Invoice vs. Receipt: What's the Difference?
Two documents that look similar but represent opposite moments in getting paid — here's how to tell which one you actually need.
By InvoiceFlow Canada Team · Updated
Quick answer
An invoice is a request for payment, sent before or at the time payment is due. A receipt is a confirmation that payment was already received, sent after the transaction is complete. If you're asking to be paid, send an invoice; if you're confirming you've already been paid, send a receipt — the two aren't interchangeable, even though they often list the same line items.
What exactly is different between an invoice and a receipt?
An invoice is sent before payment to request it, always includes a due date, and tracks money owed. A receipt is sent after payment to confirm it was received, has no due date, and serves as proof for expense reports, insurance claims, or tax records. The table below lines up every difference side by side.
| Invoice | Receipt | |
|---|---|---|
| When it's sent | Before or at the time payment is requested | After payment has already been received |
| Purpose | Requests payment for goods/services provided | Confirms a payment was received |
| Has a due date? | Yes | No — nothing is still owed |
| Used for | Getting paid, tracking accounts receivable | Proof of payment, expense reports, insurance claims, tax records |
| Typical sequence | Quote (proposed price) → Invoice (payment requested) → Receipt (payment confirmed) | |
Not sure which one you need right now?
If money hasn't changed hands yet, you need an invoice. If it has, you need a receipt. Both are free, no signup.
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