10 Best Invoicing Software for Contractors

Every contractor knows that getting paid on time is crucial. Come on! We have to keep that business afloat. But let’s face it: we all know that invoicing can be a real pain in the neck. In this article, we will explore some of the best options on the 2024 market, helping you find that invoicing software with which you can go a long way and that can be a perfect fit for your business. This analysis is made to help you choose the solution that is absolute for your business and requirements.

Let’s open the door to view the best invoicing software based on features, benefits, and other factors. Here’s a quick look at how some of the invoicing leading contenders in 2024 currently stack up at the top 10:

Contractors Need For Specialized Invoicing Software

Like other professions, contractors have unique invoicing needs that differ significantly from businesses in other industries. This solution should ensure to manage complex scenarios where the billing structures differ with clients and projects relative to hours worked, materials used, and project-based billing. Here is why it is the need of the hour for contractors to use on-the-go or sophisticated invoicing software.

• Complex Billing Structures: Often, contractors handle more than one client and project, all with different billing structures according to the client or biller need.
• Expense Management: The invoice software must properly and accurately manage materials, costs related to subcontractors, and other expenses.
• Helps with Difficult Clients: For clients who do not pay on time, or take too much of your time, or try to negotiate after the work is already done for the stated price, sometimes invoice plays an important role as legal remedy.  
• Compliance and Reporting: Last but most importantly, to ensure tax compliance and create detailed reports for clients and internal use.

Key Features to Look for in Invoicing Software

Now, let’s quickly and slowly break down those insightful cookies that make the best invoicing software for contractors. You’ll want to look for:

Five things quick: Fast View

1. Simple interface
2. Mobile app for invoicing on-the-go
3. Multi-currency features
4. Reporting and analytics
5. Scalability as your business grows
   

Six things slow: Keen View

1. Customizable Invoice Templates:
Professional and customizable templates allow you to design invoices showing your brand identity. Look for software that’s flexible in design and layout.

2.  Time and Expense Tracking:
Integrated features of time and expense tracking would enable you to bill your client accurately with the number of hours done and materials used, both being essential factors for project-based billing.

3. Automated Reminders and Follow-Ups:
It ensures timely payments through features like automated reminders and follow-ups, which keep sending gentle nudges to the client with outstanding invoices.

4. Integration with Accounting Software:
Easily integrated into accounting applications such as QuickBooks and Xero to streamline operations with financial management, hence reducing risks.

5. Mobile Accessibility:
You can send your invoices on the go with mobile accessibility that allows you to efficiently run the invoicing process from absolutely anywhere.

6. Secure Payment Processing:
Integrated payment processing facilities, such as credit card and online gateway payments, give clients multiple secure options.

Comparison of top invoicing software for contractors

1. Billdu: Top rated invoicing app

Billdu is a reliable friend for contractors who always got your back. It’s designed with all kinds of professionals in mind, including contractors, so it gets what you need, what you want. It offers fine looking customizable templates, super easy to use, saves time with mobile access, on-the-go invoicing and helps you with expense tracking, automated reminders.

Best Feature: Mobile app for on-the-go invoicing. Those contractor-specific invoice templates are a real time-saver.

Billdu Pros:

• Super easy to use
• Lots of contractor-specific templates
• Solid mobile app
• Pricing

Billdu Cons:

• Limited integrations with other software
  

Billdu Pricing:

• Free trial: 30 days
• Lite plan for just:  $4.99. offers unlimited invoices, up to 10 clients, and invoice status tracking 
• Standard: $9.99. With unlimited invoices, estimates, and appointments, up to 50 clients, and payment reminders
• Premium plan: $19.99. Gives you unlimited clients, 10 users, up to 5 manageable businesses, recurring invoices, and a lot more

2. Honeybook: The All-in-One Solution

Honeybook is like the Swiss Army knife of business management tools. It’s not just about invoicing; it’s got a whole suite of features to help run your business.

Best Feature: The client management tools are top-notch.

Honeybook Pros:

• Comprehensive business management tools
• Client portal for easy communication
• Automated workflows

Honeybook Cons:

• Pricier than some other options
• Can be overwhelming at first
• Limited customization for invoices

Honeybook Pricing:

• Starter Plan: $16/month – Offers basic features to help manage projects and clients
• Essentials Plan: $32/month – Provides advanced tools to streamline business operations beyond the Starter Plan
• Premium Plan: $66/month – Offers the most comprehensive set of features for full control and advanced workflow management

3. Wave: The Budget-Friendly Option

Wave is like finding a designer outfit at a thrift store price. It’s free invoicing software with pay-as-you-go payment processing. It offers customizable invoices, expense tracking, and integrated payment processing.

Best Feature: The price tag (or lack thereof) for basic invoicing.

Wave Pros:

• Free basic plan
• Includes accounting features
• User-friendly interface

Wave Cons:

• Limited customization options
• Pay-per-use fees can add up
• Limited customer support for free users

Wave Pricing:

• Starter Plan: $0/month Ideal for those just starting their business or looking for basic features
• Pro Plan: $16/month Perfect for those who want to appear more professional, save time, and manage cash flow effectively

4. InvoiceSimple: Does What It Says on the Tin

InvoiceSimple is exactly what it sounds like – simple invoicing. No frills, just straightforward invoice creation. This straightforward invoicing software is for small businesses and contractors. It allows you to create and send invoices quickly from any device.

Don’t overlook Invoice Simple alternatives.

Best Feature: Its simplicity. Sometimes, less is more.

InvoiceSimple Pros:

• Easy to use
• Quick invoice creation
• Mobile app available

InvoiceSimple Cons:

• Limited advanced features
• Basic reporting capabilities
• Basic customization options

InvoiceSimple Pricing:

• Essentials Plan: $6.99/month – Allows up to 3 invoices per month with features like autofill client info and online payments.
• Plus Plan: $13.49/month – Supports up to 10 invoices per month and includes additional features such as adding photos and summary reports.
• Premium Plan: $19.99/month – Offers unlimited invoices per month with advanced features like client signatures and priority customer support.

5. Jobber: The Field Service Pro

Jobber is part of a larger field service management platform with robust invoicing capabilities. If you’re always on the go, this might be your jam. It’s ideal for contractors who need to manage jobs, schedule appointments, and invoice clients from a single platform.

Best Feature: The integration with field service management tools is a game-changer for some contractors.

Jobber Pros:

• Integrates with field service management tools
• Client hub for easy communication
• Scheduling features

Jobber Cons:

• On the Higher pricing tier
• Might be overkill for basic invoicing needs
• The learning curve for new users

Jobber Pricing:

• Core Plan: $69/month – Essential features for managing quotes, scheduling, and invoicing for a single user
• Connect Plan: $169/month – Enhanced connectivity with automated reminders, online booking, and QuickBooks integration for up to 5 users
• Grow Plan: $349/month – Advanced features for scaling, including sales automation and job costing, suitable for up to 15 users

6. Procore: Comprehensive Contractor Software

Procore is the heavyweight champion of construction management software. It’s got invoicing, sure, but it’s so much more than that. Procore is a construction management software that includes powerful invoicing features. It’s designed for contractors and construction professionals managing large projects.

Best Feature: The way it integrates invoicing with project management is impressive.

Procore Pros:

• Tailored for construction projects
• Robust project management features
• Top-notch reporting and analytics
• Integrates with other construction tools

Procore Cons:

• Complex system with a learning curve
• Pricing isn’t cheap

Procore Pricing:

• Custom pricing (which usually means “call us to find out”) based on needs

7. Invoicera: The Flexible Friend

Invoicera is adaptable and ready to grow with your business. It’s got a lot of features to explore. Being a versatile invoicing software that caters to small businesses, freelancers, and contractors, it offers customizable invoices, time tracking, and expense management.

Best Feature: The level of customization available is impressive. Customizable invoicing and multi-currency support are also available.

Invoicera Pros:

• Supports multiple currencies and languages
• Time tracking and expense management built-in
• API for custom integrations

Invoicera Cons:

• Interface can be overwhelming at first
• Some advanced features only on higher-tier plans

Invoicera Pricing:

• Starter Plan: $19/month – Ideal for individuals, offering invoicing and client management for up to 100 clients
• Business Plan: $49/month – Supports up to 10 staff members and 1,000 clients, with features like API access and invoice workflow
• Enterprise Plan: $99/month – Designed for larger companies, accommodating up to 20 staff members and 2,000 clients, including advanced features like PDF batch export
• INFINITE Plan: $149/month – Offers unlimited staff and clients, with extensive features for comprehensive management

8. Quickbooks: The Old Reliable

Quickbooks have been around forever, and for good reason. It’s a comprehensive accounting solution with solid invoicing features. It is also a widely used accounting and invoicing software that offers a range of features for contractors. It provides detailed invoicing, expense tracking, and integration with other QuickBooks products.

Compare other Quickbooks alternatives.

Best Feature: The way it integrates invoicing with full-blown accounting is impressive.

Quickbooks Pros:

• Comprehensive accounting tools
• Integrates with many other software options
• Strong reporting features

Quickbooks Cons:

• Can be overkill if you just need simple invoicing
• Not the cheapest option out there

Quickbooks Pricing:

• Simple Start: $25/month (or $18/month for the first 3 months) – Ideal for solo entrepreneurs, includes income and expense tracking
• Essentials: $50/month (or $27/month for the first 3 months) – Supports up to 3 users, with features like bill management and time tracking
• Plus: $80/month (or $38/month for the first 3 months) – Designed for small businesses, offering project tracking and inventory management
• Advanced: $180/month (or $76/month for the first 3 months) – Offers advanced features for larger businesses

9. Freshbooks: The User-Friendly Option

Freshbooks is designed to be approachable and easy to use, even if you’re not an accounting whiz. It is a cloud-based accounting software ideal for contractors who need robust invoicing capabilities. It offers time tracking, expense management, and automation features.

You can find similar Freshbooks software in our article.

Best Feature: The time tracking that integrates with invoicing is a real time-saver.

Freshbooks Pros:

• Intuitive interface
• Time tracking and project management features
• Useful mobile app

Freshbooks Cons:

• Lower-tier plans are limited in features
• Can get pricey as you add more clients

Freshbooks Pricing:

• Lite Plan: Generally priced around $15/month, suitable for freelancers and small businesses, offering basic invoicing and expense tracking for up to 5 billable clients.
• Plus Plan: Typically around $25/month, this plan includes additional features such as double-entry accounting reports and proposals, supporting up to 50 clients.
• Premium Plan: Priced around $47/month, designed for growing businesses, offering advanced features for unlimited clients.

10. Invoice Owl: The Simple Solution

Invoice Owl is the new kid on the block, offering a no-frills approach to invoicing that’s perfect for small businesses and contractors who just want to get the job done. It is a straightforward invoicing software designed for small businesses and contractors. It allows you to create and send invoices quickly and track payments efficiently.

Best Feature: Its simplicity. It does one thing and does it well.

Invoice Owl Pros:

• Clean, simple interface
• Customizable invoice templates
• Affordable pricing

Invoice Owl Cons:

• Limited advanced features
• Basic reporting

Invoice Owl Pricing:

• Free Plan: $0/month – Allows you to create up to 10 invoices, unlimited estimates, and access mobile app features.
• Growth Plan: $9.99/month – Offers up to 600 invoices, unlimited estimates, and priority email support.
• Champion Plan: $23.99/month – Includes unlimited invoices and estimates, QuickBooks Online sync, and support for multiple companies.

How to Choose Your Perfect Invoicing Software

All right, Contactors, that’s a lot we’ve just gone through. Again, remember to ask yourself the questions below before choosing the best invoicing software for your contracting business, considering you don’t want to have spending spillage or over-complicate things for your own growth.

1. Your Business Size and Complexity: Are you a one-person show or managing a team? Do you need basic invoicing or full-blown accounting?
2. Your Budget: What kind of money are you putting up for an invoicing app?
3. Tech-Savviness: Are you comfortable with a complex software system, or do you require something straightforward?
4. Your Specific Needs: Do you need features like time tracking, expense management, or project management integration?
5. Your Growth Plans: Will the software scale with your business as it grows?

Remember that most offer free trials, so take advantage of that. Visit a couple of these to help determine the best fit for you. The idea is to get you spending less time on invoicing and more on the work you enjoy—plus getting paid for it.

The right invoicing software should make your life easier, not more complicated. Take time, research, and select the one that fits your needs. Your future self, who is not awake all night long trying to figure out invoices, will thank you. We recommend you to check out Billdu if you’re still not sure, because of its aforementioned advantages to be great friends for small and medium business contractors.

For inspiration, you can also check out the best invoice software in Australia.

Benefits of Using Invoicing Software for Contractors

The software system works for easy management of projects, handling subcontractors. What is the secret to transforming your contracting business? Well, it’s all in the invoicing software.

1. Improved Efficiency:

Picture the cuts in time that will help in invoicing and can redirect this back to working on something you genuinely love. It’s proven, automating invoicing works; it requires less manual input and boosts the entire efficiency. Simply focus on what you do best, not on administrative work because all your tasks will be automated.

2. Accurate Billing

Put a fullstop to the guesswork! Accurately record the time and expenses on your jobs so you can bill your clients accurately. This minimizes disputes and increases client satisfaction. It’s all about maintaining trust and transparency, which goes a long way in building strong client relationships for sure.

3. Professional Image

For contractors, nothing says “professional” like a unique, branded invoice. Yes, it is those little things that tend to have a significant impact. You would want your presentation to your customers to mirror a professional picture by showing serious and polished detail with quality.

4. On-Time Payments

Are you tired of chasing after late payments? Automated reminders and a convenient payment option will entice your customers to pay on time, increasing your cash flow. More continuous work around follow-ups leads to consistent money. Who would not want that?

5. Sound Financial Management

At the same time, rich reports and seamless integration with accounting allow a clearer perspective on financial status. Easily keep track of revenue, expenses, and profitability to enable you to make the best business decisions.

6. Compliance

Invoicing software can help you with it. It makes it easier to keep accurate records and reports for accessible output, so you always stay tax-compliant.

Cut yourself some slack, invest in your chosen best invoicing software for contractors from above. It’s 2024; you should use technology and enjoy the peace of mind of knowing your invoicing is handled. Mark this, your future self will thank you for it. If you still have more questions, we’ve also attached an FAQ at the end, feel free to go through what other contracts frequently question.

Author: SoCaDanny
“Finally a simple clean way to invoice on your I Phone. I have tried others and none work as smoothly as this one. I really recommend Billdu!”

What is the Role of the Contractor?

When starting up as a contractor and running your own business, you’ll discover there are many roles performed by yourself. While large-scale businesses may have a team working for them and taking responsibility for various tasks, your start-up may require you to perform most jobs. And, this includes paperwork.

Your role as a contractor requires to oversee the project or construction site. You need to deal with traders and vendors directly, ensuring that all supplies are provided properly and on time. Depending on the size and type of project you’re working on, you’ll need to review numerous documents and make assessments to ensure the project runs smoothly at all times.

The contractor is also responsible for submitting price bids, estimates, quotes, and fixed-price contracts. These proposals include what equipment you need, supplies and materials to complete the job, and labor costs. You’ll also need to submit an estimated number of hours it will take for the project to be completed.

From the start of the project to the end, the contractor becomes the point of all communications, managing all workers on site, and ensuring that all work stays on track. Contractors, most times, are also responsible for monitoring the cash flow of the business.

Conclusion

The right invoicing software can save a day of contractors by streamlining billing processes, enhancing efficiency, and, at the same time, maintain a professional appeal. The ideal invoice software not only helps save time but also reduces one’s stress of money management as well. These tools allow one to focus more on their core business by automatizing the routine, ensuring correct billing, and receiving payments at the right time with other facilities.

From user-friendly options like Billdu and InvoiceSimple to all-encompassing ones like QuickBooks and FreshBooks, an invoicing software application is designed to fit the unique needs of each contractor. Whether you need solid project features, seamless integration with other tools, or detailed financial reporting, the software options highlighted here cover one’s needs. Remember that, by getting paid on time, paying more attention to doing what you love becomes possible and plausible.

Automate invoicing with Billdu!

Automate your invoicing with Billdu’s easy-to-use invoice maker to streamline your billing process. Try Billdu today and simplify your invoicing workflow!