What Is an Invoice Payment Gateway?
An invoice payment gateway is a system that allows clients to pay invoices online without using a physical card processor. Invoicr by MRVL uses UK open banking, a direct bank-to-bank payment method that costs you around £4 per £500 invoice instead of £12.50 with card fees.
How Payment Gateways Work
A payment gateway is the bridge between your invoice and your client's bank account. When a client receives an invoice with a payment link, they click it, authenticate their identity, and transfer money directly to you. Traditional gateways use card networks, which charge a percentage (typically 2-3%) plus a fixed fee per transaction. Invoicr instead routes payments through UK open banking, which connects directly to bank accounts with minimal fees. For a sole trader or small tradesperson, this difference compounds quickly. On 20 invoices a month at £500 each, card-based gateways cost around £250 in fees annually. Invoicr costs around £80.
Why Bank-to-Bank Beats Card Processing
Card payment gateways like Stripe or PayPal take a cut because they assume risk: chargebacks, fraud, compliance overhead. Bank-to-bank payments via UK open banking eliminate most of that risk. You're verified through your bank already. Your client authenticates through their bank already. There is no middleman taking a margin. Invoicr charges a flat fee per transaction (around 0.7% plus 20p) rather than a percentage-based commission. This is built into the Pro tier at £9.99 per month, which also includes unlimited invoices, automated payment reminders, and WhatsApp invoice delivery. Freelancers and tradespeople in the UK who send 5 or more invoices monthly see the savings immediately.
What Invoicr Offers Beyond Payment
Invoicr is not just a payment gateway. It is a full invoicing app built for UK sole traders and small businesses that generates professional invoices, tracks clients, and handles payment collection from your phone. The free tier (5 invoices per month, 3 customers) is enough to test the payment method. The Pro plan adds unlimited invoices, automated reminder emails and SMS, quote generation, and WhatsApp delivery so you can send invoices directly via the messaging app your clients already use. The Business plan (£19.99 per month) adds team seats, VAT and CIS compliance for construction workers, and accountant export for smooth handoff to your bookkeeper. All plans use the same bank-to-bank payment gateway, so you save on fees at every tier.
When to Use Bank-to-Bank vs. Cards
Bank-to-bank payment gateways work best for B2B invoicing and established clients who are comfortable with direct bank transfers. They require UK bank accounts on both sides and are ideal for plumbers, electricians, gardeners, builders, cleaners, consultants, and any UK freelancer with regular clients. Card-based gateways are still useful if you need to accept one-off payments from consumers or international clients. Invoicr focuses entirely on the bank-to-bank model because that is where small traders save the most money. If you are sending 2 invoices per month to the same 3 clients, you do not need a complex payment gateway at all. If you are sending 20 invoices per month, you need one that does not cost you 2-3% of every transaction.
Getting Started with Invoicr
Download Invoicr for iOS or Android and create your first invoice in under 2 minutes. Enter your business details, your client's name and email, the amount, and the invoice date. Invoicr generates a professional invoice and sends it via email with a secure payment link. Your client clicks the link, signs in to their bank, and transfers the money directly to you. You receive a notification when the payment clears. As of June 2026, the app handles all UK VAT compliance, automatically calculates tax, and exports data for your accountant if you upgrade to the Business plan. There are no hidden fees, no card surcharges, and no percentage cuts hidden in the fine print.
Start sending invoices with bank-to-bank payments today. Download Invoicr now.
Frequently asked questions
Is a payment gateway the same as a card processor?
No. A card processor charges a percentage of every transaction (usually 2-3%). A payment gateway is the technology that moves the money. Invoicr's payment gateway uses bank-to-bank transfers instead of cards, so there is no percentage cut.
Can I use Invoicr's payment gateway if I do not have a UK business bank account?
Yes, your clients need a UK bank account to pay you, but you personally need a UK business bank account to receive payments via the open banking gateway. Sole traders with personal UK current accounts can use it as well.
What happens if a client refuses to use bank-to-bank payment?
Invoicr does not force any single payment method. You can always send a traditional invoice via email and ask your client to pay via bank transfer manually, or you can use another payment method for that client.
Do I need to be a limited company to use Invoicr?
No. Invoicr is built specifically for UK sole traders and small tradespeople. You do not need to be registered as a limited company. Self-employed status is fine.
How much does Invoicr charge per transaction?
Invoicr charges around £4 per £500 invoice (approximately 0.7% plus 20p). This is included in your Pro or Business subscription. The free tier also supports bank-to-bank payments at the same rate.
Can I track which invoices have been paid?
Yes. Invoicr notifies you when a payment clears and marks the invoice as paid in your app. You can see your payment status at a glance.