Comparison · NZ 2026

TradieNotes vs Invio:
which invoice app suits you?

Invio and TradieNotes both suit NZ sole traders, small businesses and freelancers who want GST-correct invoices without Xero-level complexity. They take different approaches. Invio is a full invoicing account with a free monthly allowance and paid plans. TradieNotes turns a photo of your notes, or just your voice, into an invoice or quote with no signup and no subscription. Here's the honest breakdown.

Disclosure: this comparison is written by TradieNotes. Invio's details are taken from invio.co.nz and were checked in September 2026.

Updated September 2026 · Prices checked 25 September 2026

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The quick answer

✓
Choose Invio if you send lots of invoices every month and want reminders, recurring invoices, expenses and a tax summary in one account.
✓
Choose TradieNotes if you'd rather snap your notes or say it out loud than type it, invoice a handful of jobs or clients a month, and don't want another subscription or login.

TradieNotes vs Invio — side by side

	TradieNotes	Invio
Who it's for	Anyone who sends invoices or quotes: small businesses, home-based businesses, freelancers, side hustles and trades	NZ sole traders, tradies and freelancers
How you create an invoice	Photo of handwritten notes, or speak it	Type it, or speak it
Photo of your notes → invoice	Yes	Not listed (photos are for expense receipts)
Voice invoicing	Yes, unlimited	Free: 3/month · Pro: 10/month · Pro AI: 100/month · Growth: unlimited
Signup needed to create an invoice	No	Yes (free account)
Free option	Free preview of every document, plus 10 free documents when you sign up (no card)	Free plan: 5 invoices/month, unlimited quotes
Paid pricing	$1 per document, or bundles with no subscription: 10 for $5 ($0.50 each) · 50 for $15 ($0.30) · 200 for $40 ($0.20). Credits never expire (free account needed for bundles)	Pro $19/mo · Pro AI $29/mo · Growth $49/mo
GST-compliant NZ invoices	Yes	Yes
Quotes	Yes	Yes
Payment reminders / recurring invoices	No	Yes
Expenses & tax summary	No	Yes
Card payments from your customer	No (you're paid direct)	Via Stripe (+0.5% Invio fee + Stripe fees)

💡

Not just for tradies. The name comes from where we started: turning NZ tradies' scribbled job notes into proper invoices. But TradieNotes is built for anyone who needs to send a professional invoice or quote: small businesses, home-based businesses, freelancers and consultants, market stallholders, photographers, cleaners, side hustles and people just starting out, as well as trades. If you can describe the job, TradieNotes can invoice it.

What it actually costs

Worked examples once TradieNotes' 10 free sign-up documents are used (TradieNotes at $1 per document or bundles, Invio on the plan that fits):

How much you invoice	TradieNotes	Invio
Your first 10 documents	$0 (sign-up bonus)	$0 (Free plan)
3 invoices a month	$6	$0 (Free plan)
10 invoices a month	$5 with a bundle	$19 (Pro)
10 voice invoices a month	$5	$19 (Pro includes 10 voice)
25 voice invoices a month	~$37.50 (bundles)	$29 (Pro AI)

⚖️

The honest takeaway. Long-term, under about 5 invoices a month Invio's free plan wins on price. In the middle TradieNotes is cheaper, with no monthly bill. Heavy voice users are better on an Invio plan. The deciding factor is usually how you capture the job: paper notes or typing.

Where TradieNotes is different

✓
Built for how people actually work: snap the notes you already wrote (on site, at the kitchen table, on the back of an envelope) or just say what you did, and AI pulls out the client, the work and the costs.
✓
No account needed, no monthly bill. Preview free, pay only for the documents you use, and bundle credits never expire.
✓
Sign up free (no card) and your first 10 documents are on us.
✓
The PDF is emailed to you and your customer in one go.

Where Invio is the better pick

✓
You invoice a lot every month and want automated chasers, recurring invoices and expense tracking.
✓
You want an ongoing account with reports for your accountant.

TradieNotes vs Invio, answered.

Is TradieNotes cheaper than Invio?

Your first 10 documents are free on both (TradieNotes gives 10 on sign-up). After that, for a handful of invoices a month (roughly 5 to 15), TradieNotes is usually cheaper and has no monthly fee. Under 5 a month, Invio's free plan costs nothing. If you use voice invoicing heavily, an Invio plan can work out cheaper.

Can Invio create an invoice from a photo of my notes?

Invio's site lists typing and voice for invoices. Photos are used for expense receipts. TradieNotes is built around turning a photo of handwritten notes into an invoice.

Do I need an account for TradieNotes?

No. You can create and download an invoice without signing up. An account is optional if you want your invoice history saved, or if you want the 10 free documents and bundles.

Are both GST compliant?

Yes. Both produce NZ invoices with your GST number, GST shown separately and the required IRD fields.

Can I use both?

Yes. Some businesses keep an accounting or invoicing account for regular clients and use TradieNotes for quick one-off jobs.

Sources: invio.co.nz/pricing and invio.co.nz, checked 25 September 2026. Prices shown as listed by each provider.

TradieNotes vs Invio:
which invoice app suits you?

The quick answer

TradieNotes vs Invio — side by side

What it actually costs

Where TradieNotes is different

Where Invio is the better pick

Within seconds. That's all it takes.

TradieNotes vs Invio, answered.

More comparisons & guides

TradieNotes vs Invio:which invoice app suits you?

The quick answer

TradieNotes vs Invio — side by side

What it actually costs

Where TradieNotes is different

Where Invio is the better pick

Within seconds. That's all it takes.

TradieNotes vs Invio, answered.

More comparisons & guides

TradieNotes vs Invio:
which invoice app suits you?