Invoicing explained
Deposit vs Retainer
A deposit is a one-time upfront payment toward a specific job, with the balance billed later. A retainer is an ongoing, usually recurring fee that reserves your time or a scope of work. A deposit kicks off a project; a retainer keeps a relationship going.
What is deposit?
A deposit is a partial payment (often 25–50%) collected before a single project starts. It reduces your risk and funds the work; the remaining balance is invoiced on completion.
What is retainer?
A retainer is a recurring fee — usually monthly — that secures your availability or a set amount of work. It gives you predictable income and the client priority access, and it's billed each period.
Deposit vs Retainer: the key differences
Here's how deposit and retainer differ at a glance:
- Frequency — deposit is one-off; retainer recurs.
- Scope — deposit is tied to one project; retainer reserves ongoing work.
- Cash flow — deposit funds a job up front; retainer is steady recurring revenue.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between deposit and retainer?
A deposit is a one-time upfront payment toward a specific job, with the balance billed later. A retainer is an ongoing, usually recurring fee that reserves your time or a scope of work. A deposit kicks off a project; a retainer keeps a relationship going.
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