App Showcase: Invoice2go

What it does

Invoice2go is a mobile-first invoicing and business management tool designed for freelancers and small business owners. Its core function is to allow users to quickly create, customize, and send professional invoices from their phones. Beyond invoicing, the app also provides tools for tracking expenses, managing client information, creating project files, and accepting online payments.

Where it shines

The app excels at guiding new users from zero to a fully functional state. The onboarding process is extensive but logical, culminating in a gamified checklist on the home screen (05:26) that encourages users to complete their setup. The standout moment is the guided walkthrough for the first 'test' invoice (05:25). Instead of just showing tooltips, it has the user actively edit and send a sample invoice, which is a fantastic way to teach the core workflow. The live invoice customization (03:43) is another highlight, providing instant visual feedback that makes designing professional documents feel fast and intuitive.

UX highlights

• Checklist-driven Onboarding: The home screen's checklist (05:26) turns setup into a series of small, satisfying tasks, complete with a progress circle that updates in real-time.
• Live Previews: Customizing invoices, from templates to logos and colors, happens with a live preview that updates instantly, removing guesswork (03:43).
• Contextual Tutorials: The app uses interactive, step-by-step guides for critical first actions like sending an invoice, ensuring users learn by doing (05:27).
• QR Code Payments: The app supports in-person payments by generating a QR code for an invoice (05:52), a modern and touch-free solution.
• Integrated Project Management: Users can create projects and link clients, invoices, and expenses to them, keeping all related documents in one place (10:30).
• Clear Information Hierarchy: Screens for adding clients or expenses are clean and well-structured, with clear input fields and logical grouping of information (07:50).

Monetization & growth

Invoice2go uses a hard paywall with a free trial. During onboarding, after the user signs up, they are required to subscribe to a plan to proceed (00:47). The initial offer is a one-month free trial for the 'Professional' plan. The app makes it clear that the subscription will auto-renew. Later in the app, there is a dedicated 'See our plans and pricing' section (08:31) where users can view different tiers (Premium, Professional, Starter) and toggle between monthly and yearly billing, highlighting savings for the annual option.

Who it’s for

The app is clearly targeted at sole proprietors, freelancers, and small business owners who need to manage their finances on the go. The language and feature set are focused on practical business needs like getting paid faster, staying organized for tax time, and appearing professional to clients. It’s ideal for tradespeople, consultants, creators, and anyone who needs a simple, powerful tool to handle invoicing and expenses without being tied to a desktop.

Notes & opportunities

The onboarding flow is very long and requires a lot of information upfront, including business address and phone number, which might be a point of friction for some users just wanting to explore. While the checklist mitigates this, the initial required setup is still substantial. The app also directly prompts for system notifications (03:13) without a warm-up screen, which could be an opportunity to add context and improve opt-in rates. Finally, while the test invoice is great, the billing information defaults to the user's own details (05:27), which could be slightly confusing; a more clearly delineated 'sample client' might be even better.