How to Create an Invoice App

Why Adalo Is the Ideal Platform for Building an Invoice App

Adalo is a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms, published to the Apple App Store and Google Play. This cross-platform capability is essential for invoice apps, where you need to create and send invoices from your laptop while clients review and approve payments on their smartphones.

Publishing your invoice app to the app stores gives your business a professional edge and ensures clients can access their billing information anytime. With push notifications, you can alert clients when new invoices arrive or payment deadlines approach—improving cash flow without the awkward follow-up emails. Whether you're a freelancer managing a handful of clients or a growing agency with complex billing needs, Adalo provides the database tools and automation features to handle it all.

What if you could build a professional invoice app for your business in under a week—without hiring a developer or writing a single line of code? For freelancers and business owners tired of juggling spreadsheets or paying hefty subscription fees for invoicing software, creating your own custom solution might sound impossible. Traditional app development can cost upwards of $40,000 and take months to complete, especially when you need to support web, iOS, and Android platforms.

That's where no-code development changes everything. Adalo is an AI-powered app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—published to the App Store and Google Play—from a single editor. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you can design screens, manage client databases, automate invoice calculations, and handle user authentication all in one place.

In this guide, you'll learn how to create a fully functional invoice app from scratch. We'll walk through setting up your database structure, designing essential screens like dashboards and invoice details, automating calculations for taxes and totals, implementing secure user management, and integrating email functionality to send invoices automatically. By the end, you'll have a professional invoicing tool deployed across multiple platforms—for a fraction of the traditional cost and time.

Why Adalo Is Perfect for Building Your Own Invoice App

Adalo's AI-assisted platform creates native iOS and Android apps alongside web apps—one version across all three platforms, published to the Apple App Store and Google Play. This makes it the ideal solution for creating a custom invoice app that your clients can access from any device, whether they're reviewing invoices on their desktop or approving payments from their phone.

Having your invoice app available in the App Store and Google Play means your clients get a seamless, professional experience with push notifications for new invoices and payment reminders. Meanwhile, you maintain complete control over your invoicing workflow without ongoing subscription fees eating into your profits. Let's walk through exactly how to build your invoice app from the ground up.

Setting Up Your Adalo Account

Creating Your Account

Head over to adalo.com and click on either "Sign Up" or "Get Started for Free." You can register using your email, Google account, or Apple ID. Once you've signed up, check your inbox to verify your email address—this step unlocks access to the Adalo builder.

If you're just starting with no-code development, the free plan is a great place to begin. It offers unlimited apps, basic database tools, and the ability to publish shareable web apps. This is perfect for testing features like invoice generation, client management, and email notifications.

When you're ready to take the next step—like publishing your app on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store—you can upgrade to a paid plan. Paid plans start at $36/month and include unlimited database records with no usage-based charges, so you'll never face surprise bills as your client list grows. This is managed in the Billing and Usage section under your account settings.

To access billing options after you've created your account, click on your avatar in the top-right corner, select Settings, and navigate to Billing and Usage. Free plan users will see upgrade prompts here instead of detailed billing information. Once upgraded, this section will show your invoices, options for team member add-ons, publishing apps to app stores, and payment methods.

With your account ready, you're all set to dive into the builder and start crafting your app.

Learning the Adalo Interface

The Builder Canvas is where all the action happens. On the left-hand side, you'll find the toolbar, which lets you add components, manage screens, and create databases for your app—perfect for setting up invoices and client records. As you build, make it a habit to use the Preview button to test how your app looks and functions.

Here's a breakdown of the key tools in the left toolbar:

• Add Panel (+): Use this to add components or create new screens for your app.
• Branding: Customize your app's color scheme and fonts here. Since these settings apply globally, it's smart to choose them early on.
• Screens Tab: This shows all the pages in your app and their components. The canvas can display up to 400 screens at once if needed, giving you a complete view of your app's architecture.
• Database Tab: This is where you'll set up collections to store data, like invoices or client details.
• Publish Section: Handles deployment of your app, whether it's for the web or app stores.

At the top of the screen, you'll notice some additional tools:

• App Switcher: Quickly toggle between different projects.
• Preview Button: Test your app live in a browser to see how it works in real time.
• Account Menu: Access help resources and account settings here.

One tip: Avoid working on multiple browser tabs while editing your app. This can cause issues with saving changes, so it's better to stick to one tab at a time.

With these tools and tips, you're ready to explore the interface and bring your app ideas to life!

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Step 1: Building Your Database for Invoices and Clients

Creating a solid database is the backbone of your invoice app. In Adalo, this is done using Collections (essentially tables) and Properties (the fields within those tables), though you can also use Airtable as a database for more complex data management. For your app, you'll need two main collections: one for invoices and another for clients.

With the Adalo 3.0 infrastructure overhaul, the platform now runs 3-4x faster than before, and paid plans include no data caps—meaning your invoice database can grow without restrictions as your business scales.

Setting Up the Invoice Database

Start by opening the Database tab on the left sidebar. Click "+ Add Collection" and name it "Invoices." This is where all invoice details will be stored. Add the following properties:

• Invoice Number (Text or Number): This acts as a unique identifier for each invoice. Place it first, as Adalo uses the first property as the record label.
• Client: Add this as a Relationship property to link invoices to the Clients collection.
• Due Date: Use the Date property type, which formats dates as MM/DD/YYYY for US users.
• Subtotal, Taxes, and Total Amount: Set these as Number properties. This is important because Number types allow for automatic calculations, which you'll configure later.
• Status (Text): Use this field to track whether an invoice is "Paid", "Pending", or "Overdue."

For monetary fields, set the number format to display values like $1,234.56. To ensure consistency, use the ROUND function in your formulas (e.g., ROUND(formula, 2)) so amounts always display with two decimal places.

Setting Up the Client Database

Next, create a collection called "Clients" to store customer details. Add these properties:

• Full Name (Text)
• Email (Text)
• Address (Text)
• Phone Number (Text): Store numbers in the standard US format, such as +1 XXX-XXX-XXXX.

Now, link the two collections by setting up a one-to-many relationship. In the Invoices collection, set the Client property to connect each invoice to a single client. This allows one client to have multiple invoices, while each invoice is tied to only one client. Adalo will automatically create a reciprocal property in the Clients collection—rename it to "Invoices" for better clarity.

This bidirectional relationship makes your database more dynamic. For instance, you'll be able to view all invoices linked to a specific client or see which client an invoice belongs to. With the right data relationship setups, Adalo apps can scale beyond 1 million monthly active users—so your invoice app can grow alongside your business without hitting infrastructure walls.

Once your database is ready, you can move on to designing app screens for a smooth user experience. When building your interface, be sure to include the three must-have screen types essential for any functional app.

Step 2: Designing Your App Screens

With your database set up, it's time to focus on creating an interface that's both functional and visually appealing. This step transforms your app into a practical tool for managing invoices and clients. Thanks to the drag-and-drop builder, you can design screens without needing to write a single line of code.

Building the Main Screens

Start by designing the key screens for your app. These include:

• A Dashboard to display important metrics at a glance.
• Client and Invoice Lists for browsing through records.
• An Invoice Detail screen for viewing specific invoice information.

Use Custom Lists to organize invoices by status, such as Paid, Pending, and Overdue. On your dashboard, include Summary Cards to highlight critical totals, like "Outstanding Balance: $12,450.75" or "Overdue Invoices: 3." Add a prominent "Create New Invoice" button to make adding invoices quick and straightforward.

Incorporate Forms to simplify data entry. Use number fields for inputting currency amounts, date pickers (formatted as MM/DD/YYYY) for due dates, and dropdown menus for selecting clients. These tools ensure accurate and efficient data collection. You can customize any element directly on the canvas, and with Magic Text, you can dynamically display data from your database—like client names or invoice totals—automatically.

Once your core screens are in place, focus on ensuring your design works seamlessly across different devices.

Making Your App Work on All Platforms

To make your app functional across web browsers, iOS, and Android devices, enable responsive design in the App Settings. Begin with a mobile-first approach and then adjust for larger screens. Use stacked containers and percentage-based widths to allow elements to adapt fluidly—for instance, setting invoice list items to take up 100% width on mobile and 50% on desktop.

Ensure buttons are easy to tap on smaller screens by making them at least 44x44 pixels. Test your design using the Preview App feature to see how it behaves on different devices. For real-world testing, use the "Share Your App" feature to generate a QR code and test it on actual hardware. Avoid fixed-width layouts, as they can lead to horizontal scrolling on smaller screens, which can frustrate users.

One of Adalo's key advantages is that one build publishes to web, iOS App Store, and Android Play Store. When you update your invoice app, all three versions update simultaneously—unlike platforms that use web wrappers for mobile, which often require separate maintenance for each deployment target.

Step 3: Adding Invoice Creation and Automatic Calculations

Set up invoice creation and automatic calculations to reduce manual errors and ensure invoices follow US-standard formatting.

Setting Up Invoice Creation Logic

Start by configuring the "Create New Invoice" button on your app's dashboard. Using the logic editor, assign a Create action to this button, which will generate a new record in your Invoices collection. Make sure your database includes two collections: Invoices and Line Items, connected through a one-to-many relationship. This setup allows a single invoice to contain multiple products or services.

Each line item should have Number properties to track quantities and prices. When users fill out your form with item details, the system first creates the Invoice record, then links the appropriate Line Items using the relationship property. To calculate totals for each line item, use Custom Formulas to multiply quantity by price, similar to how you would build a calculator app. For instance, if someone logs 15 hours at $85.00 per hour, the formula (Quantity) * (Price) will compute $1,275.00.

Next, calculate the subtotal by adding up all related line items. Apply an 8% tax by using the formula ROUND((Subtotal) * 1.08, 2). Once the logic is in place, focus on displaying these calculated amounts clearly.

Formatting Currency and Numbers

To ensure amounts are displayed correctly in US currency format, update the visual presentation. Format all values as $1,234.56. In the formula editor, wrap your calculations with ROUND(formula, 2) to avoid awkward decimals. Then, add the "$" prefix in your text component settings for proper currency display.

Enable automatic formatting for large numbers by inserting commas for thousands, so $15,000.00 is shown instead of $15000.00. This consistent formatting ensures your app looks professional and is ready to function seamlessly across different platforms.

Step 4: Managing Clients and Tracking Payments

Effectively managing clients and keeping track of payments is crucial for maintaining secure data and staying on top of invoices.

Setting Up User Login

Adalo simplifies user management with its built-in Users collection, which handles email/password registration, login, and password recovery automatically. To get started, create two screens: a Sign Up screen and a Login screen. Add form components to each screen and link the email and password fields to the properties in the Users collection. The platform securely stores user credentials and creates a session as soon as someone registers.

To ensure data privacy, enable the "Logged-in Users Only" option for your Invoices collection. This setting restricts data access to authorized users. Next, establish a relationship between the Users collection and the Invoices collection using a one-to-many structure—allowing each user to manage multiple invoices. On your invoice dashboard, use Filtered Lists to show only records where the "User" matches the "Logged In User." This way, clients can view only their own invoices, keeping their data private.

"User authentication is the difference between an app and a website." - Adalo

With secure user sessions in place, you can confidently manage and monitor invoice data.

Tracking Invoice Payment Status

In your Invoices collection, add a Status property with options such as "Pending", "Paid", or "Overdue." Use color coding to make statuses visually distinct: green for "Paid", red for "Overdue", and gray for "Pending."

To simplify tracking, duplicate your invoice list and apply filters to display only "Overdue" or "Paid" invoices. If you're using Stripe for payment processing, you can set up a Custom Action to automatically update the Status to "Paid" when a transaction is successfully completed. This automation ensures that payment statuses are updated instantly and accurately.

Step 5: Sending Invoices by Email and Publishing Your App

Once your invoice app is up and running, the next steps are delivering invoices to your clients and making your app available to users.

Setting Up Email Notifications

Adalo offers Custom Actions to trigger external events, including sending emails. One of the most efficient ways to automate invoice delivery is by integrating Zapier. You can set up a workflow where a new invoice record automatically prompts an email. This email can include key details like the Invoice ID, Client Email, Subject, and Body text. To take it a step further, use a PDF generation service through Zapier to attach the invoice as a PDF.

Make sure to configure the automation with all necessary fields to ensure a polished and professional delivery. Before going live, switch your third-party integration keys from test mode to production mode. Test the entire process with sample invoices to make sure emails are sent correctly, complete with proper formatting and attachments.

"Adalo's app builder allows you to update your app without disrupting your users' experience." - Adalo

Once email notifications are set up to handle invoice delivery, you're almost ready to launch your app.

Publishing to Web and App Stores

After automating invoice dispatch, the final step is preparing your app for public release. With your databases, user interfaces, and workflows in place, it's time to wrap up the process and publish your app.

Adalo's single-build system makes it easy to publish your app as a Progressive Web App (PWA) and as native apps for iOS and Android. Start by previewing your app in a staging environment, then configure your custom domain (available with paid plans starting at $36/month). To publish on app stores, you'll need the appropriate developer memberships.

Design a standout app icon and take high-quality screenshots of your app's key features, such as the invoice dashboard. Optimize the meta description with well-researched keywords to improve visibility on app stores. Keep in mind that Apple App Store reviews usually take 24 to 48 hours, while Google Play Store reviews might take a few days. Don't forget to include visible links to your Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, as both app stores require these documents.

The platform allows you to deploy your app as both a PWA and native apps for iOS and Android, all without the need for separate builds. When you push an update, all three versions update simultaneously—a significant advantage over platforms that use web wrappers, which often require managing separate codebases for each platform.

How Adalo Compares to Other App Builders for Invoicing

When building an invoice app, choosing the right platform matters. Here's how Adalo stacks up against common alternatives:

Feature	Adalo	Bubble	Glide
Starting Price	$36/month	$59/month	$60/month
Database Records	Unlimited on paid plans	Limited by Workload Units	Limited, extra charges apply
Native iOS/Android	Yes, true native compilation	Web wrapper only	No app store publishing
Usage-Based Charges	None	Yes (Workload Units)	Yes (data row limits)
Single Codebase	Yes—web, iOS, Android	Separate mobile wrapper	Web only

Bubble offers more customization options, but that flexibility often results in slower applications that can struggle under increased load. Many Bubble users end up hiring experts to optimize performance, adding significant costs. Bubble's mobile solution is a wrapper for the web app, which can introduce challenges at scale and means updates don't automatically sync across all platforms.

Glide is fast for spreadsheet-based apps but creates generic, template-restricted applications with limited creative freedom. It doesn't support App Store or Play Store publishing—a significant limitation if you want clients to download your invoice app directly to their phones.

For an invoice app that needs to scale with your business, handle unlimited clients without surprise charges, and provide a native mobile experience, Adalo's combination of no data caps, no usage fees, and true native compilation offers the most predictable path forward.

Conclusion

You've just explored the entire journey of creating an invoice app with Adalo—from structuring your database and designing intuitive screens to automating calculations, managing client information, and sending invoices via email. Every piece comes together to form a fully functional invoicing app that integrates backend, frontend, and actions seamlessly.

The platform's track record speaks for itself. With over 3 million custom apps built, more than 20 million data requests processed daily, and an impressive average uptime of over 99%, you're stepping into a platform that's been tested and trusted. The visual builder has been described as "easy as PowerPoint," making it accessible even if you've never built an app before.

Make sure to preview your app frequently to catch any issues early. Start by publishing it on the web to gather user feedback before rolling it out to app stores. No-code platforms can dramatically shorten development timelines, cutting them down from months to just weeks or even days.

Once your app is live, keep an eye on user behavior and leverage analytics to make iterative improvements. Whether you're a freelancer looking to streamline your billing or a business owner aiming to provide a polished invoicing system for your clients, this guide gives you the tools to bring your vision to life.

The ability to deploy your app as both a PWA and native app for iOS and Android from a single build ensures a streamlined and efficient process. This unified approach underscores the reliability and professionalism of your new invoicing solution.

FAQ

Why choose Adalo over other app building solutions?

Adalo is an AI-powered app builder that creates true native iOS and Android apps. Unlike web wrappers, it compiles to native code and publishes directly to both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store from a single codebase—the hardest part of launching an app handled automatically. Paid plans include unlimited database records with no usage-based charges, so your costs stay predictable as your business grows.

What's the fastest way to build and publish an app to the App Store?

Adalo's drag-and-drop interface and AI-assisted building let you go from idea to published app in days rather than months. The platform handles the complex App Store submission process, so you can focus on your app's features and user experience instead of wrestling with certificates, provisioning profiles, and store guidelines.

Can I easily build my own invoice app without coding experience?

Yes, with Adalo's visual app builder, you can easily build a professional invoice app without any coding experience. Using the drag-and-drop interface, you can design screens, set up databases for clients and invoices, automate calculations for taxes and totals, and even integrate email functionality to send invoices automatically.

Which is more affordable, Adalo or Bubble?

Adalo starts at $36/month with unlimited database records and no usage-based charges. Bubble starts at $59/month but includes Workload Units that can result in additional charges as your app scales. For predictable costs, Adalo offers better value.

Which is better for mobile apps, Adalo or Glide?

Adalo creates true native iOS and Android apps that can be published to the App Store and Play Store. Glide does not support app store publishing—it's limited to web apps only. If you need clients to download your invoice app to their phones, Adalo is the clear choice.

How do I set up automatic tax calculations and currency formatting in my invoice app?

In Adalo, you can use Custom Formulas to multiply quantities by prices for line items, then apply tax calculations using formulas like ROUND((Subtotal) * 1.08, 2) for an 8% tax rate. For proper US currency formatting, configure your number fields to display values as $1,234.56 with comma separators for thousands and the dollar sign prefix.

Can I send invoices directly from my Adalo app via email?

Yes, you can automate invoice delivery by integrating Adalo with Zapier through Custom Actions. This allows you to trigger emails automatically when new invoices are created, including all relevant details like invoice ID, client information, and even PDF attachments generated through connected services.

How does Adalo handle user authentication and data privacy for my invoice app?

Adalo includes a built-in Users collection that handles email/password registration, login, and password recovery automatically. You can enable "Logged-in Users Only" settings for your Invoices collection and use filtered lists to ensure clients only see their own invoices, keeping all data private and secure.

What does it cost to build and publish an invoice app with Adalo?

You can start building for free with Adalo's free plan, which offers unlimited apps and basic database tools. When you're ready to publish to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, paid plans start at $36/month with unlimited database records—a fraction of the $40,000+ that traditional app development typically costs.

How long does it take to build an invoice app?

With Adalo's visual builder, most users can create a functional invoice app in a few days to a week. The drag-and-drop interface and pre-built components for forms, lists, and user authentication significantly speed up development compared to traditional coding approaches.