Invoice Simple vs MyToolbelt: An Honest 2026 Comparison
If you’re a contractor or tradesperson who’s been using Invoice Simple, you’ve likely noticed the price increases over the past few years. What started as a simple, affordable tool has become a significant annual expense for many, with reports of subscriptions jumping from $59 to as high as $199 per year [1]. This has led many to search for a more sustainable and powerful alternative.
This article provides an honest, head-to-head comparison between Invoice Simple and MyToolbelt, a new invoicing app built specifically for the trades.
The Core Difference: Who It’s Built For
Invoice Simple was designed as a general-purpose invoicing tool for all types of small businesses and freelancers. It’s clean, easy to use, and offers a variety of templates.
MyToolbelt was built from the ground up by a tradesperson, for tradespeople. It’s designed to solve the specific challenges of invoicing on a job site, not from a desk.
| Feature | Invoice Simple | MyToolbelt |
|---|---|---|
| Core Function | General Invoicing | Voice-to-Invoice for Trades |
| Target User | Freelancers, Consultants | Contractors, Plumbers, Electricians |
| Design Philosophy | Template-based | Workflow-based |
Key Feature Comparison
| Feature | Invoice Simple | MyToolbelt |
|---|---|---|
| Voice-to-Invoice | No | Yes — describe the job out loud and the app builds the invoice |
| Material Price Lookup | No | Yes — automatically looks up prices for materials you mention |
| Deposit Tracking | Yes | Yes — clearly shows deposits paid and balance due |
| Client History | Yes | Yes — full job history for every client |
| Multi-Phase Invoicing | No | Yes — for larger projects with multiple payments |
| Custom Branding | Yes | Yes |
| Online Payments | Yes | Yes |
The “Driveway” Test
The biggest difference between the two apps comes down to what we call the “Driveway Test”: can you create and send a professional invoice before you leave the customer’s driveway?
With Invoice Simple, you’re still manually typing in line items, descriptions, and prices on your phone. It’s faster than a spreadsheet, but it’s still a manual process that takes time and attention.
With MyToolbelt, you tap a button and say, “Replaced the main shutoff for Dave Reynolds, three hours labor, ball valve and fittings from Home Depot.” The app handles the rest. You can have a branded, itemized PDF ready to send in under a minute.
Pricing
Invoice Simple has three tiers [2]:
- Essentials: $6.99/mo for up to 3 invoices
- Plus: $13.49/mo for up to 10 invoices
- Premium: $19.99/mo for unlimited invoices ($199.99/yr)
MyToolbelt has two tiers:
- Free: 3 invoices per month, no credit card required
- Pro: $19/mo for unlimited invoices, all features included
The Bottom Line
If you’re a freelancer who invoices from a computer, Invoice Simple is a perfectly fine tool. But if you’re a tradesperson who needs to get paid quickly and professionally without the hassle of manual data entry, MyToolbelt is the clear winner. It’s built for the reality of your workday.
Ready to see the difference? Try MyToolbelt free →
References
[1] Invoice Simple: Invoice Maker - Apps on Google Play
[2] Invoice Simple | Pricing and Packages