Maybe because it is tax time, or because it is the new year. I have been on the hunt for the most efficient way to invoice clients. I am still trying to settle on the best method. But I thought I would share the top invoicing options I have found.
It is always helpful to think about what bells and whistles you will need when looking for a product. Your list might be different, where you might need more or less in one area. But here is a list of things I need:
- Saved Items so I don’t have to enter EVERY time “Premium Professional Design.”
- Saved Terms of Service that can be automatically included on every invoice.
- Paypal integration, and would prefer the client to be able to pick the amount to pay. Would help with the needed 50% deposit.
- Timer!!!! for each project and billable hours.
- Integration to other services such as Outright or Batchbook are a plus, but not needed.
Freshbooks
This is currently what I use.
Cons: It is $19.95 for up to 25 clients. Then the cost jumps to $29.95. That adds up to quite a bit of money a year to just send invoices. And makes this the most expensive option. Plus cost is based on number of clients not invoices sent!
Pro: Easy to use. Integrates with paypal. Has a great timer, which is my best friend when I do per hour billing and to keep track of the time I spend on each design. Has Items that are saved and can be used over and over! I love this feature. I can add all the different services I offer and they are saved. Has Terms that can be saved as default or changed each invoice. AND has a place for notes to the client. Integrates with Outright.
Cost: Starting at $19.95 for up to 25 clients.
Want to try it? You can manage up to three clients for free.
Paymo
Cons: If it has stored items, I can’t find it easily and the help area does not have it listed. No separate place for notes to client on each invoice.
Pro: Has a timer with dashboard widget. Items from timer can very easily be added to invoice. Integrates with PayPal. Overall similar features as Freshbooks but for half to a third of the price. Can have a default footer to include the Terms of Service (but no separate place for notes to client).
Cost: Unlimited clients and invoices for $9.99.
Want to try it? Free three invoices a month and unlimited clients.
Harvest
Cons: Very similar cons as to Paymo. No Items saved lists.
Pro: Very similar positive features to Paymo. Does integrate with Outright.
Cost: $12. for one user and unlimited invoices.
What to try it? Free for up to 4 clients and unlimited invoicing.
Blinksale
Cons: No timer! Not integrated into anything I use (does integrate into Basecamp). Items are not stored.
Pros: Saved Terms of Service. Great layout of the website for usability. Great layout of invoices and offers customizable invoices. My favorite feature– the integration to paypal where the client can choose how much to pay! A real plus is the client view of their invoices, it is easy to understand and to make payment/s.
Cost: $6 for 6 invoices and unlimited clients. More realistic plan is $12 for 50 invoices and unlimited clients.
Want to try it? They have a 30 day free trail.
Overall Review
It is so hard to choose. Overall they all had positive features.
Freshbooks gets cut because of the huge cost even though it is the only choice that has save items (if the others have it, during my review I could not find it and therefore assume it is not easy to use or not there).
The best OVERALL option is Paymo for both features and price. A second is Harvest. I picked Paymo over Harvest because I like the Paymo timer better. Both Paymo and Harvest have similar features. I think they are both worth a try if you are looking for invoicing to see which one you prefer.
But I still am in love with Blinksale. I love the client view page and the way their PayPal option allows the client to pick the amount to be paid!
My Personal Pick
No one invoicing service had all the items I needed and wanted. It is very frustrating that only one that has the saved Items is Freshbooks. I just hate the high costs and that the limit is not on invoices but on number of clients.
So my overall pick (drum roll)… I think I am going to go with Blinksale. It does not have the time tracker but I can use a service like myhours.com for free. The client page and the PayPal integration is what sold me on their service.
Do you still use Paymo ?
Not sure when you posted this but been using paymo for a several months now – not bad. The Paymo Plus is very concise but takes alot to set up if you want it to log every minute automatically.