Relay invoices are branded, itemized billing documents you can export as PDFs; Quick Requests are lightweight payment asks with a total amount, due date, and memo. Both live under the Invoices tab in your Relay dashboard, and both track payments in real time.
When should I use an invoice vs. a Quick Request?
Use an invoice when you need formal documentation with line items, taxes, discounts, or your business branding on the bill. Use a Quick Request when the payment amount is already agreed and you just need a fast way to collect it.
You can also send an invoice as a Quick Request when you want both at once: itemized detail for the customer, and a one-click payment link.
What is a Relay invoice?
A Relay invoice is an itemized billing document you send to a customer to request payment for goods or services. Each invoice supports:
Line items with quantities, prices, taxes, and discounts
Your business name, logo, and contact details
Up to five attached supporting documents (contracts, receipts, and work orders)
An optional payment link so the customer can pay directly from the invoice
PDF export for offline delivery or your own records
Invoices are the right choice when you need a paper trail, when the customer expects itemized detail, or when your accountant wants a formal document to match against the payment.
What is a Quick Request?
A Quick Request is a fast payment collection method that only needs a total amount, due date, and memo. Each Quick Request supports:
Your choice of accepted payment methods (card, ACH, wire, or pay by bank)
Up to five attached supporting documents
Delivery by email or a secure payment link
Standalone use, without building a full invoice
Quick Requests are the right choice when the total is already agreed with the customer, when a full invoice would slow things down, or when you want to accept card payment on a one-off request.
How Relay invoices and Quick Requests work together
The two tools connect fully inside the Invoices tab, so you can mix and match how you send the bill and how you collect the payment. From a single invoice you can:
Send the invoice as a Quick Request with a live payment link attached
Export the invoice as a PDF and deliver it outside Relay, with no payment request
Send a Quick Request on its own, with no invoice behind it
Choose the combination based on how much documentation the customer needs and how you want to be paid.
What are the fees for invoices and Quick Requests?
Fees depend on the payment method the customer chooses and your Relay subscription plan. The rate is the same whether the payment came through an invoice or a standalone Quick Request.
Payment method | Starter Plan | Grow Plan | Scale Plan |
Credit or debit card | 2.9% + $0.30 | 2.9% + $0.30 (surcharge available up to 2.9%) | 2.9% + $0.30 (surcharge available up to 2.9%) |
Pay by bank (ACH debit) | 1.00% | 0.75% | 0.50% |
ACH transfer (received) | Included | Included | Included |
Incoming wire | $5 per wire | $5 per wire | $5 per wire |
Grow Plan and Scale Plan customers can offset card processing fees by adding a surcharge that the payer sees at checkout. Restrictions apply, so review How to add a credit card surcharge to Relay invoices before turning it on.
Pay-by-bank payment amounts are capped by your Relay account's ACH Add Funds limits.
How long does payment take to arrive?
Settlement time depends on the payment method the customer used:
Card payments and pay by bank: 2–3 business days
ACH transfers and wires: 1–2 business days
These are typical windows. Actual arrival can vary based on the sender's bank and the time of day the payment was submitted.
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