If you're a freelancer or an auto-entrepreneur in France, you've felt the invoicing dread. I know I have. It's that Sunday evening feeling when you realise you have to chase payments, but first, you have to create the actual invoices. And it's not just typing up some numbers. Oh no. It's the whole song and dance.
Did I get the sequential invoice number right? Is all the mandatory legal jargon—the mentions légales—on there? What about the correct VAT rate? Did I remember to change the date from the last template I used? It's enough to make you want to throw your laptop out the window. It’s a tedious, anxiety-inducing process that feels like it was designed by bureaucrats to punish us for our independence.
So, when I first heard about a tool called Stabbl, which boldly claims you can create an invoice in 4 seconds, my ears perked up. 4 seconds? That’s less time than it takes me to find my coffee cup. Naturally, my professional skepticism kicked in. Another tool promising to solve all our problems? I’ve seen a few of those. But this one seemed… different. It’s built specifically for the French market. So I decided to take a closer look.
What on Earth is Stabbl?
At its core, Stabbl is an invoicing tool designed from the ground up for French freelancers. It’s not trying to be an all-in-one, globe-spanning accounting behemoth. Its focus is narrow, and in my opinion, that's its greatest strength. It aims to do one thing: help you create legally compliant French invoices, quotes, and other financial documents without pulling your hair out.
It’s all about stripping away the complexity and automating the soul-crushing parts of the process. You know, the bits that are easy to get wrong and can land you in hot water with the tax authorities. The whole vibe is simplicity and efficiency.
Visit Stabbl
My First Impressions and The Features That Matter
The first thing I noticed was the clean, uncluttered interface. It's a breath of fresh air compared to some of the sprawling, feature-packed platforms that feel like you need a PhD to operate. Stabbl feels more like a perfectly crafted scalpel than a clunky Swiss Army knife.
Automatic Client Info That Actually Works
This was the first feature that made me nod in appreciation. You start typing a client's company name or their SIREN number, and Stabbl just... fills in the rest. The address, the VAT number, all of it. This isn't just a time-saver; it's a mistake-preventer. I can't count the number of times I've made a tiny typo in a client’s address on an invoice, leading to confusion down the line. It's a small thing, but it’s the small things that add up to a much smoother workflow.
Taking the “Fear” out of French Legal Compliance
This is the absolute killer feature. French invoices have a laundry list of required information. If you miss one, technically your invoice is non-compliant. Stabbl bakes all of this in automatically. As their site points out, it ensures you’re in line with the Code de commerce (specifically article L441-9, for my fellow nerds).
For an auto-entrepreneur who might not be charging VAT, it automatically adds the correct disclaimer:
TVA non applicable, art. 293 B du CGI
. For everyone else, it handles VAT calculations. This is peace of mind as a service. You’re not just creating an invoice; you’re creating a document you know is legally sound.
No More Invoice Numbering Nightmares
I have a confession. Early in my freelance career, I messed up my invoice numbering. I used a simple spreadsheet, and one month I accidentally skipped a number. It caused a minor panic during my year-end accounting. Your invoice numbers must be unique and follow an uninterrupted sequence. Stabbl’s "numérotation intelligente" handles this for you. It automatically assigns the next number in the sequence, so you physically can't mess it up. It’s like having a meticulous, tiny robot accountant living in your browser.
The Big One: Factur-X and E-Invoicing Readiness
Okay, this is where we get into the really meaty stuff that separates the serious tools from the toys. You’ve probably heard about the upcoming mandatory e-invoicing reform in France. The one that involves the Portail Public de Facturation (PPF) and a new format called Factur-X. It's been delayed a bit, but it's coming, and it’s going to change everything for B2B transactions.
Stabbl is already compatible with Factur-X. This is huge. It means that when you create a PDF invoice with Stabbl, it also has a structured data file embedded inside it, which is exactly what the new government platform will require. By using Stabbl, you’re essentially future-proofing your business administration. While other freelancers will be scrambling to figure out what Factur-X even is, you'll be ready to go. This shows a level of foresight I really respect in a software developer.
Let's Talk Money: Stabbl's Pricing Tiers
Alright, so how much does this peace of mind cost? Honestly, not much. The pricing structure is incredibly straightforward and fair, which is a refreshing change. They offer monthly and annual plans, with a discount for the latter.
| Plan | Price per Month | Who It's For | Document Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | 0€ | Side-gigs or very small businesses | 3 documents / month |
| Basic | 4€ | Part-time freelancers | 10 documents / month |
| Plus | 6€ | Full-time freelancers and small businesses | Unlimited documents |
The Free plan is genuinely useful for someone just starting out or with only a couple of clients. The Basic plan at 4€ is perfect for the classic side-hustle. But for anyone doing this full-time, the Plus plan at 6€ a month is a complete no-brainer. Six euros! That’s the price of one fancy Parisian coffee. For unlimited, compliant invoices and quotes? It's an incredible value proposition.
The Not-So-Perfect Parts (Because Nothing Is)
I believe in balanced reviews. While I’m pretty enthusiastic about Stabbl, it's not without its limitations. For now, at least.
The biggest thing is the limited integrations. It doesn't currently connect with other accounting software or bank accounts. This means you still have to manually track payments. For a solo freelancer, this is probably fine, but for a growing business, it could become a pain point.
There’s also no dedicated mobile app yet. In a world where we do everything on our phones, this is a bit of a miss. Creating an invoice on the train home would be a dream. I hope this is on their roadmap.
Finally, its strength is also its limitation: it is laser-focused on France. If you are a French auto-entreprenuer, this is exactly what you want. If you're based elsewhere or have complex international VAT needs, this tool simply isn't for you.
So Who Is Stabbl Really For?
After playing around with it, the ideal user profile is crystal clear in my mind. Stabbl is for the solo freelancer, the consultant, the graphic designer, the writer, the developer operating as an auto-entrepreneur or a small EURL/SASU in France. It’s for the person who values simplicity, speed, and above all, legal compliance. It's for anyone who looks at their current invoicing process and just sighs.
It’s not for a large agency with a sales team, a business that needs deep integration with a complex CRM, or someone who needs multi-currency invoicing on a regular basis. And that's okay. It knows its audience and serves them exceptionally well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stabbl
How does Stabbl actually help with my invoicing?
It simplifies the process by automating the boring stuff. It pre-fills client legal information, calculates VAT correctly, ensures your invoice numbering is always sequential, and automatically includes all the mandatory legal text required in France. This saves you time and reduces the risk of making costly mistakes.
Can I do more than just invoices with Stabbl?
Yes. You can create quotes (devis) as well. A common workflow is to create a quote, have it approved by your client, and then convert that quote into an invoice with a single click. All the information carries over seamlessly.
Is it possible to integrate Stabbl with other tools like my accounting software?
Currently, Stabbl has limited integrations. It operates more as a standalone tool focused on document creation. This is one of its current drawbacks, so you'd still need to handle your bookkeeping and payment reconciliation separately.
Can I use Stabbl on my phone?
There isn't a dedicated mobile app available at the moment. While the website might be usable on a mobile browser, it's primarily designed for desktop use. This is something to consider if you do a lot of admin on the go.
Is Stabbl a certified accounting tool?
It's important to clarify its role. Stabbl is an invoicing and quote-creation tool that adheres to French legal standards, including anti-fraud laws concerning certified software. However, it is not a full-fledged accounting software. It handles a crucial part of your finances—the invoicing—but not your complete bookkeeping, expense tracking, or balance sheets.
What happens if I need to create an invoice in English for an international client?
While Stabbl is focused on French regulations, you can typically edit the line item descriptions and notes on your invoices to be in any language you need. The core legal framework and structure will remain compliant with French law, which is what's most important if you're a French-registered business.
My Final Verdict
So, is Stabbl the saviour for French freelancers? For a huge number of us, I think the answer is a resounding yes. It takes one of the most stressful, annoying parts of running a business and makes it almost... enjoyable? Okay, maybe not enjoyable, but incredibly fast and painless.
It’s a perfect example of a tool that does less, but better. By not trying to be everything to everyone, it delivers immense value to its specific niche. The peace of mind that comes from knowing your invoices are 100% compliant and ready for the future of e-invoicing is worth far more than its modest price tag. If you're a freelancer in France, I genuinely think you owe it to yourself to give the free plan a try. You might just get your Sunday evenings back.
