FreshBooks vs Wave Comparison
Compare FreshBooks and Wave side-by-side — pricing, features, scores, and which one is right for you.
The bottom line
FreshBooks and Wave are both strong contenders in the accounting space, but they serve different needs. FreshBooks edges ahead with an overall score of 76/100 compared to Wave's 72/100. Both are equally user-friendly (9/10 each). On pricing, Wave offers a free tier while FreshBooks requires a paid plan from $19/mo. Wave rates higher for value for money (9/10 vs 7/10), making it a better pick if budget is a concern.
At a glance
| FreshBooks | Wave | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 76/100 | 72/100 |
| Starting price | $19/mo | Free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Best for | Accounting built for owners | Free accounting for small businesses |
Pricing comparison
Calculate your cost
Feature comparison
core
| Feature | FreshBooks | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Invoicing | Yes | Yes |
| Expense tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Bank reconciliation | Plus+ | Yes |
| Financial reports | Yes | Yes |
advanced
| Feature | FreshBooks | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll | Add-on | Add-on ($40+/mo) |
| Inventory | No | No |
| Multi-currency | Yes | No |
| Tax filing | No | No |
integrations
| Feature | FreshBooks | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe | Yes | No |
| PayPal | Yes | Yes |
| Shopify | Yes | No |
| Zapier | Yes | Yes |
Ratings breakdown
Choose FreshBooks if...
- You're ready to invest from $19/mo
- You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- You need enterprise-grade capabilities
Choose Wave if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- Getting strong value for money is a priority
Frequently asked questions
Is FreshBooks or Wave better?
FreshBooks scores 76/100 compared to Wave's 72/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — FreshBooks excels at ease of use (9/10) while Wave scores 9/10.
How much does FreshBooks cost compared to Wave?
FreshBooks starts at $19/mo. Wave starts at free (free tier available). Wave is the more affordable option.
Does FreshBooks or Wave have a free plan?
Wave offers a free tier. FreshBooks does not — its cheapest plan starts at $19/mo.
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