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Compare payments, invoicing and job software for new businesses (2026)

4 options side by side: prices, fees, Spanish support and what to watch out for. Turn tools on and off, filter by what you need, or show only the rows where they differ.

By the OwnerUnlocked team · Facts checked Oct 4, 2026 · How we rate · Partner links

Highest score9.4/10SquareNew businesses wanting $0/month card payments and invoicingBest user ratings8.4/10JobberHome service pros who quote, schedule and invoice jobs
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9.4/10SquareFree plan Visit
8.4/10JobberFrom $29/mo Visit
8.1/10Invoice SimpleFrom $7/mo Visit
7.2/10Housecall ProFrom $59/mo Visit
Best forNew businesses wanting $0/month card payments and invoicingHome service pros who quote, schedule and invoice jobsSolo owners sending a handful of invoices monthlyTrade teams with Spanish-speaking technicians
Skip ifYou run field crews that need dispatching with route optimization.You only send a few invoices monthly; cheaper invoicing apps exist.You need job scheduling, a client portal, or lower online card fees.You're solo on a tight budget; Basic costs $59/mo billed annually.
Free plan or trialFree plan14 days14 days14 days
SpanishSpanish app and supportSpanish app and supportSpanish websiteSpanish app and support
SupportChat, phone M-F 6am-6pm PT; Free plan phone first 90 daysChat, phone, email; M-F 7am-9:30pm ETEmail 24/7; in-app chatPhone, chat; M-F 5am-5pm PT, Sat 8am-4pm PT
Mobile appYesYesYesYes
Public rating4.8/5 (App Store, 605,470)4.8/5 (App Store, 21,130)4.9/5 (App Store, 122,779)4.6/5 (App Store, 30,532)
Monthly price$0 (Free); Plus $49/mo per locationFrom $29/mo billed annually ($49 monthly)From $6.99/mo ($69.99/yr)From $59/mo billed annually ($79 monthly)
In-person card fee2.6% + 15¢ (Free plan)2.7% + 30¢ (Tap to Pay)2.79% + 49¢ (Stripe Tap to Pay)2.59% (reader or Tap to Pay)
Online/invoice card fee3.3% + 30¢ (Free); 2.9% + 30¢ paid plans2.9% + 30¢3.49% + 49¢ (Stripe or PayPal cards)2.99% (invoice); 3.49% keyed
Bank transfer (ACH) fee1% ($1 min) via invoice1%1% + 30¢, $15 cap1%
Card readerReader $59; Tap to Pay on phone freeTap to Pay, no reader needed; reader price not listedNo reader listed; Tap to Pay on phoneTap to Pay $5/device/mo; reader price not listed
Payout speedNext business day free; instant 1.95%2 business days; instant +1%1-2 business days (first 7-14); instant 1.5%2 business days; Instapay +1% (~30 min)
SchedulingYesYesNoYes
Quotes and estimatesYesYesYesYes
Client portalNot publishedYes (Client hub, all plans)NoYes (Customer Portal)
QuickBooks syncYes, via QuickBooks Online appConnect plan and upNot listed; built-in bookkeeping insteadEssentials plan and up
Route planningNoConnect plan and upNoMax plan only
Automatic remindersYes (appointment and invoice)Connect plan and upAutomatic payment reminders (Plus and up)Yes (job and invoice reminders)
TeamNo staff limit on booking calendarsCore 1 user; extra users $29/mo each1 login; support can add team emailsBasic 1, Essentials 5, Max 8 (+$35/user)
Free trial30 days on Plus/Premium14 days, no credit card14 days of Premium features14 days, no credit card
Top pros
  • Free plan: $0/month; in-person cards cost 2.6% + 15¢.
  • Next-business-day transfers are free; instant transfers cost 1.95%.
  • Client hub on all plans: clients approve quotes and pay online.
  • Tap to Pay costs 2.7% + 30¢; bank (ACH) payments cost 1%.
  • Plans start at $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year.
  • Tap to Pay on your phone costs 2.79% + 49¢, no reader needed.
  • In-person cards cost 2.59% with no fixed per-transaction fee.
  • App in English and Spanish, plus a Spanish-speaking support team.
Watch out for
  • Online and invoice card payments cost 3.3% + 30¢ on Free plan.
  • Keyed-in or card-on-file payments cost 3.5% + 15¢ on all plans.
  • Core lacks automated reminders, QuickBooks sync and routing; Connect costs $99+/mo.
  • Extra users cost $29 per month each on every plan.
  • Online card payments cost 3.49% + 49¢, above Square, Jobber, Housecall Pro.
  • Essentials allows 3 invoices a month; unlimited requires $21.99/mo Premium.
  • Basic lacks QuickBooks sync; Essentials costs $149/mo billed annually.
  • Tap to Pay adds $5 per active device each month.

What card fees will cost you

ToolFees + plan per monthPer year
Square $155 $1,860
Jobber $179 $2,148
Invoice Simple $180 $2,160
Housecall Pro $199 $2,388

Standard published card rates on each tool's cheapest plan (annual billing where offered). Amex, keyed-in cards and instant payouts can cost more.

Before you choose

Do this first

Open your business bank account first so payouts land there, and have your EIN or SSN for identity checks.

Free option first

Just need to bill a few clients? Our free invoice and estimate maker makes a clean PDF. Learn more

Head to head

Square vs JobberSquare vs Invoice SimpleSquare vs Housecall ProJobber vs Invoice SimpleJobber vs Housecall ProInvoice Simple vs Housecall Pro

Scores come from public facts with the same formula for every tool: how we rate. Some links are partner links; we may earn a fee at no cost to you.