InvoiceShelf review (2026): is it any good?
Open-source invoicing and expense tracking you host yourself
InvoiceShelf report card
Fair · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 13, 2026
Best for self-hosted invoicing and expenses
InvoiceShelf is open-source invoicing you run on your own server, with estimates, recurring billing, expenses and a customer portal. It isn't a double-entry ledger, support is a Discord community, and you handle PHP and security updates.
Who InvoiceShelf is for
- Fits if you bill clients regularly and can run your own server
- Works for German B2B sellers who need ZUGFeRD or Factur-X files
Who InvoiceShelf is not for
- Skip it if you want a full double-entry ledger, as it covers invoicing and expenses only
- Not for you if you don't want to run PHP, since security updates are yours
- Watch out: support is a community on Discord, with no paid help
- Tight if you take card payments other than Stripe, the only one named
- Watch out: it needs a server you pay for
Why InvoiceShelf gets a 2.0
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- CValue for moneyFree under AGPL-3.0 with no seat limits, but it only counts as free if you host it, which needs a server.
- BFree plan and trialEvery feature is free and unlimited, once you've installed it yourself.
- CFeaturesInvoices, estimates, recurring billing, expenses, multi-company and ZUGFeRD e-invoicing. The listing says it isn't a full ledger.
- DEase of useInstalled with Docker or by hand on your own server, with updates yours to apply.
- CPlatforms and integrationsWeb only, and Stripe is the one online payment option named.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from InvoiceShelf's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/invoiceshelf#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/invoiceshelf.svg" alt="InvoiceShelf: 2.0 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where InvoiceShelf stands among accounting and invoicing tools
InvoiceShelf's GPA of 2.0 is higher than 22 of the 127 other accounting and invoicing tools we grade, and level with 20.
It stands best on free plan and trial (B, above 93 of 127) and worst on ease of use (D, above 0).
InvoiceShelf has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 1.7 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 128 accounting and invoicing tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. InvoiceShelf’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 19 of 127, level with 69
- BFree plan and trialAbove 93 of 127, level with 25
- CFeaturesAbove 7 of 127, level with 78
- DEase of useAbove 0 of 127, level with 5
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 2 of 127, level with 25
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 101 accounting and invoicing tools. Further left costs less, and higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Point at a dot to see which tool it is.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Keep InvoiceShelf, or make your own?
Keep it
InvoiceShelf is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 85 of the 127 other accounting and invoicing tools grade higher.
What you could make
- Invoicing, expense tracking, quotes and estimates and reports: an app builder makes these well.
What this rests on. InvoiceShelf’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
What is InvoiceShelf?
InvoiceShelf is open-source invoicing software released under AGPL-3.0 that you run on your own server. It handles invoices, estimates, recurring billing, expenses and payments, and can run several companies from one install. The site says every feature is free, with no seats or subscription.
Worth knowing
- It covers invoicing, expenses and payments, not a full double-entry ledger.
- Self-hosting means you handle PHP and security updates; the 2.4.7 release notes describe a PHP security fix.
- Support is through the community on Discord.
- Stripe is the online card payment option the site names.
Key features
- Invoices and estimates
- Builds branded invoices and estimates with custom fields, taxes and notes.
- Recurring billing
- Retainers and subscriptions are scheduled once and repeat invoices are generated automatically.
- Expenses and reports
- Tracks expenses, sales, taxes and overdue balances, with multi-currency support listed.
- Customer portal
- Clients get a private place to view, download and pay invoices.
- Multiple companies
- Several businesses can run from one install, each with its own branding, currency and tax rules.
- E-invoicing
- An E-Invoicing module issues ZUGFeRD and Factur-X invoices for EN 16931; the site labels it new in 3.0.
InvoiceShelf pricing
As of Nov 13, 2026, InvoiceShelf is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- Fully free to self-host under AGPL-3.0, with unlimited invoices and estimates and no seat limits.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Self-hosted | $0 | Every feature is free; you install it with Docker or a manual install on your own server. |
Read from invoiceshelf.com on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with InvoiceShelf before you buy.
Works with
InvoiceShelf alternatives
- InvoiceShelf vs Invoice Ninja
Free plan · from $14/mo
- InvoiceShelf vs Akaunting
Free plan · from $72/yr
- InvoiceShelf vs Manager.io
Free plan · from $59/mo
Common questions
Does InvoiceShelf have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. InvoiceShelf is listed for Web.
Does InvoiceShelf have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. InvoiceShelf is listed for Web.
Is InvoiceShelf open source?
Yes. InvoiceShelf is open source, according to its own site. It can also be run on a server of your own.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 13, 2026.