Charlotte Davis

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Best Invoicing And Inventory Software in 2023

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Whether you are running a small or larger business, there’s no doubt you are aware of a huge number of time-consuming and painstaking tasks that arise on your agenda. 

Fortunately, we live in a digital era when new useful software appears at the speed of light. Now, you don’t have to deal with complex manual calculations and data entry; you just need to compare and pick the best options available on the market. This is what we’ll do now. 

I’ve tested all the ‘hot’ software of the year 2023 with invoicing and inventory management features and picked the five best that will satisfy all your business needs. So check them out now!

Invoicing And Inventory Software – Comparison

# Time Tracking App Rating Unlimited Invoices? Free Plan? Website
1 Quickbooks Logo

4.9/5

Yes

No

2 Xero Logo

4.7/5

Yes

No

3 FreshBooks Logo

4.5/5

Yes, up to 5 clients

No

4 Zoho CRM Logo

4.3/5

No

Yes

5 Invoicera logo

4.1/5

Yes

Yes

Best Invoicing And Inventory Software 2023: My Top Picks

Quickbooks Logo

QuickBooks Online

Best for small businesses

Our Take

Pros

  • 30-day trial available
  • user-friendly
  • cloud-based
  • custom invoices
  • automated invoicing and billing

Cons

  •  no free plan
  • limited to five users

Why We Like It

When looking for the best invoicing and inventory software, I considered keeping everything in its place, so I’ll always have what I need when I need it. This is what QuickBooks offers.

2

Xero Logo

Xero

Suitable for sole traders, self-employed, and growing small businesses

Our Take

Pros

  • 30-day trial available
  • user-friendly
  • accounting features on all plans
  • customizable invoices
  • plenty of integrations

Cons

  • no free plan
  • extra expenses on additional features

Why We Like It

I don’t want to write a novel dedicated to Xero, but some features are a must to mention. 

3

FreshBooks

A win-win option for all freelancers, self-employed, small business owners, or medium-sized enterprises

Our Take

Pros

  • 30-day trial available
  • user-friendly
  • accounting features on all plans
  • customizable invoices
  • plenty of integrations

Cons

  •  no free plan
  • many add-on features require extra pay
  • unlimited clients only on top-tier plans

Why We Like It

The first thing that attracted me the most was the mind-blowing variety of add-on features. If you know what you need, combine all the features into the Select custom plan and enjoy it all in one place. 

QuickBooks

1

Quickbooks Logo

QuickBooks

 Expert Review

Very Good 8.8

QuickBooks Online Website

At the top of my list is QuickBooks Online, which is considered one of the best software options for invoicing and inventory management needs for small businesses.

Due to its wide range of features, ease of use, free 30-day trial, and affordable plans, QuickBooks is a must for those striving to transform their painstaking work into a pleasant, easy process.

Check out why QuickBooks is the best invoice and inventory software in 2023.

Why I like It

When looking for the best invoicing and inventory software, I considered keeping everything in its place, so I’ll always have what I need when I need it. This is what QuickBooks offers.

Let’s start with inventory management features. QuickBooks offers robust inventory management features, including real-time inventory tracking, automated reordering, and customizable reports to help businesses manage their inventory levels effectively. No more stockouts and overstocking!

What I liked about QuickBooks the most was its invoicing features. It allows you to create and customize professional invoices quickly and easily. Businesses can create invoices from anywhere and send them to customers via email, which can help speed up the payment process.

What’s more, QuickBooks offers automated invoicing, allowing businesses to set up recurring invoices and reminders to help ensure timely payments.

There are some worth-mentioning things which I couldn’t leave unnoticed. For instance, check their interface! It’s extremely user-friendly and easy to navigate, making it accessible for businesses that don’t have accounting or inventory management expertise.

Also, their 30-day free trial allows you to test the software before committing to a subscription. And yes, their plans are affordable, full of features, and cater to businesses of different sizes and budgets.

Who’s It For

QuickBooks is the most win-win choice for small businesses looking for software to help optimize their inventory management and invoicing processes, allowing them to focus on other essential business operations.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • 30-day trial available
  • user-friendly
  • cloud-based
  • custom invoices
  • automated invoicing and billing

Cons

  • no free plan
  • limited to five users
Quickbooks Logo

QuickBooks

Xero

2

Xero_software_logo

Xero

 Expert Review

Very Good 8.8

Xero Website

Xero is one more no-lose inventory and invoicing option on the list. The reason I’ve put it in second place are additional costs for some essential add-ons.

Anyway, from my experience with this software, I can tell you it’s more than worthy!

Why I like It

I don’t want to write a novel dedicated to Xero, but some features are a must to mention.

Xero offers invoice customization options. I am obsessed with their invoice templates, designed to create professional-looking invoices that can match your branding. When choosing the plan, keep in mind that with a Starter Plan, you can send up to 20 invoices. Standard and Premium plans include unlimited invoices.

Also, Xero offers real-time inventory management, allowing businesses to track their inventory levels and sales. The software also enables you to set up automatic reordering when inventory levels reach a certain threshold.

Xero can integrate with various software applications, including payment gateways, e-commerce platforms, and POS systems, making it easy for businesses to streamline their operations and reduce manual data entry.

A 30-day trial, an intuitive interface, and a short-term cash flow and business snapshot are also appealing factors to consider when choosing the best software.

Who’s It For

Depending on the plan, Xero can be suitable for various businesses, with a Starter Plan best for sole traders, new businesses, and the self-employed, a Standard Plan perfect for growing small businesses, and a Premium Plan for established businesses of all sizes.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • 30-day trial available
  • user-friendly
  • accounting features on all plans
  • customizable invoices
  • plenty of integrations

Cons

  • no free plan
  • extra expenses on additional features

FreshBooks

3

FreshBooks

 Expert Review

Very Good 8

FreshBooks Website

Next on my list of the top invoicing and inventory software picks is FreshBooks.

Whether you are a small or a larger business owner, FreshBooks offers a great range of features that can satisfy each need.

Why I like It

The first thing that attracted me the most was the mind-blowing variety of add-on features. If you know what you need, combine all the features into the Select custom plan and enjoy it all in one place.

A cloud-based accounting software, FreshBooks, has plenty of benefits.

One of the main advantages is its invoicing features, which allow users to create and send professional-looking invoices quickly and hassle-free.

With its inventory management features, you can keep track of your stock levels, set reorder points, and generate reports on your inventory status.

Additionally, FreshBooks offers a range of payment options, including credit cards, PayPal, and bank transfers, which play an essential role for me.

Unlimited time and mileage tracking, automated recurring invoices, project profitability, managed budget and billing for projects, and other options worth your consideration.

I was a bit disappointed with the absence of a free plan, minor bugs, and the ability to send invoices to an unlimited number of clients only after switching to top-tier plans, which are quite costly.

Who’s It For

FreshBooks is a win-win option for all freelancers, self-employed, small business owners, or medium-sized enterprises looking for a platform that supports invoices and estimates with a large number of easy-to-use features.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • 30-day trial available
  • user-friendly
  • accounting features on all plans
  • customizable invoices
  • plenty of integrations

Cons

  • no free plan
  • many add-on features require extra pay
  • unlimited clients only on top-tier plans

FreshBooks

Zoho Inventory

4

Zoho CRM Logo

Zoho Inventory

 Expert Review

Very Good 7

Zoho Inventory Website

I would recommend Zoho Inventory as a no-lose option for growing businesses looking for a comprehensive solution to manage their inventory and invoicing needs. 

Why I like It

From my user’s experience, I can say that Zoho Inventory is a worthy cloud-based inventory management software that also includes invoicing features.

Let’s start with the best news: Zoho Inventory does offer a free plan. What a stroke of luck on our list! However, this software is not the most generous with features compared to the above-mentioned options.

What did I like the most? These are multiple payment gateways, project management tools, the ability to convert estimates and projects into invoices, real-time inventory management, multi-channel selling, and integration capabilities.

Also, I must admit that their customer support is really classy!

Who’s It For

Zoho Inventory is an ideal solution for growing businesses or solopreneurs managing only a few customers.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • free plan
  • multiple payment options
  • real-time inventory management
  • multi-channel selling
  • invoicing and billing

Cons

  • limited amount of features for a free tier
  • one-user limit per account
  • limited to five customers
Zoho CRM Logo

Zoho Inventory

Invoicera

5

Invoicera logo

Invoicera

 Expert Review

Very Good 7

Invoicera Website

I’d also like to draw your attention to Invoicera, which closes our list. Though I had only 15 days of a free trial (one of the drawbacks), I tried to make the most out of the software, which, in my opinion, is best for inventory management.

Why I like It

Invoicera is another option with a free plan, which is ideal for solopreneurs with up to three clients. If you fancy adding staff and more clients, then there are a few paid plans with great features.

What I liked the most was their new revolutionary invoice approval process, which lets you send accurate invoices automatically in one go. Really, it took me less than three minutes.

Invoice customization, easy reporting with filtered reports, and hassle-free management of invoices with cloud invoicing software also drew my attention.

The inventory management features are available on Invoicera’s higher-tier plans. You can create a product catalog, add product information such as SKU, pricing, and tax information, and set up inventory levels for each item. You can also track stock levels, set up low-stock alerts, and generate inventory reports.

A few things confused me: the free trial is only 15 days, limited features on lower-tier plans, limited integrations, and a steep learning curve: Invoicera has many features and customization options, which may be overwhelming for some users. It really took me some time to learn how to use the platform effectively.

Who’s It For

Invoicera is an ideal inventory and invoicing solution for small businesses, offering automated invoicing/payments and convenient time-based billing management.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • free plan
  • 3-layered security
  • expense and time tracking
  • invoice customization
  • supports multiple languages
  • currencies
  • and tax systems

Cons

  • the free trial is only 15 days
  • limited features on lower-tier plans
  • limited integrations
  • learning curve at the beginning
Invoicera logo

Invoicera

To Sum Up

So, that’s me done with my list of the best inventory and invoicing software in 2023. With the vast selection available, choosing the one that best suits your business needs can be challenging. But I also have a bunch of tips for you to pick a no-lose option:

  • Specify your business needs and goals. This will help you narrow down your options and find a software solution that meets your specific requirements.
  • Consider the ease of use. Choose a software solution that is easy to navigate and understand, so you can spend less time learning the software and more time managing your business. 
  • Look for automation features such as recurring invoices, payment reminders, and inventory tracking. These can save you time and reduce the risk of errors.
  • Check for integration options. Look for software solutions that offer integrations with other business tools, such as accounting software, e-commerce platforms, and customer relationship management (CRM) software. This will help you streamline your workflow and reduce the need for manual data entry.
  • Evaluate pricing options. Look for software solutions that offer pricing plans that fit your budget and provide the needed features.

Good luck with your choice!

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