Honest comparison · Updated 2026
Spanner vs Square Invoices
Square Invoices is a solid, free mobile invoicing tool tied to Square’s payments ecosystem. It is closer to Spanner than the big accounting suites. The difference comes down to how Australian-tradie-specific each one is. Here is the comparison.
Spanner is free to download on iOS & Android
Side-by-side comparison
| Spanner | Square Invoices | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, then $9.99/mo Pro | Free invoicing + payment processing fees |
| Best for | AU tradies, mechanics, sole traders | Businesses in the Square ecosystem |
| GST & ABN on invoices | Automatic, AU-specific | Generic tax fields |
| Mobile-first | Yes | Yes |
| WhatsApp sharing | One tap | Email/SMS-focused |
| Card payments on invoices | Built in (Stripe) | Built in (Square) |
| Trade-specific (vehicle rego, bookings) | Yes | No |
| Multi-country tax (AU/UK/NZ/CA/US) | Yes | Region-dependent |
| Hardware/POS ecosystem | No | Yes (Square terminals) |
Choose Spanner if…
- You want GST and ABN handled the Australian way, automatically
- You and your customers live on WhatsApp
- You are a mechanic and want vehicle tracking and online bookings
- You want a tool built specifically for trades, not general retail
Choose Square Invoices if…
- • You already run Square POS hardware in a shopfront
- • You want Square’s in-person terminal ecosystem
- • Your business is retail-style rather than mobile trade work
The verdict
If you are an Australian tradie or mechanic, Spanner is the more tailored fit — AU GST/ABN, WhatsApp sharing, and trade-specific features. Square Invoices makes most sense if you are already invested in Square’s payment hardware and ecosystem.
Spanner vs Square Invoices — FAQ
Are both Spanner and Square Invoices free?
Both have a free tier. Spanner is free for up to 5 invoices then $9.99/month for Pro. Square Invoices is free to send, with standard payment processing fees when customers pay by card.
Which is better for an Australian mechanic?
Spanner, generally — it adds automatic GST/ABN, vehicle tracking (rego, make, model), online bookings and WhatsApp sharing, which Square’s general invoicing does not focus on.
Does Spanner need special hardware?
No. Spanner works entirely from your phone. Square is strongest when paired with its terminal hardware, which suits shopfront/retail businesses more than mobile trades.
Try Spanner free
Invoice your first job in minutes. Free to start, $9.99/mo for Pro.