VendorVS
Wave logo

Wave

Free accounting for small businesses

vs
ZipBooks logo

ZipBooks

Free accounting and invoicing

Wave vs ZipBooks Comparison

Compare Wave and ZipBooks side-by-side — pricing, features, scores, and which one is right for you.

The bottom line

Wave and ZipBooks are both strong contenders in the accounting space, but they serve different needs. Wave edges ahead with an overall score of 72/100 compared to ZipBooks's 62/100. Wave is easier to get started with (9/10 for ease of use vs 8/10). On pricing, both offer free tiers, so you can try each before committing. Wave rates higher for value for money (9/10 vs 8/10), making it a better pick if budget is a concern.

At a glance

WaveZipBooks
Our score72/10062/100
Starting priceFreeFree
Free tierYesYes
Best forFree accounting for small businessesFree accounting and invoicing

Pricing comparison

Wave logo

Wave

Free tier available
FreeFree
Pro$19/mo

Pricing verified 2026-03-19

ZipBooks logo

ZipBooks

Free tier available
StarterFree
Smarter$15/mo
Sophisticated$35/mo

Pricing verified 2026-03-19

Calculate your cost

Wave logo
WaveFree
Free/mo
Free/yr
ZipBooks logo
ZipBooksStarter
Free/mo
Free/yr

Feature comparison

core

FeatureWaveZipBooks
InvoicingYesYes
Expense trackingYesYes
Bank reconciliationYesYes
Financial reportsYesYes

advanced

FeatureWaveZipBooks
PayrollAdd-on ($40+/mo)No
InventoryNoNo
Multi-currencyNoNo
Tax filingNoNo

integrations

FeatureWaveZipBooks
StripeNoYes
PayPalYesNo
ShopifyNoNo
ZapierYesNo

Ratings breakdown

Wave

Ease of use
9/10
Value for money
9/10
Features
6/10
Support
5/10

ZipBooks

Ease of use
8/10
Value for money
8/10
Features
5/10
Support
5/10

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
Try Wave free

Choose ZipBooks 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
Try ZipBooks free

Frequently asked questions

Is Wave or ZipBooks better?

Wave scores 72/100 compared to ZipBooks's 62/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — Wave excels at ease of use (9/10) while ZipBooks scores 8/10.

How much does Wave cost compared to ZipBooks?

Wave starts at free (free tier available). ZipBooks starts at free (free tier available). Wave is the more affordable option.

Does Wave or ZipBooks have a free plan?

Yes, both Wave and ZipBooks offer free tiers, so you can try each before committing to a paid plan.

Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our rankings or recommendations.

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