Wave vs Zoho Books Comparison
Compare Wave and Zoho Books side-by-side — pricing, features, scores, and which one is right for you.
The bottom line
Wave and Zoho Books are both strong contenders in the accounting space, but they serve different needs. Zoho Books edges ahead with an overall score of 80/100 compared to Wave's 72/100. 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. Both score equally on value for money (9/10), so the choice comes down to which feature set fits your workflow better.
At a glance
| Wave | Zoho Books | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 72/100 | 80/100 |
| Starting price | Free | $20/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Free accounting for small businesses | Smart accounting for growing businesses |
Pricing comparison
Zoho Books
Pricing verified 2026-03-19
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Feature comparison
core
| Feature | Wave | Zoho Books |
|---|---|---|
| Invoicing | Yes | Yes |
| Expense tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Bank reconciliation | Yes | Yes |
| Financial reports | Yes | Yes |
advanced
| Feature | Wave | Zoho Books |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll | Add-on ($40+/mo) | Zoho Payroll integration |
| Inventory | No | Elite+ |
| Multi-currency | No | Yes |
| Tax filing | No | Yes |
integrations
| Feature | Wave | Zoho Books |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe | No | Yes |
| PayPal | Yes | Yes |
| Shopify | No | Yes |
| Zapier | Yes | Yes |
Ratings breakdown
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
Choose Zoho Books 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 Wave or Zoho Books better?
Zoho Books scores 80/100 compared to Wave's 72/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — Wave excels at ease of use (9/10) while Zoho Books scores 8/10.
How much does Wave cost compared to Zoho Books?
Wave starts at free (free tier available). Zoho Books starts at $20/mo (free tier available). Wave is the more affordable option.
Does Wave or Zoho Books have a free plan?
Yes, both Wave and Zoho Books offer free tiers, so you can try each before committing to a paid plan.
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