Comparison
InvoiceScript
vs Invoice Ninja.
Two self-hosted invoicing tools. Different scope, different model.
Focused invoicing vs full business suite.
InvoiceScript
Self-hosted invoicing tool. PDF invoices with EPC payment QR codes, automated reminders, recurring invoices, credit notes, and quote management. One-time purchase. Full source code. Single-tenant, one business per installation.
Invoice Ninja
Open-source invoicing platform with a hosted SaaS tier. Invoices, quotes, expenses, time tracking, projects, and 40+ payment gateway integrations. Self-hosted is free (AGPL). Hosted plans start at $10/month.
Features
Feature by feature.
| Feature | InvoiceScript | Invoice Ninja |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | One-time purchase | Free self-hosted (AGPL) / $10+/mo hosted |
| Source code | Full PHP source, modify freely | Open-source (AGPL license) |
| Hosting | Self-hosted only | Self-hosted or hosted SaaS |
| PDF invoices | Three branded templates | 11+ templates |
| Payment QR codes | EPC QR on every EUR invoice | Not built-in |
| Payment processing | Not in v1 (QR codes generate payment instructions) | 40+ gateways (Stripe, PayPal, etc.) |
| Automated reminders | Configurable schedules, per-customer overrides | Automated reminders |
| Recurring invoices | Built-in with auto-generation | Built-in with auto-billing |
| Quotes / estimates | Full workflow with customer approval | Full workflow |
| Credit notes | Linked to original invoice | Credit notes available |
| E-invoicing (UBL) | UBL 2.1 XML export | E-invoice support (Peppol) |
| Time tracking | Not available | Built-in with project billing |
| Expense tracking | Not available | Built-in with receipt upload |
| Project management | Not available | Built-in with tasks |
| Data ownership | Your server, your database | Self-hosted: your server / Hosted: their servers |
| Multi-user roles | Owner, admin, accountant, employee | Multiple permission levels |
| Shared hosting | PHP + SQLite or MySQL, no Redis needed | Requires PHP, MySQL, queue workers |
| Mobile apps | Responsive web UI | iOS and Android apps |
Their strengths
Where Invoice Ninja wins.
Payment processing
Invoice Ninja integrates with 40+ payment gateways. Customers can pay invoices online with credit cards or bank transfers. InvoiceScript generates EPC QR codes for bank transfers but does not process payments.
Time tracking and projects
Invoice Ninja includes built-in time tracking, project management, and task billing. Track hours, assign tasks to projects, and convert tracked time into invoice line items. InvoiceScript does not include time tracking.
Expense management
Invoice Ninja tracks expenses, supports receipt uploads, and can convert expenses into invoiceable items. InvoiceScript focuses on the invoicing side and does not track business expenses.
Native mobile apps
Invoice Ninja offers native iOS and Android apps. InvoiceScript is a responsive web application that works on mobile browsers but does not have dedicated native apps.
Our strengths
Where InvoiceScript wins.
EPC payment QR codes
Every EUR invoice includes an EPC QR code. The customer scans with their bank app and gets a pre-filled SEPA transfer with the correct amount, IBAN, and reference. No payment processor, no fees, no gateway setup.
One-time purchase, no subscription
InvoiceScript is a single payment. No monthly fees, no per-user charges, no feature tiers. Invoice Ninja's self-hosted version is free (AGPL), but the hosted tier starts at $10/month and the license restricts commercial use without attribution.
Shared hosting compatible
InvoiceScript runs on PHP and SQLite or MySQL. No Redis, no queue workers, no Node.js. Deploy on any cPanel or Plesk shared hosting. Invoice Ninja requires queue workers and has heavier server requirements.
Focused on invoicing
InvoiceScript does one thing well: invoicing. No time tracking, no expense management, no project boards. Less complexity, fewer settings, a faster learning curve. If you need those features, Invoice Ninja is the broader tool.
Summary
The verdict.
Choose Invoice Ninja if you need a full business suite with payment processing, time tracking, expense management, and native mobile apps. Invoice Ninja covers more ground and offers both a free self-hosted version and a hosted SaaS tier.
Choose InvoiceScript if you want focused invoicing with EU features (EPC QR codes, UBL XML export, multi-rate VAT), a one-time purchase with no subscription, shared hosting compatibility, and full source code ownership with no AGPL obligations.
Get started
Own your invoicing.
One-time purchase. Self-hosted. Full source code. Your data, your server.