Best Invoice App for Canadian Contractors 2026

Canadian contractors need an invoice app that handles GST and HST correctly, invoices in CAD, and works from their phone on the job. Not all invoice apps are built for this.

This guide compares the best options for Canadian tradespeople in 2026 — with honest notes on what each one does well.

What Canadian contractors need from an invoice app

Before looking at apps, here’s what actually matters for Canadian tradespeople:

• GST/HST/PST calculation — tax rates vary by province. Ontario is 13% HST, Alberta is 5% GST, BC is 5% GST + 7% PST, and so on. The app should calculate this automatically.
• Business Number display — your CRA Business Number should appear on every invoice
• CAD currency — invoices should be in Canadian dollars, not USD
• Mobile-first — you’re on the job, not at a desk
• Card payment collection — customers increasingly expect to pay by card
• Quick to use — not an accounting system you need to learn

1. Spanner — Best for Canadian mechanics and contractors

Price: Free (up to 5 invoices) · Pro CA$12.99/month

Spanner is built for tradespeople and mechanics. For Canadian users, it handles GST, HST, and PST by province, invoices in CAD, and includes Stripe card payments and a customer-facing booking system.

What it does well:

• Correct tax rate by province — set your province once, Spanner applies the right rate
• CAD invoicing with Business Number on every invoice
• Share invoices via WhatsApp, email, or PDF — from your phone in under a minute
• Stripe payment link on every invoice — customers pay in CAD by card
• Online booking system — customers book directly from your unique link
• Quote with online approval — send a quote, customer taps Approve from their browser

What it doesn’t do:

• Not a full accounting system — no bank feeds, T4 reporting, or CRA integration
• No QuickBooks or FreshBooks integration (yet)

Who it’s for: Mechanics, contractors, electricians, plumbers, and any Canadian tradesperson who wants to invoice fast and get paid by card.

2. FreshBooks — Established option for freelancers

Price: From CA$21/month

FreshBooks is primarily designed for freelancers and service businesses rather than tradespeople. It handles GST/HST and CAD, and has time tracking and expense management features.

What it does well:

• Time tracking built in
• Expense management and receipt scanning
• Client portal for viewing invoices

What it doesn’t do as well:

• Expensive for a sole trader just sending invoices
• No trade-specific fields (no vehicle details for mechanics)
• No booking system
• Mobile invoicing is functional but not mobile-first

3. Wave — Free accounting for basic needs

Price: Free (with paid add-ons)

Wave is a free accounting and invoicing app. It handles basic GST/HST invoicing and bank reconciliation. Good for very small businesses that need basic accounting.

What it does well:

• Free for basic invoicing and accounting
• Bank reconciliation
• Receipt scanning

What it doesn’t do well:

• No mobile-first invoicing experience
• No card payment collection in Canada on the free tier
• No trade-specific features
• No booking system or quote approval

Comparison table

	Spanner	FreshBooks	Wave
Free plan	✅ 5 invoices	❌	✅ Basic
GST/HST by province	✅	✅	✅
CAD currency	✅	✅	✅
Business Number	✅	✅	✅
Mobile-first	✅	Partial	❌
Card payments	✅ Stripe	✅	Paid add-on
Mechanic fields	✅	❌	❌
Booking system	✅	❌	❌
Quote approval	✅ Online	Basic	❌
Accounting	❌	✅	✅
Price	Free / CA$12.99/mo	CA$21/mo+	Free+

Which app should you use?

For most Canadian contractors and mechanics: Spanner. It’s the only one built specifically for tradespeople, handles provincial tax rates automatically, and makes it easy to get paid by card the same day.

If you need full accounting (bank reconciliation, T4, expense tracking): Wave is free for the basics, or FreshBooks if you need more.

GST/HST rates by province (2026)

Province	Tax	Rate
Ontario	HST	13%
British Columbia	GST + PST	12%
Alberta	GST	5%
Quebec	GST + QST	14.975%
Nova Scotia	HST	15%
New Brunswick	HST	15%
Manitoba	GST + RST	12%
Saskatchewan	GST + PST	11%
PEI	HST	15%
Newfoundland	HST	15%

Spanner applies the correct rate based on your province setting.

Frequently asked questions

Do Canadian contractors need to charge GST? You must register for GST/HST if your annual revenue exceeds CA$30,000. Below this, registration is optional.

What is a Business Number? Your CRA-issued 9-digit Business Number, followed by a 2-letter program identifier and 4-digit reference. It appears on all tax invoices.

Can I invoice in USD as a Canadian contractor? Yes, if you work with US clients. Spanner supports USD as well as CAD.

Is Spanner available in Quebec? Yes. Spanner works in all Canadian provinces. Set your province in settings for the correct tax rate.

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See Spanner’s Canadian features or download free — no credit card required.