01What "free" means in invoicing
Invoicing software has a real cost for whoever runs it: servers, backups, constant updates to follow AADE's specifications, support. That is why the free version is almost always one of these:
- A starter plan with limits: a few documents a month, a few customers, one user or a restricted set of document types.
- A trial: full access for a while, then a subscription.
- A free core with paid add-ons: issuing is free, but you pay for the provider, stock, users or support.
None of these is bad. You just need to know which one you are looking at before you put your business's invoicing there.
02What to check before you start
Limits. How many documents, customers and users are allowed? What happens when you go over: does issuing stop, or are you simply asked to upgrade?
myDATA. Does the free plan transmit every document to myDATA and return a MARK? Without that, the software is just an invoice editor and transmission is left to you.
Provider. If you invoice the public sector or need e-invoicing through a certified provider, the provider cost is almost never free. Find out what it costs and what it covers.
Support. Who answers if myDATA rejects a document? By email, phone, or help articles only?
Your data. Can you export all your documents if you leave, or if the free plan is withdrawn?
03When a free plan is enough
A free plan is ideal for finding out whether software fits the way you work: how fast you can issue a document, whether you find what you need, whether myDATA transmission works smoothly. It also helps when you are just starting out and do not yet know what you will need.
For a business's ongoing invoicing, though, stability matters more: that the software will still be there, will keep up with AADE's changes and will have someone to answer when something goes wrong. That is what a small subscription pays for.
04The hidden cost of "free"
- Time. If free software does not transmit automatically, every document costs you extra minutes in the AADE portal.
- Errors. Manual transmission means more chances of myDATA discrepancies to fix later.
- Switching. If you change software mid-year, numbering series, customers and unpaid balances have to be set up again.
- Uncertainty. A free plan can change its terms. Read the terms of use.
05How eFluper works
With eFluper you can start on the free plan, try every feature of the app and upgrade whenever you like. You buy a subscription online inside the app, by debit card or PayPal.
Subscriptions are straightforward and myDATA transmission is included in all of them:
- Light, for freelancers: 8 €/month billed yearly (10 € monthly), unlimited customers and documents.
- Small: 8 €/month (10 €), up to 30 active customers, with purchases, expenses, stock and the API.
- Medium: 14 €/month (17 €), up to 500 active customers, with retail receipts and branches.
- Large: 28 €/month (36 €), unlimited customers.
All prices exclude VAT. The certified provider connection for B2B, B2G and B2C is an add-on from 95 €/year, and basic support by email and phone is free on every plan. See the full plan comparison.
06A simple plan
- Start on the free plan and connect myDATA with your AADE credentials.
- Issue a real document and check it comes back with a MARK.
- Check that the features you need (stock, users, provider) are in the plan that suits you.
- Work out the yearly cost and upgrade before you would have to move your data elsewhere.
If you are comparing several programs, see also how to choose invoicing software.