Side by side
InvoiceShelf vs Lago
Both stand on invoicing software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Open source AndroidAPISelf-hosted+1
InvoiceShelf combines invoicing, expense tracking, payment records, customer access, and reports in a free self-hosted package. Its hosting requirements and setup are worth considering before choosing it.
Visit InvoiceShelf
Free plan Open source APISelf-hostedWeb
Lago covers multiple billing models and gives developers several connection options, including separate metering for AI token categories. The free plan is self-hosted; Premium pricing and some feature limits require closer review.
Visit LagoThe facts
| InvoiceShelf | Lago | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Runs on | Android, API, Self-hosted, Web | API, Self-hosted, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 2 | 4 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | invoiceshelf.com | getlago.com |
| On invoicing software | #1 of 84 | #2 of 84 |
InvoiceShelf: what it does well
- Free forever, open source under AGPL-3.0
- Unlimited invoices and customers
- Recurring invoices and payment reminders
- Customers can view documents in a private portal
- Backups can include files, database, or both
What to know first
- Requires self-hosting and server setup
- Requires PHP 8.3 or 8.4
- Webhooks are marked as coming soon
Lago: what it does well
- Supports usage, subscription, prepaid, and hybrid billing
- Meters AI input, output, and cached tokens separately
- Offers REST API, SDKs, and signed webhooks
- Open-source self-hosted plan is free
- Cloud or self-hosted Premium deployment
What to know first
- Premium pricing is provided after contacting Lago
- Some features are add-ons or subject to caps
- 24x7 incident management is an on-demand add-on
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