CollBox and ti3 both run recovery on overdue invoices but they’re built for different audiences. CollBox positions itself for law firms and accounting firms with per-firm pricing tied to client count ($599-$1,399/mo). ti3 is a cross-vertical SMB tool at $49-$499/mo. If you’re a law firm or accounting firm, evaluate both. Everyone else, ti3 is the closer fit.
Side-by-side comparison
| ti3 | CollBox | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $49/mo self-serve, $499/mo managed | $250/mo entry, $599-$1,399/mo for law/accounting firms based on client count |
| Target customer | Owner-operators across verticals (1-50 employees) | Small/mid accounting + law firms |
| Pricing model | Per-account program, predictable | Flat monthly based on number of clients invoiced |
| Recovery model | First-party 5-week structured sequence | Outreach + reminders on past-due invoices |
| You keep 100% of recovery | Yes | Yes (no contingency fee on amounts collected) |
| Vertical fit | MSPs, contractors, agencies, consulting, service businesses | Law firms, accounting firms, professional services |
| Per-account analysis | Yes (free at /analysis/) | Not a standard feature |
| Reminder channels | Email + SMS + formal letter (Final Demand) | Email outreach by CollBox staff |
| Data in (accounting / invoicing) | QuickBooks, Stripe, Excel, CSV | QuickBooks + other accounting (managed onboarding) |
| Payment gateways supported | PayPal, Stripe, Nuvei, Authorize.net, FiServ, CashApp, Venmo, Zelle | Routed via the firm’s existing billing |
| Free trial | No (card required) | Demo available |
| Best for | Cross-vertical SMB recovery | Law firm + accounting firm AR specifically |
Sources: CollBox pricing, G2 CollBox reviews, Lawyerist CollBox review.
Where CollBox wins
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Vertical specialization in law and accounting. CollBox is built around how law firms and accounting firms invoice (per-matter billing, retainer balances, trust accounting). If that’s your business, their workflows fit more naturally than ti3’s general SMB orientation.
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Per-client pricing makes sense for high-volume small firms. A 200-client accounting practice at $1,099/mo with no per-recovery contingency is predictable cost on a known client base.
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You keep 100% of recovery. Same as ti3, but worth calling out: CollBox charges a flat monthly fee, not a percentage of what’s collected. That’s a meaningful difference from traditional collection agencies.
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They handle the work directly. CollBox runs the outreach on the firm’s behalf. If you don’t want to manage the recovery process yourself, that’s a real benefit.
Where ti3 wins
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Cross-vertical fit. ti3 isn’t built for one industry. It works for MSPs, contractors, marketing agencies, consulting practices, residential service businesses, and SaaS companies. If you’re not a law firm or accounting firm, ti3 is the broader-fit tool.
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Lower entry price. Self-serve at $49/mo. Even ti3 managed at $499/mo is below CollBox’s law-firm tiers. If you’re a small business with <100 clients you invoice, ti3 is significantly cheaper.
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Per-account analysis before you commit. Free at /analysis/. You can analyze specific overdue accounts before signing up for any program. Useful triage even if you ultimately use CollBox.
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Structured 5-week recovery sequence. ti3’s sequence is explicit (week 1 reminder, week 2 forced-choice, week 3 settlement offer, week 4 Final Demand, week 5 escalation decision). CollBox is less prescriptive about the cadence; they handle outreach but the structure is more flexible.
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You stay in the driver’s seat on customer-relationship calls. ti3 doesn’t take over the customer relationship; it runs a sequence with you in control. Some owners prefer this; some prefer CollBox’s hands-off model.
Buyer-specific verdict
If you’re a law firm or accounting firm with 50+ active clients: Evaluate CollBox. Their vertical specialization is real and the per-client pricing model fits your billing structure.
If you’re any other SMB (MSP, contractor, agency, SaaS, service business): ti3. CollBox isn’t priced for you and their workflow isn’t built around your billing.
If you’re a small accounting firm (under 50 clients): Honest tie. CollBox’s $599/mo first tier is comparable to ti3 managed at $499/mo. Try both; pick whichever feels more natural to your workflow.
If you’re an MSP: ti3. The MSP collections guide is built around your specific problem (retainer non-payment without service suspension); CollBox is generic.
Frequently asked questions
Is CollBox a collection agency?
CollBox positions itself as a “human-assisted” recovery service, distinct from a traditional collection agency. They don’t take contingency fees, communications go in your name, and they don’t hold funds. Functionally closer to ti3’s first-party model than to a debt collector.
Why is CollBox more expensive than ti3 for small firms?
CollBox runs the outreach work themselves (it’s a service component). ti3 is software you run with strong defaults. The price difference reflects the labor difference. Pick the model that matches your preference.
Does ti3 work for law firms?
Yes, but CollBox is more specialized. If you’re a law firm comparing the two, ask both for a workflow walkthrough specific to per-matter billing. The fit will tell you which one to pick.
Does CollBox work for MSPs?
It can, but MSP retainer non-payment has specific dynamics (anti-suspension positioning, recurring vs one-off invoices, client lifetime value math) that ti3’s MSP positioning addresses more directly.
Which is more cost-effective per recovered account?
Depends entirely on your client count + recovery volume. For a 10-client business with 2 overdue accounts, ti3 self-serve is dramatically cheaper. For a 300-client accounting firm with 30+ active recoveries at any time, CollBox’s flat fee may be more cost-effective per account.
Where to go next
If you’re not a law or accounting firm: run your overdue accounts through ti3’s free analysis. Free output, no card required.
If you are a law or accounting firm: get a demo from both. CollBox’s vertical specialization is genuine; ti3’s lower price and per-account analysis are also genuine. The right answer depends on your client volume and how you bill.
The small business AR recovery complete guide covers the recovery curve both tools sit on.