Akaunting vs Wave: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Akaunting and Wave side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Wave leads on higher user rating and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Akaunting
Free, open-source accounting software for small businesses and freelancers.
Wave
Free accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning for small businesses
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
| At a Glance | Akaunting | Wave |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $12/mo, billed monthly STANDARD CLOUD plan | Free plan, paid from $19/mo flat, billed monthly Pro plan |
Category | Accounting Invoicing | Invoicing Accounting |
Rating | 2.9/5 Capterra 3.8 · G2 1.8 40 reviews | 4.3/5 Capterra 4.4 · G2 4.3 · SourceForge 3.2 2,059 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Akaunting or Wave?
Choose Akaunting if
- You need accounting features specifically.
Choose Wave if
- You want a free tier before you commit
In-Depth Analysis
Akaunting
Free, open-source accounting software for small businesses and freelancers.
Akaunting's cloud pricing is quite expensive compared to many accounting software solutions, especially for small businesses.
Strengths
- Pro: Free and open-source option available for self-hosting
- Pro: Accessible online from any device
- Pro: Comprehensive features for small business accounting
- Pro: Supports multiple languages and currencies
- Pro: Client portal enhances customer interaction
Weaknesses
- Con: Advanced features like double-entry and payroll are only available in higher-tier paid plans
- Con: The free version is self-hosted, requiring technical knowledge for setup
- Con: Limited number of included apps in lower-tier cloud plans
Key features
Wave
Free accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning for small businesses
Wave's Starter tier is incredibly generous, offering unlimited invoicing and bookkeeping for free, which is rare in the market.
Strengths
- Pro: Core features free
- Pro: Easy to use
- Pro: Good for startups
Weaknesses
- Con: Limited features
- Con: No inventory management
Key features
Plans and prices: Akaunting vs Wave
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Akaunting |
| akaunting.com/pricing read Oct 28, 2026 |
| Wave |
| waveapps.com/pricing read Nov 1, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Akaunting pricing and Wave pricing.
Key Takeaways
Akaunting
- Worth considering for accounting
Wave
- Higher user rating: 4.3/5 vs 2.9/5
- Has a free plan
What the data shows
On the data below, Wave leads on higher user rating and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Wave has the higher user rating (2.9/5 from 40 reviews for Akaunting, 4.3/5 from 2,059 reviews for Wave).
- Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Akaunting $12/mo, billed monthly; Wave $19/mo flat, billed monthly.
- Only Wave has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Akaunting and Wave compare in 2026?
On the data below, Wave leads on higher user rating and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Wave has the higher user rating (2.9/5 from 40 reviews for Akaunting, 4.3/5 from 2,059 reviews for Wave). Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Akaunting $12/mo, billed monthly; Wave $19/mo flat, billed monthly. Only Wave has a free plan.
What are Akaunting and Wave used for?
Akaunting: Free, open-source accounting software for small businesses and freelancers. Wave: Free accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning for small businesses.
What does Akaunting cost vs Wave?
Akaunting's cheapest paid plan is STANDARD CLOUD at $12/mo, billed monthly. Wave's cheapest paid plan is Pro at $19/mo flat, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between Akaunting and Wave?
Akaunting's main strength: free and open-source option available for self-hosting. Wave's main strength: core features free.
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