How do I choose an invoicing and GST app as a freelancer or consultant in India?

Look for four things: GST invoices with SAC codes, a way to record the TDS your client deducts (usually 10% under 194J) and match it to Form 26AS, retainers that bill themselves, and invoices in a foreign client's currency. Finocket does all four from a phone. Zoho Books suits you if you want live bank feeds or GSTR-1 filed from inside the app; Vyapar and myBillBook focus on billing, stock and counter sales.

What to check before you pick

Most invoicing apps make a GST invoice. The differences show up in what happens after the invoice is sent.

TDS: when a client pays ₹90,000 on a ₹1,00,000 invoice, can you mark the ₹10,000 as TDS rather than leave it as unpaid?
Estimates: can the client accept a quote online, and can you take a deposit before you start?
Retainers: does a monthly invoice go out on its own?
Foreign clients: can you bill in USD or AED, and raise an export invoice, with or without a LUT?
Your CA: can they see your books without asking you for exports?

How Finocket handles it

Estimates are accepted on a hosted page and turned into invoices in one tap. TDS a client deducts is recorded on the payment and shown in a year-end summary for matching to Form 26AS. Invoices can be in 16 currencies with the exchange rate fixed at issue, and an Export invoice type carries the LUT switch and port code. Recurring retainers, GST returns, TDS and the read-only CA invite are on the Starter plan.

When another app fits better

Choose Zoho Books if you want live bank feeds, GSTR-1 filed from inside the app, or you already run the Zoho suite. Choose Vyapar or myBillBook if what you mostly need is counter billing and stock for a shop. If your CA works only in Tally, Finocket can export Tally XML for them.

Questions

Registration is required once aggregate turnover crosses the threshold (₹20 lakh for services in most states), or earlier for some supplies. Until then you can invoice without GST.

Record the payment you received and mark the amount withheld as TDS under the section the client used (often 194J at 10%). The invoice reads as paid, and the TDS appears in the year-end summary for matching to Form 26AS.

Yes. Choose the client's currency; the exchange rate is fixed on the issue date. For an export of services, choose the Export invoice type, with or without a LUT.

The Solo plan is free until 31 Dec 2026, then ₹99/month and covers invoicing. GST returns, TDS, retainers and the CA invite are on Starter.

Checked against the product on 2026-10-09.