If a freelancer or independent professional you work with sent you a payment request through Ruul, you might be wondering why the invoice comes from a company called Ruul rather than from them. Short answer: that’s exactly how it’s supposed to work.
Why the invoice comes from Ruul
Many independent professionals don’t have a registered company of their own, so they bill through Ruul instead. Ruul acts as their Agent of Record - the legal counterparty for the transaction. Ruul issues the invoice in its own name, collects the payment, and then pays the freelancer.
For you, that means you receive a real, compliant commercial invoice from a registered company - with the correct VAT/GST treatment for the transaction - instead of an informal payment request.
How to pay
You’ll have received an email from Ruul with a secure payment link. From there you can pay by bank transfer or card - you don’t need to create a Ruul account.
- Bank transfer: use the account details shown on the payment page and include the reference number in the transfer description.
- Card: pay directly on the secure checkout page.
What happens after you pay
Once your payment reaches Ruul and clears standard compliance checks, Ruul releases the payout to the freelancer - usually within one business day. You receive a copy of the compliant commercial invoice by email for your records.
Is it safe?
Ruul is a global invoicing and payment platform used by more than 240,000 freelancers, with over $1.18B in transactions processed - including payments from teams at organizations like the UN, McKinsey, and Toyota. All payments are processed to international financial-compliance standards.
One sensible check: if you weren’t expecting an invoice, confirm with the person you worked with before paying. To learn more about the platform, see what Ruul is and how it works.
Frequently asked questions
Is an invoice from Ruul legitimate?
Yes. Ruul is a global invoicing and payment platform used by more than 240,000 freelancers, and it acts as the legal counterparty for services billed through it. If someone you work with told you they invoice through Ruul, the payment request you received is how that works. If you weren't expecting an invoice, check with the person you worked with before paying.
Why is the invoice from Ruul and not the freelancer I worked with?
The freelancer bills through Ruul, and Ruul acts as their Agent of Record - the legal counterparty for the transaction. That's what makes the invoice compliant even if the freelancer doesn't have a registered company.
Do I need a Ruul account to pay?
No. You can pay by bank transfer or card directly from the secure payment link - no sign-up needed.
Will I get a proper invoice for my accounting?
Yes. Once your payment clears, Ruul issues a compliant commercial invoice with the correct VAT/GST treatment and emails it to you.
When does the freelancer get their money?
Once Ruul receives your payment and it clears standard checks, Ruul releases the freelancer's payout - usually within one business day.
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