Free Quote Generator: Create a Professional Quote
Receep's free editor creates itemized quotations — headed "Quote / Estimate" — that cover many of the everyday uses of a proforma invoice: putting prices and terms in writing before payment. It is a quotation tool, not a formal proforma invoice generator.
Create a QuoteWhat you get: an itemized quotation you can preview, no signup needed. Downloading the PDF requires a free account; free PDFs include a small watermark (paid plans remove it).
What the Free Quote Editor Includes
Open the editor with Create a Quote and you start from a pre-filled sample you can edit field by field. The document is titled "Quote / Estimate" and gets an automatic number (like QTE-2026-1234). Everything below is in the editor today:
Is This the Same as a Proforma Invoice?
Not exactly, and we won't pretend otherwise. A proforma invoice is a specific trade document: it typically carries a "Proforma Invoice" heading, shipping terms (Incoterms such as FOB or CIF), HS codes, and is accepted by banks and customs authorities as part of formal international trade paperwork.
Receep's quote tool does not include:
- A "Proforma Invoice" heading — documents are titled "Quote / Estimate"
- Incoterms fields (FOB, CIF, EXW, DDP)
- Dedicated HS-code fields
- Any customs, banking, or tax-specific certifications
For the most common pre-sale need — confirming prices, quantities, and terms with a client before payment — the free quote tool does the job. For formal trade documentation, use a dedicated proforma invoice tool; don't substitute a quotation where a bank, customs authority, or buyer requires that specific document.
Why Proforma Invoices (and Pre-Sale Quotes) Matter
A proforma invoice is a preliminary document sent before goods are shipped or services are delivered. It puts the expected costs and terms in writing, which helps buyers:
- Arrange payment through their bank
- Apply for import licenses or foreign exchange permits
- Get an accurate valuation of the goods before shipment
- Compare suppliers before committing to a purchase
- Support letters of credit applications with documentation
Whether you use a formal proforma invoice or a detailed quote, agreeing on terms in writing before work starts reduces price disputes, surprises at delivery, and lost sales.
Business Benefits
- Send a professional, itemized quote before any payment is due
- Fewer price misunderstandings with clear terms in writing
- A clean document your client can print, file, or forward
- Free to start — the free plan covers up to 5 documents per month
- One tool for quotes, invoices, receipts, and purchase orders
Proforma Invoice vs. Commercial Invoice: What's the Difference?
| Feature | Proforma Invoice | Commercial Invoice |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Pre-sale quotation | Post-sale billing |
| Payment demanded | Not yet | Yes — payment is due |
| Used for customs | Sometimes, for valuation | Yes — for clearance |
| Requester | Often the buyer or their bank | The seller |
Note: Receep's quote tool produces quotations for pre-sale agreements — it is not a commercial invoice generator for customs clearance or formal trade filings.
Practical Use Cases
Pre-payment quote
A freelancer sends an itemized quote to a client so they can review the price and process the payment through their bank.
Price agreement before production
A small manufacturer quotes prices and quantities before starting work, so both parties agree on terms first.
Service proposals
An agency sends a quote with line items, tax, and a discount, giving the client a clean document to approve internally.
When you need a true proforma invoice
For customs valuation, letters of credit, or bank-required paperwork, use a dedicated proforma invoice with Incoterms and HS codes — Receep's quote doesn't include those fields.
How to Move from Word or Excel Templates
- 1Note the fields and layout of your current quote or proforma invoice template
- 2Enter your company details in Receep — upload your logo and add your tax ID
- 3Add line items with descriptions, quantities, and unit prices, plus tax or a discount
- 4Preview the document and adjust the template and color to match your brand
- 5Create a free account to download the PDF (free PDFs include a small watermark), then send it to your client
Frequently Asked Questions
A proforma invoice is a preliminary document sent to a buyer before goods are shipped or services are delivered, outlining the expected costs and terms. It helps both parties agree on prices before the commercial invoice is issued.
No. Receep's free editor creates itemized quotations, headed "Quote / Estimate" with numbering like QTE-2026-1234. A quote covers many pre-sale needs, but it is not a formal proforma invoice — it has no Incoterms, HS-code, or proforma-specific heading fields.
When a bank, customs authority, or buyer explicitly requires one — for example for customs valuation, letters of credit, or import/export paperwork. Those documents typically need shipping terms (Incoterms) and HS codes. Use a dedicated proforma invoice tool for that; don't substitute a quotation where a specific document is required.
A proforma invoice is commonly treated as a firm offer of prices and terms rather than a demand for payment, but its weight varies by jurisdiction and wording. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Seller and client details (including your business tax ID, with labels adapted by country), itemized line items with quantities and unit prices, subtotal, tax rate and amount, discount, payment method, notes, a 20-currency selector, automatic document numbering, 10 templates, and logo upload — with a live preview as you type.
Creating and previewing quotes is free and needs no account. Downloading the PDF requires a free account, and free PDFs include a small "Created with receep.io" watermark. The free plan covers up to 5 documents per month; paid plans remove the watermark and add sending features.
No — one-click conversion isn't a Receep feature. Once your client accepts, you can create a separate invoice using the same details; the editor and fields are very similar.
Yes — the editor includes a currency selector with 20 currencies, including USD, EUR, GBP, ARS, MXN, BRL, CLP, COP, and others.
There are no dedicated Incoterms or HS-code fields. You can write anything into the free-text description of each line item, but Receep's quote is not designed for formal trade documentation that requires those fields.
No — Receep is 100% browser-based and mobile-first. It works on desktop, tablet, and mobile.
Create Your First Quote Today
Fill in your client, line items, tax, and terms — and preview the document. Create a free account when you're ready to download the PDF (free PDFs include a small watermark; paid plans remove it).
Create a Quote