KitebillOffline invoice generator
Most invoicing tools store your clients and invoices on the company's servers. An offline (local-first) tool keeps them on your own device. Here is how that works in Kitebill, what you gain, and what you give up.
How Kitebill works offline
- Everything is saved in your browser. Clients, invoices, expenses and settings live in the browser's local storage on your computer or phone. We don't run a server that holds them, so we can't read, lose, leak or sell them. See the Privacy Policy.
- The app caches itself. After your first visit, a service worker keeps a copy of the app, so it opens and works without internet. When you're online it checks for updates.
- PDFs come from your browser. "Print / Save as PDF" uses the browser's own print engine, so no upload step is needed to get a PDF.
- No account. No email, password or verification step. You open it and start typing.
What you gain
- Privacy by design. Client names, rates and income never sit in someone else's database.
- Works on bad connections. Power cuts, patchy mobile data, flights. Your invoices are still there.
- Speed. Nothing round-trips to a server, so screens open instantly.
- No subscription. Kitebill is free for 3 clients and 10 invoices, including bilingual labels. Pro is a one-time US$29 for unlimited use, expenses, CSV export and your logo.
The trade-offs (read these)
- No automatic sync. Data lives in one browser on one device. To move it, use Settings → Export backup and import the file on the other device.
- Clearing site data erases it. If you wipe browsing data for this site, invoices go too. Export a backup regularly, for example after every invoicing day.
- No online payments or client portal. You send the PDF, and the client pays you by bank, Payoneer, Wise, PayPal or whatever you list. Cloud tools such as Zoho Invoice or Invoice Ninja offer payment links and portals.
- No emailing from the app. You attach the PDF to your own email.
Offline options compared
| Approach | Install | Where data lives | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Browser, local-first (Kitebill) | None, just open the URL | Your browser's storage | Solo freelancers who want privacy and no account |
| Desktop app (e.g. Cakedesk) | Download and install per computer | Local files on that computer | People who prefer native apps and e-invoice formats |
| Spreadsheet template | Excel / Sheets | A file you manage | Very low volume and full DIY control |
| Cloud SaaS | None, but needs an account | The vendor's servers | Teams, payment links, bank sync |
Try it
For a single invoice right now, use the free generator. It saves nothing at all. For ongoing invoicing, open the app, click Load sample data to look around, then erase it in Settings when you're ready.
Questions
Does Kitebill really work without internet?
Yes, after the first visit. The app caches itself with a service worker, and your data is already on your device. Buying Pro needs internet once. After that, the license key is checked offline.
What happens if I clear my browser?
Clearing this site's data deletes your invoices from that browser. Use Settings → Export backup to save a .json file you can import later.
Can I use it on two computers?
Yes, but there is no live sync. Export a backup on one and import it on the other. Pro license keys can be entered in each browser you personally use.