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Billing is the engine that drives revenue, the lifeblood of your company. Finding the right software can be a tedious exercise. We’ve compiled a list to help you. This article breaks down the key features of fifteen billing platforms and explains how they can benefit your business. We evaluated them based on the following factors:
● Integration and connectivity
● Functions and features
● Affordability and contract terms
🔍 Our Methodology: The team of dedicated content experts at Wise research each provider thoroughly, uncovering the key features, fees, benefits and drawbacks to watch out for. This is then collected into an easily digestible format, to save you time and hassle when looking into a provider. |
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Let’s start by reviewing what’s happening in the business world. It’s important to understand how the landscape shapes billing. New technology necessitates innovation in software development. The features and functions we see today are a response to digital acceleration. This in turn is the decline of manual billing as more businesses switch to electronic invoicing.
Security is another concern. Cloud migration is facing less resistance because billing software developers are incorporating better security protocols. These include two-factor authentication (2FA), facial recognition, and biometrics. These help combat increased cybersecurity threats against corporate and government networks.
Automated invoice generation, error detection, and personalized payment reminders can all be attributed to the rise of AI and machine learning. These features are typically available only on cloud-based applications. This means more traditional on-premises systems are quickly becoming a thing of the past. You’ll see that in our reviews below.
These systems are in no particular order because ranking them didn’t seem appropriate. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. Use this list to evaluate them based on your needs and budget.
Create a shortlist and take advantage of any free trials. Your billing software is essential to your business, so don’t rush the decision.
Wave advertises itself as the “best invoice software for small businesses.” They offer a free billing platform for solopreneurs and startups. Additionally, their premium solutions are cost-effective enough to facilitate growth and scale. The invoices are professional, but integrations with other platforms are limited.
Key Features:
● Customizable professional invoices
● Recurring billing
● Automated payment reminders
● Credit card, ACH, and EFT processing
● Integration with Apple Pay
● Integration with Wave Accounting
Pricing: Freemium model. Software scales with you as your company grows.
Website: https://www.waveapps.com/invoicing
Stripe is one of the most recognizable names in online billing. They’re ideal for scalable subscription-based businesses that service global markets. Some of the more popular features available include recurring billing and usage-based pricing. Multi-currency capability is also included. Stripe also offers seamless integration with major platforms like Amazon and Shopify..
Key Features:
● Support for virtually any recurring business model
● Flexible charging logic (per-seat, metered, hybrid)
● Global payment processing with multiple methods
● Built-in revenue recognition tools
● Comprehensive reporting and financial analytics
Pricing: Based on usage.
Website:https://stripe.com/
Melio’s homepage says, “Turn days into minutes.” They’re good for small businesses that need a flexible, cost-effective system that can grow with their business. Subscription prices are reasonable, and they accept credit card payments and ACH transfers. The integration menu includes QuickBooks, so you’re not forced to use their accounting software.
Key Features:
● Multiple payment acceptance options
● Comprehensive payment tracking
● Automatic account reconciliation
● Integration with QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks, and Business Central
● Enhanced payment security protection
Pricing: The core platform is free, with fees for different types of transactions.
Website:https://meliopayments.com/
Freshbooks is a small market competitor to QuickBooks, but its system is not quite as robust. They offer basic invoicing, including time tracking, expense management, and project collaboration. You can also operate it from a mobile app, giving your company more freedom to handle billing and payments while on the road.
Key Features:
● Automated expense categorization
● Integrated time tracking
● Project management tools
● Customizable invoice templates with due date functionality
● Mobile app support (iOS and Android)
Pricing: 30-day free trial. $21 a month for up to five clients.
Website: https://www.freshbooks.com/
Square offers an omnichannel approach to invoicing and payments. Outside sales reps can use it to take payments on the spot. Small businesses can send online invoices. They also have an internal customer directory and inventory management features. The output is professional and customizable, with consistent branding across all channels.
Key Features:
● Omnichannel payment acceptance
● Customer directory tool
● Free customizable invoice templates
● Scheduled recurring invoices
● Automated payment reminders
Pricing: The basic plan is $29 a month. A free version with processing fees is available.
Website: https://squareup.com/us/en
The Zoho One suite offers a diverse set of tools at a cost-effective rate. Those include customizable invoicing, recurring billing, and automated payment reminders. The suite also has connectivity to Zoho’s HIPAA-compliant workspace, easy-to-use CRM, and project management tools. They also offer payroll software with automated tax payments and filing.
Key Features:
● Seamless integration with other Zoho applications
● Multiple online payment options
● Automated payment reminders
● Customizable invoice templates
● Support for recurring billing cycles
Pricing: There’s a free plan available. The standard plans start at $12 per month.
Website: https://www.zoho.com/
There are several billing solutions on this list, but QuickBooks is still the king of the space. They’re considered the industry standard because they have robust accounting features and holistic financial management. They also have customization for medical practitioners and service providers. They also have an online version for self-employed individuals.
Key Features:
● Personalized invoice templates
● Automated time billing integration with QuickBooks Time
● Real-time payment tracking
● Google Calendar integration
● Custom invoice creation for consistent branding
Pricing: Pricing starts at $15 per month for billing tools and basic functionality.
Website: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/
Netsuite is an enterprise resource planning tool with sophisticated automation capabilities. These can keep your company in compliance with accounting and tax regulations. It’s a good tool for maintaining vendor relationships because it offers a three-way matching system for orders, receipts, and bills. Their integrations include QuickBooks, Microsoft, and Sage.
Key Features:
● Three-way matching for accurate payment processing
● Automated procure-to-pay cycle
● Revenue recognition automation
● Subscription management capabilities
● Real-time analytics and reporting
Pricing: Annual license fee. Contact sales.
Website: https://www.netsuite.com/portal/home.shtml
Powered by AI, vCita is a point-of-sale payment app popular with sales reps and service providers. It’s ideal for contractors and home maintenance companies providing on-demand services. The mobile app dashboard organizes client payment history by showing pending and overdue invoices. It’s efficient but pricier than other solutions listed here.
Key Features:
● Real-time cash flow dashboard
● 24/7 online payment capabilities
● SMS invoice delivery
● Automatic payment requests upon booking
● Client card invoice organization
Pricing: The business plan for 5-10 members is $116 per month if you pay annually.
Website: https://www.vcita.com/
Time tracking is an essential function for professionals and service providers that bill by the hour. BigTime tracks hours and creates accurate invoices with your branding. Their flexible billing models support one-time fixed fees and recurring billing. It’s popular with attorneys, financial advisors, clinicians, and coaches.
Key Features:
● Real-time time and expense tracking
● Multiple billing model support
● Automated invoice generation
● Extensive integration capabilities
● Project profitability tracking
Pricing: Per-user pricing ranges from $20 to $45 monthly.
Website: https://www.bigtime.net/
You may recognize this platform as Bill.com. Its name has changed, but the software is still a top choice for online billing. It streamlines accounts receivable and payable with automation and electronic payment processing. You can also use it to set up direct debits and integrate it with other accounting platforms. Corporate pricing is reasonable.
Key Features:
● Intuitive payment portal
● Customizable invoice fields
● Automated invoice tracking
● Preset billing schedules
● Accounting software integration
Pricing: Corporate plans start at $79 monthly per user.
Website: https://www.bill.com/
Salesforce is a well-known entity in the CRM space. However, it tends to be clunky and is significantly more expensive than other billing solutions. It’s a good fit if you’re using their CRM because it converts lead-to-order data into transactional information. That function can help improve revenue collection, but this solution is for higher-end, larger companies.
Key Features:
● Automated billing workflows
● Seamless payment processing
● Enterprise-grade security
● Compliant revenue recognition
● Integration with Salesforce CPQ
Pricing: Pricing is not available on their website. Contact sales.
Website: https://www.salesforce.com/sales/revenue-lifecycle-management/billing-pricing/
Sage offers several financial management solutions, including accounts payable and accounts receivable options. You can also purchase a plan specifically for retail operations, human resources and payroll. You can also get plans with a people management function that tracks performance and goals. Sage is one of the more customizable and scalable solutions on this list.
Key Features:
● Secure real-time team collaboration
● Comprehensive reporting dashboard
● Automated time tracking
● Enterprise-grade data encryption
● Recurring billing management
Pricing: The accounting plan starts at $25 monthly.
Website: https://www.sage.com/en-us/accounting-software/billing/
Transitioning from manual to automated AP processes is hard. AvidXchange simplifies it with AI integration technology that extracts data directly from your manual invoices. This makes setup and online invoice management much simpler. AvidXchange also streamlines approval workflows and supports multi-matching for better internal controls.
Key Features:
● AI-powered data extraction
● Automated approval workflows
● Real-time reporting
● Two and three-way matching support
● Accounting system integration
Pricing: Custom pricing is provided upon request.
Website: https://www.avidxchange.com/
Stampli is a procure-to-pay platform that tracks the steps of a customer interaction from engagement to invoice to payment. It has an integrated communications hub that connects to each invoice, providing contextual information and accelerating processing times. If you’re looking for ERP integrations, Stampli offers several of them.
Key Features:
● Customizable user rights and responsibilities
● Stakeholder collaboration hub
● Role-specific dashboard
● Major ERP integration
● Automated approval workflows
Pricing: Stampli is a premium enterprise solution. Contact them for pricing.
Website: https://www.stampli.com/
💡 For all you need to know about invoices, don't forget to read and bookmark the ultimate guide to invoicing from Wise! |
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Each billing solution on this list has features and functions that differentiate it from its competitors. Most connect with human resources, payroll, and accounting platforms. Some offer plans for specific business niches. Review these differences to find a platform that suits your unique needs. Make sure it has the following essential features:
● Automation and workflow optimization
● Customizable templates and branding
● Global business support
● Multi-currency capability
● Dashboard analytics
● Cloud accessibility
Automation comes in many forms. Examples include scheduling an invoice to send on a specific date. It also includes automated reminders and recurring invoices. Customizing these communications with your brand gives your company more credibility. That becomes increasingly more important as you grow and scale, especially if you’re targeting global markets.
You’ll also want to evaluate security and data encryption protocols. This includes multi-factor authentication and GDPR or PCI DSS compliance. Integration with CRM, accounting, and ERP systems is possible only if the data being transferred is secure. Ask the sales rep about these protocols when you meet with them about “custom pricing.”
Minimizing costs and improving efficiency are two great reasons to switch to online billing. Reducing your carbon footprint with paper reduction is another. Going digital affects your office and the environment around you. It lowers energy consumption, reduces waste, and maximizes productivity. This impacts the planet, so don’t take it lightly.
Automation improves business continuity prospects and makes your company more marketable if your exit plan is to sell. This is particularly true for online billing software that connects to accounting platforms.
Having your transaction information in one place, connected to digital copies of your invoices, provides an instant snapshot of your financial position.
The time has come to make a decision. We’re hopeful that this article has been helpful to you and encourage you to do additional research. Your needs and budget will determine which billing software is best for your organization.
Consider these factors:
● Business size and complexity
● Transaction volume and frequency
● Integration requirements with existing systems
● Industry-specific compliance needs
● Growth projections and scalability requirements
Billing software is evolving rapidly. Innovation is being driven by AI, machine learning, automation, and better security protocols. This technology can transform your business. Take your time. Review each of these solutions carefully. One of them can be right for you.
If you have international customers, you’ll know that this adds an extra layer of stress to billing. Luckily, Wise Business is designed with international business in mind.
Wise is not a bank, but a Money Services Business (MSB) provider and a smart alternative to banks. Wise makes it easy to send, hold, and manage business funds in 40+ currencies. You can get major currency account details for a one-off fee to receive overseas payments like a local. Simply add the local account details when billing international customers to receive international payments with no fees.
Account opening is 100% online, with no need to visit a branch or book appointments.
Once you’re set up, you can connect to software such as Wave, FreshBooks, and more. You can also withdraw funds from Stripe without currency conversion fees.
Open a Wise Business account online
Some key benefits of Wise Business include: |
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Editor & Business Expert: | |
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![]() | Panna is an expert in US business finance, covering topics from invoicing to international expansion. She creates guides and reviews to help businesses save time and make informed decisions. You can read more useful business articles on her author profile. |
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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