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Small businesses and self-employed entrepreneurs need affordable yet robust tools to start and keep their business running. These billing tools can help.
Especially for sole proprietors and small businesses, affordable billing apps are essential to keep billing and receiving payments. Getting paid on time becomes easy and cost-effective.
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Get paid more easily with these four affordable invoicing apps for small businesses and the self-employed. This guide covers each product, its key features, strengths and weaknesses, and how much it costs to get the app up and running.
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Billing apps for small businesses: a comparison chart
| number of users | integration | bill payment | phone support | mobile app | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| quick book | Advanced version supports 10 users | 600 or more | yes | yes | yes |
| fresh books | 1 user. $10 for additional users | over 80 years old | yes | yes | yes |
| Zoho | Unlimited | 500 or more | need integration | yes | yes |
| zero | Unlimited | 1000 or more | need integration | No | yes |
quick book
QuickBooks Online by Intuit is accounting software for solopreneurs and small businesses that helps them better manage the processes associated with invoicing, receiving payments, and performing financial reporting. Business owners have instant access to customer, vendor, and employee information through an online portal.
Main function
- Create customizable, branded invoices with modern templates
- Automatic setup and sending of recurring invoices
- Automatic reconciliation of payments and invoices
- A mobile-friendly approach to billing, receiving payments, and other tasks
Strong Points
- Accessible user interface
- some automation features
- Extensive troubleshooting resources
Cons
- Payment processing is difficult
- Missing some advanced features, including industry-specific tools
price
QuickBooks Online has three main pricing plans for small business users.
- Easy start: $30
- plus: $85
- Altitude: $200
It’s important to note that QuickBooks frequently offers discounted prices. For example, if you buy now, each of these plans is currently offering a 50% off deal for 3 months.
fresh books
FreshBooks is an affordable billing and accounting solution that makes it easy for individuals and small businesses to create customizable, professional invoices. Invoices can be emailed, billable hours can be easily tracked, and payments can be collected online using credit cards and ACH deposits. Freshbooks is available for iOS and Android devices.
Main function
- Invoice generator to easily add time and expenses tracked on the go
- Various pricing options, including fixed pricing for easier and more stable cash flow forecasting
- Workflow management for recurring billing, time tracking, and project management
- Instant updates to see when bills are viewed and paid
Strong Points
- Easy to use even for freelancers and very small businesses
- Superior customer service, including extended phone support hours
Cons
- Lack of tools for large enterprises
- Limited customization
price
Four monthly plans are available:
- Light: $15/month
- plus: $30/month
- premium: $55/month
- select: Custom pricing and plans
Discounts apply to buyers who choose an annual payment plan. Lite, Plus, and Premium plans come with a free trial option. Plus, FreshBooks frequently offers discounts and deals. For example, right now each plan is 70% off his regular price for 3 months.
Zoho Accounting
Zoho Books is billing and accounting software for small businesses that makes billing and accounts receivable management easy. Businesses can customize invoices and statements to meet customer needs and receive payments in multiple currencies. Available for iOS and Android, Zoho Books helps businesses track time, collaborate with customers, and make payments online faster.
Main function
- Share quotes with clients to speed quote approval
- Multiple payment options for clients: cash, check and online payment
- Automatic billing of recurring transactions and automatic collection of payments
- Estimate conversion to sales orders and invoiced orders
Strong Points
- Free version available
- excellent report
- Extensive customizability
Cons
- No integration with Zoho Inventory
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Not the best user interface
price
Zoho Books has 6 different pricing plans.
- free: $0, recommended for businesses with annual revenue less than $50,000
- standard: $20 per month per organization
- Professional: $50 per month per organization
- premium: $70 per month per organization
- elite: $150 per month per organization
- ultimate: $275 per month per organization
Zoho also offers a low-cost annual payment option.
zero
Xero is all-in-one accounting software that allows entrepreneurs and businesses to do everything they need to run their business. It is especially useful for keeping records organized and simplifying compliance management.
Xero connects with 800 third-party apps to make your business operations more manageable. Available for iOS and Android devices, business owners can handle billing and other tasks anytime, anywhere.
Main function
- Customizable invoice layouts where you can add fields and adjust logos, terms of payment and standard messages
- of invoices or third-party payment portals[今すぐ支払う]You can use the button to accept online payments
- Ability to see when a customer has viewed an invoice
Strong Points
- Extensive third-party app integrations, including Gusto Payroll
- Easy to use
- Supports unlimited users on all plans
- great mobile app
Cons
- No dedicated customer support phone number
- Entry-level plans have limits on bills and invoices
price
Xero has three monthly plans.
- quick: $13/month
- Growing: $37/month
- Established: $70/month
A free trial is also available for interested buyers.
What should I look for in my billing app?
integration
Some apps can handle all your billing and accounting needs. However, some require integration with third-party apps. You should check if the billing app you are interested in integrates with your existing tech stack to ensure a smooth introduction of new billing software to your business.
If your current tech stack isn’t integrated or has compatibility issues, you may need to evaluate other options.
customization
The billing app you choose should be customizable enough to format your invoices and other processes as needed. For example, customization features help you project an accurate visual representation of your company on your invoices with your company logo and other white label features.
Invoices app’s customization feature also allows you to create and save different types of invoices for different customers without having to manually change the invoice each time.
Scalability
Ideally, you want to invest in an invoicing app that allows you to scale your business up or down without changing software. Business growth is likely to lead to increased volume and complexity of invoices and transactions.
Whether or not you plan to change headcount, it’s always best to be flexible to scale up and down. Apps with unlimited users or tiered pricing models typically offer better scalability.
customer support
Whether you need technical support for initial setup or should you encounter problems down the road, having solid customer support from your vendor is essential. The advantage of using a popular software solution such as QuickBooks is that in addition to traditional customer support and troubleshooting, online resources such as forums and articles are available.
Mobile and web app compatibility
The billing solution you choose should offer mobile and web app interfaces. This allows users to access billing tools from anywhere, from any device. Look for an invoicing solution with a powerful mobile user interface that processes information and searches in real time.
Benefits of using billing apps for small business
Billing apps can streamline several business processes, making them very cost effective. With the right app, you can maximize efficiency by automating several steps related to billing, especially when you need to send multiple invoices at once. Billing apps can also help companies better monitor their expenses and reduce the chance of human error.
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Many invoicing apps have a tracking feature that lets you see who’s paying on time and who’s behind. This expanded visibility and increased efficiency in creating and sending invoices improves cash flow, which is crucial for freelancers, sole proprietors, and small businesses.
Additionally, the billing app allows you to give your company a professional look with white labels, templates, and other tools that help standardize your invoice format. Finally, the billing app simplifies data retrieval and report generation, making auditing easier.
Read the following: Top payroll processing services for small businesses (Tech Republic)
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