Most invoicing apps were built for businesses with accountants, not for a plumber in Sheffield quoting from the van. Some of the newest apps are UK-only, which matters if you ever work across the Irish Sea. Here is an honest guide.
Free during Early Access. No credit card. Ready in 2 minutes.
Most platforms added a mobile app after the fact. If the full experience does not work on your phone without a laptop backup, it is not mobile-first. It is mobile-adequate.
Most trade work in the UK, including most work on homes, is standard-rated at 20%. The 5% and 0% rates only apply to qualifying work, so you need to know which rate fits your jobs. Generic apps make you type the rate on every invoice. A good trade app lets you set your rate once and works out the VAT on every quote and invoice.
Nearly 1 in 2 UK small business invoices are paid late. An app that helps you send a polite but firm payment reminder takes the awkwardness out of chasing what you are owed.
Built for sole trader tradesmen in the UK and Ireland. PayReady AI quote from plain English in 30 seconds. WhatsApp send. PayReady AI writes payment chasers. UK VAT (20%/5%) built in - set your rate once. Works in Ireland too.
All-in-one job management for trade businesses. Good feature set but per-user pricing and desktop-first design. Primary market is Australia and NZ. No AI quoting. 14-day trial only.
UK-only mobile-first invoicing app for tradespeople. Voice-to-quote, CIS tracking, MTD support, job calendar, photo attachments. Good for UK-only businesses. No Ireland or EUR support.
Generic invoicing form app. Simple and fast for basic invoices. No AI quoting, no UK VAT rates built in, no WhatsApp send, no payment reminders. Works anywhere but knows nothing about the trades.
Full field service management for trade businesses with teams. Excellent for dispatching, scheduling, and CRM. Priced in USD. Overkill and overpriced for a sole trader who just needs to quote and invoice.
Accounting platforms used by bookkeepers and accountants. Handle bank reconciliation, MTD submissions, and VAT returns. Not designed for quoting on site from a phone. Best used alongside PayReady.
| Feature | PayReady | Tradify | Billdr | Invoice Simple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PayReady AI quote from plain English (30 sec) | ||||
| WhatsApp send | ||||
| UK VAT (20% / 5%) built in | ||||
| PayReady AI payment reminders - 3 tones | ||||
| Mobile-first (no laptop needed) | ||||
| Works in Ireland too | ||||
| Payment plans and stage invoicing | ||||
| Built for sole traders specifically | ||||
| Starting price | Free (Early Access) / £25/month | £29/month | £9/month | ~£8/month |
Nearly 1 in 2 UK small business invoices are paid late. Late payments cost the average UK tradesman £22,000 a year.
FreeAgent 2024 / UK Department for Business and Trade 2024
PayReady AI writes your payment chaser in the right tone - Friendly, Firm, or Final Notice. The amount owed, days overdue, and your bank details are already filled in. You tap send. Reminder sequences like this reduce overdue invoices by up to 67% and cut average collection time by 35%.
PayReady AI quotes in 30 seconds. WhatsApp send. PayReady AI payment chasers. Built for sole traders in the UK and Ireland. Free during Early Access - no credit card, no catch.
Free during Early Access. No credit card. Ready in 2 minutes.
