the platform issues it on your behalf, collects payment, and transfers your earnings to your personal bank account after compliance and fees are handled.
Yes. Platforms like Xolo Go are structured to comply with EU and Irish regulations, making it completely legal to invoice without registering your own business.
Bullet is best suited for registered Irish freelancers and small businesses who need invoicing and accounting software to manage tax, payroll and compliance.
If you’re just testing freelancing or working part-time, Xolo Go is the better choice because you don’t need to register a business. Bullet works better for established businesses that need accounting tools.
Start sending professional invoices in minutes! Start with Xolo Go today.
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