Best overall for contractors4.5From $19/moFreshBooks
Invoicing, estimates, time tracking, and client billing in one package. Easy to use for job-based and progress billing.
Best Invoicing Software for Contractors (2026)
Compare invoicing software built for contractors: estimates, job and project billing, progress billing, deposits, payment collection, and ties to accounting and payroll workflows.
Contractors need invoicing software that supports estimates, invoices by job or project, progress billing, and deposits. Our picks below combine invoicing with client-facing workflows and optional connections to accounting and payroll so you can bill clearly and get paid on time.
Updated for 2026
Top picks for this use case
Our top invoicing picks for contractors.
Best overall for contractors4.5From $19/mo
Best for client and project workflows4.4From QuoteHoneyBook
Proposals, contracts, and invoicing in one workflow. Ideal for contractors who run on client projects and need a full client journey.
Best for invoicing + accounting4.6From $30/moQuickBooks
Invoicing inside QuickBooks so books and billing stay in one place. Strong for contractors who need job costing and reporting.
Best value4.4From Free tierZoho Invoice
Affordable invoicing with project tracking, client portal, and automation. Good value for contractors.
Compare options
Side-by-side at a glance.
| Software | Best for | Starting price | Standout feature | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FreshBooks | Best overall for contractors | $19/mo | Estimates, invoicing, time tracking | Read review |
| HoneyBook | Client/project workflows | Quote | Proposals, contracts, invoicing | Read review |
| QuickBooks | Invoicing + accounting | $30/mo | Job costing, reporting | Read review |
| Zoho Invoice | Best value | Free tier | Projects, client portal | Read review |
Editorial guidance for this audience
What to look for when you're choosing invoicing software as a contractor.
Estimates and invoices by job or project
Look for software that lets you send estimates, convert them to invoices, and track by job or project. FreshBooks and HoneyBook both support this; QuickBooks adds job costing for deeper project tracking.
Progress billing and deposits
Contractors often bill deposits upfront and then by milestone or progress. Choose a tool that supports custom invoices, multiple invoices per job, and clear payment tracking. All of our picks can handle deposits and progress billing.
Ties to accounting and payroll
If you have employees, payroll and accounting matter alongside invoicing. QuickBooks keeps invoicing and books in one place; FreshBooks and others can sync to accounting software. For payroll, see our payroll for contractors guide.
Why these picks work for this use case
Why we chose these tools for contractors.
FreshBooks
FreshBooks is a strong default for contractors: estimates, invoicing, time tracking, and client billing in one place. It’s easy to use for job-based and progress billing.
HoneyBook
HoneyBook is built for client and project workflows: proposals, contracts, and invoicing in one pipeline. Ideal for contractors who run on client projects and need a polished client journey.
QuickBooks
QuickBooks fits contractors who need invoicing and full accounting in one platform. Job costing and reporting are strong; best when you already use or plan to use QuickBooks for books.
Zoho Invoice
Zoho Invoice delivers good project tracking and client portal at a lower price. Solid value for contractors who want more than basic invoicing without premium cost.
For more options across all use cases, see our best invoicing software roundup. To compare platforms side-by-side, see our invoicing software comparisons.
FAQs
Quick answers for this use case.