When it comes to invoicing clients, freelancers and small business owners often turn to tools they already use — and for many, that includes PayPal. The question is: Is it actually free to create and send an invoice on PayPal?
Is It Free to Create an Invoice on PayPal?
The short answer: Yes, it’s free to create and send invoices with PayPal but not to get paid.
If you’re accepting payment through a PayPal invoice, the platform charges a transaction fee. That means while the invoice itself costs nothing to generate, you’ll lose a percentage of your earnings when your client pays.
In this blog, we’ll cover:
- How PayPal invoicing works
- Whether it’s truly “free”
- What the hidden costs are
- How to create invoices on PayPal
- Why MyInvoiceCreator.com is a better 100% free alternative
- A detailed FAQ section
Let’s break it all down.
PayPal is one of the most recognized online payment platforms. It allows users to send money, accept payments, and issue invoices globally.
With PayPal invoicing, you can:
- Create a branded invoice using templates
- Add product or service details
- Calculate taxes and totals
- Send the invoice via email
- Allow clients to pay with credit cards, debit cards, or PayPal balance
It sounds simple — and it is. But it’s important to understand what’s free and what’s not.
Is It Free to Create a PayPal Invoice?
Yes. You can create and send invoices on PayPal at no upfront cost. There’s no fee for:
- Creating invoices
- Saving templates
- Sending them via email
- Tracking payment status
However, once your client pays the invoice, PayPal charges you a fee to process that transaction.
PayPal Invoice Fees (The Fine Print)
While the invoice is free to send, here are the fees to expect once payment is received:
Standard PayPal Fees (as of 2025):
- Domestic transactions: 2.99% + fixed fee per transaction (around $0.49 USD)
- International transactions: Up to 4.4% + fixed fee
- Currency conversions: 3–4% above the base exchange rate
That means if you send a $500 invoice:
- You could lose $15–$25 in fees
- Your earnings take a hit
- Over time, this adds up significantly
Hidden Costs:
- Refunds still incur partial fees
- Delayed withdrawals can occur
- Dispute resolution can freeze your funds
How to Send an Invoice Using PayPal (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Log in to your PayPal account
Step 2: Click “Send and Request” > “Create an Invoice”
Step 3: Choose a template or start from scratch
Step 4: Add your logo, business name, and invoice details
Step 5: Enter your client’s email
Step 6: Add line items, quantities, rates, and tax
Step 7: Review, preview, and send
Step 8: Wait for payment and receive notification when paid
Sounds easy, but again — every dollar you receive will be reduced by a fee.
Why PayPal Isn’t Always the Best Choice
PayPal is convenient, but there are several downsides:
- You lose part of your income with every payment
- Fees vary based on country, currency, and method
- Funds can be held or delayed during disputes
- No offline payment support (e.g., cash, bank transfer)
- Clients must go through PayPal to pay, which some dislike
If your goal is to create professional invoices without paying a percentage to a third party, PayPal isn’t ideal.
A Truly Free Alternative: MyInvoiceCreator.com
Looking for a no-strings-attached invoicing tool? Meet MyInvoiceCreator — a 100% free online invoice generator.
It’s built for freelancers, consultants, startups, and anyone who wants to look professional without dealing with fees, registrations, or complicated software.
Start now → https://myinvoicecreator.com/
What sets it apart?
- Free forever
- No signup required
- Instant PDF invoice generation
- Add your business name, logo, client details
- Tax & subtotal calculations
- Download and send via email or print
Features of MyInvoiceCreator
MyInvoiceCreator offers everything you need — and nothing you don’t.
✓ Customizable Fields
✓ Add Unlimited Line Items
✓ Automatic Tax & Total Calculations
✓ Upload Your Logo
✓ Download as High-Quality PDF
✓ Save Time With Autofill
✓ Works on Desktop, Tablet, and Mobile
✓ No Ads, No Branding
Unlike PayPal, you’re not paying any percentage to anyone. You’re simply creating invoices and getting paid directly — your way.
MyInvoiceCreator vs. PayPal: What’s Better?
| Feature | PayPal | MyInvoiceCreator |
|---|---|---|
| Invoice Creation | ✅ | ✅ |
| Send via Email | ✅ | ✅ (manual) |
| Automatic Calculations | ✅ | ✅ |
| PDF Download | ❌ | ✅ |
| Client Pays Online | ✅ | ❌ (You manage payment) |
| Transaction Fees | 2.99%–4.4% | 0% |
| Custom Branding | Limited | Full |
| Signup Required | Yes | No |
| Offline Payments | ❌ | ✅ |
| Currency/Language Control | ✅ | ✅ |
Verdict: If you want to create and send invoices without sacrificing your earnings, MyInvoiceCreator is the better choice.
Who Should Use Each Tool?
PayPal is best if:
- You need to receive payments online instantly
- You want built-in credit card payment processing
- You’re okay with paying fees for convenience
MyInvoiceCreator is best if:
- You want full control over how you get paid
- You’re sending invoices via email or WhatsApp manually
- You want 100% of your payment — no deductions
Try it now → https://myinvoicecreator.com/
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it really free to create an invoice on PayPal?
Yes. PayPal lets you create and send invoices for free. But once you receive a payment, they charge transaction fees (usually around 2.99%–4.4%).
Can I avoid fees with PayPal invoicing?
No. Any invoice paid through PayPal will incur standard transaction fees. The only way to avoid fees is to get paid outside PayPal — such as through bank transfer or cash.
Is there a 100% free way to create and send invoices?
Yes! MyInvoiceCreator (https://myinvoicecreator.com/) is completely free. It doesn’t charge anything and allows you to download invoices as PDFs.
Can I create recurring invoices with PayPal?
Yes, but the recurring feature is only available in PayPal Business accounts and may involve more advanced setup.
Is MyInvoiceCreator secure?
Yes. It’s a browser-based tool that doesn’t save your data or require an account. Everything happens locally on your device.
Do I need an account to use MyInvoiceCreator?
No. You can create, customize, and download invoices without logging in or registering.
Can I use PayPal and MyInvoiceCreator together?
Yes! You can create an invoice using MyInvoiceCreator, then share your PayPal.me link or email for payment.
Final Thoughts
So, is it free to create an invoice on PayPal?
Yes — but “free” stops the moment your client clicks “Pay.” If you want to keep more of your earnings and still look professional, PayPal’s convenience comes at a cost.
That’s why thousands of freelancers and small business owners now use MyInvoiceCreator to generate invoices quickly, without losing money on fees.
Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or scaling a business, choose tools that work for you — and for your wallet.
Ready to keep more of what you earn?
Try MyInvoiceCreator now → https://myinvoicecreator.com/
