Comparison

Paper & Pen vs Refrens

Refrens is a capable free-to-start invoicing and business suite. Paper & Pen matches the free generosity and adds a true Arabic interface, Gulf currencies, GCC VAT and local payments. An honest comparison.

Start for Free Pricing

Free forever for Sales & Invoicing
Genuine Arabic RTL interface
Native OMR, AED, SAR and Paymob

Free forever · No credit card required · Add modules anytime

Feature	Paper & Pen	Refrens
Free forever plan
Starting price	Free	Free, paid tiers
Arabic RTL interface		Limited
Multi-currency
Multi-language UI (5)		Limited
Local payments (Paymob)		Varies by region
GCC 5% VAT preset		Configurable
Native OMR / AED / SAR		Configurable
Inventory, HR & manufacturing		Invoicing-focused

The honest take

Where Refrens is strong

Refrens is a well-rounded, free-to-start platform with invoicing, quotations, expenses and a broad set of business documents, plus a useful network and marketplace angle. It is a genuinely good fit for freelancers and small businesses, especially in markets where its templates and tax presets line up with local norms.

Generous free-to-start invoicing
Wide range of business documents
Strong fit for freelancers and small teams

Where we win

Arabic, Gulf currencies and local payments

Paper & Pen carries the same free spirit, but is Arabic-first with a true right-to-left interface, bills natively in OMR, AED and SAR with correct decimals, presets the 5% GCC VAT, and takes Paymob card payments out of the box. For Gulf and Arabic-speaking businesses, it fits the way you actually invoice and get paid, then scales into a full ERP.

Genuine Arabic RTL, end to end
Native Gulf currencies and 5% VAT
Paymob payments and a full ERP path

Questions

Everything you need to know

Is Paper & Pen a good Refrens alternative?

Yes, especially for Gulf and Arabic-speaking businesses. Both start free, but Paper & Pen adds a true Arabic interface, native Gulf currencies, the GCC 5% VAT preset and Paymob payments.

Is Paper & Pen free like Refrens?

Yes. Sales and invoicing are free forever with no limit on invoices or customers. You only pay for optional modules such as Inventory or HR.

Does Paper & Pen handle multi-currency?

Yes. You can invoice in OMR, AED, SAR, USD, EUR and more, with correct decimals per document.

Is the Arabic experience better than Refrens?

Yes. Paper & Pen runs a full right-to-left Arabic interface and Arabic documents, where Refrens's Arabic support is more limited.

Can my customers pay online?

Yes. Paymob and regional gateways are built in, so customers in the GCC and beyond pay by card from the invoice link.

Free, and built for the Gulf

Create a free workspace, invoice in Arabic and any currency, and take card payments from day one.

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Free forever · No credit card required · Add modules anytime