Hey all.

I've been using invoices to go for a few years but they changed to a cloud based format which they then charge monthly for.

I prefer an app or software that I pay for once.

I'm looking for a very simple app that I can use to create and email invoices to clients.

It would be nice if it could print out quarterly and year end HST (tax) reports.

I don't need it to sync with my computer but it's fine if it does. Please keep in mind my business is very small. I'm not looking to spend thousands. Up to a couple hundred bucks is fine, if that's reasonable.

What are people using? What are your thoughts on Quickbooks?

Thanks

Craig

I have my reasons for not using quickbooks (mainly accountant)

I use Square for drawling up invoices outside of Portal/D-Tools

We have been using Freshbooks for about a year now and love it. It straight cloud-based service on any device anywhere. It's super easy and intuitive. They have a few partner Co's that handshake CC receiving. It gives you the option of receiving CC's on each invoice too. No-nonsense @ $29.99/mo.

Service Call-

It is the one App I use the most. Instantly send an invoice in PDF form with your company logo, customer info, labor, parts, tax. You can export to Xcel.

First, I would say that you're going to find more and more products going cloud based, so if that's your frustration you may just want to consider keeping it and getting used to them getting in your wallet for their monthly revenue.

That being said, if you don't want a monthly fee I'd recommend Square. You can do invoicing/Marketing/ the money will be in your account the following day if you collect before 5pmish.  In fact, if you're in a situation and need it that day, for an additional percentage, they'll put the money in your account that day.  They obviously have an app based system for your phone that you can slide or type credit card numbers into on the jobsite.  Comes in handy for sure. Obviously there are fees for this that run about 3% and a little higher if you type in the number.  the card readers are free from square.

If you can manage a monthly fee, I agree with IRKiller, I use Freshbooks for my invoicing for paulryandesign.com.  I really like it, it has an intuitive dashboard letting you know how profitable you are, what invoices are overdue, you can set them up for recurring invoices as well (great opportunity to start doing service agreements for you, and have the client auto-billed).  You can track your time, do estimates, and more.  Something that I'm able to take advantage of that may not work for you guys, if I'm working with someone who also uses Freshbooks, we can essentially sync our accounts  So If he sends me an invoice, it will go directly into my Freshbooks dashboard in the "INVOICES TO ME" section.  Freshbooks would be a great solution for a small 1 man shop.  Does not have a card reader, as the invoice just goes to customers email, where they can then pay by credit card.

If I had one knock on Freshbooks it would be that I've had a couple of occasions where the client didn't receive the invoice.  But that's rare.


I've used Xero in the past, its powerful and I liked it..It simply became to expensive (IMO) as I recall I was paying them about $70 per month and that was years ago.

I wouldn't use Quickbooks if you gave me the software free for life.

Freshbooks @ $30/mo is great for quick invoicing.

Cloud-based, it really is nice, because there is no synchronizing needed or duplication of data entry.

I also looked at Xero, but I chose Freshbooks for what I felt was a critical reason: it copies contact information that is already in my iPhone contacts, while Xero had me manually enter it as a new client. No no no...

Quickbooks Online used to be sh$t, but I finally use it now and I love it. Granted, it's cloud based and costs me around $50/month (which the OP will probably not like), but it's more than worth it for me in time savings.

It MORE than pays with itself with the auto download features tied to my banking, and the fact that I can use the app out in the field to record stuff I buy and send invoices, means I spend way less time entering crap when I get home, as well as forgetting what I spent for which customer.

Absolutely.

The most glaring flaw so far is progress billing. They do not do it. IT is in the list of coming soon, but as of now, i cant send a request for $5000 on a $25,000 invoice. i can apply partial payment and it will reflect on next sent invoice. so i have to accompany the invoice with a written request for the specific dollar amount we are requesting.

other than that, it is absolutely awesome.

If you have a iphone you can use moon invoice. It has worked well for me. It makes simple invoices, just text, no pictures as far as I know. You can put your company info in. You can make estimates then convert it to a invoice and split payments with it. Has a few other tools. Backups to your iCloud . They have a free version and a pro version. I think the pro version was only like $30. You can try out the free version and upgrade later if you wanted to