Free Bonsai Alternative for Invoicing — No Account, No $25/mo Plan
Bonsai (now HelloBonsai) is a polished all-in-one freelancer suite — proposals, contracts, time tracking, CRM, and invoicing — bundled into plans that start at $25/month and climb to $39+/month. If you just need to send a clean, professional invoice without a subscription, an account, or a project-management suite, Billify is the free, no-signup alternative. Here is the honest head-to-head, including where Bonsai is clearly the better tool.
By KSP Labs, Software Studio behind Billify · Updated July 2026
Billify vs Bonsai
| Feature | Billify | Bonsai |
|---|---|---|
| PDF export | Yes — instant, in-browser | Yes |
| Invoice templates | 12 | Several, customizable |
| Multi-currency | 160 currencies | Multiple |
| Tax calculation | Automatic per-line and per-invoice | Yes |
| Logo upload | Yes (Pro) | Yes |
| Signup required | No | Yes (account + onboarding) |
| Mobile-friendly | Yes (responsive web) | Yes (iOS + Android apps) |
| API | No | Limited |
| Integrations | None (standalone by design) | Payments, proposals, contracts, time tracking, CRM |
| Monthly cost | Free (3 invoices/mo) · Pro €9/mo | $25–$39/mo (Essentials–Professional) |
| Where your data lives | In your browser | On Bonsai servers |
| Proposals, contracts, time tracking | No (invoicing only) | Yes |
Competitor details reflect each product's published free tier at the time of writing and may change — verify on their site.
Why people switch to Billify
Open Billify, choose from 12 templates, fill in the invoice, and download a PDF in under a minute — no account, no credit card, no monthly fee. 160 currencies, automatic tax calculation, logo upload on Pro, and your invoice data never leaves your browser.
When Bonsai is the better pick
Bonsai is the stronger pick if you run a freelance business end-to-end: proposals and contracts with e-sign, time tracking that feeds into invoices, a client CRM, expense tracking, and a built-in payment processor. Billify is invoicing-only by design — it does not manage projects, contracts, or time. If you need a freelancer operating system, use Bonsai; if you just need an invoice, Billify is faster and free.
More comparisons
Bonsai alternative FAQ
Is Billify a good Bonsai replacement?
Only for invoicing. If you send invoices and want them done fast and free, Billify does that better. Bonsai is a full freelancer suite — proposals, contracts, time tracking, CRM, payment processing — that Billify does not try to replace.
How much does Bonsai actually cost?
Bonsai (HelloBonsai) starts at $25/month (Essentials, billed annually) and reaches $39/month for the Professional plan. Billify is free for 3 invoices a month, or €9/mo for unlimited invoices, all 12 templates, and logo upload.
Can I use Billify without an account?
Yes. No email, no password, no credit card. You build and download invoices directly in your browser; the data stays in local storage and never touches a server.