Wave vs Zoho Books: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Wave and Zoho Books comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Wave
Free invoicing & accounting
Best for you if:
- • Wave is free accounting software for small businesses
- • It provides invoicing, accounting, and receipt scanning at no cost
Zoho Books
Comprehensive accounting as part of the Zoho ecosystem
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • Zoho Books is cloud accounting software for small businesses
- • It provides invoicing, expenses, and bank reconciliation
| At a Glance |  Wave |  Zoho Books |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Accounting | Accounting |
Rating | 80/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Wave | Zoho Books |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 80 | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | AccountingInvoicing | AccountingInvoicing |
How Wave and Zoho Books Compare
Wave
Free invoicing & accounting
Free tier available · 80/100 score
Zoho Books
Comprehensive accounting as part of the Zoho ecosystem
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Wave
Want the highest-rated option?
Wave: 80/100. Zoho Books: 84/100.
Go with: Zoho Books
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Zoho Books
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are accounting tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Zoho Books scores higher: 84/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
Zoho Books
- Higher score: 84/100 vs 80
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Wave
The Bottom Line
Zoho Books (84/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wave or Zoho Books better?
Zoho Books scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Wave and Zoho Books used for?
Wave: Free invoicing & accounting. Zoho Books: Comprehensive accounting as part of the Zoho ecosystem.
What does Wave cost vs Zoho Books?
Wave is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Zoho Books is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.