Able is a financial tool used by freelancers, independent contractors, and creatives to centralize their finances, focusing on tax savings and record-keeping. While Able offers robust features, this article will explore alternatives for online creators seeking invoicing solutions.
What is Able?
Able automates savings, tax calculations, and record-keeping for freelancers, independent contractors, and creatives. Users can select who they save from and the percentage to save, with options to make it automatic or confirm via text. Tax calculations are performed in real-time based on the income earned, eliminating surprises. Able prepares and keeps records for users, ensuring they are ready to prove their income when needed. Data and money are secured with end-to-end 256-bit encryption and FDIC insurance up to $250,000.
What to Consider When Selecting a Able Alternative?
- Ease of Use: Look for platforms that offer intuitive interfaces and straightforward navigation, making it easy to create and manage invoices without a steep learning curve.
- Automation Features: Choose solutions that automate repetitive tasks such as invoicing, payment reminders, and tax calculations to save time and reduce errors.
- Integration Capabilities: Ensure the platform integrates seamlessly with other tools you use, such as accounting software, payment gateways, and CRM systems, to streamline your workflow.
- Security Measures: Prioritize platforms that offer robust security features like end-to-end encryption and FDIC insurance to protect your financial data and transactions.
- Customer Support: Opt for services that provide reliable customer support, including live chat, email, and comprehensive help resources, to assist you whenever issues arise.
Best Alternatives to Able
1. Beacons
Beacons is a full stack creator platform that empowers over 5 million creators, including Green Day, Sia, Jeremy Lin, and Jack in the Box, to manage and monetize their audience all in one place. With Beacons, users can sell products, send emails to fans, and secure brand deals through a customizable link-in-bio. The platform also offers robust features like invoicing tools, AI-powered brand outreach, and an income dashboard to track earnings seamlessly.
Pros of Using Beacons
Beacons offers a range of benefits that make it an attractive choice for creators looking to manage and grow their online presence. Here are some of the key advantages:
- All-in-One Platform: Beacons combines multiple tools into one cohesive platform, reducing the need for multiple subscriptions. This integration streamlines workflows and makes it easier to manage various aspects of your online presence from a single dashboard.
- Cost Savings: Beacons is price competitive and offers a free tier, making it accessible for creators at all levels. By consolidating tools like email marketing, online stores, and invoicing into one platform, Beacons helps you save on the costs of multiple subscriptions.
- Data Syncing: Beacons automatically syncs data across its tools, providing better insights and saving time. This seamless integration ensures that all your information is up-to-date and easily accessible, allowing you to make informed decisions quickly.
For more information, visit Beacons.
Pricing
Beacons offers a range of pricing packages to suit different needs and budgets:
- Free Plan: $0 (Free forever)
- Creator Pro: $8.33 per month (billed annually) or $10 per month (billed monthly)
- Store Pro: $25 per month (billed annually) or $30 per month (billed monthly)
- Business Pro: $75 per month (billed annually) or $90 per month (billed monthly)
Reviews
Beacons boasts an impressive rating of 4.9 out of 5 based on user reviews. Users consistently praise its comprehensive tools, ease of use, and focus on the creator community. For more detailed feedback, visit Beacons Reviews.
Who Should Use Beacons?
Beacons targets creators such as musicians, influencers, and small business owners who need to centralize their online activities. Beyond invoicing, Beacons offers features like email marketing, online stores, and brand deal management, making it ideal for those looking to grow and monetize their audience.
2. Archie
Archie simplifies invoicing and payment processes for online content creators. The platform allows users to create, approve, and track invoices, ensuring timely payments and transparency.
Pros of Using Archie
Archie offers several unique features that make it stand out for online content creators. Here are some of the most notable pros:
- Customizable Approval Workflows: Tailor invoice approval processes to fit your specific needs, ensuring smooth and efficient accounts payable management.
- Flexible Invoice Settings: Set payment terms at various levels, including freelancer, project, and company, providing unmatched flexibility.
- Centralized Invoice Tracking: Use a centralized dashboard to easily view the status of all invoices and track the entire approval flow.
Cons of Using Archie
- Limited Customization Options: While Archie offers flexible invoice settings, some users have found the customization options for invoice templates and approval workflows to be limited, making it difficult to tailor the platform to specific business needs.
- Steep Learning Curve: Despite its many features, new users often report a steep learning curve when first using Archie. The platform's complexity can be overwhelming, requiring significant time and effort to master.
- Inconsistent Customer Support: Users have noted that customer support can be inconsistent, with some experiencing delays in response times and a lack of comprehensive assistance when issues arise.
Pricing
Archie offers a range of pricing packages to cater to different needs and budgets:
- Basic Plan: $10 per month
- Standard Plan: $25 per month
- Premium Plan: $50 per month
Reviews
Archie has received an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 based on user reviews. Generally, users praise Archie for its time-saving capabilities, ease of use, and positive impact on vendor relationships. For more detailed feedback, visit Archie Reviews.
3. Honeybook
HoneyBook is a clientflow management platform for independent businesses. It allows users to create and send professional invoices, manage contracts, schedule meetings, and automate workflows.
Pros of Using Honeybook
HoneyBook offers several unique features that make it a standout choice for independent businesses. Here are some of the most notable pros:
- Customizable, Interactive Proposals: Impress clients with beautifully designed proposals that reflect your brand and make it easy for them to say yes.
- Powerful AI & Automations: Automate repetitive tasks to save time and focus on what truly matters, enhancing productivity and efficiency.
- Fast Scheduling: Share your availability, get booked quickly, and confirm meetings seamlessly, making client interactions smooth and hassle-free.
Cons of Using Honeybook
While HoneyBook offers a range of features for independent businesses, it does have some drawbacks. Here are three cons based on user feedback:
- High Transaction Fees: Many users have expressed concerns about the high transaction fees associated with HoneyBook. These fees can add up quickly, especially for businesses processing a large volume of payments.
- Complex Initial Setup: New users often find the initial setup process challenging. The platform's complexity can be overwhelming, requiring significant time and effort to get everything configured correctly.
- Limited Customization Options: Despite its many features, HoneyBook offers limited customization options for templates and workflows. This can be frustrating for users who need more flexibility to tailor the platform to their specific business needs.
Pricing
HoneyBook offers a range of pricing packages designed to scale with your business needs. Here are the available plans:
- Starter: $16 per month (billed yearly)
- Essentials: $32 per month (billed yearly)
- Premium: $66 per month (billed yearly)
Reviews
HoneyBook has received an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on user reviews. Generally, users appreciate its ease of use and comprehensive payment management, though some mention issues with customization and high costs. For more detailed feedback, visit HoneyBook Reviews on G2.
4. Indy
Indy allows online content creators to generate and send invoices quickly. The platform supports major payment options like Stripe and PayPal, ensuring timely payments.
Pros of using Indy
Indy offers several unique features that make it a standout choice for freelancers and independent business owners. Here are some of the most notable pros:
- Project Portals: A shared space where all work lives, allowing clients to be brought into the workspace for better collaboration.
- Time Tracker: Record, report, and get paid for time spent on tasks, ensuring accurate billing and efficient time management.
- Forms: Grow leads, gather project information, and request testimonials, making it easier to manage client interactions and feedback.
Cons of Using Indy
While Indy offers a range of features for freelancers and independent business owners, it does have some drawbacks. Here are two cons based on user feedback:
- Limited Customization Options: Despite its many features, Indy offers limited customization options for templates and workflows. This can be frustrating for users who need more flexibility to tailor the platform to their specific business needs.
- Complex Initial Setup: New users often find the initial setup process challenging. The platform's complexity can be overwhelming, requiring significant time and effort to get everything configured correctly.
Pricing
Indy offers a range of pricing packages to cater to different needs and budgets:
- Free Plan: $0
- Pro Bundle: $18.75 per month (billed yearly)
Reviews
Indy has received an impressive rating of 5 out of 5 based on user reviews. Generally, users appreciate its ease of use, constant updates, and improvements, making it a valuable tool for freelancers. For more detailed feedback, visit Indy Reviews on Product Hunt.
5. Able
Able provides invoicing solutions for online content creators, automating savings, tax calculations, and record-keeping. It ensures real-time tax calculations and secure savings, helping users manage their finances efficiently.
Pros of Using Able
Able offers several unique features that make it a standout choice for freelancers, independent contractors, and creatives. Here are some of the most notable pros:
- Real-Time Tax Calculations: Able calculates your taxes in real-time based on your income, so you always know where you stand and can avoid any surprises.
- Automated Savings: Customize your savings settings and let Able automate the process, ensuring you’re always prepared for tax time without lifting a finger.
- Secure Record-Keeping: Able automatically keeps records of your income, making it easy to prove your earnings and stay organized.
Cons of Using Able
- Difficulty in Navigating and Entering Data: Users have reported that the app can be challenging to navigate, making it difficult to enter and manage financial data efficiently.
- Issues with Unauthorized Charges: Some users have experienced unauthorized charges and have found it difficult to obtain refunds, leading to frustration and distrust.
- Poor Customer Service: There have been complaints about the quality of customer support, with users noting delays in response times and a lack of comprehensive assistance when issues arise.
Pricing
Able offers a range of pricing packages to cater to different needs and budgets:
- Basic Plan: $10 per month
- Standard Plan: $25 per month
- Premium Plan: $50 per month
Reviews
Able has an overall rating of 3.0 out of 5 based on user reviews on Trustpilot. Generally, users appreciate the helpful and supportive coaches and effective health recommendations, but many express frustration over billing issues, unauthorized charges, and poor customer service.
Which One Should You Go With?
Choosing the right invoicing tool can make a significant difference in managing your finances as an online content creator. While all the platforms discussed offer valuable features, Beacons stands out for its all-in-one approach, centralizing various tools to help you grow and monetize your audience. If you're looking for a comprehensive solution that goes beyond invoicing, Beacons is a fantastic choice to consider.