{"securityAudit":null,"logoUrl":"/logos/invoiceshelf.png","id":"invoiceshelf","slug":"invoiceshelf","name":"InvoiceShelf","summary":"Self-hosted invoices and estimates with a customer portal and recurring invoices.","type":"free_oss","hasFreePlan":false,"license":{"spdx":"AGPL-3.0","type":"copyleft","needsReview":false},"trust":{"status":"verified","reasons":[]},"pricing":{"model":"free","basePrice":0,"perSeat":null,"perLocation":null,"estHostingMonthly":null,"label":"$0 + ~$10/mo hosting (estimate)"},"setupEffort":null,"setupLevel":"tech_helper","aiMaturity":"none","worksWith":[{"id":"paypal","name":"PayPal"},{"id":"stripe","name":"Stripe"}],"problemIds":["beauty-5","child-care-2","cleaning-4","cleaning-5"],"rating":null,"securityAudits":[],"url":"https://invoiceshelf.com","aiCapabilities":"Optional free AI Assistant module (3.x alpha only) — in-app chat and writing help; bring your own OpenRouter API key.","byoAiKey":false,"priceNotes":"Free license. Hosting estimate: $5-10 small VPS","pricingSourceUrl":null,"priceCheckedAt":"2026-11-05","complianceFlags":[],"affiliate":false,"oss":{"repoUrl":"https://github.com/InvoiceShelf/InvoiceShelf","licenseSpdx":"AGPL-3.0","licenseType":"copyleft","licenseReview":"auto","copyleftNote":"AGPL-3.0: free for commercial use; if you modify it and let others use it over a network you must offer your modified source. Using it internally/for your own clients' invoices unmodified is fine.","openCoreNote":"Site says 'no seats, no subscription, no upsell'. Official add-on modules (Payments, AI Assistant, E-invoicing) are also AGPL-3.0.","stars":1886,"lastReleaseAt":"2026-10-21","latestReleaseTag":null,"backing":"InvoiceShelf community org (fork of Crater); no large company backer identified.","hostedOptions":"Self-host only: no official cloud, and not found on PikaPods, Cloudron or Elestio. Docker image available.","securityNote":"28 advisories in last 12 months (2 critical cross-tenant privilege escalation/invoice tampering, 14 high incl. OS command injection via mail settings); all patched in 2.4.4+. Use stable 2.x (3.x branch is alpha, not for production)."},"trustChecks":[{"key":"admin_verified","label":"Admin-verified listing","pass":true,"note":"Reviewed by the Catervas team: links and prices checked Nov 5, 2026","checkedAt":"2026-11-05"},{"key":"license","label":"License verified","pass":true,"note":"AGPL-3.0 is on the license allow-list","evidenceUrl":"https://github.com/InvoiceShelf/InvoiceShelf","checkedAt":"2026-11-05"},{"key":"maintenance","label":"Active maintenance","pass":true,"note":"Last release or commit 2026-10-21","evidenceUrl":"https://github.com/InvoiceShelf/InvoiceShelf","checkedAt":"2026-11-05"},{"key":"security","label":"No open critical security advisories","pass":true,"note":"No unpatched critical or high advisories found. Keep it on the latest release.","evidenceUrl":"https://github.com/InvoiceShelf/InvoiceShelf/security","checkedAt":"2026-11-05"},{"key":"privacy","label":"Privacy and data policy","pass":true,"note":"Self-hosted: your data stays on your own hosting.","checkedAt":"2026-11-05"},{"key":"backing","label":"Company or foundation backing","pass":true,"note":"InvoiceShelf community org (fork of Crater); no large company backer identified.","evidenceUrl":"https://github.com/InvoiceShelf/InvoiceShelf","checkedAt":"2026-11-05"}],"problems":[{"id":"beauty-5","industryId":"beauty","rank":5,"title":"Licensing, CE tracking, sales tax and bookkeeping","summary":"From 2026, Maryland cosmetology licensees must complete continuing education each renewal cycle. Owners also handle salon permits, sales tax and bookkeeping.","theme":"compliance","strength":1,"howItHelps":"Professional estimates and invoices, recurring invoices (e.g. weekly cleaning or monthly tuition), customer portal and online card payment links, payment and expense tracking to see who still owes money."},{"id":"child-care-2","industryId":"child-care","rank":2,"title":"Thin margins, tuition collection and subsidy shortfalls","summary":"Most providers run on margins under 1% with less than a month of cash on hand. Costs keep rising and subsidies often don't cover the true cost of care.","theme":"cash-flow","strength":1,"howItHelps":"Professional estimates and invoices, recurring invoices (e.g. weekly cleaning or monthly tuition), customer portal and online card payment links, payment and expense tracking to see who still owes money."},{"id":"cleaning-4","industryId":"cleaning","rank":4,"title":"Bidding and pricing jobs profitably as costs rise","summary":"Janitorial margins are razor thin while wages and supply costs keep rising. Clients still push for lower bids.","theme":"pricing-costs","strength":1,"howItHelps":"Professional estimates and invoices, recurring invoices (e.g. weekly cleaning or monthly tuition), customer portal and online card payment links, payment and expense tracking to see who still owes money."},{"id":"cleaning-5","industryId":"cleaning","rank":5,"title":"Cash flow and back-office overload: invoices, payroll, sales tax","summary":"Many cleaners juggle five to seven apps for payroll, accounting and invoicing. Overdue invoices are getting more common for small businesses.","theme":"cash-flow","strength":0.6,"howItHelps":"Professional estimates and invoices, recurring invoices (e.g. weekly cleaning or monthly tuition), customer portal and online card payment links, payment and expense tracking to see who still owes money."}],"integrations":[{"id":"paypal","name":"PayPal","type":"payments","note":"Online card payments via Payments module (Stripe, PayPal, Razorpay;"},{"id":"stripe","name":"Stripe","type":"payments","note":"Online card payments via Payments module (Stripe, PayPal, Razorpay;"}],"setupGuide":null,"reviews":[]}