Invoice vs Receipt: What's the Difference?

Invoice and receipt get used interchangeably, but they're different documents for different moments.

An invoice requests payment

You send an invoice before you have been paid. It tells the client what they owe, for what, and by when. It is a request.

A receipt confirms payment

You send a receipt after payment is received. It is proof that the transaction happened - useful for the client's records and yours, especially at tax time.

Quick rule of thumb

• Not paid yet? Send an invoice.
• Already paid? Send a receipt.

Create either one free

Use the free invoice generator to bill a client, and the free receipt generator to confirm a payment - both work in your browser, no signup. For ongoing invoicing with payment tracking, InvoiceApp does it all.