Best Invoicing & Accounting Software for Swiss Freelancers

If you're a Swiss freelancer, you already know: life is hard enough without your accounting software making it worse.

Between chasing late payments, managing VAT returns, and generating Swiss QR invoices, you need software that actually helps — not another complex tool designed for SMEs with accounting departments.

I've personally tested 15+ invoicing and accounting tools specifically for Swiss freelancers. Each one got a full hands-on review where I created invoices, scanned expenses, and tested Swiss-specific features like QR-bill generation and VAT management.

What makes this guide different: It's focused exclusively on Swiss freelancers and sole proprietors. Not European freelancers. Not SMEs. Not startups. Just you — the self-employed professional who needs Swiss compliance without the headache.

Also searched as: Rechnungsprogramm Schweiz, Rechnungssoftware Schweiz, Fakturierungsprogramm Schweiz, logiciel de facturation Suisse, programme de facturation Suisse.

Last content review: January 2026. Pricing verified against vendor pages where sources are available.

Understanding Your Swiss Obligations

Your bookkeeping obligations change based on revenue:

Under CHF 100,000 annual revenue: Basic record-keeping suffices. Track income and expenses, but formal double-entry accounting isn't legally required.

CHF 100,000 – CHF 500,000: Must maintain proper bookkeeping and register for VAT. You'll file quarterly or semi-annual VAT returns.

Above CHF 500,000: Double-entry accounting becomes mandatory. At this level, you need professional-grade tools.

Recent Regulatory Changes (2025–2026)

QR-bill update (November 2025): Since November 21, 2025, only structured addresses (type "S") are accepted in Swiss QR-codes. Combined addresses (type "K") are no longer allowed. Transition period runs until September 30, 2026. All tools in this guide are compliant, but verify your current tool if it's not listed here.

VAT reminder: Mandatory registration at CHF 100,000 annual revenue. Current rates: 7.7% standard, 2.5% reduced, 3.7% accommodation. Your software must display the CHE (UID) number on all invoices.

How I Evaluated Each Tool

I didn't just click through demos. I used each tool with real invoicing scenarios:

Feature Completeness (40% weight)

• QR-bill invoice generation (structured addresses)
• Automatic expense scanning
• Bank statement import (ISO 20022 camt.053/054)
• VAT management for Swiss rates
• Multi-currency support (CHF/EUR)

Simplicity & User Experience (35% weight)

• Can you create an invoice in under 2 minutes?
• Is the interface clean or cluttered?
• Do you need accounting knowledge to use it?

Swiss Compliance (15% weight)

• Swiss data storage
• Correct VAT rates (updated for 2026)
• QR-bill with structured addresses
• Support for Swiss formats and languages

Modern Technology (10% weight)

• AI-powered features (receipt scanning, categorization)
• Mobile app quality
• Active development and updates

The Full Comparison: Every Tool Tested

Here's every tool I tested, with honest takes on who they're actually for:

1. Magic Heidi — The Modern Freelancer Favorite

Price: Free (3 invoices/month) | CHF 30/month or CHF 299/year

Magic Heidi positions itself as the freelancer-first alternative to heavier SME platforms. Designed by a Swiss freelancer for Swiss freelancers, it balances ease-of-use with complete functionality.

Standout Features:

• AI-powered receipt scanning: photograph receipts, data extracted automatically (amount, date, VAT, category, vendor)
• Beautiful, modern interface across web, iPhone, Android, Mac, and Windows
• Automatic QR-bill generation with structured addresses
• Bank statement import with smart matching
• Full Swiss VAT management with correct 2026 rates
• Available in English, German, French, Italian

The Trade-Off: Newer to market than established players, so fewer third-party integrations. Deliberately targets freelancers and micro-businesses — not suited for teams above 5 people or complex ERP needs.

Perfect For: Freelancers billing CHF 50K–500K annually who want modern software that just works without requiring accounting knowledge.

2. Bexio — The Swiss Market Leader

Price: Starter CHF 45/month (CHF 35/month annual) | Pro CHF 75/month | Pro+ CHF 125/month Pricing checked January 2026 via bexio.com

With over 80,000 Swiss SME users, Bexio dominates the market. It's the most comprehensive platform, handling everything from invoicing to project management to payroll.

Standout Features:

• Deep integration with Swiss banks and e-banking platforms
• CRM features for client relationship management
• Project time tracking and billing
• Inventory management (if you sell products)
• Payroll capabilities when you're ready to hire
• 100+ third-party integrations
• ISO 27001 and ISAE 3402 certified

The Trade-Off: More complex than necessary if you're a simple freelancer. Price adds up fast — modules and extra users can push you well past CHF 200/month. Some users report innovation has slowed in recent years.

Perfect For: Freelancers approaching CHF 200K+ revenue who plan to grow into a proper company, or those who need CRM and project features alongside accounting.

3. CashCtrl — The Free Powerhouse

Price: Free (basic) | CHF 340/year (PRO) Pricing checked January 2026 via swissmadesoftware.org

CashCtrl proves "free" doesn't mean "limited." This Basel-based platform offers a permanently free tier with genuine functionality, not a trial that expires.

Standout Features:

• Free version with full double-entry accounting (unheard of elsewhere)
• Cloud-based, accessible anywhere with internet
• Complete Swiss VAT management
• Multi-currency support
• Customizable invoice templates
• API access for developers

The Trade-Off: No dedicated mobile apps (browser-only). Interface is functional but less polished than Magic Heidi or Bexio. Best for users comfortable with web applications. First price increase in 10 years (previously CHF 295/year).

Perfect For: New freelancers under CHF 100K revenue, or experienced users who prefer free software and don't mind browser-based tools.

4. KLARA — Maximum Automation

Price: From CHF 39/month | 14-day free trial

Developed by ePost (Swiss Post), KLARA takes a different approach: automate everything possible. The platform claims to automate up to 42% of typical office tasks.

Standout Features:

• Exceptional document automation and routing
• AI-powered receipt scanning and categorization
• Automatic accounting entries from invoices
• Automatic bank reconciliation without manual intervention
• Strong integration with Swiss Post services
• Good for startups and associations
• Stock management module included

The Trade-Off: No real free plan (only 14 days trial). Fewer third-party integrations than Bexio. Can be overkill if you just need basic invoicing.

Perfect For: Freelancers and small businesses who value automation and modern design, particularly startups and associations.

5. SWISS21 — The Generous Freemium

Price: Free (Starter) | CHF 21/month (Basic) | CHF 49/month (Pro, since January 2025) Pricing change checked January 2026 via swiss21.org help center

SWISS21 surprises with a genuinely functional free plan — not a neutered trial. Over 60,000 users have adopted the platform.

Standout Features:

• Unlimited QR-bill invoicing on the free plan
• Basic accounting and project management included
• Helpdesk module available
• 70+ app integrations
• Swiss data hosting, GDPR compliant

The Trade-Off: Free users see third-party offers. Bank reconciliation and automation features are limited on lower tiers. "Free" changed scope from 2025 — verify what's included in your plan.

Perfect For: Bootstrapping freelancers under CHF 50,000 revenue who need free but functional software and can accept tier boundaries.

6. Crésus — The Trusted Veteran

Price: From CHF 20/month (rental) or CHF 600+ (purchase)

With over 30 years in the Swiss market, Crésus has served businesses and fiduciaries since the early days of computerized accounting. Stable, reliable, and deeply integrated with the Swiss fiduciary network.

Standout Features:

• Cross-platform: PC, Mac, Linux
• Hundreds of fiduciaries use and recommend Crésus
• Exceptionally intuitive interface (lowest learning curve in category)
• Excellent Swiss compliance: VAT, QR-bills, CHE number
• Native multilingual invoicing (DE/FR/IT/EN)
• Customizable modules (multi-currency, consolidation)

The Trade-Off: Interface shows its age compared to modern cloud tools. Often bundled with the accounting module whether you need it or not. Desktop-first mentality.

Perfect For: Non-technical freelancers who prioritize ease of learning, or those working closely with a fiduciary that already uses Crésus.

7. Infinity.swiss — AI-Powered Newcomer

Price: CHF 25/month (standard) | CHF 40/month (team) | Annual discount available

Infinity positions itself as the most modern, AI-forward option on the Swiss market. Over 50 new features shipped in 2024 alone.

Standout Features:

• Live Accounting with AI-suggested bookings
• Sophisticated document recognition
• Modern interface designed for 2026
• Multi-language interface (DE/FR/EN)

The Trade-Off: German-market focused. Web-only (no native mobile apps). Newer entrant, so smaller user base and community.

Perfect For: Tech-savvy freelancers who want cutting-edge AI automation and don't mind a web-only experience.

8. Smallinvoice — Structured Invoicing Plans

Price: Free plan | CHF 15/month (Starter) | CHF 30/month (Professional, 3 users) | CHF 45/month (5 users) Pricing checked January 2026 via smallinvoice.ch

A Swiss invoicing tool with clear tier structure, positioned for freelancers, startups and SMEs.

Standout Features:

• QR-bill invoices with templates
• CRM basics and project tracking
• User-based tiers suitable for small teams
• Exports for bookkeeping collaboration
• Available in English, French, German

The Trade-Off: Interface feels complex. Setting up QR invoices requires extra steps. AI features are limited compared to Magic Heidi or KLARA.

Perfect For: Freelancers who need project management integrated with invoicing and want transparent pricing tiers.

9. Banana Accounting — The Spreadsheet Alternative

Price: Free (up to 70 transactions) | CHF 69/year (Professional) | CHF 149/year (Advanced)

Since 1990, Banana has served Swiss businesses with reliable, affordable accounting. If you're comfortable with spreadsheets, Banana's interface feels immediately familiar.

Standout Features:

• Desktop application (Windows, Mac, Linux) — data stays on your computer
• Spreadsheet-like interface (Excel users adapt instantly)
• Full double-entry accounting capabilities
• Budget and forecast planning tools
• Available in German, French, Italian, English

The Trade-Off: No mobile apps or cloud sync. Manual data entry (no automatic bank feeds). Requires accounting knowledge. Interface feels dated.

Perfect For: Budget-conscious freelancers who prefer desktop software, keep their own books, and don't mind manual transaction entry.

10. AbaNinja (by Abacus) — Simplified Enterprise Heritage

Price: Free plan | Approximately CHF 21/month (Advanced)

AbaNinja brings decades of Swiss accounting expertise (Abacus, established in the 1980s) into a simplified, cloud-based package.

Standout Features:

• Backed by Abacus, a trusted name in Swiss accounting
• Clean, modern interface designed for non-accountants
• Solid Swiss VAT and QR-bill support
• Good bank integration options

The Trade-Off: Less feature-rich than Bexio, less modern than Magic Heidi. Middle-of-the-road in most categories — which can be exactly what some freelancers want.

Perfect For: Freelancers who want reliable, no-surprises software from an established Swiss company without paying Bexio prices.

11. PebeLive — Simple and German-Only

Price: Free plan available | CHF 15–30/month for paid plans

A smaller Swiss player focused on the German-speaking market with a simplicity-first approach.

Standout Features:

• Simple onboarding and clean design
• Invoicing and small-business workflows
• Low-cost option for basic needs

The Trade-Off: German-only interface. Limited QR-bill and VAT reporting depth compared to larger competitors. Smaller ecosystem.

Perfect For: German-speaking freelancers who prioritize simplicity and low cost above all else.

12. Milchbüechli — Extreme Minimalism

Price: CHF 9/month or CHF 96/year

Inspired by the traditional Swiss "milk book," Milchbüechli offers only income and expense tracking. Nothing more.

Important: This is not an invoicing tool. It does not generate invoices or QR-bills. It's bookkeeping-only.

Perfect For: Freelancers who use a separate invoicing tool and just need dead-simple expense tracking in German.

Other Options Worth Knowing

Winbiz — Affordable SME features including Swiss QR-bills, VAT, and payroll. More SME-focused but accessible for larger freelance operations.

Atlanto (CHF 43/month) — Robust tools but designed for companies, not solo freelancers. Multi-user pricing you probably don't need.

Zoho Books + Swiss QR-bill add-on — If you already use Zoho's ecosystem internationally, a Swiss QR-bill extension can make it CH-usable. Watch for VAT reporting specifics and localization depth.

Lightweight QR-bill generators (mobile) — Some freelancers just need the simplest possible workflow: generate a Swiss QR invoice fast. These mobile apps exist but offer limited VAT handling and no accountant collaboration.

When to Hire an Accountant Anyway

Good software handles daily bookkeeping, but you might still need professional help for:

• Initial setup: Getting your accounts structured correctly from the start
• Year-end closing: Ensuring everything's properly categorized for taxes
• Tax optimization: Knowing which expenses are fully deductible, how to structure revenue
• Growth transitions: Crossing the CHF 100K or CHF 500K thresholds
• Complex situations: Multiple income sources, international clients, equity compensation

Most Swiss freelancers land on a hybrid approach: handle daily transactions yourself in software, consult an accountant quarterly, get professional help for annual filings.

The Bottom Line

After testing 15+ tools with real invoicing, expense tracking, and VAT management:

Choose Magic Heidi if you're a typical Swiss freelancer (under CHF 500,000 revenue) who values simplicity and Swiss-specific features. The free plan lets you test without risk.

Choose Bexio if you're planning to scale beyond solo freelancing and need SME-level features like payroll, CRM, and inventory.

Choose CashCtrl if you're budget-constrained or just starting — the free tier provides remarkable value.

Choose KLARA if automation is your priority and you want AI to handle as much admin work as possible.

Choose Crésus if ease-of-use trumps everything and you want the gentlest learning curve with strong fiduciary support.

Don't overthink it. Every tool mentioned handles core Swiss bookkeeping correctly. Pick one that matches your budget and comfort level, start your free trial, and spend 30 minutes testing with real work.

The software that gets used consistently beats the "perfect" tool that overwhelms you.

Last updated: January 2026. Prices and features verified through hands-on testing and vendor page checks.