Lili 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 Lili and Wave side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Lili leads on lower entry price. 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:
Lili
Online banking and financial management designed for small businesses and freelancers.
Wave
Free accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning for small businesses
| At a Glance | Lili | Wave |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $15/mo flat, billed monthly Lili Pro plan | Free plan, paid from $19/mo flat, billed monthly Pro plan |
Category | Accounting Finance | Invoicing Accounting |
Rating | n/a | 4.3/5 Capterra 4.4 · G2 4.3 · SourceForge 3.2 2,059 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Lili or Wave?
Choose Lili if
- Budget matters ($15/mo flat, billed monthly vs $19/mo flat, billed monthly)
Choose Wave if
- You need invoicing features specifically.
In-Depth Analysis
Lili
Online banking and financial management designed for small businesses and freelancers.
Lili offers a generous free tier, 'Lili Core', providing essential banking features, which is excellent for new freelancers or very small businesses.
Strengths
- Pro: No monthly fees for the Core bank account
- Pro: No minimum balance requirements
- Pro: High APY on savings account
- Pro: Comprehensive financial tools (banking, bookkeeping, invoicing, taxes) in one place
- Pro: Strong security features and FDIC insurance
Weaknesses
- Con: Business credit and expedited check deposits may have specific eligibility or fees not fully disclosed on the main page
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: Lili vs Wave
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Lili |
| lili.co/plans read Nov 7, 2026 |
| Wave |
| waveapps.com/pricing read Nov 8, 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 Lili pricing and Wave pricing.
Key Takeaways
Lili
- Lower entry price: $15/mo flat, billed monthly vs $19/mo flat, billed monthly
Wave
- Worth considering for invoicing
What the data shows
On the data below, Lili leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Only Wave has a published user rating (4.3/5 from 2,059 reviews); Lili has none we can show.
- Lili has the lower entry price: $15/mo flat, billed monthly (Lili Pro) against $19/mo flat, billed monthly (Pro) for Wave.
- Both have 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 Lili and Wave compare in 2026?
On the data below, Lili leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Only Wave has a published user rating (4.3/5 from 2,059 reviews); Lili has none we can show. Lili has the lower entry price: $15/mo flat, billed monthly (Lili Pro) against $19/mo flat, billed monthly (Pro) for Wave. Both have a free plan.
What are Lili and Wave used for?
Lili: Online banking and financial management designed for small businesses and freelancers. Wave: Free accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning for small businesses.
What does Lili cost vs Wave?
Lili's cheapest paid plan is Lili Pro at $15/mo flat, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. 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 8, 2026.
What's the main difference between Lili and Wave?
Lili's main strength: no monthly fees for the Core bank account. Wave's main strength: core features free.
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