Net 14 vs Net 30 (and beyond): The Payment-Term Comparison
What every common invoice payment term actually means, how it affects your cash flow, and an interactive comparator to see when each invoice gets paid — plus an analyzer for early-payment discounts like 2/10 Net 30.
Last reviewed: July 2026
Compare two payment terms
See exactly when each invoice is due and what the wait costs you in tied-up cash.
Net 14
Sat, Jul 18, 2026
14 days after invoice
Net 30
Mon, Aug 3, 2026
30 days after invoice
Net 14 gets you paid 16 days sooner. On 2,000 at 8% cost of capital, that faster cash is worth about 7 per invoice.
Early-payment discount analyzer
Terms like 2/10 Net 30 look small, but the annualized cost of the discount is often surprisingly high. Enter the terms to see the true rate.
37.2%
effective annualized cost of offering 2/10 Net 30. Paying 10 days early to save 2% is like earning this return — high rates favour the payer taking the discount.
Payment terms compared
The most common "Net" terms, what they suit, and their cash-flow impact.
| Term | Meaning | Best for | Cash flow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Due on receipt | Payment expected immediately | One-off jobs, new clients, small amounts | Fastest |
| Net 7 | Due within 7 days | Freelancers, small services, quick-turnaround work | Fastest |
| Net 14 | Due within 14 days | Freelancers and small agencies wanting faster payment than the default | Fast |
| Net 15 | Due within 15 days | Retainers, recurring services, mid-month billing | Fast |
| Net 30 | Due within 30 days | Standard B2B invoicing, established clients, larger companies | Balanced |
| Net 45 | Due within 45 days | Larger contracts, clients with formal AP cycles | Slow |
| Net 60 | Due within 60 days | Enterprise and government suppliers | Slow |
| Net 90 | Due within 90 days | Large enterprise, some retail and manufacturing supply chains | Slowest |
Other terms you'll see
EOM (End of Month)
Payment is due at the end of the month in which the invoice is issued. Sometimes combined, e.g. 'Net 15 EOM' = 15 days after month-end.
MFI (Month Following Invoice)
Payment is due on a set day of the month after the invoice date, e.g. '15 MFI' means the 15th of the next month.
2/10 Net 30
A 2% discount if paid within 10 days; otherwise the full amount is due in 30 days. An early-payment incentive — see the analyzer below for its true annualized value.
CIA (Cash in Advance)
Full payment is required before work begins or goods ship. Maximum protection for the seller.
PIA (Payment in Advance)
Similar to CIA; all or part of the payment is made up front. Deposits are a common partial form.
COD (Cash on Delivery)
Payment is collected when goods are delivered, common in physical-goods trade.
Frequently asked questions
What does Net 30 mean?
Net 30 means the full invoice amount is due within 30 calendar days of the invoice date. 'Net' refers to the full (net of any discounts) amount being payable within the stated number of days.
Is Net 14 or Net 30 better?
Net 14 improves your cash flow because you are paid roughly two weeks sooner, which matters most for freelancers and small businesses. Net 30 is the more widely accepted B2B default and may be expected by larger clients with formal accounts-payable cycles. Many businesses use Net 14 by default and only offer Net 30 to established or enterprise clients.
Do payment terms start from the invoice date or delivery date?
Unless your contract says otherwise, the clock usually starts on the invoice date. Some agreements instead run from delivery, acceptance, or receipt of the invoice, so state this explicitly on your invoice and in your contract to avoid disputes.
What does 2/10 Net 30 mean?
It offers a 2% discount if the invoice is paid within 10 days; otherwise the full amount is due in 30 days. The annualized cost of that discount is far higher than 2% — use the analyzer on this page to see the true rate.
Can I charge interest if a client pays late?
In many jurisdictions you can charge statutory or contractual interest on overdue invoices. State your late-payment terms clearly on the invoice, and check the local rules for the exact rate and any fixed recovery fees.
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