inv.so vs Bonsai (2026 Comparison)
Both inv.so and Bonsai are popular invoicing tools for freelancers. But they serve different needs.
This comparison helps you choose: simple invoicing (inv.so) or full freelancer suite (Bonsai).
Quick Comparison
| Feature | inv.so | Bonsai |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Simple invoicing | Full freelancer suite |
| Price | $9/month | $21/month |
| Invoicing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Contracts | ❌ | ✅ |
| Time Tracking | ❌ | ✅ |
| Design | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Speed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Simplicity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
inv.so Overview
What It Is
inv.so is:
- Simple invoicing tool
- Built for designers and creators
- Minimal, fast, beautiful
- No bloat
Best for: Creatives who just need invoicing.
Key Features
✅ Fast invoicing — Create invoice in under 2 minutes
✅ Simple tracking — Draft, sent, paid status
✅ Stripe integration — Card payments included
✅ Clean design — Modern, minimal interface
✅ No bloat — Just invoicing, nothing more
Pricing
- Free: 3 sends
- Pro: $9/month (unlimited)
Bonsai Overview
What It Is
Bonsai is:
- Full freelancer suite
- Invoicing + contracts + time tracking
- More features
- Higher price
Best for: Freelancers who need more than invoicing.
Key Features
✅ Invoicing — Professional invoices
✅ Contracts — Contract templates
✅ Time tracking — Track hours worked
✅ Client portal — Client management
✅ Proposals — Project proposals
Pricing
- Starter: $21/month
- Professional: $32/month
- Business: $66/month
Detailed Comparison
Invoicing
inv.so:
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fastest workflow
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best design
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Simplest interface
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Built for creatives
Bonsai:
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good invoicing
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Professional design
- ⭐⭐⭐ More complex
- ⭐⭐⭐ Built for freelancers
Winner: inv.so — Faster, simpler, better design.
Contracts
inv.so:
- ❌ No contracts
- Just invoicing
Bonsai:
- ✅ Contract templates
- ✅ E-signatures
- ✅ Contract management
Winner: Bonsai — Only if you need contracts.
Time Tracking
inv.so:
- ❌ No time tracking
- Just invoicing
Bonsai:
- ✅ Time tracking
- ✅ Hourly billing
- ✅ Time reports
Winner: Bonsai — Only if you need time tracking.
Design & UX
inv.so:
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Modern, minimal
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fast, intuitive
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Built for designers
Bonsai:
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Clean, professional
- ⭐⭐⭐ Good UX
- ⭐⭐⭐ More features = more complex
Winner: inv.so — Better design, faster workflow.
Price
inv.so:
- $9/month
- Just invoicing
Bonsai:
- $21/month (minimum)
- Full suite
Winner: inv.so — 2.3x cheaper.
When to Choose inv.so
Choose inv.so if:
✅ You just need invoicing — No contracts or time tracking
✅ You value speed — Fast workflow matters
✅ You want simplicity — No bloat, just invoicing
✅ You're a designer/creator — Built for you
✅ You want to save money — $9 vs $21/month
Most creatives should choose inv.so.
When to Choose Bonsai
Choose Bonsai if:
✅ You need contracts — Contract templates and e-signatures
✅ You need time tracking — Track hours for billing
✅ You need proposals — Project proposal system
✅ You want full suite — All-in-one solution
✅ Price isn't primary concern — $21/month is fine
Only if you need more than invoicing.
The Bottom Line
For Most Creatives: inv.so
Why:
- Faster workflow
- Better design
- Simpler interface
- Lower price
- Built for creatives
Most creatives just need invoicing. inv.so is perfect.
For Freelancers Needing More: Bonsai
Why:
- Contracts included
- Time tracking included
- Full suite
- More features
Only if you actually need contracts/time tracking.
Recommendation
For 90% of creatives: Choose inv.so
- You just need invoicing
- inv.so is faster, simpler, cheaper
- Better design
- Built for you
For 10% who need more: Choose Bonsai
- You need contracts
- You need time tracking
- You want full suite
- Price isn't primary concern
Most people should choose inv.so.
Ready to try the simpler option? Try inv.so free — 3 free sends, then $9/month.