Wave

Accounting & Finance

3.6(14 ratings)

Wave offers free accounting software for small businesses and freelancers.

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About Wave

Best for freelancers and small businesses needing free accounting.

Wave is a free cloud-based accounting platform built specifically for small businesses, freelancers, and solopreneurs who need professional financial tools without the hefty price tag. It offers core accounting features including invoicing, receipt scanning, expense tracking, and financial reporting, all accessible through a clean and intuitive interface. Wave generates revenue through optional paid services like payment processing and payroll, which means the core accounting and invoicing features remain genuinely free. It's a solid choice for anyone who doesn't need the complexity of tools like QuickBooks but still wants reliable double-entry accounting.

Pros

Core accounting and invoicing features are completely free
Very intuitive interface for non-accountants
Unlimited invoicing and receipt scanning included
No monthly subscription for essential accounting features
Clean financial reports and dashboard overview

Cons

Limited integrations compared to competitors like QuickBooks
Payroll and payment processing cost extra
No inventory management or project tracking features
Not suitable for growing mid-size businesses

Use Cases

Best for freelancers who need simple invoicing and expense tracking

Best for solo entrepreneurs managing their own books on a budget

Best for small service-based businesses needing basic financial reporting

Best for consultants who want professional invoices without subscription fees

Key Features

6 features

Invoicing and billing management

Expense tracking and categorization

Financial reporting and analytics

Bank connection and reconciliation

Multi-currency support

Payment processing integration

SaasHunter Score

7.6/10

“You're a freelancer or small business looking for completely free accounting software with basic features.”

Ease of Use

8.0

Features

7.0

Pricing

10.0

Support

6.0

Integrations

7.0

Best For

Freelancers 9Small Business 9Startups 8Agencies 6Enterprise 3

Integrations

PayPalEtsyShoeboxedGoogle SheetsZapierBank connections via Plaid

Free Accounting Financial Analytics Accounting Software

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wave?

Wave is a free cloud-based accounting and invoicing platform designed for small businesses and freelancers. It provides double-entry accounting, invoicing, receipt scanning, and financial reporting without a monthly subscription fee.

How much does Wave cost?

Wave's core accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning features are completely free. Paid add-ons include payment processing (per-transaction fees) and payroll services, which vary by state and country.

What are the main features of Wave?

Wave offers double-entry accounting, unlimited invoicing, receipt scanning, expense tracking, financial reporting (profit & loss, balance sheet, etc.), and bank connections. Optional paid features include online payment processing and payroll.

Who should use Wave?

Wave is ideal for freelancers, solopreneurs, and small service-based businesses that need straightforward accounting without paying for complex software. It's not recommended for businesses that need inventory management or advanced integrations.

Is there a free plan for Wave?

Yes, Wave's core product is entirely free, including accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning. There are no trial periods or feature limitations on the free plan — Wave monetizes through optional paid services like payroll and payment processing.