The Problem with Most Invoicing Tools
If you use Stripe for payment processing, you've probably noticed that most invoicing tools weren't designed with your workflow in mind. The typical options fall into two categories: Stripe's own invoicing (which adds a 0.4% fee per invoice), or general-purpose accounting software that doesn't integrate well with Stripe and costs $15–$200/month.
Neither is ideal. Stripe Invoicing is convenient but expensive at scale. A business sending 200 invoices per month at $400 average pays roughly $1,920/year just in invoicing fees. General-purpose tools like Xero, QuickBooks, and FreshBooks offer more features but require complex setup, don't sync reliably with Stripe payments, and charge monthly subscriptions that add up quickly.
This guide compares the six most popular invoicing alternatives for Stripe users, covering pricing, features, Stripe integration quality, and who each tool is best for. We also explain why we built Stripdo, a $39/year tool that generates invoices directly from your Stripe payments with zero per-invoice fees.
Quick Comparison
The table below summarizes the key differences between each tool. For a detailed breakdown of any specific tool, click through to the full comparison.
| Tool | Starting Price | Stripe Integration | Per-Invoice Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripdo | $39/year | Native, auto-generates | None |
| Stripe Invoicing | 0.4% per invoice (max $2) | Built-in (+0.4% fee) | 0.4% (capped at $2) |
| Xero | $29/month | Not available | None |
| QuickBooks | $30/month | Not available | None |
| FreshBooks | $19/month | Not available | None |
| Zoho Invoice | Free (limited) | Available (limited) | None |
| Wave | Free (limited) | Not available | None |
| Zenvoice | $49 one-time | Available (limited) | None |
Stripe Invoicing
Stripe's built-in invoicing tool that lets you create and send invoices directly from the Stripe Dashboard. Convenient but adds a 0.4% fee (up to $2) on top of standard Stripe processing fees.
Pricing: Plans start at 0.4% per invoice (max $2). There's also a 0.4% (capped at $2) fee on every invoice.
Stripe integration: Built directly into Stripe, but adds a 0.4% per-invoice fee on top of your processing costs.
Best for: Businesses that are fully embedded in Stripe's ecosystem and prefer a single dashboard for payments and invoicing, and don't mind paying the per-invoice fee.
Why Stripe users switch: 0.4% per-invoice fee adds up quickly (e.g. $1,920/year on 200 invoices/month at $400 avg). No built-in VAT calculation or compliance. For businesses that just need invoicing for Stripe payments, Stripdo covers the same core need at $39/year with native Stripe integration.
Xero
Cloud-based accounting software popular with small businesses and accountants. Offers invoicing as part of a full accounting suite, but comes with a monthly subscription and limited Stripe integration.
Pricing: Plans start at $29/month and go up to $62/month.
Stripe integration: Xero does not offer native Stripe integration. You'd need third-party connectors or manual data entry to reconcile invoices with Stripe payments.
Best for: Small businesses that need a full accounting suite with invoicing, bank reconciliation, expense tracking, and tax compliance, especially those working closely with accountants.
Why Stripe users switch: Costs $348 to $744/year even before add-ons. No native Stripe integration. Requires workarounds. For businesses that just need invoicing for Stripe payments, Stripdo covers the same core need at $39/year with native Stripe integration.
QuickBooks
Intuit's popular accounting and invoicing software for small to mid-sized businesses. Feature-rich with strong accountant support, payroll, and tax preparation tools.
Pricing: Plans start at $30/month and go up to $200/month.
Stripe integration: QuickBooks does not offer native Stripe integration. You'd need third-party connectors or manual data entry to reconcile invoices with Stripe payments.
Best for: Established small to mid-sized businesses that need full accounting, payroll, tax preparation, and invoicing in one platform, particularly in the US market.
Why Stripe users switch: Costs $360 to $2,400/year depending on plan. No native Stripe integration. Requires paid third-party sync. For businesses that just need invoicing for Stripe payments, Stripdo covers the same core need at $39/year with native Stripe integration.
FreshBooks
Cloud invoicing and accounting software designed for freelancers and small businesses. Known for its user-friendly interface, time tracking, and project management features.
Pricing: Plans start at $19/month and go up to $60/month.
Stripe integration: FreshBooks does not offer native Stripe integration. You'd need third-party connectors or manual data entry to reconcile invoices with Stripe payments.
Best for: Freelancers and service-based small businesses that need time tracking, project management, and invoicing in one tool, particularly those who bill hourly.
Why Stripe users switch: Costs $228 to $720/year with client limits. No native Stripe integration. For businesses that just need invoicing for Stripe payments, Stripdo covers the same core need at $39/year with native Stripe integration.
Zoho Invoice
Free invoicing software from Zoho's business suite. Offers a generous free plan with professional templates, recurring invoices, and Stripe as a payment option.
Pricing: Zoho Invoice offers a free tier (Up to 1,000 invoices/year, 5 customers on basic features), with paid plans starting at $15/month.
Stripe integration: Available but limited. Often requires manual configuration and doesn't auto-generate invoices from payments.
Best for: Budget-conscious small businesses already in the Zoho ecosystem, or those who need basic invoicing with accounting features and don't mind a learning curve.
Why Stripe users switch: Free plan has invoice limits (1,000/year). Stripe integration can be unreliable and requires manual setup. For businesses that just need invoicing for Stripe payments, Stripdo covers the same core need at $39/year with native Stripe integration.
Wave
Free accounting and invoicing software for small businesses. Completely free for invoicing but monetizes through payment processing fees and payroll. No Stripe integration.
Pricing: Wave offers a free tier (Unlimited invoicing and accounting, free forever), with paid plans starting at 2.9% + $0.60 per card payment.
Stripe integration: Wave does not offer native Stripe integration. You'd need third-party connectors or manual data entry to reconcile invoices with Stripe payments.
Best for: Solo entrepreneurs and very small businesses in the US/Canada who need free invoicing and basic accounting, and don't use Stripe for payment processing.
Why Stripe users switch: No Stripe integration. Forces you to use Wave Payments or manual entry. Wave Payments has higher fixed fees ($0.60 vs Stripe's $0.30). For businesses that just need invoicing for Stripe payments, Stripdo covers the same core need at $39/year with native Stripe integration.
Zenvoice
A self-serve invoicing tool for Stripe built by indie maker Marc Lou. Customers generate their own invoices through a shared link. One-time purchase starting at $49.
Pricing: Plans start at $49 one-time and go up to $69 one-time.
Stripe integration: Available but limited. Often requires manual configuration and doesn't auto-generate invoices from payments.
Best for: SaaS founders and digital product sellers who want a low-cost, one-time purchase solution and whose customers are comfortable generating their own invoices.
Why Stripe users switch: Customers must generate invoices themselves via a link. No automatic invoice emailing. Invoices are not sent to customers. For businesses that just need invoicing for Stripe payments, Stripdo covers the same core need at $39/year with native Stripe integration.
Why Stripe Users Choose Stripdo
Most invoicing tools on this list were built as general-purpose accounting or invoicing software. They work for a wide range of businesses and use cases, which means they come with features and complexity that Stripe users don't need, with prices to match.
Stripdo takes the opposite approach. It's purpose-built for one thing: generating professional invoices from your Stripe payments. You connect your Stripe account, and every time a payment comes in, Stripdo automatically generates and sends an invoice to your customer. No manual data entry, no sync issues, no accounting degree required.
At $39/year flat with no per-invoice fees, it's a fraction of the cost of every tool on this list. The trade-off is that Stripdo doesn't do accounting, expense tracking, or payroll. It does invoicing for Stripe payments, and it does it exceptionally well.
If you need a full accounting suite, tools like Xero or QuickBooks still make sense (and you can use Stripdo alongside them for the invoicing piece). But if your primary need is getting invoices to your customers when they pay through Stripe, Stripdo is the most cost-effective option by a wide margin.
Want to see how much you'd save? Use our Stripe Invoice Calculator →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best invoicing alternative for Stripe users?
For businesses that use Stripe for payment processing, Stripdo is the most purpose-built option. It generates invoices directly from your Stripe payments for a flat $39/year with no per-invoice fees, no complex setup. If you need full accounting alongside invoicing, Xero or QuickBooks are solid choices, though significantly more expensive.
How much does Stripe Invoicing cost?
Stripe Invoicing charges 0.4% per invoice, capped at $2 per invoice. This is on top of your standard Stripe processing fees. A business sending 200 invoices/month at $400 average pays about $1,920/year in invoicing fees alone. You can eliminate this fee entirely by using a third-party tool like Stripdo.
Can I avoid Stripe's invoicing fee?
Yes. The 0.4% invoicing fee only applies when you use Stripe's built-in invoicing feature. By using a third-party invoicing tool like Stripdo, you can generate invoices from your Stripe payments without paying the per-invoice fee. Stripdo costs $39/year flat for unlimited invoices.
Do I need accounting software if I use Stripdo?
Stripdo is a focused invoicing tool, not a full accounting suite. If you need expense tracking, bank reconciliation, or tax preparation, you may still want accounting software like Xero or QuickBooks alongside Stripdo. Many businesses use Stripdo for the invoicing piece and a separate tool for accounting.
How long does it take to switch to Stripdo?
Under a minute. Sign up, connect your Stripe account via OAuth, configure your invoice template, and Stripdo immediately starts generating invoices from your payments. No data migration, no complex configuration, no learning curve.
Ready to stop overpaying?
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