If you run a small contracting business — plumbing, electrical, roofing, lawn care, HVAC, handyman work, or any trade — you've probably searched for invoicing software and walked away overwhelmed. Most options are either too expensive, too complicated, or built for businesses ten times your size.
This guide is a straight comparison of the most common options contractors actually use, written from the perspective of someone who runs a contracting business and has tried most of them.
What actually matters in a contractor invoicing app
Before comparing tools, here's what a contractor actually needs — not what a software sales page says you need:
- Works on your phone — you're on a job site, not at a desk
- Creates and emails a PDF invoice — clients expect a real document
- Tracks which invoices are paid and which aren't — basic but critical
- Logs expenses by job — you need this for taxes
- Doesn't require an accounting degree to operate
That's it. Most small contractors don't need double-entry bookkeeping, bank reconciliation, or payroll processing. The tools that include all of that add cost and complexity you'll never use.
The comparison
AEDEXBOOKS
Built specifically for contractors by a contractor. Manages clients, jobs, estimates, invoices, and expenses. Data lives in your own Google Drive — no vendor lock-in. one-time — no monthly subscription, ever.
✓ Pros
- ✓ one-time — no monthly fee
- ✓ Mobile-first design
- ✓ Send invoices via Gmail in one tap
- ✓ Tax-ready expense categories (Schedule C)
- ✓ Data in your own Google Drive
- ✓ No training or setup required
✗ Cons
- ✗ Invite-only access
- ✗ No payroll features
- ✗ No bank sync
Best for: Solo contractors and small crews who want a fast, no-cost tool they can use from their phone. Learn more about AEDEXBOOKS →
QuickBooks Self-Employed / Simple Start
The most widely used small business accounting software. Powerful, but built primarily for accountants and business owners who want full bookkeeping — not just invoicing.
✓ Pros
- ✓ Bank account sync
- ✓ Mileage tracking
- ✓ Full accounting features
- ✓ Tax filing integration
✗ Cons
- ✗ $20–$100+/month
- ✗ Steep learning curve
- ✗ Overkill for most solo contractors
- ✗ Mobile app is clunky
Best for: Contractors with employees, complex bookkeeping needs, or who work with an accountant who requires QuickBooks files.
Jobber
Built for field service businesses. Includes scheduling, dispatching, client portal, and invoicing. Well-designed but priced for businesses with teams.
✓ Pros
- ✓ Great scheduling tools
- ✓ Client-facing portal
- ✓ Good mobile app
- ✓ Automated follow-up reminders
✗ Cons
- ✗ $49–$249+/month
- ✗ Expensive for solo operators
- ✗ More than most small contractors need
Best for: Contractors with 3+ employees who need scheduling, dispatching, and a client portal. Overkill for a solo operator.
Invoice Ninja / Wave
Lightweight invoicing-only tools. Wave is free (with paid add-ons), Invoice Ninja has a solid free tier. Both are generic — not built for contractors specifically.
✓ Pros
- ✓ Free or low cost
- ✓ Simple invoice creation
- ✓ Accepts online payments
✗ Cons
- ✗ No job tracking
- ✗ No contractor-specific features
- ✗ Not mobile-first
- ✗ Data locked in their system
Best for: Freelancers and consultants. Not designed around the way contractors manage jobs and clients.
The honest recommendation
If you're a solo contractor or running a small crew and your main needs are: track clients, manage jobs, send invoices, and stay organized for taxes — you don't need QuickBooks. You don't need Jobber. Both are excellent tools that are genuinely overkill for most small operators.
The trap most contractors fall into is paying for software with 50 features and using 4 of them. That's money out of your pocket every month for tools you never open.
What to look for when choosing
- Can you use it on your phone in under 60 seconds? If the mobile experience is bad, you won't use it.
- Does it send real invoice PDFs? Not just a link to a web page — an actual PDF your client can print or file.
- Does it track expenses by job? Critical for tax time.
- Who owns your data? If you stop paying or the company shuts down, can you get your records out?
- Does the cost make sense for your revenue? A $100/month tool needs to save you at least $100/month in time or money to be worth it.
Try AEDEXBOOKS — built for contractors, by a contractor
one-time — no monthly fee, no subscription. Works on your phone. Your data lives in your own Google Drive — not ours.
Learn more about AEDEXBOOKS →