Wave

Name: Wave
Brand: Wave
Price: 19 USD
Rating: 4.3 (2059 reviews)

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Free accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning for small businesses

From $15.83/mo (free plan available)

Freemium Accounting Invoicing Finance

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4.3 (2,059 across the web)

Freemium Visit Website

Reviews on SourceForge G2 Capterra

2,059 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Updated Sep 1, 2026

Price: From $15.83/mo (free plan available). Compare plans

Key facts

Wave is accounting software for small businesses
It provides invoicing, accounting, and receipt scanning at no cost
Free for core features, paid payroll add-on

Pros

Core features free
Easy to use
Good for startups

Cons

Limited features
No inventory management

What is Wave?

Editorial review

Wave is accounting software for small businesses and freelancers. Invoicing, accounting, and receipt scanning at no cost. Banking connections categorize transactions automatically. Payroll available as paid add-on. Reports track business health. Real accounting software that's actually free.

Available on: Web, iOS, Android

Louis Corneloup Updated Sep 1, 2026 · how we evaluate Source waveapps.com ↗

Ratings Across the Web

4.3 (2,059 reviews)

Wave holds an aggregate rating of 4.3 out of 5 from 2,059 reviews across SourceForge, G2 and Capterra, last checked September 17, 2026.

SourceForge 1 reviews

3.2/5

G2 328 reviews

4.3/5

Capterra 1,730 reviews

4.4/5

What people say

“Disconnects from bank too often, updates crash account, and recently last update messed up all my accounts so badly” via SourceForge

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

Free accounting
Invoicing
Receipt scanning
Payroll
Payment processing
Financial reports

Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Oct 2, 2026

Wave plans and prices, checked October 2026
Plan	Price	Details
Starter	$0	Create unlimited estimates, invoices, bills, and bookkeeping records Option to accept online payments Invoice on-the-go with the mobile app +1 more Show less Manage cash flow and customers in one dashboard
Pro (Monthly)	$19 / month	Everything in Starter Option to accept online payments at a discounted rate Auto-import bank transactions +4 more Show less Auto-merge and categorize bank transactions Digitally capture unlimited receipts and track expenses Automate late payment reminders Add users to your account
Pro (Annual)	$190 / year	Everything in Starter Option to accept online payments at a discounted rate Auto-import bank transactions +4 more Show less Auto-merge and categorize bank transactions Digitally capture unlimited receipts and track expenses Automate late payment reminders Add users to your account
Wave Advisors (Starting)	Starting at $149/month	Includes Pro Plan features A dedicated bookkeeper to keep your books accurate and up to date Monthly financial statements prepared for you +4 more Show less Expert support to answer your bookkeeping questions, anytime Be ready for tax time with clean, organized books and reports Onboarding when switching from other accounting software, like Freshbooks Optional packages for one-on-one guidance from an accounting coach

Calculate your cost View full pricing

Is Wave worth the price?

Great value

Wave's Starter tier is incredibly generous, offering unlimited invoicing and bookkeeping for free, which is rare in the market.

This pricing is best for freelancers and small businesses looking for robust accounting without high initial investment.

Full Wave pricing: every plan, hidden costs and alternatives

How Wave's pricing compares

At $15.83/mo, billing unit not specified, Wave is mid-range of its 6 comparable direct competitors ($15 to $189/mo across the set).

Zoho Books

$15

ZipBooks

$15

Wave

$15.83

$23

$25

$38

$189

Entry paid plan, monthly. Pricing checked Oct 2, 2026.

Reviews

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4.3/5

Across 2,059 verified user reviews on Capterra, G2, SourceForge

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Best Wave Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

View full list →

Xero Paid

Cloud accounting with automated bank feeds and online invoicing

4.4

FreshBooks Paid

Accounting software for small businesses and freelancers

4.5

Sage Intacct Freemium

Cloud financial management for growing businesses and mid-market companies.

4.3

QuickBooks Paid

Small business accounting software

4.4

Zoho Books Freemium

Integrated accounting for small businesses in the Zoho ecosystem

4.4

Bench Paid

Online bookkeeping service combining software with expert accountants

4.4

ZipBooks Freemium

Simple accounting software with intelligent insights for small businesses.

4.6

Billdu Paid

Streamline invoicing and get paid faster with smart tools for small businesses.

3.9

See all accounting tools →

Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

All Wave alternatives 8+ tools ranked, pricing + verdict per pick Wave vs Xero Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins Wave vs FreshBooks Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins Wave vs Sage Intacct Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins

Explore More

Wave FAQ

How does Wave help a freelancer manage their day-to-day finances?

Wave provides free accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning tailored for freelancers and small businesses. Its banking connections automatically categorize transactions, and built-in reports track business health without any cost for core features.

How does Wave compare to QuickBooks for a small business owner?

Wave offers core accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning at no cost, while QuickBooks requires a subscription for similar functionality. However, Wave has limited features and no inventory management, which QuickBooks may provide in its paid plans.

What key feature does Wave lack that might affect inventory-heavy businesses?

Wave does not include inventory management, which limits its usefulness for businesses that need to track stock levels or cost of goods sold. Businesses with inventory may need to supplement Wave with other tools or choose a competitor with built-in inventory features.

What kind of user benefits most from using Wave for their business finances?

Small businesses, freelancers, and startups benefit most from Wave, as it offers real accounting software that is actually free for core invoicing, accounting, and receipt scanning. It is especially easy for users new to business finance who need a simple, no-cost solution.

Does Wave include a free tier, and what does it cover?

Yes, Wave offers a free tier that includes accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning at no cost. Paid plans are available for additional usage and features such as payroll.

Can Wave automatically categorize transactions from a connected bank account?

Yes, Wave connects to your bank account and automatically categorizes transactions, streamlining bookkeeping. This automation is part of the free accounting feature set.

How does Wave support tracking business health beyond basic invoicing?

Wave includes reporting tools that track business health, such as profit and loss statements and balance sheets, all available within the free tier. For payroll management, Wave offers a paid add-on that can help manage employee costs.

Source: waveapps.com

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