Best Invoicing Software for Designers

What designers need from invoicing software
The tools

The right invoicing software for a designer turns an approved estimate into an invoice, handles an up-front payment and the balance, attaches files such as a scope summary, and makes extra revision rounds easy to bill. All five tools below describe online payments on their own pages. Billed, FreshBooks, QuickBooks Online and Square Invoices also describe estimates, and HoneyBook's pricing page lists "Proposals and contracts". They differ in how they handle deposits, contracts and retainers.

Billed publishes this page and is listed first. The other tools are listed alphabetically and aren't ranked. Every detail comes from each vendor's own pages, opened on October 29, 2026. Features and plans change, so check each vendor's site and pricing page before you sign up. This page doesn't list prices.

What designers need from invoicing software

Estimates that become invoices once the client approves the scope.
An up-front payment and a balance, for projects you start before they're finished.
Contracts, if you want a signed agreement before you begin.
Retainers, for clients who pay a fixed amount each month.
Attachments and branding, so the invoice carries your logo and the scope it bills for.

The tools

Billed

From Billed's own pages:

Estimates to invoices: its estimating software page describes "converting approved estimates into invoices with just a few clicks".
Branding and attachments: its invoice software page says: "Choose an invoice template, add your logo and business details, and save the products and services you sell so you can pull them into an invoice instead of retyping them." It adds: "Add files to your invoices and estimates."
Retainers: its recurring invoices page says: "Establish a stable cash flow with retainers. Negotiating fixed prices and sending recurring invoices makes it easier for you to forecast your income and upcoming workload."
Hourly work: its time tracking page says: "Create an hourly rate project, set its hourly rate, and Billed tracks the charge for each task as you log it."

Plans are on Billed's pricing page.

FreshBooks

From FreshBooks' invoicing page:

"Request deposits on estimates and offer flexible payment options like Buy Now, Pay Later so you can cover costs, protect cash flow, and start projects with money in hand."
"Dedicate a specific number of hours to your client's retainer and schedule work against that amount at a pace that works for both you and your client."

HoneyBook

From HoneyBook's online invoices page and pricing page:

"Accept deposits, bill for one-time services, or invoice as you go with flexible installments."
"Collect eSignatures on contracts and forms."
"Yes, the HoneyBook iOS or Android app lets you create invoices on your phone, send them to clients, and more."

QuickBooks Online

From QuickBooks' invoicing page:

"See client conversations, proposals, estimates, and contracts in your customer profiles."
"Collect deposits ahead of time, so you don't have to front the cost of a job."
"Progress invoicing makes it easy to split up estimates into multiple invoices based on project milestones, stages, or the percentage of work completed." QuickBooks says this is available "on Plus and Advanced".

Square Invoices

From Square's invoices page:

"Convert accepted estimates to invoices automatically and request payment from your customers instantly."
"Request a deposit to secure your customer's commitment. Set a separate due date for the remaining balance easily."
"Protect your business and empower your customers with e-signature contracts they can sign from anywhere."

Worked example (sample figures)

A sample designer, invented for this example, quotes $4,500.00 for a brand identity project, with 50% up front and the balance on delivery. The client asks for one extra revision round beyond the two in the scope, which takes 3 hours at $90.00 an hour.

Up-front payment: 50% × $4,500.00 = $2,250.00
Balance of the project fee: $4,500.00 − $2,250.00 = $2,250.00
Extra revision round: 3 hours × $90.00 = $270.00
Final invoice: $2,250.00 + $270.00 = $2,520.00
Total paid for the project: $2,250.00 + $2,520.00 = $4,770.00

Showing the extra round as its own line, with the hours, makes it clear it was outside the agreed scope. If your contract grants the client rights to use the work, refer to it on the invoice, and ask a lawyer about the license terms themselves.

How to choose

List how you bill: a fixed project fee, an up-front payment and a balance, hourly, or a monthly retainer.
Check each must-have on the vendor's own pages: estimates, deposits, contracts, retainers and attachments.
Check the price on each vendor's pricing page, and which plan includes the features you need.
Try it on a real project: send an estimate, convert it, and send the final invoice with the extra round as its own line.

When this guide isn't for you

If you run a studio with several designers and need project management, proposals and contracts in one place, check whether a platform's own pages describe all of those together, not only invoicing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What features should designers look for in invoicing software?

Estimates that convert into invoices, a way to handle an up-front payment and the balance, contracts if you want a signed agreement, recurring invoices for retainers, and attachments with your branding. Check each feature on the vendor's own pages.

Which of the other tools on this page describe deposits?

Among the other tools on this page, FreshBooks, HoneyBook, QuickBooks and Square each describe deposits on their own pages.

Which of the other tools on this page describe contracts with e-signatures?

Among the other tools on this page, HoneyBook's pricing page says you can collect eSignatures on contracts and forms, and Square's invoices page describes e-signature contracts. QuickBooks' invoicing page says you can see contracts in customer profiles.

How should I bill an extra revision round?

Put it on its own line with the hours and rate, so it's clear it falls outside the agreed scope. In this page's sample, 3 extra hours at $90.00 adds $270.00, making the final invoice $2,520.00.

How much does design invoicing software cost?

This page doesn't list prices because they change. Check each vendor's pricing page and which plan includes the features you need.

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Best Invoicing Software for Designers: Estimates, Deposits and Retainers