Invollo vs Invoice Ninja: developer power or focused simplicity?
Invoice Ninja is source-available (Elastic License 2.0) and can be self-hosted[6], with recurring invoices, bank account sync and PEPPOL e-invoicing. Invollo is a streamlined cloud tool combining digital quotes, Windows screenshot time tracking and client payments. If you want full control of your server, recurring subscription billing or European PEPPOL compliance, Invoice Ninja offers deeper developer customization. If you want a zero-setup workspace with automated overdue reminders on the free plan, signed quotes and visual proof of work for hourly clients, Invollo is the faster route.
The short answer
Choose Invoice Ninja if…
- You want to self-host your billing system on your own servers for total data control.
- You need recurring invoices and auto-billing that automatically charges stored client payment methods.
- You need PEPPOL network access or European statutory e-invoicing formats.
- You want bank account synchronization via Yodlee or GoCardless.
- You need native desktop apps for macOS, Windows or Linux, or native mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Choose Invollo if…
- You want automated overdue payment reminders included on the free forever plan.
- You need visual proof of work via a Windows desktop tracker that takes periodic screenshots.
- You want client quotes with e-signatures designed to meet ESIGN/eIDAS simple-signature requirements (typed full name, drawn signature, SHA-256 hash).
- You want a clean, modern interface that requires no server maintenance or complex configuration.
- You want 0% platform cuts on client payments through your own connected Stripe or PayPal account.
Invoice Ninja and Invollo side by side
| Invoice Ninja | Invollo | |
|---|---|---|
| Free option | Free cloud plan up to 5 clients with unlimited invoices; free self-hosted source-available edition[1] | Free plan, $0 with no time limit and no card: 1 user, 3 active clients, 5 invoices and 5 quotes a month, 3 active projects, 10 emails a day sent through Invollo. |
| Paid plans | Ninja Pro: $14/month ($140/year billed annually); Enterprise: starts from $18/month ($180/year) for 1–2 users up to $300/month[1] | Pro (no client, invoice, quote or project limits) and Business (3 seats, your own sending domain), billed monthly; there is no annual plan. The pricing page shows the price for your country. |
| Self-hosting | Yes, source-available (Elastic License 2.0) and can be self-hosted on your own server[6] | Cloud-hosted only. Hosted in secure multi-tenant infrastructure with workspace isolation. |
| Recurring invoices | Recurring invoices and auto-billing on all plans including Free[1][2] | Not available. |
| Payment reminders | Automated reminder emails require Ninja Pro ($14/month)[1] | Automatic overdue reminders by email, on every plan. |
| Time tracking | Task timer and project tracking; no periodic screenshot capture[2] | Web timer, Chrome extension and a desktop tracker for Windows 10 and 11 that takes periodic screenshots; tracked time becomes invoice lines. Every plan. |
| Proof of work | Task duration logs; no visual screenshots[2] | Windows desktop tracker takes periodic screenshots reviewable by the client in their portal if you allow it. |
| Quotes & proposals | Quotations and estimates that clients can approve online[2] | Quotes that clients accept online with a typed full name and drawn signature, recorded with a SHA-256 proof, timestamp and IP; convert an accepted quote to an invoice. Every plan. |
| Client portal | Client-side portal for viewing invoices, payment history and document uploads[3] | Client portal where clients see their invoices, quotes and projects and pay online. Every plan. |
| Client payment fees | Connects to 15+ payment gateways (Stripe, PayPal, Square, etc.); gateway fees apply[5] | Clients pay through your own Stripe or PayPal account (PayPal in 24 of the 26 currencies, not BDT or INR), or by bank transfer you record. Invollo takes 0% of client payments; the gateway’s own fees apply. |
| e-Invoicing / PEPPOL | PEPPOL network access with 250 credits on Enterprise tier[1] | Standard PDF invoices in 26 currencies. No PEPPOL or statutory e-invoicing. |
| Native apps | Native desktop apps for macOS, Windows and Linux; mobile apps for iOS and Android[4] | No native mobile apps. Invollo runs in the browser. |
| Branding | “Created by Invoice Ninja” removed on Ninja Pro and Enterprise[1] | “Powered by Invollo” on Free and Pro; removed on Business. |
On small screens, scroll the table sideways; the first column stays in place.
Where Invoice Ninja is the better choice
Invoice Ninja is one of the most flexible invoicing platforms available for developers and technical businesses[1]. Its standout feature is that it is source-available (Elastic License 2.0) and can be self-hosted: if you have internal compliance requirements that prohibit multi-tenant SaaS, you can host Invoice Ninja on your own infrastructure.
It also excels at complex billing logic. If you bill recurring retainers or subscription services where clients need to be auto-billed on a recurring cycle, Invoice Ninja handles that out of the box even on its free plan[2].
Furthermore, Invoice Ninja supports European PEPPOL e-invoicing on its Enterprise tier, connects with bank feeds via Yodlee and GoCardless, and provides native applications across macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS[4].
Where Invollo is the better choice
Free automated reminders. Chasing late payers manually is uncomfortable and time-consuming. On Invoice Ninja, automated late-payment reminders require upgrading to Ninja Pro at $14 a month[1]. Invollo includes automatic overdue payment reminder emails on every plan, including the free forever plan.
Visual proof for hourly freelancers. Invoice Ninja logs timer entries, but it does not capture what was happening on screen. Invollo’s Windows desktop tracker captures periodic screenshots that clients can review in the client portal if you allow it, giving remote clients tangible proof of work.
Quote e-signatures. Invollo includes digital quotations with e-signatures designed to meet ESIGN/eIDAS simple-signature requirements (typed full name and drawn signature, timestamping, IP address capture and SHA-256 cryptographic verification). Once accepted, approved quotes convert to invoices with a single click.
Simpler, distraction-free workflow. Invollo focuses on the core freelance billing cycle: quote, track hours, invoice, and collect payment without needing complex server setup or maintenance.
What Invollo doesn’t do
- No self-hosted or on-premise installation.
- No recurring subscription billing or automatic credit card charging.
- No bank account feeds or automatic bank synchronization.
- No PEPPOL network access or European statutory e-invoicing.
- No native mobile apps or macOS desktop tracker; the desktop tracker is Windows only.
- Team size is capped at 3 seats on the Business plan.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Invoice Ninja have a free plan?
- Yes. Invoice Ninja offers a hosted Free plan that allows up to 5 clients with unlimited invoicing, 11 templates, recurring invoices, time tracking and a client portal. They also provide a free, self-hosted edition that is source-available (Elastic License 2.0). Invollo’s free plan allows 3 active clients and 5 invoices plus 5 quotes a month, and includes automated overdue reminders at no charge.
- Are automatic payment reminders included on free plans?
- On Invoice Ninja, automated late-payment reminder emails are a Ninja Pro feature, which starts at $14 a month billed monthly ($140 billed annually). Invollo includes automated overdue reminder emails on every plan, including the free forever plan.
- Can I self-host Invoice Ninja?
- Yes. Invoice Ninja is source-available (Elastic License 2.0) and can be self-hosted on your own server with no client or invoice limits. Invollo is a managed cloud application and does not offer a self-hosted or on-premise version.
- Does Invoice Ninja provide screenshot time tracking?
- No. Invoice Ninja includes task-based time tracking and project timers that convert to invoice lines, but it does not capture screenshots. Invollo includes a Windows desktop tracker that takes periodic screenshots for remote client verification if you allow it.
- Which one supports e-invoicing and PEPPOL?
- Invoice Ninja supports European e-invoicing and the PEPPOL network on its Enterprise tier ($18+ a month). Invollo does not support PEPPOL or statutory e-invoicing networks; it produces standard PDF invoices.
Sources
Invoice Ninja’s official pages, each checked on 4 October 2026. Plans and prices change; the vendor’s page is always the final word.
- Invoice Ninja: Pricing (checked 4 October 2026)
- Invoice Ninja: Invoicing & Quotes (checked 4 October 2026)
- Invoice Ninja: Client-Side Portal (checked 4 October 2026)
- Invoice Ninja: Native Apps (checked 4 October 2026)
- Invoice Ninja: Online Payments (checked 4 October 2026)
- Invoice Ninja: GitHub licence (checked 4 October 2026)
- Invollo: pricing page and product documentation.
Related
Try Invollo on the free plan
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