Starting price$19/moPro, billed monthly ($190 a year); Starter is free
Free trial / planFree Starter plan
Vettlo score75/100
G2 user rating4.3/5327 reviews
Wave Review (2026): Pricing, Pros and Cons
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Short answer
Wave ranks #6 of 6 in our accounting tools ranking (75/100). Best free option for very small businesses. Paid plans start at $19/mo (Pro, billed monthly ($190 a year); Starter is free).
What is Wave?
Wave offers free invoicing and bookkeeping on its Starter plan, with card processing fees when customers pay online. Pro ($19 a month) adds automatic bank imports, receipt capture and payment reminders.
Who it's best for
Sole proprietors and very small businesses that want basic books for free.
Why we rank it
Its free plan includes unlimited invoices, estimates, bills and bookkeeping records.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- Free plan with unlimited invoices and bills
- Pro is $190 a year
- Simple to use
Watch-outs
- Automatic bank imports need Pro
- Limited reporting and no inventory
Skip it if: You have employees, inventory or more than one person doing the books.
Wave pricing
Paid plans start at $19/mo (Pro, billed monthly ($190 a year); Starter is free). Free plan or trial: Free Starter plan.
From Wave's pricing page, checked on the date at the top of this review. See how it compares on price in our accounting tools pricing overview.
How we scored Wave
Accounting score: 75/100
Core bookkeeping & reconciliation (25%)3.5/5
Invoicing & payments (15%)4/5
Bills & expenses (15%)3/5
Reporting & room to grow (15%)2.5/5
Ease of use (15%)4.5/5
Price & value (15%)5/5
Each criterion is rated 0 to 5 and weighted for the category. See our methodology.
How Wave compares
| # | Tool | Best for | Starting price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | QuickBooks Online | Best overall for US small businesses | $38/mo | 87/100 |
| 2 | Xero | Teams that want unlimited users | $27/mo | 86/100 |
| 3 | Zoho Books | Best value, with a free plan | $15/mo | 86/100 |
| 4 | Sage Intacct | Mid-sized companies outgrowing QuickBooks | Pricing on request | 81/100 |
| 5 | FreshBooks | Freelancers and service businesses | $23/mo | 79/100 |
| 6 | Wave | Best free option for very small businesses | $19/mo | 75/100 |
Alternatives and comparisons
Wave FAQ
How much does Wave cost?
Paid plans start at $19/mo (Pro, billed monthly ($190 a year); Starter is free). Free plan or trial: Free Starter plan.
Is Wave worth it?
Wave scores 75/100 in our accounting tools ranking, where it is best free option for very small businesses. It's a weaker fit if: you have employees, inventory or more than one person doing the books.
Does Wave have a free plan or trial?
Free Starter plan.
What are the best Wave alternatives?
In our accounting tools ranking, the closest alternatives are QuickBooks Online, Xero and Zoho Books.