InvoiceGrid vs GoCardless

GoCardless automates payment collection through direct debit — clients authorize you to collect payment on the due date, removing the need to chase entirely. InvoiceGrid is for the invoices that don't get automated: B2B clients on standard payment terms who need to be chased manually. The two tools address different sides of the payment problem.

What Is GoCardless?

GoCardless is a payment processing platform specializing in bank-to-bank direct debit payments. It allows businesses to automatically collect payment on the due date by debiting the client's bank account — eliminating manual invoice follow-up for participating clients. GoCardless charges 0.5–1% per transaction (capped at £2–£4 for UK transactions). Visit the GoCardless website for full pricing and feature details.

InvoiceGrid takes a different approach. Instead of being a full accounting tool, it focuses entirely on tracking unpaid invoices and helping you follow up effectively. The visual Kanban board, chase history, and professional email generator are built specifically for chasing payments.

Feature Comparison

FeatureInvoiceGridGoCardless
Direct Debit / Auto-Collection
Recurring Payment Automation
Accounting Software Integration
Visual Kanban Invoice Pipeline
Today View (manual follow-up)
Chase History per Invoice
Email Generator (5 Tones)
Transaction Fees0.5–1% (capped)
Works for Any Client

InvoiceGrid Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Works for any invoice — not just clients who agree to direct debit
  • Today View and chase history for manual follow-up of standard invoices
  • Email generator for professional escalation of non-paying clients
  • No transaction fees — flat subscription
  • Useful when direct debit isn't an option (one-time clients, corporate procurement)

Cons

  • Does not process payments or collect via direct debit
  • Requires manual follow-up — doesn't automate collection
  • Not suitable as a replacement for GoCardless

GoCardless Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Eliminates invoice chasing entirely for enrolled clients
  • Automatic collection on the due date — no manual follow-up needed
  • Low transaction fees (0.5–1%, capped at £2–£4 in the UK)
  • Strong integration with accounting software (Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent)
  • Recurring payment collection for subscription/retainer businesses
  • Bank-level security and mandate management

Cons

  • Requires clients to sign a direct debit mandate — not all clients will agree
  • Not suitable for one-time or irregular clients
  • No systematic follow-up tool for clients who aren't on direct debit
  • No chase history or escalation tools for disputed invoices
  • Not appropriate for many B2B procurement environments

The Verdict

GoCardless and InvoiceGrid are complementary, not competing. GoCardless automates payment collection for clients who agree to direct debit. InvoiceGrid handles the manual chase for clients who don't. If you can get all your clients on GoCardless, you may not need InvoiceGrid. But most businesses have a mix — and for the invoices that still need chasing, InvoiceGrid is the right tool.

Important: InvoiceGrid is Not Accounting Software

InvoiceGrid is intentionally not an accounting tool. It does not create invoices, track expenses, handle taxes, or manage payroll. Its sole focus is helping freelancers, agencies, consultancies, and businesses of all sizes track unpaid invoices and chase overdue payments — with a visual Kanban board, chase history per invoice, a today view dashboard, and a professional email generator.

If you need full accounting, InvoiceGrid is not the right tool. But if your bottleneck is knowing who owes you money and following up professionally — InvoiceGrid was built exactly for that.

Other Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use GoCardless or InvoiceGrid?+

Ideally, both for different client segments. Use GoCardless for retainer clients and recurring billing where you can get a direct debit mandate. Use InvoiceGrid for one-time clients, corporate clients on purchase orders, and any invoice that isn't on direct debit.

Can I use InvoiceGrid alongside GoCardless?+

Yes. Log non-direct-debit invoices in InvoiceGrid for systematic chasing. GoCardless handles automatic collection; InvoiceGrid handles the manual follow-up for everything else.

What if a GoCardless payment fails?+

GoCardless retries failed payments automatically, but if a client has insufficient funds or cancels their mandate, you'll need to follow up manually. Log the failed payment in InvoiceGrid and use the chase tools to follow up professionally.

Ready to Track Your Invoices Visually?

Stop losing track of who owes you money. InvoiceGrid gives you a visual Kanban board, chase history, and professional email reminders.