Quick Overview
- 1#1: Studio Designer - Comprehensive business management platform for interior designers with advanced invoicing, time billing, and project costing features.
- 2#2: DesignFiles - All-in-one CRM and project management tool tailored for interior designers, featuring seamless invoicing and payment processing.
- 3#3: Morfy - Visual project management software for interior design firms with integrated time tracking, proposals, and automated invoicing.
- 4#4: iink - Digital workspace for interior design teams offering proposals, purchase orders, time tracking, and invoicing capabilities.
- 5#5: ArchiOffice - Project management solution for architects and interior designers with robust time billing, invoicing, and accounting integration.
- 6#6: Houzz Pro - Business software for home professionals including interior designers, with tools for estimates, invoicing, and payments.
- 7#7: QuickBooks Online - Powerful cloud accounting software used by interior design firms for invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting.
- 8#8: FreshBooks - User-friendly invoicing and accounting app ideal for freelance interior designers handling client billing and time tracking.
- 9#9: Xero - Cloud-based accounting platform providing invoicing, bank feeds, and project tracking for small interior design businesses.
- 10#10: Jobber - Field service management tool with scheduling, quoting, and invoicing features suitable for interior design service providers.
These tools were selected based on their alignment with interior design workflows, feature depth (including invoicing, time tracking, and integration capabilities), user-friendliness, and overall value, ensuring a list that balances functionality with practicality for both solo designers and large firms.
Comparison Table
Efficient billing and project management are essential for interior design businesses, and selecting the right software can make a significant difference. This comparison table explores top tools like Studio Designer, DesignFiles, Morfy, iink, ArchiOffice and more, examining features, pricing, and usability to help readers find the best fit for their workflow.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Studio Designer Comprehensive business management platform for interior designers with advanced invoicing, time billing, and project costing features. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | DesignFiles All-in-one CRM and project management tool tailored for interior designers, featuring seamless invoicing and payment processing. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 3 | Morfy Visual project management software for interior design firms with integrated time tracking, proposals, and automated invoicing. | specialized | 3.2/10 | 1.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 2.9/10 |
| 4 | iink Digital workspace for interior design teams offering proposals, purchase orders, time tracking, and invoicing capabilities. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 | ArchiOffice Project management solution for architects and interior designers with robust time billing, invoicing, and accounting integration. | specialized | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Houzz Pro Business software for home professionals including interior designers, with tools for estimates, invoicing, and payments. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | QuickBooks Online Powerful cloud accounting software used by interior design firms for invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.3/10 |
| 8 | FreshBooks User-friendly invoicing and accounting app ideal for freelance interior designers handling client billing and time tracking. | other | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 9 | Xero Cloud-based accounting platform providing invoicing, bank feeds, and project tracking for small interior design businesses. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 10 | Jobber Field service management tool with scheduling, quoting, and invoicing features suitable for interior design service providers. | other | 7.1/10 | 6.5/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
Comprehensive business management platform for interior designers with advanced invoicing, time billing, and project costing features.
All-in-one CRM and project management tool tailored for interior designers, featuring seamless invoicing and payment processing.
Visual project management software for interior design firms with integrated time tracking, proposals, and automated invoicing.
Digital workspace for interior design teams offering proposals, purchase orders, time tracking, and invoicing capabilities.
Project management solution for architects and interior designers with robust time billing, invoicing, and accounting integration.
Business software for home professionals including interior designers, with tools for estimates, invoicing, and payments.
Powerful cloud accounting software used by interior design firms for invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting.
User-friendly invoicing and accounting app ideal for freelance interior designers handling client billing and time tracking.
Cloud-based accounting platform providing invoicing, bank feeds, and project tracking for small interior design businesses.
Field service management tool with scheduling, quoting, and invoicing features suitable for interior design service providers.
Studio Designer
specializedComprehensive business management platform for interior designers with advanced invoicing, time billing, and project costing features.
End-to-end billing automation that links 3D design proposals, vendor purchases, and time entries directly to dynamic invoices and payments.
Studio Designer is a comprehensive cloud-based platform designed specifically for interior designers, excelling in billing and invoicing with automated workflows from proposals to payments. It handles time tracking, purchase orders, progress billing, deposits, and change orders seamlessly within a unified system. The software integrates deeply with QuickBooks and other accounting tools for real-time financial accuracy. Its billing features support complex projects, making it a top choice for professional interior design firms.
Pros
- Automated invoicing tied to proposals, POs, and time tracking
- Seamless QuickBooks integration for effortless accounting sync
- Customizable billing templates and real-time financial dashboards
Cons
- Steep learning curve for full feature mastery
- Pricing may be high for solo designers or small studios
- Customization options can overwhelm new users
Best For
Mid-sized to large interior design firms managing multiple complex projects with advanced billing needs.
Pricing
Subscription tiers start at $295/month (Essentials, 1 user) up to $995/month (Enterprise, unlimited users); custom quotes available.
DesignFiles
specializedAll-in-one CRM and project management tool tailored for interior designers, featuring seamless invoicing and payment processing.
Project-phase invoicing that automatically generates bills based on milestones, time logs, and purchases
DesignFiles is a comprehensive platform tailored for interior designers, offering robust billing and invoicing tools integrated with project management, time tracking, and client presentations. It enables users to create professional invoices based on billable hours, deposits, progress payments, and purchases, while automating vendor payments and tracking expenses. The software streamlines the entire billing workflow for design projects, reducing manual entry and errors.
Pros
- Seamless integration of time tracking and invoicing directly tied to design projects
- Automated progress billing and deposit management for client payments
- Built-in purchasing tools with vendor discounts that feed into billing
Cons
- Limited advanced accounting features compared to full ERP systems
- Steeper learning curve for non-design-specific billing workflows
- Pricing scales quickly for teams with multiple users
Best For
Interior design firms and studios seeking an all-in-one solution for project-based billing and client management.
Pricing
Starts at $49/user/month for Solo plan, $99/user/month for Studio (billed annually); free trial available.
Morfy
specializedVisual project management software for interior design firms with integrated time tracking, proposals, and automated invoicing.
Instant text-to-photorealistic interior renders
Morfy (morfy.app) is an AI-powered interior design generator that creates photorealistic room renders from text prompts, styles, and references. While excellent for visualization in design projects, it offers no native billing, invoicing, time tracking, or payment processing features essential for interior design billing software. It could indirectly support billing workflows by producing professional proposal visuals to attach to estimates.
Pros
- Rapid AI-generated interior visualizations for proposals
- Intuitive text-to-image interface
- High-quality photorealistic renders
Cons
- Lacks all core billing functions like invoicing and payments
- No client management or time tracking
- Not designed for financial workflows
Best For
Interior designers using separate billing tools who want quick visuals for client proposals.
Pricing
Free tier with limited credits; Pro at $29/month for unlimited generations and advanced features.
iink
specializedDigital workspace for interior design teams offering proposals, purchase orders, time tracking, and invoicing capabilities.
Visually customizable proposal builder with interior design-specific elements like spec sheets and renderings
iink (iink.design) is a client management and billing platform tailored for interior designers, enabling the creation of visually stunning proposals, contracts, and invoices with designer-specific templates like mood boards and furniture schedules. It streamlines billing through automated invoicing, expense tracking, time logging, and payment processing via Stripe integration. The software also includes a client portal for approvals, e-signatures, and project updates, making it a comprehensive tool for managing the financial side of interior design projects.
Pros
- Designer-focused templates for proposals and invoices that look professional and visually appealing
- Seamless integration of time tracking, expenses, and payments in one workflow
- Client portal enhances communication and speeds up approvals and payments
Cons
- Higher pricing may not suit very small or startup practices
- Limited third-party integrations beyond basic payment processors
- Some advanced customization requires a learning curve
Best For
Small to mid-sized interior design firms needing an all-in-one tool for professional proposals and efficient billing.
Pricing
Starts at $59/month (Essentials) for core billing features, up to $199/month (Enterprise) for advanced project management; annual discounts available.
ArchiOffice
specializedProject management solution for architects and interior designers with robust time billing, invoicing, and accounting integration.
Phase-based invoicing that mirrors architectural and interior design project structures for precise progress billing
ArchiOffice is a cloud-based project management platform designed specifically for architects, engineers, and interior designers, with robust billing and invoicing features tailored to design workflows. It enables time tracking, expense logging, phase-based invoicing, and project financial reporting to streamline billing processes. The software integrates seamlessly with accounting tools like QuickBooks, making it easier to manage finances for design projects from start to completion.
Pros
- Phase and task-based billing optimized for design projects
- Strong integrations with QuickBooks and other accounting software
- Mobile app for on-site time and expense tracking
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
- Pricing may be high for solo interior designers
- Reporting features lack depth compared to dedicated billing tools
Best For
Small to mid-sized interior design firms needing integrated project management and billing for complex, phased projects.
Pricing
Starts at $59/user/month for basic plans, with higher tiers up to $119/user/month; custom enterprise pricing available.
Houzz Pro
specializedBusiness software for home professionals including interior designers, with tools for estimates, invoicing, and payments.
Project milestone-based automated invoicing linked to 3D proposals and visualizations
Houzz Pro is a comprehensive business management platform tailored for interior designers and home professionals, featuring robust billing tools such as invoicing, time tracking, expense management, and online payments. It enables users to create detailed proposals, track project finances, and automate billing based on milestones, all integrated with CRM and scheduling functionalities. While not a standalone billing solution, its design-specific features make it highly relevant for interior design workflows.
Pros
- Integrated time and expense tracking tied directly to projects
- QuickBooks Online integration for seamless accounting
- Mobile app for on-site invoicing and payment collection
Cons
- Higher pricing may not suit solo practitioners focused only on billing
- Steeper learning curve due to extensive non-billing features
- Limited advanced reporting customization for complex billing needs
Best For
Interior design businesses seeking an all-in-one platform that combines lead generation, project management, and billing.
Pricing
Starts at $65/user/month (billed annually) for Pro, up to $349/month for Pro Premier with advanced tools.
QuickBooks Online
enterprisePowerful cloud accounting software used by interior design firms for invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting.
Progress invoicing that bills clients based on project milestones and completion percentages
QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based accounting software renowned for its invoicing, expense tracking, and payment processing features. For interior design billing, it enables progress invoicing, customizable templates for proposals and bills, and project profitability analysis to manage client payments and vendor expenses effectively. While highly capable for general financial tasks, it lacks native tools for design-specific workflows like mood boards or material takeoffs, requiring integrations or custom setups.
Pros
- Robust progress invoicing ideal for phased design projects
- Seamless expense tracking and categorization for materials and labor
- Strong integrations with project management apps like Asana or Trello
Cons
- No built-in interior design tools like client galleries or spec sheets
- Advanced features locked behind higher-tier plans
- Customization for industry workflows can be time-consuming
Best For
Small to mid-sized interior design firms needing reliable, scalable billing within a full accounting suite.
Pricing
Starts at $30/month (Simple Start) up to $200/month (Advanced), billed annually with add-ons for payments and payroll.
FreshBooks
otherUser-friendly invoicing and accounting app ideal for freelance interior designers handling client billing and time tracking.
Retainer billing for ongoing design client relationships
FreshBooks is a user-friendly cloud-based invoicing and accounting software tailored for small businesses, freelancers, and service professionals, including interior designers handling project-based billing. It offers professional invoice creation, time tracking for billable hours, expense management, and automated payment reminders, streamlining the billing process for design projects. While versatile for general billing needs, it lacks specialized tools for material inventories or design-specific workflows.
Pros
- Intuitive interface ideal for non-accountants
- Customizable, professional invoices with branding
- Time tracking and project grouping for billable design hours
- Integrated online payments and automated reminders
Cons
- No inventory or material cost tracking for furnishings
- Limited advanced reporting for multi-phase design projects
- Feature gaps in niche integrations like design software
Best For
Freelance interior designers or small studios focused on service-based billing and time tracking rather than product sales or complex inventory.
Pricing
Lite ($19/mo, 5 clients), Plus ($33/mo, 50 clients), Premium ($60/mo, unlimited clients), Select (custom enterprise pricing).
Xero
enterpriseCloud-based accounting platform providing invoicing, bank feeds, and project tracking for small interior design businesses.
Projects feature for real-time profitability tracking on individual design jobs
Xero is a cloud-based accounting software designed for small businesses, offering comprehensive invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, and project management tools that can support billing for interior design firms. It enables customizable invoices, time tracking, recurring billing, and profitability analysis via its Projects feature, making it adaptable for client billing and cost management in design projects. While versatile and scalable, it lacks specialized interior design functionalities like material catalogs or design-specific templates.
Pros
- Highly customizable invoicing with online payments and recurring options
- Projects dashboard for tracking time, expenses, and profitability per design job
- Seamless bank feeds and automatic reconciliation for efficient financial oversight
Cons
- No built-in tools for interior design specifics like material takeoffs or client visualization
- Advanced features like multi-currency or payroll require higher-tier plans
- Integrations for niche design software may need third-party apps like Zapier
Best For
Small to mid-sized interior design studios needing robust general accounting and billing without specialized design project management.
Pricing
Plans start at $20/month (Early) for basic invoicing, up to $70/month (Ultimate) for unlimited projects and advanced reporting; 30-day free trial and annual discounts available.
Jobber
otherField service management tool with scheduling, quoting, and invoicing features suitable for interior design service providers.
ClientHub self-service portal allowing clients to view, approve, and pay invoices independently
Jobber is a field service management platform with strong invoicing, payment processing, and client management tools that can support interior design billing for project-based work. It enables designers to track time, create customizable invoices, accept online payments, and manage client communications through a self-service ClientHub. While versatile for small teams, it lacks specialized features for complex design contracts, material requisitions, or progress billing common in interior design projects.
Pros
- Intuitive invoicing and online payment collection with QuickBooks integration
- Mobile app for on-site time tracking and expense logging
- ClientHub portal for streamlined client approvals and payments
Cons
- Limited customization for design-specific contracts or change orders
- No built-in tools for purchase orders or vendor management in design workflows
- Geared more toward service trades than creative project billing
Best For
Small interior design firms or solo designers needing straightforward invoicing and client management without advanced design software.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month for Lite (solo users), $169/month for Core (teams up to 7 users), billed monthly or annually with discounts; scales by users and features.
Conclusion
The top tools reviewed offer tailored solutions for interior design professionals, with Studio Designer emerging as the leading choice due to its comprehensive business management features, including advanced invoicing, time billing, and project costing. DesignFiles, a strong second, excels with its integrated CRM and project management, while Morfy impresses with visual tools and automated workflows. Each of the top three balances unique strengths to meet different operational needs.
Ready to elevate your design business? Start with Studio Designer to streamline invoicing, management, and growth, and experience the difference it makes for your workflow and client relationships.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison