Is Ozydo really free?

Yes. Ozydo's free plan lets you create 5 invoices and 3 estimates every month at zero cost, forever. No credit card is required. The Pro plan (₹199/month) removes the monthly limits and adds unlimited invoices, premium PDF templates, GSTR-1 export, and priority support.

How do I create a GST invoice for free in India?

Sign up free at ozydo.com, add your GSTIN in settings, create a new invoice, add your client and line items, choose the GST rate (5%, 12%, 18%, or 28%), and tap Send. The PDF invoice is generated instantly with CGST/SGST or IGST calculated automatically. Share via WhatsApp or email.

What is the mandatory format for a GST invoice in India?

A valid GST tax invoice must include: supplier name, address, and GSTIN; unique sequential invoice number; invoice date; recipient name, address, and GSTIN (for B2B); HSN/SAC code; description of goods or services; taxable value; GST rate; CGST and SGST or IGST amounts separately; place of supply; and total value in words and figures.

Can I send a GST invoice on WhatsApp?

Yes. Ozydo generates a professional GST invoice PDF and lets you share it directly on WhatsApp with one tap — without downloading and re-uploading the file. This is the fastest way to send invoices to clients in India.

What is the difference between CGST, SGST, and IGST?

CGST (Central GST) and SGST (State GST) apply to intra-state sales — within the same state. They are each half of the total GST rate (e.g., 18% GST = 9% CGST + 9% SGST). IGST (Integrated GST) applies to inter-state sales — between two different states — and equals the full rate.

Do freelancers need to charge GST on invoices?

Only if your annual service income exceeds ₹20 lakh (₹10 lakh in some North-East states). Below this threshold, you do not need to register for GST and can invoice without charging GST. Above the threshold, GST registration is mandatory and you must charge 18% GST on most services.

What is the best free invoice app for small businesses in India?

Ozydo is designed specifically for Indian small businesses — it creates GST-compliant invoices in 30 seconds, shares them via WhatsApp, adds a UPI QR code for instant payment, and supports Hindi language. The free plan includes 5 invoices/month with no credit card required.

How do I collect payment via UPI on an invoice?

Add your UPI ID (e.g., yourname@okaxis) in your Ozydo business settings. Every invoice you create will automatically include a UPI QR code and direct payment links for GPay, PhonePe, and Paytm. Clients scan the QR or tap the link to pay instantly.

Comparison6 min read·30 April 2026·Updated 1 May 2026

Free Zoho Invoice Alternative India 2026 — Best Options for Small Business

Zoho Invoice is permanently free now — but it lacks WhatsApp PDF sharing, UPI QR codes on invoices, and Hindi language support. Ozydo is built specifically for Indian small businesses with all three. Here is an honest comparison.

Zoho Invoice made headlines when it became permanently free in 2023. It is a solid invoicing tool with professional templates, a mobile app, and expense tracking. But for Indian small businesses, freelancers, and trades people who primarily operate on WhatsApp and collect payments via UPI — Zoho Invoice has some significant gaps.

Ozydo vs Zoho Invoice — Feature Comparison

Feature	Ozydo (Free)	Zoho Invoice (Free)
Price	Free (5 invoices/month) / ₹199/month Pro	Free forever
GST invoice (CGST/SGST split)	✅ Auto-calculated	✅ Yes
Send PDF via WhatsApp	✅ One tap	❌ Manual download & share
UPI QR code on invoice	✅ Auto-generated	❌ Not available
GPay / PhonePe / Paytm link	✅ Yes	❌ No
Hindi language support	✅ Yes	❌ English only
Client digital signature	✅ Yes	❌ No
GSTR-1 export	✅ Yes (Pro)	✅ Yes
Estimate to invoice conversion	✅ One tap	✅ Yes
Works on mobile browser	✅ Yes (PWA)	✅ Mobile app only
Inventory / stock	✅ Yes (Pro)	✅ Yes
India-first design	✅ Built for India	⚠️ Global tool

Where Zoho Invoice Is Better

Zoho Invoice integrates with the full Zoho suite — Zoho Books, CRM, Projects — making it excellent for businesses already in the Zoho ecosystem.
More advanced expense management with receipt scanning (using the mobile camera).
Stronger multi-currency support for businesses that invoice in 5+ currencies.
Better time-tracking integration — log billable hours directly and convert to invoice.
Client portal — clients can view all their invoices, estimates, and make payments in one place.

Where Ozydo Is Better for Indian Users

WhatsApp PDF sharing built in — the single most important feature for India. Zoho Invoice requires you to download the PDF and manually share on WhatsApp.
UPI payment QR code on every invoice — clients scan and pay instantly. Zoho has no UPI QR feature.
GPay, PhonePe, and Paytm deep links on the public invoice page — your client can open their UPI app in one tap.
Hindi and regional language invoice support — important for businesses in Tier 2/3 cities and rural areas.
Simpler onboarding — get your first invoice out in 2 minutes, without a lengthy setup wizard.
Auto-payment reminders via WhatsApp — Ozydo sends WhatsApp reminders for overdue invoices automatically.

Our recommendation

If you are already using Zoho Books or other Zoho products, stick with Zoho Invoice for the integration benefits. If you are starting fresh and your workflow is mobile-first, WhatsApp-centric, and UPI-based (which is the majority of Indian small businesses), Ozydo is a better fit.

Try Ozydo — Built for India's WhatsApp Economy

WhatsApp PDF, UPI QR, Hindi support. Free forever. No credit card.

Get Started Free →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Zoho Invoice really free forever?

Yes — Zoho Invoice has been free for all users since September 2023 with no client or invoice limits on the core features. However, some advanced features (custom domains, portal customisation) may require a Zoho One or Zoho Books subscription.

Can I migrate from Zoho Invoice to Ozydo?

You can export your client list from Zoho and import it manually into Ozydo. Invoice history migration is not automated — you may want to keep Zoho Invoice accessible for old invoice records while using Ozydo for new invoices going forward.

Does Ozydo integrate with Zoho CRM?

Not currently. Ozydo is a standalone invoicing app. If deep CRM integration is critical for your workflow, Zoho Invoice + Zoho CRM may be the better choice.

Which app is better for a chartered accountant?

CAs typically need full accounting software, not just invoicing. Neither Ozydo nor Zoho Invoice is a replacement for Tally, Zoho Books, or Busy. However, Ozydo's GSTR-1 export feature lets you hand off invoice data to your CA's accounting software easily.

📚 Related Guides

ComparisonBest Free Vyapar Alternative in India 2026 — Ozydo vs Vyapar Comparison Business TipsHow to Create a Monthly Business Report as a Small Business Owner in India ReviewsBest Free Invoice App for Small Businesses in India 2026

Share this article:WhatsApp X / Twitter LinkedIn

Written by the Ozydo Team

Ozydo is India's simplest free GST invoice app for small businesses and freelancers. We write practical guides on invoicing, GST, and business finance to help you get paid faster.