Mac Apps
Sending invoices is a vital task if you ever expect to make any money as a contractor or freelancer. Fortunately, numerous applications on OS X can turn this mundane task into a streamlined and efficient process – often also creating great looking invoices.
Today we’ll be taking a look at 7 examples of invoicing software for the Mac, ranging from very simple tools such as Involer through to a more complicated all-in-one packages. Most applications come with a small cost, but we’re also highlighting a free alternative if you’re a little strapped for cash.
Involer
Involer
Involer proves that invoicing needn’t be tedious with a sleek intuitive interface that makes the process quick, easy and fun. It’s perfect for those of you with really simple invoicing needs, but doesn’t offer many advanced features.
Invoices produced look delightfully minimalist, and can be fine tuned to match the content and style that you’re looking for.
Price: $29.99
Developer: The Dream Apps
Requires: OS X 10.5 Leopard
Invoy
Invoy
In a similar vein Invoy prides itself on simplicity, albeit with a few more advanced features. It can create different types of document (cash sales, credit memos etc), supports exporting of data to Excel or Numbers, and can also integrate with the OS X Address Book.
The interface is impressive, and Invoy is certainly an application I would recommend giving a try. A 15 day trial is available.
Price: $35
Developer: Empty Factory
Requires: Mac OS X 10.4.9 and higher
Express Invoice
Express Invoice
A relatively simple application, Express Invoice is completely free. You can create basic invoices, quotes and orders, manage recurring billing, and automatically send statements to customers with overdue payments.
Support for adjusting the look-and-feel of invoices is fairly basic, but the application does have an in-built email system for quickly sending documents out to a client.
Price: Free
Developer: NCH Software
Requires: Mac OS X 10.2
Billings
Billings
Billings begins the move towards more powerful invoicing applications with functionality such as time tracking, recurring invoices, advanced reporting and one-click sending of invoices.
You can even bring up a Google Map of a client’s address so you know where to find them. Billings is a great option for those of you with many clients and more demanding invoice needs.
Price: $39.99
Developer: Marketcircle
Requires: OS X 10.4.11 or greater
Billable
Billable
Billable (soon to be ProfitTrain) helps you keep track of the billable services you perform for a client and invoice them appropriately. It has flexible support for international taxes, integrated time tracking, and customize invoices via a HTML template.
When it comes to sending invoices out, it just takes one click to generate a pre-addressed email with a PDF invoice attached. Easy!
Price: $34.95
Developer: Clickable Bliss
Requires: Mac OS X 10.4.4 or later
iBiz
iBiz
iBiz is another full-featured app, allowing you to manage projects, track billable hours, and – of course – create invoices. It has a great library of pre-designed templates and can send watermarked reminders to ensure you’re paid on time!
Expenses can also be tracked and added to an invoice, and the application fully integrates with iBank for managing your business bank balance.
On The Job
On The Job 3
On The Job has a lot of power under the hood but remains a very easy-to-use application. In addition to invoicing, it can handle time tracking and expenses. Invoices are very easy to customize through an innovative template editor.
Quotes or time-sheets are also easy to put together, and On The Job has no problem handling multiple currencies for different clients.
Price: $39.95
Developer: Stunt Software
Requires: Requires OS X 10.5
Conclusion
Whether your needs are remarkably simple or incredibly complex, there should be a billing and invoicing application perfectly suited for you. It may also be worth considering a web based application such as FreshBooks for added mobility and ease-of-use.
Which invoicing application do you use? I’d be interested to hear of any other alternatives on the market.
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Sending invoices is a vital task if you ever expect to make any money as a contractor or freelancer. Fortunately, numerous applications on ...
Sending invoices is a vital task if you ever expect to make any money as a contractor or freelancer. Fortunately, numerous applications on ...
Sending invoices is a vital task if you ever expect to make any money as a contractor or freelancer. Fortunately, numerous applications on ...
Sending invoices is a vital task if you ever expect to make any money as a contractor or freelancer. Fortunately, numerous applications on ...
Sending invoices is a vital task if you ever expect to make any money as a contractor or freelancer. Fortunately, numerous applications on ...
Sending invoices is a vital task if you ever expect to make any money as a contractor or freelancer. Fortunately, numerous applications on ...
Sending invoices is a vital task if you ever expect to make any money as a contractor or freelancer. Fortunately, numerous applications on ...
Sending invoices is a vital task if you ever expect to make any money as a contractor or freelancer. Fortunately, numerous applications on ...
Sending invoices is a vital task if you ever expect to make any money as a contractor or freelancer. Fortunately, numerous applications on ...
Sending invoices is a vital task if you ever expect to make any money as a contractor or freelancer. Fortunately, numerous applications on ...
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Thanks for this. I’ve been looking at Billings, FreshBooks and Invoice Machine but I’ll have to check out the other ones you mentioned aswell.
Ideally I’d like one that can store my clients information such as contact details and passwords aswell. Do any of these do this?
I’ve been using On the Job since last November, and it has improved my freelancing life by leaps and bounds. With OTJ you can store a custom image to represent each client (I use their logos), and their contact info syncs up with Address Book. I haven’t found an area to store passwords or similar sensitive information, but in general I have found OTJ to be very useful.
I have heard that Billings is soon going to add an iPhone app, which I do wish OTJ would develop.
I like but don’t love Billings. I tried iBiz and OTJ breifly but preferred Billings method of time tracking slips.
For storing client passwords nothing touches 1Password from Agile Web Solutions. It’s HEAVEN to go to a site and then pick from a drop down list which user/pass combo I want to login as.
I use Grand Total (http://www.grandtotal.biz/GrandTotal/) and I find that to be the best. I don’t use time tracking, I bill by flat rate, so many programs are pointless for me. I am checking out the first 2 on this list, though.
Personally I use On The Job, I enjoy the time tracking ability and the way you can set up invoice numbers per client.
The one I use is MacFreelance (http://www.macwareinc.com/products/MacFreelance/overview.html). I think it is fantastic. Some of these may have more features, so I don’t know.
I’d like to know if someone who has used MacFreelance and has found something better.
I love how it tracks payments, works with international currencies, gives stats super easy, customizable invoices, manages discounts (for pesky family members), and my favorite is the project timer with start, stop and pause.
I think it should be on this list.
Cheers!
Evan
I would have to agree! I’ve been using MacFreelance for a while now and I would be hard pressed to switch to another program right now. It’s easy to use, and the stats are great!
MacFreelance has been a disapointment for me. The invoice doesn’t show my logo properly. Very poor options for different looks of invoices.
You can’t itemize services that are all included in one service package (each itemized services has to have a price so you have to put zeros everywhere.
The invoice doesn’t show payment description on the invoice when there is still a remaining balance. So if a client has paid a 1rst installment, the invoice shows the amount but you can’t explain what the installment was for (like: Deposit, Retainer, etc…).
Very poor technical support.
I am using Billings and loving it. Took a bit of getting used to at first, but now really suits my needs.
I really like Cashboard ( http://www.getCashBoard.com ) for doing all of this online. It’s a monthly service but their prices are the best around, and you can accept payments from your clients online.
Better yet, they always are adding new stuff and making it easier to use. Great people over there and great support too!!!
I’m still getting up to speed on it, but even with the learning curve I am already saving time with Billings. And if you are really really anal about the layout of your estimates, invoices, statements, etc. this is definitely the route to go. As a graphic designer who wants to practice what he preaches, that was key in eventually deciding to go with Billings as I could, albeit manually, move my invoices from InDesign templates to automated Billings templates. That it has so many other features to boot was just icing.
Love it so far. Great looking invoices, built in timers (per client/per job), and the flexibility to handle many different billing rates and types (flat, timed, etc.) per client, per job all puts it over the top for my business needs.
which one is the best for graphic design/time tracking & just regular invoices?
i user billings and love it too. Its a little over my needs in some areas but i find it very configurable etc.
Billings has worked very well for me.
These guys forget the best invoicing app out there every time they do an invoice app roundup… TimeNet! http://applesource.biz
What gives?
You should definitely give TimeNet a whirl. http://timenet.applesource.biz
http://www.moobiz.com is worth a look, invoicing, cost proposals and accounting work alongside project management with shared workspaces for client access and project file sharing.
It’s been designed and built to run a design/web agency.
I was shocked TimeNet and TimeNet Law aren’t on this list! Did these guys completely forget about this great app? Not only does it have all the features I need but AppleSource’s developers always have their ear to the ground, releasing updates, making bug fixes and adding features.
Definitely GrandTotal, especially if you look at the layout designer. By far the best among all solutions I have tried.
I use GrandTotal. very satisfied
I find it strange that TimeNet from Applesource wasn’t included in this listing. I’ve been using TimeNet for years and couldn’t be more satisfied. The software is constantly improving, becoming easier and easier to use yet still getting more and better features. If for some reason you guys aren’t aware of TimeNet you can download a free demo at: http://www.applesource.biz
In all fairness I think TimeNet should be included in this list seeing how it’s some of the best invoicing software out there.
I smell a troll…
How about a table listing each of their features? That might make it easier to compare. Or a list of pros and cons of each?
Not a desktop app…. But Harvest all the way…. Best pricing for a solo freelancer. No one can compare.
Good list. I’ll try a few new ones i’ve heard for the first time.
I’m very satisfied with GrandTotal. Beautiful, minimalist interface. Easy to design your own layouts. Works very well with multiple currencies.
I wonder why should you use a desktop app for invoicing?? Isn’t the de-facto now to be web based, like email?
That said I use CurdBee for my invoicing, which is a web based app and it’s totally free. Can handle Multi-Currency and integrates with PayPal like a breeze..
omg appstorm. TimeNet?! it’s the best, come on! it’s the only billing app I know of that gets away from the nightmare of one-window-interfaces on a complex app. note: a billing app should NOT look like a cluttered ugly iTunes window!
you need to ammend your article for timenet asap!
Spent a long time searching out and trying all the invoicing apps I could find, and settled on GrandTotal, and I am very happy with it.
All the searches I did, not once did TimeNet show up in any of the results, as I would have tried that also… ??
You need a “real” accounting package for a business.
Not, an “invoicing” system.
QuickBooks, FirstEdge, etc.
Better to have good integration with those programs, as your accountant may have their own preferred program.
I just switched from an accounting package to an invoicing system and a spreadsheet and it makes tax time a lot easier. The only real reason to use a full accounting program is if you’re holding inventory and have to deal with all the overhead that goes with that. You could make a case that it’s important if you have employees as well.
If you’re on your own you’re a lot better off talking to an accountant about how they want your profit and loss statement to look at the end of the year and then using a spreadsheet to pull together all the numbers from your company (or personal) bank account so you know what all the numbers mean.
My father is an accountant, and he gets really frustrated with all the people that dump their data into accounting software, generate a report, then bring it to him with no idea where any of the numbers came from or what they mean. Often the reports don’t even make sense if they didn’t configure Quickbooks properly or set up a good chart of accounts.
Better to track the numbers with good plain english descriptions so everyone is on the same page.
After researching all the apps on this list I have to say while most of them look fantastic they make entering your information for a quick invoice much more difficult than it needs to be. If you don’t need a time tracking widget built into your invoicing software (and you can get independent time tracking widgets) I think GrandTotal is pretty tough to beat.
I think invoice3 is the best solution for freelancers and small agencies.
Give it a try :)
I wonder which app is better for both time tracking AND invocing. Something like “On the job vs Billings vs Ibizz”? three really similar app, which one is better for a freelancer? for a little company? I think this comparaison would make a great article too.
Yannik
Absolutely! And examine how well do they integrate with Ical, Address Book, Mail, other databases, other computers, foreign currencies, and your accountant’s PC/Excel-based systems; give reports, create individualised invoices and backups. That’s all I can think of at the moment… ;-)
I’d love to see an app without timers. I have a small company that normally during office hours, isn’t in-office but outside. Although i can see past having timers cluttering my screen i would like to track my customers. Just little notes about when they pay, how they tried to screw me over 3 years ago, that kind of info. I would also like the app to be accesible from multiple locations. A server would be great.
I’ve been trying a couple of apps, and all of them have some pro’s and cons but so far i haven’t seen any customerinfo in any of those apps. I like the way that OTJ lets you actually compose a invoicenumber, rather than just use a generic number.
Well, not sure if you business accepts credi card payments, but Synapse offers an app that can accept payments from any location with high speed internet, ie your iphone. also, we integrate with many invoicing and accounting packages so that the payments are updated in real time. let me know if i could be of help.
Ok, i’m newbie here and still trying various apps for invoicing. I am a freelancer, so I don’t need something extremely complicated. Save my customers, my products, etc. But I certainly need one more thing:
I need to have the ability to add a discount (%)on a SINGLE item and not on the total amount of the invoice!! Any ideas?
Thanx in advance!
Hi Guys, I would have liked to use BIllings but it seems that it does not take into account international currencies. I have customers in different countries that use different currencies… I don’t understand why they don’t include that…
Billings does support multi-currency. It’s highlighted on their site.
I’ve been using Billings for quite a while now, but am not very impressed.
It has many nice features, but it misses one of the most important ones which is CREDIT NOTES!
The problem is that not many of those applications have this feature and it’s so essential to have it, because if you raise the invoice, then send it to your client and after a while you realise that it has been sent in error or you simply got to the agreement with your client that you will cancel this invoice -then there’s no way for you to get cancel it – you would have to delete it, but then client has already the copy of the invoice – so really – all those packages are nice, but without this feature they are useless to me.
In Billings you can put negative balance on the new invoice and even change the heading – but the negative balance doesn’t reduce the outstanding balance of the payments owned – so not really a great solution either.
Anyone out there knows of the software which has this capability?
Yup – I know of one that has credit notes and it’s free and web based: Tradeshift (.com)
Same problem here…. Credit Notes!
My request is simple: I want an accounting/invoice software designed for a creative like me – one, that’s easy and simple to use.
It should come with the following guarantee:
At the end of the year, press one button and your mac will spit out all the statements that your accountant needs to do your taxes. You will hear your accountant say, “wow – I have all the documents and information I need to do your taxes. I’ll get on this right away, you go back to being creative.”
Where’s that application?!
Great article – although i’d recommend GrandTotal.
You can read my review of it here. (http://www.bearpig.co.uk/blog/?p=215)
If anybody is interested this is our invoicing program “Busy Bee Invoicing” you can find it here: http://bee-software.net/invoice-software/
Runs on a mac and you can try before you buy (only $25). We are updating the software all the time and we have just added a “quotes” option so that you can Create Quotes as well as Invoices!
Thanks.
very nice share. i have been using billing for a while now and really happy with how easy and powerful it is
I’ve been using Billings for several years an am a big fan. I offer freelance coaching and consulting services and finds that it offers all of the functionality that I need in a very attractive package.
@Francis – A recently released update to Billings supports multiple currencies.
I ve been exploring Billings for a while and like this app a lot but i will not continue to use it just because u cant do one very simple and for me very important think Discount.
Like all other features and sorry because I have to keep trying with other similar apps … :(
I use Invoice2go. Easy to use and has some nice features. Plus it has a desktop version which you can sync too.
Concerning credits / discounts on Billings invoices. Looks like there is a workaround for this here. Not ideal, but it works until Billings catches wind of the need for this feature.
I use Billings for a year now and i recommend it.
Recently i tried ProfitTrain (ex. Billable) and liked the GUI
Might be worth a mention here that Office123 is now partnering with Tradeshift (a new exciting player in e-invoicing) to give you a full-fledged business management platform from CRM to invoicing.
This will be a web app that is fully functional on a Mac (I use one myself and no problems)
I have looked at most of these apps and one thing that disappoints is that I cannot do percentage invoicing. Most my work requires a 50% deposit. So when converting an estimate to an invoice I need an option to invoice initial 50% and then another invoice for balance when job is done.
I have not found an app for Mac that does this. I have been using quickbooks via vmware which i don’t like doing. not even quickbooks for mac offers this.
I don’t think this is an unusual request.
Does anyone know of a invoicing program where I can add a thumbnail size jpeg of the piece or pieces next to the discription column?
There’s an app for WIndows called ExpenseI
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