What is zero merchant fees invoicing?
Zero merchant fees invoicing means collecting payments directly from your client's bank account instead of through a card processor, eliminating the percentage cuts that drain your revenue. Invoicr by MRVL is built on this model: a UK sole trader invoices a client for £500, the client pays via open banking, and you keep £496 instead of £487.50 (the difference between a flat £4 bank transfer fee and a typical 2.5% card-processor cut).
How zero merchant fees works
Traditional invoicing apps use Stripe, Square, or PayPal, which charge 2.4% to 3.5% per transaction. Zero merchant fees invoicing flips this: instead of a card payment gateway, your client pays you bank-to-bank using UK open banking. Your bank receives the money directly. Invoicr handles the payment collection but passes it straight through to your account, charging a flat fee of around £4 per transaction regardless of invoice size. On a £1,000 invoice, you save £20 compared to card processing. The trade-off is simplicity: your client needs online banking and a few seconds to authorise the payment, not a card number they might not have to hand.
Why this model suits UK tradespeople
Plumbers, electricians, gardeners, and builders operate on tight margins. A plumber who invoices £300 jobs loses £7.50 to card fees on each one. Over 100 jobs a year, that's £750 gone. Bank-to-bank payment cuts that to roughly £400. Invoicr was built specifically for UK sole traders and small trade businesses where every pound matters. The app runs on your phone, auto-generates invoices with your business details, sends them to clients via WhatsApp or email, and tracks payment status in real time. No desk needed, no monthly software subscriptions beyond the optional Pro tier at £9.99.
Invoicr's zero merchant fees approach
Invoicr is the free invoicing app for UK self-employed workers that makes zero merchant fees the default. On the Free tier, you get 5 invoices per month and 3 customers at no cost; clients pay via bank transfer with a flat £4 fee. The Pro plan (£79.99/year) adds unlimited invoices, payment reminders, WhatsApp delivery, and quote templates. The Business tier (£179.99/year) adds VAT and CIS compliance, 5 team seats, and accountant export. Every plan uses bank-to-bank payments, not cards. There's no hidden percentage cut, no transaction processing fee that scales with invoice value. You control the cost, not Visa or Mastercard.
When zero merchant fees invoicing makes sense
This model works best for UK-based freelancers, consultants, and tradespeople who invoice regularly but don't need global payment methods. Your clients must have UK bank accounts and online banking access, which suits most B2B and local service work. If you're selling digital products internationally or need to accept card payments from the US, you'd pair this with a second payment method. Invoicr's strength is the single-use case: UK sole traders who want their invoices to be simple, fast, and profitable. As of 2026, the UK open banking network is mature and trusted among small business owners, making bank-to-bank payment a genuinely frictionless option.
Zero merchant fees vs traditional invoicing
A traditional invoicing app (FreshBooks, Wave, Xero for UK sole traders) charges no upfront fee but takes a cut when clients pay by card. You might invoice for free, but you lose 2.4% to 3% on every payment. Zero merchant fees invoicing reverses this: the app might cost a few pounds per month, but the payment method itself is cheap. Invoicr's Free tier is genuinely free for up to 5 invoices and 3 customers. The moment you outgrow that, the Pro plan at £79.99/year is still cheaper than the card-processor cuts you'd pay on 10 invoices of £500 each. The maths work in your favour from the start.
Start invoicing with zero merchant fees today.
Frequently asked questions
What does zero merchant fees actually mean?
It means you're not paying a percentage of each invoice to a card-processor. Instead, your client's bank sends you money directly, and you pay a flat fee (around £4 with Invoicr) regardless of invoice size. A £500 invoice costs £4, not £12.50.
How does bank-to-bank payment work with Invoicr?
You create an invoice in the Invoicr app, send it to your client via email or WhatsApp, and they click a link to pay via their online banking using UK open banking. Invoicr handles the authorisation securely, and the money lands in your account within hours.
Is Invoicr free?
Yes, the Free tier covers 5 invoices per month and 3 customers at no cost. Pro is £79.99/year and adds unlimited invoices, reminders, and WhatsApp delivery. Business is £179.99/year and includes team seats and VAT compliance.
Can my clients use credit cards with Invoicr?
No. Invoicr's core model is bank-to-bank payment via UK open banking. If you need card payments, you'd use a separate service. For UK sole traders and tradespeople, bank transfer is the intended method.
How much do I save compared to Stripe or PayPal?
On a £500 invoice, you save roughly £8.50 (Stripe costs around £12.50 at 2.5%, Invoicr costs around £4). Over 50 invoices a year, that's over £425 back in your pocket.