What AI assistants actually recommend when buyers ask about invoicing software for freelancers — measured weekly across 5 engines, published as open data.
Updated 2026-08-02 · 72 sampled answers · rolling 4-week window · methodology
Rankings are measured from sampled AI answers — never editorial, never paid. Orbator builds AI-visibility tooling; when Orbator itself appears in any category, it is measured by the same rules as everyone else.
Sample: 72 AI answers · Window: Jul 5, 2026 – Aug 2, 2026 (4-week rolling) · trend vs prior 4 weeks (32 answers)
Across 72 sampled AI answers from 5 engines, Wave is recommended most often — appearing in 88.9% of recommendations, followed by Zoho (86.1%) and FreshBooks (75%).
This is a measurement of share of voice across 5 AI engines — not an editorial pick. See the full ranking below.
| # | Product | Share | Trend | Engines | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wave wave.com Best for: AI recommends Wave most when buyers ask “best free or low-cost invoicing tool for independent contractors” (100% of those answers) | 88.9% 95% CI 79.6–94.3% 64 mentions · avg pos 4.9 first pick 28.1% | — | GROK 100%GEMINI 87.5%CHATGPT 87.5%CLAUDE 87.5%PERPLEXITY 87.5% | Claim |
| 2 | Zoho zoho.com Best for: AI recommends Zoho most when buyers ask “best free or low-cost invoicing tool for independent contractors” (100% of those answers) | 86.1% 95% CI 76.3–92.3% 62 mentions · avg pos 5.6 first pick 22.6% | — | GROK 100%GEMINI 87.5%CHATGPT 87.5%CLAUDE 75%PERPLEXITY 83.3% | Claim |
| 3 | FreshBooks freshbooks.com Best for: AI recommends FreshBooks most when buyers ask “best invoicing software for freelancers” (100% of those answers) | 75% 95% CI 63.9–83.6% 54 mentions · avg pos 6.6 first pick 18.5% | — | GROK 100%GEMINI 87.5%CHATGPT 75%CLAUDE 87.5%PERPLEXITY 50% | Claim |
| 4 | Invoice Ninja invoiceninja.com Best for: AI recommends Invoice Ninja most when buyers ask “lightweight invoicing tools instead of bloated billing platforms for freelancers” (100% of those answers) | 55.6% 95% CI 44.1–66.5% 40 mentions · avg pos 8 first pick 2.5% | — | GROK 50%GEMINI 58.3%CHATGPT 75%CLAUDE 25%PERPLEXITY 58.3% | Claim |
| 5 | PayPal paypal.com Best for: AI recommends PayPal most when buyers ask “simple invoicing alternatives to full accounting suites for solo freelancers” (90.9% of those answers) | 54.2% 95% CI 42.7–65.2% 39 mentions · avg pos 5.3 first pick 20.5% | — | GROK 87.5%GEMINI 75%CHATGPT 12.5%CLAUDE 25%PERPLEXITY 45.8% | Claim |
| 6 | Bonsai Best for: AI recommends Bonsai most when buyers ask “top invoicing apps for freelancers that handle recurring billing and late payment reminders” (100% of those answers) | 52.8% 95% CI 41.4–63.9% 38 mentions · avg pos 8.9 first pick 5.3% | — | GROK 75%GEMINI 75%CHATGPT 25%CLAUDE 37.5%PERPLEXITY 37.5% | Claim |
| 7 | Stripe stripe.com Best for: AI recommends Stripe most when buyers ask “how do I send professional invoices and get paid faster as a freelancer” (54.5% of those answers) | 40.3% 95% CI 29.7–51.8% 29 mentions · avg pos 10.4 first pick 10.3% | — | GROK 62.5%GEMINI 37.5%CHATGPT 62.5%CLAUDE 62.5%PERPLEXITY 20.8% | Claim |
| 8 | Square square.com Best for: AI recommends Square most when buyers ask “simple invoicing alternatives to full accounting suites for solo freelancers” (63.6% of those answers) | 36.1% 95% CI 26–47.6% 26 mentions · avg pos 5.8 first pick 19.2% | — | GROK 62.5%GEMINI 29.2%CLAUDE 25%PERPLEXITY 50% | Claim |
| 9 | QuickBooks quickbooks.intuit.com Best for: AI recommends QuickBooks most when buyers ask “how do I send professional invoices and get paid faster as a freelancer” (81.8% of those answers) | 36.1% 95% CI 26–47.6% 26 mentions · avg pos 12 first pick 3.8% | — | GROK 75%GEMINI 41.7%CHATGPT 50%CLAUDE 25%PERPLEXITY 16.7% | Claim |
| 10 | Helcim helcim.com Best for: AI recommends Helcim most when buyers ask “lightweight invoicing tools instead of bloated billing platforms for freelancers” (54.5% of those answers) | 26.4% 95% CI 17.6–37.6% 19 mentions · avg pos 4.4 first pick 15.8% | — | GEMINI 25%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 50% | Claim |
| 11 | Harvest getharvest.com Best for: AI recommends Harvest most when buyers ask “top invoicing apps for freelancers that handle recurring billing and late payment reminders” (63.6% of those answers) | 25% 95% CI 16.4–36.1% 18 mentions · avg pos 8.6 first pick 0% | — | GROK 62.5%GEMINI 33.3%CLAUDE 25%PERPLEXITY 12.5% | Claim |
| 12 | Wave Payroll waveapps.com Best for: AI recommends Wave Payroll most when buyers ask “simple invoicing alternatives to full accounting suites for solo freelancers” (36.4% of those answers) | 22.2% 95% CI 14.2–33.1% 16 mentions · avg pos 3.8 first pick 0% | — | GROK 25%GEMINI 12.5%CHATGPT 12.5%PERPLEXITY 41.7% | Claim |
| 13 | Square Invoices squareup.com Best for: AI recommends Square Invoices most when buyers ask “best invoicing software for freelancers” (45.5% of those answers) | 22.2% 95% CI 14.2–33.1% 16 mentions · avg pos 7.9 first pick 6.3% | — | GROK 62.5%GEMINI 4.2%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 37.5% | Claim |
| 14 | Bookipi bookipi.com Best for: AI recommends Bookipi most when buyers ask “simple invoicing alternatives to full accounting suites for solo freelancers” (36.4% of those answers) | 19.4% 95% CI 12–30% 14 mentions · avg pos 7.4 first pick 0% | — | GROK 62.5%GEMINI 16.7%PERPLEXITY 20.8% | Claim |
| 15 | Wise wise.com Best for: AI recommends Wise most when buyers ask “how do I send professional invoices and get paid faster as a freelancer” (54.5% of those answers) | 19.4% 95% CI 12–30% 14 mentions · avg pos 10.2 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 8.3%CHATGPT 12.5%PERPLEXITY 41.7% | Claim |
| 16 | NerdWallet nerdwallet.com Best for: AI recommends NerdWallet most when buyers ask “best invoicing software for freelancers” (36.4% of those answers) | 18.1% 95% CI 10.9–28.5% 13 mentions · avg pos 8 first pick 0% | — | GROK 25%CHATGPT 25%PERPLEXITY 37.5% | Claim |
| 17 | Arc.dev arc.dev Best for: AI recommends Arc.dev most when buyers ask “lightweight invoicing tools instead of bloated billing platforms for freelancers” (45.5% of those answers) | 15.3% 95% CI 8.8–25.3% 11 mentions · avg pos 2 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%PERPLEXITY 41.7% | Claim |
| 18 | Invoice Simple invoicesimple.com | 15.3% 95% CI 8.8–25.3% 11 mentions · avg pos 7.6 first pick 9.1% | — | GROK 25%GEMINI 12.5%CLAUDE 25%PERPLEXITY 16.7% | Claim |
| 19 | Plutio plutio.com Best for: AI recommends Plutio most when buyers ask “invoicing-only tools for freelancers vs all-in-one accounting software — which is better” (36.4% of those answers) | 13.9% 95% CI 7.7–23.7% 10 mentions · avg pos 10.8 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 12.5%CHATGPT 12.5%CLAUDE 62.5% | Claim |
| 20 | Paymo paymoapp.com Best for: AI recommends Paymo most when buyers ask “best free or low-cost invoicing tool for independent contractors” (45.5% of those answers) | 12.5% 95% CI 6.7–22.1% 9 mentions · avg pos 8.1 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 12.5%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 20.8% | Claim |
| 21 | Zapier AI zapier.com Best for: AI recommends Zapier AI most when buyers ask “best free or low-cost invoicing tool for independent contractors” (36.4% of those answers) | 12.5% 95% CI 6.7–22.1% 9 mentions · avg pos 11.2 first pick 0% | — | GROK 62.5%CHATGPT 12.5%PERPLEXITY 12.5% | Claim |
| 22 | HoneyBook honeybook.com Best for: AI recommends HoneyBook most when buyers ask “best invoicing software for freelancers” (45.5% of those answers) | 11.1% 95% CI 5.7–20.4% 8 mentions · avg pos 8.7 first pick 0% | — | GROK 25%GEMINI 20.8%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 23 | Invoicely invoicely.com Best for: AI recommends Invoicely most when buyers ask “best free or low-cost invoicing tool for independent contractors” (36.4% of those answers) | 8.3% 95% CI 3.9–17% 6 mentions · avg pos 5.8 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 16.7%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 24 | Invoicera invoicera.com Best for: AI recommends Invoicera most when buyers ask “what invoicing app should I use as a freelancer to handle multiple currencies and clients” (45.5% of those answers) | 8.3% 95% CI 3.9–17% 6 mentions · avg pos 6.2 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 16.7%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 25 | Jobbers.io jobbers.io Best for: AI recommends Jobbers.io most when buyers ask “best invoicing software for freelancers” (45.5% of those answers) | 8.3% 95% CI 3.9–17% 6 mentions · avg pos 8 first pick 0% | — | GROK 25%GEMINI 8.3%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 26 | Deel Bookkeeping | 6.9% 95% CI 3–15.2% 5 mentions · avg pos 5.4 first pick 60% | — | GEMINI 20.8% | Claim |
| 27 | Invoice-Generator.com invoice-generator.com | 6.9% 95% CI 3–15.2% 5 mentions · avg pos 10.2 first pick 20% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 12.5%CHATGPT 12.5% | Claim |
| 28 | Deel deel.com Best for: AI recommends Deel most when buyers ask “best free or low-cost invoicing tool for independent contractors” (36.4% of those answers) | 5.6% 95% CI 2.2–13.4% 4 mentions · avg pos 2.7 first pick 50% | — | GEMINI 8.3%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 29 | Agiled agiled.app Best for: AI recommends Agiled most when buyers ask “what invoicing app should I use as a freelancer to handle multiple currencies and clients” (36.4% of those answers) | 4.2% 95% CI 1.4–11.5% 3 mentions · avg pos 4 first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 12.5%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 30 | Xero xero.com | 4.2% 95% CI 1.4–11.5% 3 mentions · avg pos 12.5 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2%CHATGPT 25% | Claim |
| 31 | Moxie withmoxie.com | 4.2% 95% CI 1.4–11.5% 3 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 12.5% | Claim |
| 32 | Hello Bonsai hellobonsai.com | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions · avg pos 13 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 4.2% | Claim |
| 33 | Hiveage hiveage.com | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions · avg pos 13 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2%CHATGPT 12.5% | Claim |
| 34 | Mercury mercury.com | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions · avg pos 14.5 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 4.2% | Claim |
| 35 | Indy | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions · avg pos 16.5 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2%CHATGPT 12.5% | Claim |
| 36 | Canva canva.com | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 37 | Eonebill eonebill.ai | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 38 | F6S f6s.com | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 39 | Lovable.dev lovable.dev | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 4 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5% | Claim |
| 40 | Simple Invoices | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 6 first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 41 | FreeAgent freeagent.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 7 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2% | Claim |
| 42 | Bluevine bluevine.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 9 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2% | Claim |
| 43 | Bonsai Agency Software bonsaiapp.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 10 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2% | Claim |
| 44 | Contractor+ | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 11 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2% | Claim |
| 45 | Thryv thryv.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 11 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5% | Claim |
| 46 | ZipBooks zipbooks.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 11 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2% | Claim |
| 47 | PCMag pcmag.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 13 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5% | Claim |
| 48 | Bench bench.co | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 15 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5% | Claim |
| 49 | Harlow | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 15 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2% | Claim |
| 50 | Adobe Sign adobe.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 51 | Avaza avaza.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 52 | Deelo deelo.ai | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 53 | Figma figma.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 54 | Invoice Master | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 55 | Kapwing kapwing.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 56 | PayRequest | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | CLAUDE 12.5% | Claim |
| 57 | Sage sage.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 58 | SourceForge sourceforge.net | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
Reading the numbers: Share is a point estimate on 72 sampled answers, so each row also shows its 95% CI — the Wilson score interval around that share. When two products' intervals overlap, the gap between them isn't statistically meaningful at this sample size. First pick is the share of a product's recommending answers where it was named first, which separates “always mentioned” from “usually the top recommendation”. Full methodology.
Independence: Orbator customers are badged for disclosure. Customer status does not affect prompts, sampling, extraction, or ranking — see the methodology. Your product on this list? Claim it to see the prompts behind your rank and track it weekly.
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