Tradify vs Manano vs Invoice2go - Why Contractors Switch to WhatsApp Invoicing in 2025

For contractor invoicing, three solutions are commonly compared: Tradify's comprehensive job management, Invoice2go's mobile-first approach, and Manano's WhatsApp invoicing. After surveying contractors who've used all three: 92% who try Manano continue using it.

Here's the direct comparison and why contractors are switching.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Feature	Tradify	Invoice2go	Manano
Monthly Cost	€456-588/year (€38-49/month)	€480/year (€39.99/month)	€0*
Setup Time	2-3 weeks	2-3 hours	30 seconds
Learning Curve	10+ hours training	2 hours	None - just text
Time per Invoice	15-20 minutes	5-8 minutes	30 seconds
Payment Speed	30-90 days typical	14-30 days typical	Same day or instant
Mobile Experience	Complex app	Mobile-focused	WhatsApp (already installed)

*Pay only when you earn - 2.5-4% for online payments, 5% for advances

1. Tradify - Comprehensive but Complex

What Tradify Offers:

• Complete job management with scheduling, CRM, and invoicing
• Team management and staff scheduling
• Inventory tracking and project management
• Integration with accounting software

Why Contractors Struggle with Tradify:

• €38-49/month per user - €456-588 annually
• Requires weeks of setup and extensive training
• Complex interface overwhelming for simple invoicing needs
• Mobile app difficulties on job sites
• Designed for multi-person teams, not solo contractors

"Tradify has everything I don't need and makes everything I do need complicated. Spent more time managing the software than managing my business." - Dublin Electrician

Tradify Pricing Reality:

Monthly Subscription: €38-49 per user Annual Cost: €456-588 per user

Additional Considerations:

• Setup time: Significant time investment required
• Training time: Learning curve needed for full utilization
• Monthly management: Ongoing maintenance and administration
• Payment delays: Standard payment terms apply

True Annual Cost: Subscription plus time investment

2. Invoice2go - Mobile-First but Limited

What Invoice2go Offers:

• Simple mobile invoicing with basic templates
• Payment processing and expense tracking
• Offline capability with sync
• Basic reporting features

Invoice2go Limitations:

• $39.99/month subscription - €480/year
• Limited customization and branding options
• No instant payment advances
• Still requires app downloads and account setup
• Payment delays continue (14-30 days typical)

"Invoice2go is better than Tradify but still takes 5-8 minutes per invoice. With Manano, I text the job and get paid before I leave the site." - Cork Plumber

Invoice2go Pricing Reality:

Monthly Subscription: €39.99 USD Annual Cost: €480

Additional Considerations:

• Setup time: Setup and configuration required
• Learning curve: Some learning needed for optimal use
• Monthly usage: Regular maintenance required
• Payment delays: Standard payment processing times

True Annual Cost: Subscription plus time and setup requirements

3. Manano - WhatsApp Invoicing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What Manano Actually Does:

• Professional invoices from text/voice messages in 30 seconds
• Quotes & estimates for potential jobs
• Custom branding with your logo and details
• Expense tracking for business records
• Online payments - customers pay with credit cards
• Invoice advances - get money immediately when needed
• VAT handling - automated returns or yearly summaries

How Manano Works:

1. Text: "Fixed boiler for John Smith, €200"
2. Professional invoice created (30 seconds)
3. Customer pays online OR get advance payment immediately

Manano Pricing:

• No monthly fees - pay only when you earn
• Online payments: 2.5-4% when customer pays
• Invoice advances: 5% (optional)
• Setup time: 30 seconds

Additional Considerations:

• Setup time: 30 seconds (instant)
• Learning curve: None required
• Monthly usage: Minimal time needed
• Payment delays: Same-day or instant payment options available

True Annual Cost: €0 upfront + fees only when paid

Real Contractor Case Study

A Cork contractor tried all three solutions:

1. Started with Tradify - abandoned after 5 months (too complex for field work)
2. Switched to Invoice2go - used for 8 months (better but still cumbersome)
3. Discovered Manano - 18+ months and counting (perfect fit)

Comparative Results:

Metric	Tradify	Invoice2go	Manano
Setup Effort	3 weeks	2 days	30 seconds
Daily Usage	45 min/day	25 min/day	5 min/day
Payment Speed	65 days avg	35 days avg	Same day 85%
Team Adoption	1/3 members	2/3 members	3/3 members
Monthly Cost	€158	€70	€50-80

Business Impact:

• More time monthly for construction work
• Better cash flow from faster payments
• Significant annual savings in software costs
• Team adopted solution immediately

Why Simple Works Better

What Contractors Actually Need:

1. Fast invoicing (not project management)
2. Quick payment collection (not CRM systems)
3. Simple expense tracking (not inventory management)
4. Professional appearance (not complex branding tools)

Why Complex Software Fails:

• Too many features overwhelming daily users
• Monthly subscriptions during slow periods
• Learning curves taking time from billable work
• App limitations causing job site frustrations
• Payment delays continuing cash flow problems
• Maintenance requirements taking weekend time

Industry Trends: Simple vs Complex

Contractor Preferences (2025):

• 87% prefer simple over comprehensive software
• 65% abandon traditional software within 6 months
• 90% prefer pay-per-use vs monthly subscriptions
• Mobile-first solutions outperform desktop 5:1

Customer Expectations:

• Instant payment options expected
• Professional invoicing standard
• Simple, familiar interfaces preferred
• Pay only when using services

🏆 Manano Works Best

Why Manano Works:

The Manano Advantages:

• Simple - just text your job details
• Fast results - professional invoice in 30 seconds
• Quick payments - helps cash flow problems
• No monthly fees - pay only when you earn
• Mobile-friendly - works on any phone, anywhere
• Legally compliant - meets all Irish/UK requirements

Making the Switch

From Tradify to Manano:

• Export customer data before canceling
• Try Manano parallel for new jobs
• Cancel Tradify subscription
• Save €456-588 annually

From Invoice2go to Manano:

• Keep existing customer contacts
• Test Manano with recent jobs
• Cancel Invoice2go subscription
• Save €480 annually plus reduce invoicing time

Ready to try simple invoicing?

The data is clear: complex contractor software solves problems most solo contractors don't have while creating new problems they definitely don't want.

See the difference:

1. Text your next completed job to Manano
2. Receive professional invoice in 30 seconds
3. Watch customer pay online immediately
4. Experience simple solutions that work

Simple invoicing works better for most contractors. Try Manano.