The short answer
- Invoice: sent before payment, says what is owed and by when
- Receipt: given after payment, says what was paid, when and how
- Paid on the spot: a receipt alone is usually enough
- Paid later: send an invoice, then a receipt or a paid invoice once the money arrives
What an invoice shows
Your details and the customer's, an invoice number and date, the items with prices, tax if you charge it, the total, the due date and how to pay.
What a receipt shows
Your details, a receipt number and date, the amount paid, how it was paid (cash, card, transfer), and which invoice it pays if there was one.
Part payments
When a customer pays part of an invoice, record the payment and show the balance still due. A receipt for each payment avoids arguments later.
How Tichkuly CRM handles both
Make the invoice, then record each payment against it: cash, transfer, cheque or card. The invoice then shows what was received and the balance, and is marked Paid when it is settled.
Try it: Free receipt maker. Make a receipt PDF now, no sign-up.