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Accounting · head to head

Invoice2go vs PayPal

Invoice2go logo

Invoice2go

Accounting

Mobile-first invoicing app for small businesses and freelancers

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PayPal logo

PayPal

Personal Finance

The simpler, safer way to pay and get paid

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Invoice2go starter plan caps invoices at just 30 per year, forcing an upgrade for most active businesses.; PayPal currency conversion on international purchases and sends carries a 4.00 percent fee, and 3.00 percent in other conversion scenarios
  • They diverge on capability: Invoice2go covers Invoice creation and customization, PayPal covers Payment processing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Invoice2go and PayPal actually diverge.

Attributes where Invoice2go and PayPal differ
AttributeInvoice2goPayPal
Starting priceOn request$29/month
Pricing modelsubscriptionusage-based
Platformsweb, ios, androidWeb, Ios, Android, Api
CategoryAccountingPersonal Finance
FoundedUnknown1998

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Invoice2go

  • Invoice creation and customization
  • Estimates and projects
  • In-app payments
  • Automated reminders
  • Accounting integrations
  • Team member access

Only in PayPal

  • Payment processing
  • PayPal Checkout
  • Invoicing
  • Business debit card
  • Working capital loans
  • Shopify
  • WooCommerce
  • BigCommerce

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Invoice2go

  • Freelancers invoicing clients from a mobile devicenot PayPal
  • Small service businesses tracking estimates and projectsnot PayPal
  • Businesses wanting integrated card and ACH paymentsnot PayPal
  • Businesses syncing invoices with QuickBooks or Xeronot PayPal

PayPal

  • Paying online merchants without sharing card detailsnot Invoice2go
  • Sending money to friends and family domestically and internationallynot Invoice2go
  • Holding balances in multiple currencies for cross border purchasesnot Invoice2go

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Invoice2go

  • Starter plan caps invoices at just 30 per year, forcing an upgrade for most active businesses.
  • Card processing fees are higher than some dedicated payment processors.
  • Accounting integrations are limited to QuickBooks and Xero, excluding other platforms.
  • Premium plan requires roughly $100k+/year revenue to be cost-effective, per its own positioning.

PayPal

  • Currency conversion on international purchases and sends carries a 4.00 percent fee, and 3.00 percent in other conversion scenarios
  • Instant transfer to a bank or debit card costs 1.75 percent of the amount, with a minimum of 0.25 USD and a maximum of 25.00 USD
  • International personal transactions carry a 5.00 percent fee regardless of payment method, with a minimum of 0.99 USD and a maximum of 4.99 USD
  • Sending domestic personal payments funded by a credit card costs 2.90 percent plus a fixed fee of 0.49 USD
  • Instant transfers are capped at 25,000.00 USD per transaction

Pricing, plan by plan

Invoice2go

On request
  • Starter$undefined/month
    • 30 invoices/year
    • 3.5% card payment fee
    • Free ACH bank transfers
  • Professional$undefined/month
    • 100 invoices/year
    • 3% card payment fee
    • QuickBooks/Xero integration
  • Premium$undefined/month
    • Unlimited invoices
    • 2.9% card payment fee
    • Recurring invoices

PayPal

$29/month
  • Standard$2.99/transaction
    • Card payments
    • PayPal checkout
    • Invoice payments

Which should you pick?

Choose Invoice2go if

  • You need invoice creation and customization.
  • You work on web, ios, android.
  • You also want estimates and projects.
Invoice2go review

Choose PayPal if

  • You need payment processing.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
  • You also want paypal checkout.
PayPal review

Questions people ask

Is Invoice2go or PayPal better?
Neither clearly leads. Invoice2go starts at On request and PayPal at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Invoice2go or PayPal?
Invoice2go starts at On request and PayPal at $29/month.
Does Invoice2go or PayPal run on more platforms?
Invoice2go runs on web, ios, android. PayPal runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
What is Invoice2go best used for?
Invoice2go is most often used for freelancers invoicing clients from a mobile device, small service businesses tracking estimates and projects, businesses wanting integrated card and ach payments, businesses syncing invoices with quickbooks or xero. Of those, freelancers invoicing clients from a mobile device and small service businesses tracking estimates and projects are not what PayPal is typically brought in for.
What can Invoice2go do that PayPal cannot?
Invoice2go covers Invoice creation and customization, Estimates and projects, In-app payments, Automated reminders. PayPal covers Payment processing, PayPal Checkout, Invoicing, Business debit card.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Invoice2go: What does Invoice2go cost?

Invoice2go offers three tiers - Starter (30 invoices/year), Professional (100 invoices/year), and Premium (unlimited invoices) - distinguished by invoice volume and card processing fees from 3.5% down to 2.9%.

Source
PayPal: Does PayPal charge fees and when do they apply?

PayPal states that fees apply when converting currency and sending money to accounts in another country. Specific fee amounts are not disclosed on the homepage but are referenced in their published fee schedule.

Source
Invoice2go: Is there a free trial?

Yes, Invoice2go offers a 30-day free trial that requires a credit card but includes a 100% money-back guarantee if canceled within 30 days.

Source
PayPal: Is there a subscription cost to use PayPal's basic services?

No subscription fees are mentioned on the homepage. PayPal operates on a transaction-based fee structure for money transfers and payments rather than recurring charges.

Source
Invoice2go: Does Invoice2go integrate with accounting software?

Yes, the Professional and Premium plans include integration with QuickBooks and Xero.

Source
PayPal: Are there restrictions on when I can use buyer protection?

PayPal offers buyer protection for eligible purchases, but coverage limitations exist. A user agreement sets the specific conditions for protection eligibility.

Source
PayPal: What payment methods can I link to PayPal?

PayPal's digital wallet allows storage of multiple payment methods and can be used for secure money transfers, payment requests, and checkout at major retailers.

Source
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