Invoicing is an essential aspect of running a small business in Australia. It ensures that you get paid for your products or services and helps you maintain a healthy cash flow. However, manual invoicing can be time-consuming and prone to errors. That’s where invoice apps come in handy. They streamline the invoicing process, making it faster, more accurate, and convenient for both you and your clients. Running a small business in Australia comes with its fair share of challenges, and managing your invoices is certainly one of them. However, with the right invoice app, this task can be made much easier and more efficient.
In this article, we will explore the six best invoice apps for small businesses in Australia. Each app has its unique features and advantages, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences. We will discuss the pricing, key features, pros, and cons of each app to help you make an informed decision.
Importance of using invoice apps for small businesses
As a small business owner, you understand the importance of maintaining a steady cash flow. Invoicing is a crucial part of this process, as it ensures that you receive timely payments for your products or services. However, manually creating and managing invoices can be time-consuming and prone to errors. This is where invoice apps come in.
Invoice apps offer a range of features that can streamline your invoicing process and save you precious time. From automatically generating professional-looking invoices to sending reminders for overdue payments, these apps take the hassle out of financial management. Additionally, they often integrate with popular accounting software, making it easier to keep track of your income and expenses.
Best Invoice Apps for Small Businesses
- Square Invoices
- Freshbooks
- Xero
- Zoho Invoice
- Wave Invoice
- Invoicera
- Square Invoices
Square Invoices takes the top spot as the best free invoice app in Australia. It offers a user-friendly interface and a range of features that make invoicing a breeze. With Square Invoices, you can accept card payments directly through the invoice, making it convenient for your clients. The basic app features are free to use, including unlimited invoices. You only pay a transaction fee when your client pays online through the invoice link. Square Invoices also offers a paid Plus subscription with additional features like custom layouts and project file organization.
Pricing:
- Free plan available
- Plus plan: $30 + GST per month
Key Features:
- Integrated card processing at a flat rate
- Additional payment tools
- Next-day deposits in your bank account
- Estimating and recurring invoicing capabilities
- Customizable invoice layouts
Pros:
- Free to use basic features
- Convenient card payment processing
- Next-day deposits for faster access to funds
- Customizable invoice layouts
Cons:
- Transaction fees apply for online payments
- Additional features available only on the paid plan
- Freshbooks
Freshbooks is a popular choice for freelancers and small businesses in Australia. It offers invoicing and basic accounting features to help you manage your finances effectively. Freshbooks has a user-friendly interface and provides a range of features such as time tracking, basic accounting, customizable branding on invoices, and online client payments. The platform also integrates well with other major apps, making it a versatile choice for small businesses.
Pricing:
- Plans range from $15 to $50 per month
- 10% discount on annual subscriptions
Key Features:
- Mobile apps for easy access on the go
- Time tracking and basic accounting features
- Customizable branding on invoices
- Integration with other major apps
- Late payment reminders and client portal
Pros:
- Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- Great customer support
- Reasonable pricing for the features offered
- Integration with other major apps
Cons:
- More expensive than some competitors
- Limited invoice customization options
- No free plan available
- Xero
Xero is a comprehensive invoicing app that offers a range of features beyond just invoicing. It includes accounting, payroll, and project management capabilities, making it a robust solution for small businesses. Xero is well-regarded for its extensive features and functionality. However, it is also one of the more expensive options on this list.
Pricing:
- Prices range from $27 to $67 AUD per month
Key Features:
- Full-featured accounting and invoicing platform
- Accountant access for seamless collaboration
- User levels for easy team management
- Quoting, payroll, and invoicing capabilities
- Online platform with no software downloads required
Pros:
- Comprehensive range of features
- Accountant access for seamless collaboration
- User levels for easy team management
- Quoting, payroll, and invoicing capabilities
Cons:
- Higher price range compared to other options
- Steeper learning curve for new users
- Some features may not be necessary for small businesses
- Zoho Invoice
Zoho Invoice is a strong contender in the invoicing app market. It offers a sleek interface and a wide range of features to streamline your invoicing process. Zoho Invoice allows you to create, send, and track invoices, estimates, and recurring invoices. It also offers additional features like time tracking, expense recording, and mobile apps for iOS, Android, and Windows.
Pricing:
- Free plan available for up to 5 clients
- Paid plans range from $9 to $29 USD per month
- 2 months free with annual subscriptions
Key Features:
- Payments collection and recurring billing
- Time tracking and expense recording
- Mobile apps for easy access on the go
- Customization templates and workflow automation
- Integration with other Zoho products
Pros:
- Responsive online support via chat
- Great integration with other Zoho products
- Free plan available for up to 5 clients
Cons:
- Free plan limited to 5 clients
- Custom domains only available on the most expensive plan
- No integration with Zoho inventory
- Wave Invoice
Wave Invoice stands out from the competition by offering a full-featured platform for free. It provides a range of invoicing features and supports online payments, although a small commission is charged for using their payment processing facilities. Wave Invoice is known for its user-friendly interface and advanced accounting and payroll features.
Pricing:
- Wave is free for all features (excluding payroll)
- Small commission for online payments
Key Features:
- Recurring billing and automated payment reminders
- Payment processing with a small fee
- Invoice customization and multi-currency support
- iOS and Android mobile apps for easy access
- Automated sales tax calculations
Pros:
- Free platform with no credit card required
- Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- Advanced accounting and payroll features when needed
Cons:
- Fee applies to payment processing
- Limited integration with major eCommerce sites
- Limited invoice customization options
- Invoicera
Invoicera is a full-featured invoicing app designed for small to large enterprises. It offers a range of features to streamline your invoicing process, including client management, time tracking, expense tracking, and invoicing capabilities. Invoicera has received positive reviews from its users and offers competitive pricing plans.
Pricing:
- Free plan available for up to 3 clients
- Paid plans range from $15 to $149 USD per month
Key Features:
- CRM, scheduling, and proposals management
- Time tracking, task management, and file sharing
- Collaboration features and client portal
- Invoicing, payments, and accounting capabilities
- Taxes and banking integration
Pros:
- Full-featured invoicing app with a range of capabilities
- User-friendly interface and easy expense management
- Free plan available for up to 3 clients
Cons:
- Cost may be seen as a significant expense
- Level of customization options is limited
- Some features may be overwhelming for users preferring simpler tools
Conclusion
Choosing the right invoice app for your small business in Australia is essential for effective invoicing and financial management. Each of the six apps discussed in this article offers unique features and advantages. Square Invoices stands out as the best free option, while Freshbooks, Xero, Zoho Invoice, Wave Invoice, and Invoicera offer a range of features and pricing plans to suit different business needs.
Consider the pros and cons of each app, and take into account your specific requirements and budget. By finding the perfect invoice app for your small business, you can streamline your invoicing process, improve cash flow, and focus on growing your business.
If you need assistance, consult with Pro Plus Bookkeeping to determine the most suitable system for your specific needs.
