Invoicing glossary
Retainer
A retainer is an ongoing fee a client pays — usually monthly — to reserve a set amount of work or availability.
Retainer: a clear definition
Retainers give freelancers and agencies predictable, recurring income. You invoice the same amount each period, often in advance, and either deliver a fixed scope or a block of hours. Referencing the period (e.g. “June retainer”) keeps things clear.
How Invco helps
Invco is an AI invoicing assistant that handles retainer and the rest of your billing for you. Design a custom invoice template, then let Claude create and send invoices on it in plain English — with subtotals, tax, and totals calculated automatically and every invoice tracked from sent to paid. Start free with one company.
- Related terms: Recurring invoice, Deposit
Frequently asked questions
What is retainer?
A retainer is an ongoing fee a client pays — usually monthly — to reserve a set amount of work or availability.
What is recurring invoice?
A recurring invoice is an invoice sent automatically on a repeating schedule for ongoing or subscription work.
Invoice the easy way with Invco
Let an AI assistant create and send your invoices on a template that looks like your brand. Start free with one company — no credit card required.
Get started — it's free