InvoiceShelf vs Zoho Invoice

InvoiceShelf is a free, open-source, self-hosted web application for invoices, estimates, payment tracking, and expense management. It supports branded documents, custom fields, tax rules, multiple currencies, and PDF templates. Recurring invoices can be generated for retainers, subscriptions, and repeat customers, while reports cover sales, taxes, overdue balances, and profit. Customers can view invoices, estimates, and payments in a private portal without creating a separate account. Users can record partial and full payments; the homepage lists Stripe checkout for online card payments. The application also supports payment reminders, remote file storage through listed drivers such as Dropbox, Amazon S3, and DigitalOcean Spaces, and backups from its interface. Backups can include everything, only the database, or only files. It advertises a REST API and module system, while webhooks are marked as coming soon. Hosting requires PHP 8.3 or 8.4, Nginx or Apache, and a supported database. The free plan is listed as free and includes unlimited invoices and customers.

Zoho Invoice is invoicing software for businesses that need to bill customers, track payments, and manage related records. Its free plan allows up to two users, three projects, and 500 invoices per year, with recurring invoices, online invoicing, payment reminders, expense and time tracking, and invoice tracking. Customers can use a self-service portal to view and pay invoices, respond to quotes, and leave reviews. Payments can be made by UPI, credit or debit card, net banking, or bank payment. Invoices can be sent as PDFs by email, WhatsApp, or iMessage. Users can create GST-compliant invoices and file GSTR-1 through an API. Reports cover products, receivables aging, customers, taxes, sales, and expenses, and listed integrations include Zoho CRM, Analytics, and Books. The software runs on Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac; free email support is available 24/5. Zoho says it does not show ads or sell user information. The free plan carries Powered by Zoho Invoice branding. After more than 180 days of inactivity, data is deleted within the next 20 days, with prior notification.