Can clients change the amount mid-cycle?

Yes — add or remove line items on the upcoming invoice before it sends. The recurring template stays untouched for future cycles.

What happens if a card on file fails?

Glo Invoice retries automatically, notifies you, and drops the invoice into 'sent — awaiting payment' with a reminder scheduled for 3 days out.

Can I pause a retainer?

Yes. Pause skips the next cycle without deleting anything. Resume to pick up where you left off.

How is a retainer different from a subscription?

A retainer is billing for professional services on a repeating cycle. Structurally it's the same as a subscription in Glo Invoice — recurring invoices with the same customer, amount, and cadence.

Retainer invoicing that runs itself every month

Retainers are the best cash-flow instrument a service business has — until the invoice slips a week and the whole point falls apart. Automation matters here more than anywhere.

Glo Invoice's recurring invoices generate on the 1st (or whatever day you pick), send themselves, and take auto-payment on file if the client's set it up. You approve the queue in advance, or turn on full auto-send.

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How Glo Invoice does it

Recurring on your schedule

Monthly is default, but Glo Invoice supports weekly, bi-weekly, quarterly, and custom day-of-month. Retainers pause and resume without breaking history.

Cards on file, auto-charge, one-tap approve

Clients who set up a card on file get charged automatically. Others get an email or SMS with a pay link. Either way, the retainer goes out on the same day every cycle.

Hours + scope tracked to the retainer

Log hours, tasks, or deliverables against the retainer month. When the invoice sends, the client sees the summary of what they got for the money — no separate report needed.

How it works

Step 1
Set up the recurring
Pick amount, cadence, start date, and delivery method (SMS or email).
Step 2
Add scope or hours as you go
Log time or deliverables during the cycle — they appear on the invoice.
Step 3
Invoice sends itself
On the schedule you set. Auto-charge cards on file, or send a pay link.
Step 4
See it paid
Instant notification when payment clears. Retainer status stays green as long as the cycle stays current.

For anyone on monthly retainer

Agencies, consultants, contractors on maintenance retainers, IT support, legal, bookkeeping — anyone billing the same client on a repeating cycle.

Freelancers IT & MSPs Consultants Photographers Bookkeepers

Frequently asked

Related in Glo Invoice

Recurring invoices For freelancers Payment tracking Customer CRM For consultants How to set up recurring billing

Never chase a retainer again

Set up your first recurring retainer in under two minutes. 14-day free trial works for it.

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