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Free Refrens alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

4 of the 6 Refrens alternatives we track can be used for free (free, open source, or with a free plan). Zoho Books, Vyapar and Zoho Invoice rank highest, with facts last verified Nov 8, 2026.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Zoho Books logoZoho BooksFree plan + paid$15 per org/month billed annually (Standard)NoWeb, Windows, macOS +28 of 868.8
2Vyapar logoVyaparFree plan + paid₹699 a year (Silver, mobile)NoAndroid, iOS, Windows9 of 964.8
3Zoho Invoice logoZoho InvoiceFree—NoWeb, iOS, Android3 of 357.5
4Invoice Ninja logoInvoice NinjaFree plan + paid$14 a month billed monthly, or $140 a year (Pro)NoWeb, Windows, macOS +47 of 854.6
  1. Zoho Books logo

    1. Zoho BooksTop pick

    Best for: Cost-conscious small businesses, especially those already using other Zoho apps

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    68.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Refrens

    Mature cloud accounting with GST filing and a wider app ecosystem from Zoho.

    Pros

    • Free plan plus low per-organisation pricing
    • Automation rules and custom fields at small-business prices
    • Works closely with Zoho CRM, Inventory and Payroll

    Cons

    • Fewer accountants know it than QuickBooks or Xero
    • Features and pricing vary by country edition
    • Interface can feel crowded
    Visit Zoho Books Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Zoho Books a good Refrens alternative?

    Verified facts

    8 of 8 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, while yearly revenue stays under $50K
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan users
    1 user + 1 accountant
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Standard plan
    $15/org/month billed annually
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Professional plan
    $40 per org/month billed annually
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Apps
    Mobile and desktop
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $15 per org/month billed annually (Standard)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Premium plan
    $60 per org/month billed annually
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Extra users
    $3 per user/month, or $2.50 billed annually
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Vyapar logo

    2. Vyapar

    Best for: Indian shop owners and traders who need fast GST billing and stock tracking on phone and PC

    Free plan + paidAndroid, iOS, Windows

    64.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Refrens

    Popular Indian GST billing app with offline desktop use and inventory.

    Pros

    • Free basic plan on mobile
    • Works offline and syncs when connected
    • E-invoices, e-way bills and GST reports built in
    • Supports several Indian languages

    Cons

    • Built around Indian GST, so of little use elsewhere
    • Desktop app needs a paid licence after the 7-day trial
    • No macOS app
    Visit Vyapar Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Vyapar a good Refrens alternative?

    Verified facts

    9 of 9 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, lifetime free on mobile, limited access
    Checked Nov 8, 2026vyaparapp.in(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop trial
    7 days
    Checked Nov 8, 2026vyaparapp.in(opens source in a new tab)
    Offline mode
    Yes, syncs when online
    Checked Nov 8, 2026vyaparapp.in(opens source in a new tab)
    E-invoicing
    E-invoices and e-way bills
    Checked Nov 8, 2026vyaparapp.in(opens source in a new tab)
    Languages
    9+ Indian languages
    Checked Nov 8, 2026vyaparapp.in(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    ₹699 a year (Silver, mobile)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026vyaparapp.in(opens source in a new tab)
    Gold plan
    ₹799 a year (mobile)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026vyaparapp.in(opens source in a new tab)
    Silver desktop plan
    ₹3,799 a year
    Checked Nov 8, 2026vyaparapp.in(opens source in a new tab)
    Platinum plan
    ₹9,999 a year
    Checked Nov 8, 2026vyaparapp.in(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Zoho Invoice logo

    3. Zoho Invoice

    Best for: Freelancers and small businesses that only need invoicing and want it free

    FreeWeb, iOS, Android

    57.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Refrens

    Free invoicing from Zoho with no document limit, if you only need invoices.

    Pros

    • Free with recurring invoices and reminders
    • Time and expense tracking for billable work
    • Easy upgrade path to Zoho Books

    Cons

    • Not full accounting: no bank reconciliation or ledgers
    • Payment gateway fees still apply
    • Best value only if you stay in Zoho
    Visit Zoho Invoice Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Zoho Invoice a good Refrens alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Price
    Free for small businesses
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Cost
    $0
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Recurring invoices
    Yes
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Invoice Ninja logo

    4. Invoice Ninja

    Best for: Freelancers and small firms that want flexible invoicing and the option to self-host

    Free plan + paidSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    54.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Refrens

    Open-source invoicing you can self-host, for freelancers outside India.

    Pros

    • Self-host option alongside the hosted service
    • Many payment gateways and a client portal
    • Low-priced paid plans

    Cons

    • Not full accounting: no ledger or reconciliation
    • Source-available licence, not standard open source
    • Free hosted plan is limited to five clients
    Visit Invoice Ninja Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.357
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1591
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Invoice Ninja a good Refrens alternative?

    Verified facts

    7 of 8 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, up to 5 clients
    Checked Nov 8, 2026invoiceninja.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro plan
    $14/month billed monthly
    Checked Nov 8, 2026invoiceninja.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Code licence
    Source-available
    Checked Nov 8, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Users
    200,000+ businesses
    Checked Nov 8, 2026invoiceninja.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Self-hosting
    Yes
    Source changed Nov 8, 2026invoiceninja.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $14 a month billed monthly, or $140 a year (Pro)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026invoiceninja.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Enterprise plan
    From $18 a month (1–2 users)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026invoiceninja.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Money-back guarantee
    30 days
    Checked Nov 8, 2026invoiceninja.com(opens source in a new tab)