SwiftBill vs PayPal Invoicing:
Professional invoices vs PayPal's basic tool
PayPal invoicing is free, but it locks you into PayPal's branding, PayPal-only payments, and a tool that wasn't built for freelancers. SwiftBill gives you clean, branded PDF invoices — free — with no payment processor lock-in.
$0
SwiftBill — free forever
Your branding, any payment method
$0
PayPal Invoicing — free but limited
PayPal branding, PayPal payments only
Why freelancers switch to SwiftBill
- Download a proper PDF — not just a print screen of PayPal
- Your business name and logo front and centre — not PayPal's
- Clients can pay by bank transfer, card, or any method you choose
- Keep records of all invoices without needing a PayPal login
When PayPal invoicing still makes sense
- →100% of your clients are already on PayPal and expect to pay that way
- →You want payments and invoices in one place within your PayPal account
- →You send very occasional invoices and don't care about branding
- →Your clients are international and PayPal is easiest for currency conversion
Frequently asked questions
What's wrong with PayPal invoicing?
PayPal invoicing is free and functional for basic use, but it has significant limitations: invoices carry PayPal's logo and branding rather than yours, clients need a PayPal account (or pay a card surcharge) to pay, you can't download a properly formatted PDF, and there's no real client management. For freelancers who want to look professional and get paid by bank transfer, card, or cash — PayPal invoicing falls short.
Does SwiftBill accept PayPal payments?
SwiftBill focuses on creating and managing professional invoices rather than processing payments directly. You add payment instructions to your invoice (bank details, PayPal, Wise, whatever you use) and clients pay through their preferred method. This means you're not locked into PayPal's 3.49% + $0.49 fee for every transaction.
Can clients pay without a PayPal account on SwiftBill?
Yes — because SwiftBill invoices are payment-method agnostic. You include your bank account number, IBAN, or any payment details in the invoice. Clients pay however works for them. No PayPal account, no card surcharge, no friction.
Is SwiftBill actually free or does it have a catch?
No catch. The free plan gives you 5 invoices/month and 3 saved clients — enough for most freelancers starting out. Pro ($9/month) removes all limits. Neither plan takes a cut of your invoiced amount, unlike PayPal's payment processing fees.
What if my clients expect to pay via PayPal?
You can still use PayPal to receive payments — just include your PayPal.me link or email in the payment instructions field on your SwiftBill invoice. You get a professional-looking invoice AND your clients can still pay via PayPal. Best of both.
Send invoices that look like your business
Professional PDF invoices, your branding, any payment method. Free forever.