Wave Review
Free accounting and invoicing for very small businesses.
At a glance
Wave is best for Micro businesses and side ventures. There is a free plan, so you can test it before committing budget.
- Pricing
- Free plan available
- Model
- Custom
- Best for
- Micro businesses and side ventures
- Rating
- 3.7 / 5
Wave offers genuinely free accounting and invoicing, earning revenue on payments and payroll instead. Automation is basic compared with paid tools, but for a micro business the price is unbeatable.
Firms encounter it most often when a client arrives with books already in it.
What we like
- Core accounting is genuinely free
- Simple enough for non-accountants
- Fine for very small entities
What to watch
- Limited automation and reporting
- Support is thin on the free tier
Wave alternatives
If Wave is not the right fit, these are the closest comparable tools we have reviewed.
| Tool | Best for | Pricing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xero | Small businesses and their accountants | Free trial | Compare → |
| QuickBooks Online | US small businesses | Free trial | Compare → |
| Sage Intacct | Multi-entity mid-market | Custom | Compare → |
| Zoho Books | Small businesses already using Zoho | Free trial | Compare → |
| Docyt | Multi-location businesses | Free trial | Compare → |
| FreshBooks | Freelancers and service firms | Free trial | Compare → |
Frequently asked
What is Wave?
Wave offers genuinely free accounting and invoicing, earning revenue on payments and payroll instead. Automation is basic compared with paid tools, but for a micro business the price is unbeatable. Firms encounter it most often when a client arrives with books already in it.
How much does Wave cost?
Wave has a free plan. Paid tiers are quoted by the vendor.
What are the best alternatives to Wave?
The closest alternatives are Xero, QuickBooks Online, Sage Intacct, Zoho Books.