You require a tool that will help you appear professional, get paid more quickly and avoid filing taxes incorrectly. However, as a Swedish freelancer, it can be difficult to determine which of the many options is truly worth your money.
Three of the most well-known brands of Swedish accounting and invoicing software are Fortnox, Bokio and Visma eEkonomi. They all target freelancers and small businesses, but they approach it quite differently.
Although Fortnox is the industry leader in terms of power and usage, novices may find its pricing structure confusing. The contemporary competitor, Bokio, has an attractive user interface and a substantial free tier that feels practical. The reliable middle ground is Visma eEkonomi, which is more reputable than Bokio but less expensive than Fortnox.
In this comparison, I’ll go over the true costs of each tool (not just the marketing headlines), how user-friendly they are and which one will save you the most trouble come tax season. You will have a clear understanding of which invoicing software is appropriate for your freelance stack by the end.
Quick conclusion: Bokio’s Basic plan with the 89 kr invoicing add-on is difficult to beat if you want the least expensive option with no monthly commitment and don’t mind a few restrictions. Fortnox Liten offers the best long-term value if you’re serious about expanding your freelance business and want the most professional toolkit. Visma eEkonomi is a dependable option if you’re looking for a strong middle ground that is trusted by accountants across the country.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Fortnox | Bokio | Visma eEkonomi |
| Free Tier | 6 months free (Nyföretagarcentrum) | Yes – Basic plan (249 kr/month without invoicing) | Not specified (trial available) |
| Starting Price (Invoicing) | From 378 kr/mån (Liten) | 249 kr/mån (Basic) + 89 kr (invoicing) = 338 kr/mån | ~179-399 kr/mån (estimated for invoicing features) |
| Invoicing Included | Yes (all paid plans) | No add-on (89 kr/mån) | Yes (in paid plans) |
| E-faktura Cost | Pay per invoice sent | 3 kr/st | 3 kr/st |
| Bank Integration | Yes (Fortnox Access + major banks) | Yes (Bokio Företagskonto + Swish option) | Yes (via Autoinvoice) |
| Mobile App | Yes (Kvitto & Utlägg) | Yes | Yes |
| Swish Support | Limited | Yes (49 kr/month + 2 kr/transaction) | No native (via third-party) |
| AI Features | Yes (AI assistant coming 2026) | No | No |
| Best For | Serious growth & professional toolkit | Cost-conscious freelancers & sole traders | Traditional freelancers with accountant support |
Pricing as of June 2026—actual costs may vary by contract and region.
1. Fortnox – The Professional’s Choice for Serious Freelancers
The 800-pound gorilla of Swedish accounting software is called Fortnox. Most Swedish accountants will tell you that they prefer working with Fortnox.
The platform is designed for companies that intend to expand. Payroll, expenses, bookkeeping, invoicing and even AI-powered insights are all handled by it. The central platform that unifies everything is Fortnox Access, which has functions like secure data storage, automated bank reconciliation and digital receipt scanning.
Why is Fortnox unique for independent contractors? the ecosystem of integration. More than 700 third-party tools, including e-commerce sites like Shopify, are connected to Fortnox. This is a major benefit if you offer freelance services in addition to selling goods online.
It gets a little confusing when it comes to the pricing structure. Mini, Liten, Mellan and Stor are Fortnox’s four primary packages, which range in price from 238 to 739 kr per month. Liten (378 kr/m²) is the sweet spot for the majority of independent contractors. It includes access to Fortnox Företagskort, handling of receipts, expense management and invoicing.
One thing to note: Fortnox is a pay-per-invoice model. The monthly fee includes access to the platform, but you pay an additional fee for each invoice that you send. If you’re sending out dozens of invoices every month, it can really add up.
The good news? If you’re a new business, Fortnox partners with Nyföretagarcentrum to offer six months free on any package. That’s half a year of professional invoicing software at zero cost.
What’s new for 2026? Fortnox lanserer en AI-assistent som hjelper til med å lage fakturaer, legge inn nye kunder og svare på regnskapsspørsmål. It’s not fully rolled out yet, but it’s a sign of where the platform is heading.
Official Website: fortnox.se
Pros
- Industry standard—your accountant will love you for it
- Six months free for new businesses (via Nyföretagarcentrum)
- Massive ecosystem of integrations (700+ tools)
- Professional invoices with ROT/RUT support
- AI assistant to arrive 2026
- Mobile app for receipt scanning
Cons
- Pay-per-invoice costs add up over time
- The pricing structure is more complex than the competitors’
- More features than most freelancers need (bloat)
- Can feel overwhelming for beginners
- Steeper learning curve than Bokio
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.3/5
2. Bokio – The Modern Bank-Integrated Challenger
Bokio is the new kid on the block and honestly? It shows, in a good way. The interface is clean, modern and actually pleasant to use. No clunky menus, no overwhelming jargon.
What makes Bokio special is the bank-first approach. Bokio is not only accounting software—it also includes Bokio Företagskonto, an integrated business bank account. All of your invoicing, payments and reconciliation happen in one place. If you’re a freelancer who hates jumping back and forth between your bank and your accounting software, this is a game changer.
The pricing model has recently been updated (2025) to offer four plans: Basic, Premium, Business and Plus.
Here’s the catch for freelancers: invoicing is not part of the basic plan. Basic is 249 kr/month and includes bookkeeping and bank connection, but invoicing is an 89 kr add-on. So if you want invoicing, it costs 338 SEK per month – like Fortnox Small.
Premium (349 kr/mån) includes invoicing and payroll for one employee (yourself), making it a better fit for sole traders who want an all-in-one solution.
Where Bokio shines is transaction costs. Unlike Fortnox, Bokio doesn’t charge per invoice sent. You pay a flat monthly fee. The only variable costs are for e-faktura (3 kr each), extra employees (29 kr each) and Swish payments (49 kr/month + 2 kr/transaction).
Swish support is a standout feature. You can receive payments directly via Swish with the Bokio Företagskonto add-on. For freelancers whose clients prefer Swish over bank transfers, this is huge.
The bad news? Bokio is still building its ecosystem. It has a lot fewer integrations than Fortnox. Fortnox is the better option if you need to connect to e-commerce platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce.
Official Website: bokio.se
Pros
- Modern, clean interface – actually enjoyable to use
- Integrated business bank account (Bokio Företagskonto)
- No per-invoice fees – predictable monthly cost
- Swish support for easy client payments
- Generous free tier for basic bookkeeping
- Payroll included in Premium (for one employee)
Cons
- Invoicing is an add-on (not included in basic).
- Fewer integrations than Fortnox
- Still growing – some features less mature
- Premium plan (349 kr) needed for invoicing + payroll
- No native e-commerce integrations like Fortnox
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4/5
3. Visma eEkonomi—The Trusted Middle Ground
Visma is the other giant in Swedish accounting software, alongside Fortnox. Visma eEkonomi is their cloud-based solution aimed at small businesses and freelancers.
For decades, Visma has been around and Swedish accountants know the platform by heart. If you are going to work closely with an accountant or a redovisningsbyrå, Visma is a safe choice.
What makes Visma eEkonomi different? It sits between Fortnox and Bokio in terms of complexity. It’s more feature-rich than Bokio but less overwhelming than Fortnox. The interface is professional without being intimidating.
Pricing is where things get a little murky. Visma’s main website doesn’t have clear pricing information – you’ll typically need to contact sales for a quote. However, user conversations suggest that the average cost of Visma eEkonomi for freelancers is between 179 kr and 399 kr per month depending on features.
The transaction costs are the same as Fortnox. The E-faktura costs 3 kr per invoice. Unlike Fortnox, which uses its own email system instead of InExchange, sending invoices by email in eEkonomi is free.
One advantage of Visma is its integration with Årsredovisning Online for annual reports. If you run an aktiebolag, this can simplify your year-end accounting significantly.
The secret? The confusion is in the Visma product lineup. They have Visma eEkonomi (cloud), Visma SPCS (desktop), Visma Net (enterprise) and a number of other products. Just be sure that you are signing up for the cloud-based eEkonomi and not one of their legacy products.
Official Website: visma.se/eekonomi
Pros
- Trusted by accountants across Sweden
- Less overwhelming than Fortnox
- Free email invoicing (no per-invoice cost)
- Integration with Årsredovisning Online
- Established company with reliable support
- Good for aktiebolag freelancers
Cons
- Unclear pricing (requires sales contact)
- Confusing product lineup (multiple Visma products)
- No Swish support natively
- Fewer modern features than Bokio
- Less integration ecosystem than Fortnox
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.2/5
Feature-by-Feature Comparison: What Actually Matters for Freelancers
Invoicing – The Core Feature
| Criteria | Fortnox | Bokio | Visma eEkonomi |
| Invoice Creation | Professional templates | Clean, modern templates | Professional templates |
| E-faktura | Yes (pay per invoice) | Yes (3 kr/st) | Yes (3 kr/st) |
| Email Invoicing | Yes (pay per invoice) | Yes (included in plan) | Yes (free) |
| Swish Payments | Limited | Yes (49 kr/month + 2 kr/transaction) | No |
| Payment Reminders | Yes (automated) | Yes | Yes |
| ROT/RUT Support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Winner: Bokio – Swish support is a genuine advantage for freelancers whose clients prefer mobile payments. Plus, no per-invoice fees for email invoicing means predictable costs.
Pricing & Value for Money
| Cost Element | Fortnox (Liten) | Bokio (Basic + Invoicing) | Visma eEkonomi |
| Monthly Base | 378 kr | 249 kr + 89 kr = 338 kr | ~179-399 kr |
| Email Invoice Cost | Pay per invoice | Included | Free |
| E-faktura Cost | Pay per invoice | 3 kr/st | 3 kr/st |
| Swish Monthly | Not available | 49 kr/month | Not available |
| Bank Integration | Included | Included (via Bokio Företagskonto) | Included |
| Hidden Costs | Pay-per-invoice adds up | Extra employees (29 kr/st) | Unclear (sales quote needed) |
| Free Trial | 6 months (Nyföretagarcentrum) | Basic plan always free (no invoicing) | Limited trial |
Winner: Bokio – For freelancers who send fewer than 10 invoices per month, Bokio’s flat-rate model is cheaper than Fortnox’s pay-per-invoice structure. The free Basic plan (without invoicing) is also useful for freelancers who only invoice occasionally.
Ease of Use – The “Will I Actually Use This?” Test
| Criteria | Fortnox | Bokio | Visma eEkonomi |
| Interface | Professional but dense | Modern and clean | Professional but dated |
| Learning Curve | Steep | Gentle | Moderate |
| Mobile App | Good (Kvitto & Utlägg) | Good | Average |
| Setup Time | 30-60 minutes | 10-15 minutes | 20-30 minutes |
| Beginner Friendly | No | Yes | Moderate |
Winner: Bokio – There’s no contest here. Bokio was built for people who aren’t accountants. The interface is intuitive and you can send your first invoice within 15 minutes of signing up.
Bank Integration & Payments
| Criteria | Fortnox | Bokio | Visma eEkonomi |
| Bank Accounts | Connects to major banks via Fortnox Access | Integrated Bokio Företagskonto | Connects via Autoinvoice |
| Swish | Not native | Yes (add-on) | No |
| Automatic Reconciliation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Business Card | Yes (Fortnox Företagskort) | Yes (Bokio Företagskonto card) | Not specified |
| Cashback/Interest | No | Yes (0.9% on Plus plan) | No |
Winner: Bokio – The integrated bank account is a genuinely innovative feature. Everything from invoicing to payments to reconciliation happens in one place. Plus, the Plus plan offers 0.9% interest on your balance – unusual for accounting software.
E-commerce & Integrations
| Criteria | Fortnox | Bokio | Visma eEkonomi |
| Shopify Integration | Yes (Sharespine app, $29/month) | Limited | Yes (Sharespine app) |
| API Access | Yes (separate license) | Yes (beta, 89 kr/month) | Limited |
| Third-Party Apps | 700+ integrations | Growing | Moderate |
Winner: Fortnox – If you sell products online alongside freelance services, Fortnox’s ecosystem is unmatched. The Sharespine integration for Shopify is well-reviewed by e-commerce sellers.
Which Tool Is Best for Different Use Cases?
Choose Fortnox if:
- You plan to grow your freelance business into a larger company
- You work closely with an accountant who prefers Fortnox
- You sell products online and need e-commerce integrations
- You want access to the largest ecosystem of third-party tools
- You qualify for the 6-month free trial via Nyföretagarcentrum
- You need ROT/RUT support for certain services
Choose Bokio if:
- You want the most affordable option with predictable monthly costs
- Your clients prefer paying via Swish
- You hate jumping between your bank and accounting software
- You’re a solo freelancer without employees
- You value a modern, clean interface over raw power
- You send fewer than 20 invoices per month
Choose Visma eEkonomi if
- Your accountant specifically recommends Visma
- You run an aktiebolag and need annual report integration
- You want something more professional than Bokio but less complex than Fortnox
- You prefer email invoicing (free in eEkonomi)
- You don’t mind requesting a sales quote for pricing
Final Verdict
| Category | Winner |
| Best Overall for Freelancers | Bokio (Basic + Invoicing) |
| Best Value for Money | Bokio |
| Best Free Option | Fortnox (6 months via Nyföretagarcentrum) |
| Best for Beginners | Bokio |
| Best for Growing Businesses | Fortnox |
| Best for Swish Payments | Bokio |
| Best for E-commerce | Fortnox |
| Best Accountant-Friendly | Fortnox (tie with Visma) |
Here’s the honest truth: There’s no wrong answer here, but the best choice depends on where you are in your freelance journey.
New freelancer? – Start with Bokio’s basic plan. The free tier gives you bookkeeping without invoicing and adding invoicing for 89 kr/month gets you a predictable monthly cost. No per-invoice fees. No surprises. If your clients want to pay with mobile, Swish integration is worth it alone.
If you are a serious freelancer with growth ambitions, Fortnox Liten at 378 kr/month is your best long-term investment. Six months free via Nyföretagarcentrum, so half a year to learn the platform without spending a penny. As soon as you start paying, you will be able to benefit from the Fortnox ecosystem for growth.
If your accountant has a preference, do what they recommend. Both Fortnox and Visma are accountant-friendly. However, your specific accountant may have strong preferences based on their workflow.
My personal advice to most Swedish freelancers in 2026? Begin with Bokio’s basic plan with the invoicing add-on (338 kr/month total). It’s cheap and easy to use and linking your bank account makes your money stretch further. Outgrowing it (or needing e-commerce integrations). Upgrade to Fortnox later. By then you’ll have the income to support the expense.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which invoicing software is cheapest for a freelancer sending 10 invoices per month?
Bokio wins, hands down. With Basic + Invoicing (338 kr/month), you pay a fixed fee, regardless of how many invoices you send. Fortnox charges per invoice. Send 10 invoices a month and at about 3-5 kr/invoice, that adds 30-50 kr to your monthly bill, so a total of 408-428 kr for Fortnox. Pricing is not clear for Visma. Email invoicing is free. Bokio is the cheapest for 10 invoices a month at 338 kr with no variable costs.
Can I use Swish with these invoicing tools?
Swish is only natively supported by Bokio. You will need Bokio Företagskonto and the Swish add-on (49 kr/mån + 2 kr per transaction). Fortnox and Visma do not natively support Swish; you would need third-party integrations for that. If you have freelance clients that use Swish, then Bokio is the only real choice.
Is Fortnox really free for six months?
Yes, if you are a new business. Nyföretagarcentrum works together with Fortnox—register your business with them and get six months of Fortnox Access free on any package (Mini, Liten, Mellan, or Stor). This is a genuine offer and not a limited-time trial. Efter sex månader betalar du ordinarie priser från 238 kr/mån.
Do I need an accountant to use these tools?
No, all three are designed for self-service. Bokio is the easiest to use for beginners, with an interface that guides you through invoicing and bookkeeping without any jargon. Fortnox and Visma are more professional but still usable without an accountant. That said, all three let you invite your accountant as a collaborator if you need professional help.
Which tool has the best mobile app for invoicing on the go?
All three have mobile apps, but Fortnox’s “Kvitto & Utlägg” is especially good for receipt scanning and expense tracking. Bokio’s app works well with their bank account; you can check balances and send invoices from your phone. Visma’s app works but isn’t as nice. Bokio’s app is the easiest to use for pure invoicing.
