Last checked October 2026 · by the PaySorted team
At a glance
| PaySorted | Paper invoice book | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | From £14.99 a month | About £5 a book |
| Works with no signal or battery | Needs your phone | Always |
| Customer can pay by card on the spot | Yes, Pay now button | No |
| Reminders when they don't pay | Automatic, email and text | You do it |
| Know who owes you right now | On your home screen | Flick through the book |
| VAT and CIS worked out | Yes | By hand |
| Records for your accountant and MTD | Digital, syncs to Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent & Sage | Typed up later |
| Lost or damaged | Backed up | Gone |
Where paper wins
Paper is cheap, needs no battery, and every customer understands it. If you do a handful of cash jobs a month and everyone pays on the day, a book may be all you need.
Where PaySorted wins
- Getting paid sooner: customers can pay by card or bank from the invoice, so there's no "I'll transfer it later".
- Chasing: polite reminders go out automatically and stop the moment they pay. With paper, chasing is down to you remembering.
- Tax time: now that Making Tax Digital has started for sole traders, paper records have to be typed up into software anyway.
- Looking professional: a branded invoice on the customer's phone, with your logo, terms and payment details.
The fair verdict
If late payers cost you money or evenings, or you're heading into MTD, an app pays for itself quickly. If neither applies, stick with the book. You can try PaySorted free for 30 days with no card to see which suits you.
Common questions
Are paper invoices still legal in the UK?
Yes. A paper invoice is fine as long as it includes the right details. Since April 2026, sole traders over the MTD threshold have had to keep digital records, so paper invoices would need typing into software.
Is an invoicing app worth it for a sole trader?
If you have more than a few unpaid invoices a year, usually yes: getting one late invoice paid typically covers the monthly cost.