I built a free invoice generator because every other tool has a catch #webdev#javascript#freelancers#tutorial

As a freelancer, I’ve tried dozens of free invoice generators. Every single one had a catch:

• Watermarks on the PDF unless you pay
• “Free” = 3 invoices, then a paywall pops up
• Forced signup just to download a PDF you just created
• Ugly templates that look nothing like the screenshots

So I built InvoiceLark — a completely free, no-signup invoice generator.

What it does

• Truly free — no signup, no watermark, no invoice limits
• No logo? Auto-generate one — type your business name and it creates a letter-badge logo instantly
• 6 templates (Modern, Classic, Minimal, Compact, Bold, Clean) and 6 currencies
• Built-in hourly rate calculator — handy for freelancers who bill by the hour
• Payment QR codes — add a PayPal link and a scannable QR code prints on the PDF
• Save clients & items — local storage, no data ever uploaded
• JSON/CSV export — your data is yours, always

Why I built it

I got tired of invoice tools that feel like they’re designed to trap you into a subscription. It’s a form + a PDF generator — it shouldn’t need a backend or a login.

Everything runs in the browser. No server, no database, your invoice data stays on your device.

What I learned

• Free tools can be genuinely good. You don’t need Stripe integration or a SaaS backend if your goal is simple: fill form, download PDF, done.
• The “no logo” problem. Most invoice generators assume you have a logo file ready. A lot of freelancers don’t. Auto-generating one was the most appreciated feature.

Built with vanilla JS and a lot of coffee. Would love your feedback! What features would make invoicing suck less for you?