Invoicing explained
Invoice vs Receipt
An invoice requests payment for goods or services; a receipt confirms that payment has been made. The invoice comes first and says “please pay”; the receipt comes after and says “paid in full”.
What is invoice?
An invoice is issued before payment. It itemizes what's owed, sets the amount and due date, and serves as the seller's request for payment and the buyer's record of what they owe (accounts payable).
What is receipt?
A receipt is issued after payment. It confirms the transaction is complete and proves the buyer paid. Receipts are used for refunds, warranties, expense claims, and tax records.
Invoice vs Receipt: the key differences
Here's how invoice and receipt differ at a glance:
- Order — invoice before payment, receipt after.
- Message — invoice says “amount due”; receipt says “paid”.
- Function — invoice requests payment; receipt is proof of payment.
How this works in Invco
No. Invco creates and sends invoices; it doesn't issue receipts or take payments. When a client pays, you mark the invoice as paid in one click (or ask Claude to), so your records show what has been settled.
Invco is invoicing software for people who run more than one company. Design your own invoice template or upload your existing invoice PDF, add line items with per-line tax and discounts, and Invco calculates the totals, numbers each invoice sequentially and emails it as a branded PDF from your own address. Every invoice is tracked from draft to sent to paid, and overdue ones are flagged automatically. Plans from $10/month.
More invoicing comparisons
- Invoice vs EstimateAn estimate is a non-binding projection of what a job will cost, sent before the work.
- Invoice vs QuoteA quote is a fixed price offered before the work; an invoice is the bill sent after it.
- Net 30 vs Due on ReceiptNet 30 gives the client 30 days to pay from the invoice date; due on receipt asks for payment immediately.
- Proforma Invoice vs InvoiceA proforma invoice is a preliminary invoice that sets out the expected cost before delivery; a final invoice is the formal request for payment after delivery.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between invoice and receipt?
An invoice requests payment for goods or services; a receipt confirms that payment has been made. The invoice comes first and says “please pay”; the receipt comes after and says “paid in full”.
Does Invco issue receipts?
No. Invco creates and sends invoices; it doesn't issue receipts or take payments. When a client pays, you mark the invoice as paid in one click (or ask Claude to), so your records show what has been settled.
How much does Invco cost?
Starter is $10/month for 1 company, Growth is $20/month for up to 3 companies, Pro is $30/month for up to 8 companies, Scale is $50/month for up to 20 companies, and Unlimited is $100/month with no cap. Every plan includes every feature, with no per-invoice fees, and you get a full refund if you cancel within 7 days of a charge.
Invoice the easy way with Invco
Design your invoice template, send branded PDFs from your own email address, and see what's paid and overdue for every company. Plans from $10/month, with a full refund within 7 days.
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