Best Invoicing Software for Contractors & Tradespeople: 2026 Comparison
If you’re a plumber, electrician, HVAC technician, or general contractor, you know that doing great work is only half the battle. Getting paid for that work—quickly and reliably—is the other half.
Many tradespeople still rely on handwritten invoices, paper receipts, or basic spreadsheets. While these methods “work,” they’re costing you time, money, and professional credibility. Let’s compare modern invoicing solutions designed for people who work with their hands, not behind a desk.
The Cost of Old-School Invoicing
Before diving into software options, let’s be honest about what traditional methods are costing you:
Handwritten Invoices
- Time waste: 15-30 minutes per invoice
- Error-prone: Math mistakes, illegible handwriting
- No tracking: “Did they pay that one from last month?”
- Unprofessional appearance: Customers may take you less seriously
Spreadsheets (Excel/Google Sheets)
- Better than paper, but still manual
- No payment integration: Customer still has to mail a check
- No reminders: You have to remember to follow up
- Easy to lose track: Which version is current?
The Hidden Cost
Studies show that contractors using manual invoicing methods wait an average of 30-45 days to get paid, compared to 7-14 days for those using modern invoicing software with online payments.
That’s money sitting in your customer’s pocket instead of yours.
What to Look For in Invoicing Software
Before comparing options, here’s what matters most for tradespeople:
| Feature | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Mobile app | Create invoices on the job site |
| Online payments | Get paid in days, not weeks |
| Automatic reminders | Stop chasing payments |
| Estimates/quotes | Convert quotes to invoices |
| Receipt capture | Track expenses for tax time |
| Simple interface | Learn in minutes, not hours |
| Affordable pricing | Don’t eat into your profits |
Top Invoicing Software Compared
1. Invoice Ninja (Best Free Option)
Price: Free (Pro: $10/month)
Best for: Contractors who want professional invoicing without monthly fees
Pros:
- Completely free for unlimited invoices
- Accept credit cards and ACH payments
- Professional-looking invoice templates
- Time tracking for hourly jobs
- Recurring invoices for maintenance contracts
Cons:
- Interface slightly more complex than competitors
- Mobile app not as polished
Verdict: Hard to beat for price. If you’re doing 10+ invoices per month, the time saved pays for itself even on the free tier.
2. Wave (Best for Simplicity)
Price: Free (payment processing fees apply)
Best for: Solo contractors who want accounting + invoicing in one place
Pros:
- 100% free invoicing and accounting
- Easy bank connections
- Simple, clean interface
- Unlimited invoices and customers
- Built-in receipt scanning
Cons:
- No time tracking
- Limited mobile features
- Payment processing fees (2.9% + $0.60)
Verdict: Perfect if you want free invoicing with basic accounting. The catch? No dedicated support without paying.
3. Jobber (Best for Service Businesses)
Price: $49-$249/month
Best for: Growing businesses with employees or multiple jobs per day
Pros:
- Built specifically for trades (plumbing, HVAC, electrical)
- Scheduling + invoicing + payments in one app
- Customer text notifications
- Quote → Job → Invoice workflow
- GPS tracking for crews
Cons:
- Most expensive option
- Overkill for solo operators
- Learning curve for all features
Verdict: The gold standard for service businesses with teams. If you’re hiring employees, this pays for itself in efficiency.
4. Square Invoices (Best for Quick Payments)
Price: Free (2.6% + $0.10 per card payment)
Best for: Contractors who already use Square or want same-day deposits
Pros:
- Instant deposits available
- Customers can pay via link (no app needed)
- Simple interface
- Works with Square card readers for on-site payments
- Free—you only pay transaction fees
Cons:
- Limited customization
- Basic reporting
- No time tracking
Verdict: Dead simple and fast. If getting paid quickly matters more than fancy features, Square is tough to beat.
5. QuickBooks Self-Employed (Best for Tax Time)
Price: $15-$25/month
Best for: Contractors who want invoicing + tax prep in one place
Pros:
- Automatic mileage tracking
- Separates business/personal expenses
- Estimated quarterly taxes calculated
- Integrates with TurboTax
- Solid mobile app
Cons:
- More expensive than alternatives
- Interface can be overwhelming
- Focused on tax prep, invoicing is secondary
Verdict: Worth it if you’re paying an accountant more than $200/year. The tax features alone save most contractors $300+ at tax time.
6. Housecall Pro (Runner-Up for Trades)
Price: $49-$129/month
Best for: HVAC, plumbing, electrical businesses wanting all-in-one
Pros:
- Online booking for customers
- Dispatching and scheduling
- Automated “on my way” texts
- Built-in review requests
- Financing options for customers
Cons:
- Expensive for solo operators
- Requires commitment to their ecosystem
Verdict: Similar to Jobber but with customer booking features. Great if you want customers to schedule online.
Quick Comparison Table
| Software | Price | Mobile App | Online Pay | Time Track | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invoice Ninja | Free/$10 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Budget-conscious |
| Wave | Free | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | Simple needs |
| Jobber | $49+ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Growing teams |
| Square | Free | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | Fast payments |
| QuickBooks SE | $15+ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Tax prep |
| Housecall Pro | $49+ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Full service |
Our Recommendations by Business Size
Solo Contractor (Just You)
Start with: Wave or Square Invoices
Both are free, simple, and get you paid faster than paper. As you grow, you can upgrade.
Small Team (2-5 People)
Consider: Invoice Ninja Pro or Jobber Lite
You need scheduling and time tracking. The $10-50/month investment saves hours of coordination.
Growing Business (5+ People)
Invest in: Jobber or Housecall Pro
At this scale, the scheduling, dispatching, and automated features pay for themselves many times over.
Making the Switch: A Simple Plan
Switching from paper or spreadsheets doesn’t have to be painful:
Week 1: Pick Your Tool
- Sign up for free trials of 2-3 options
- Enter your business info
- Create one test invoice
Week 2: Go Hybrid
- Use new software for all new jobs
- Keep old system for existing unpaid invoices
Week 3: Migrate
- Enter regular customers into new system
- Set up online payment acceptance
Week 4: Commit
- Use only the new system
- Send payment link with every invoice
- Enable automatic reminders
The Bottom Line
Every day you’re chasing payments manually is costing you money.
The math is simple:
- Average time spent on invoicing/collection: 5 hours/month
- Your hourly rate: $75-150/hour
- Monthly cost of manual invoicing: $375-$750
Even the most expensive software on this list ($249/month) pays for itself if you’re spending more than 3 hours monthly on invoicing tasks.
For most contractors, a free tool like Wave or Invoice Ninja is more than enough. The key is to start using something—anything modern beats paper.
Need Help Choosing?
Still not sure which invoicing solution fits your business? We help contractors and tradespeople set up their business systems—from invoicing to customer management to online presence.
Schedule a Free Consultation →
We’ll review your current workflow and recommend the right tools (and we don’t get paid by any of these companies, so our advice is 100% unbiased).
