Honest comparison, no slimy bait
Pick VenueBill if
Best if you want a free web invoicing tool with a client portal, recurring billing, and Stripe payments, no per-invoice paywall.
Pick Invoice Simple if
Best if you want a simple mobile-first app to knock out an invoice on your phone at the job site and do not need a portal or recurring billing.
| Feature | VenueBill | Invoice Simple |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes, unlimited invoices✓ | Limited free invoices, then paywall |
| Branded invoices, no watermark | Yes✓ | Branding/limits on free |
| Card payments | Your own Stripe account | Stripe / PayPal / card |
| Recurring invoices | Yes (Pro)✓ | No |
| Client portal | Yes✓ | No, per-invoice links |
| Estimates / quotes | Yes | Yes |
| SMS reminders | Yes, built in (Pro)✓ | Limited |
| Native mobile app | Mobile web | Native iOS and Android✓ |
| On-the-go phone invoicing | Works in mobile browser | Yes, app-first✓ |
VenueBill
Free forever for unlimited invoices. Pro is $19/mo for recurring billing, automatic reminders, and time tracking.
Invoice Simple
Free to create a limited number of invoices, then a paid plan (around $9.99/mo and up) to keep going and remove limits. Payments via Stripe, PayPal, or card.
Invoice Simple lives up to its name: a clean, mobile-first app for creating an invoice or estimate on your phone at the job site. Its native iOS and Android apps and app-first workflow are its main strength, and for someone who just wants to tap out an invoice between jobs, it feels effortless.
VenueBill wins on what you get for free and on follow-through. There is no per-invoice paywall, so you can send unlimited invoices without hitting a limit, plus a real client portal where customers see all their invoices and estimates, recurring billing, and built-in SMS reminders. Payments run on your own Stripe account.
The trade-off is mobile experience versus capability. Invoice Simple has polished native apps; VenueBill runs in the mobile browser but does more, the portal, recurring invoices, and reminders that keep cash flowing without manual chasing. A tradesperson who only needs to fire off the occasional invoice from a phone may prefer Invoice Simple; one who invoices regularly and wants to stop chasing payments will get more from VenueBill for free.
Both are quick to start, so the cheapest test is to send a real invoice from each and see which fits how you actually work.
Make the switch
Free for unlimited invoices. Bring your clients over, connect Stripe, and send your first invoice in minutes. No credit card required.
VenueBill is free for unlimited invoices. Invoice Simple lets you create a limited number of invoices free, then requires a paid plan (around $9.99/mo and up) to continue without limits.
No. Invoice Simple focuses on quickly creating individual invoices and estimates. VenueBill adds a client portal and recurring billing, which Invoice Simple does not offer.
VenueBill runs in the mobile browser rather than a native app today. Invoice Simple has native iOS and Android apps, which some people prefer for invoicing on the go.
Yes. Re-create your clients in a free VenueBill account and connect Stripe to take payments. There is no agreement, so you can try both before deciding.
A contractor who wants a quick phone app for occasional invoices may like Invoice Simple. One who invoices often and wants a free tool with a portal, recurring billing, and reminders will get more from VenueBill.
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