4.6
Google logo
4.6
Google logo
4.6
Google logo

Wave vs. QuickBooks

The smarter choice for small
business owners

The smarter choice for small business owners

Wave is one of the more affordable, more you-friendly alternatives to QuickBooks. Make tax season easy with simple money management solutions at your fingertips, starting at $0.
Choose Wave today!

Get started for free
""
No hidden
fees
Easy
interface
Fun
to use
Less expensive than QB
Small biz
approved
""
No hidden
fees
Easy
interface
Fun
to use
Less expensive than QB
Small biz
approved
Illustration of a person with rolled papers in a tote bag, pointing at a cash flow chart that’s available in Wave.

More time for what you love

Sign up in minutes and access the solutions you actually need, all in one place. Don’t waste time building your own tech stack or sifting through complicated tools you’ll never use.

Illustration of a person sitting cross-legged in a meditative pose with documents and folders floating above.

Be the wiz of your biz

Wave's accounting and invoicing features allow you to create professional invoices on-the-go, track expenses, digitally capture receipts, and more, so you can run the numbers just as well as you run your biz.

Illustration of a laptop with a glowing Wave logo on the screen, surrounded by sparkles.

Ditch imposter syndrome

Whether you’re viewing your smart dashboard or accessing key financial reports, you’ll love our simple interface. Wave is made for small biz owners first.

Take the easy route with Wave!

Take the easy route with Wave!

Get started for free

What are the differences between Wave and QuickBooks?

The main difference between Wave and QuickBooks is that Wave is more affordable. With Wave, you can access invoicing, accounting, and other business management features at a lower price point.

Why choose Wave over QuickBooks?

  • Wave is one-stop money management, including accounting and invoicing, that’s easy (and fun!) to use
  • Wave is built for you — small business owners, freelancers, and contractors — not accountants.
  • Unlike QuickBooks, Wave has a free Starter Plan, so you can get the features you need without breaking the bank.
  • When you’re ready, upgrade to the Pro Plan for additional features — it’s 50% less expensive than QuickBooks’ comparable Simple Start plan!When you’re ready, upgrade to the Pro Plan for additional features — it’s less expensive than QuickBooks’ comparable EasyStart plan!
  • For similar features, QuickBooks comes with a bigger price tag, which means it might be more suited for larger businesses.
An image depicting the differences between Wave and the competitor, on Wave's app Dashboard.
An image depicting the differences between Wave and the competitor, on Wave's app Dashboard.

Why choose Wave over QuickBooks?

  • Wave is one-stop money management, including accounting and invoicing, that’s easy (and fun!) to use
  • Wave is built for you — small business owners, freelancers, and contractors — not accountants.
  • Unlike QuickBooks, Wave has a free Starter Plan, so you can get the features you need without breaking the bank.
  • When you’re ready, upgrade to the Pro Plan for additional features — it’s 50% less expensive than QuickBooks’ comparable Simple Start plan!When you’re ready, upgrade to the Pro Plan for additional features — it’s less expensive than QuickBooks’ comparable EasyStart plan!
  • For similar features, QuickBooks comes with a bigger price tag, which means it might be more suited for larger businesses.

Better functionality. Less cost.

Wave Pro customer received a complimentary annual subscription for their honest feedback.

“I was able to get all of the features, they functioned better, and they were easier to navigate inside of Wave for a much lower cost than going to something like QuickBooks.”

Corey Kenerly
Owner - Duo Custom Solutions

“I was able to get all of the features, they functioned better, and they were easier to navigate inside of Wave for a much lower cost than going to something like QuickBooks.”

Corey Kenerly
Owner - Duo Custom Solutions

Wave Pro customer received a complimentary annual subscription for their honest feedback.

Wave vs. QuickBooks:
A detailed comparison

Expensive, complicated tools don’t pay off.
Access Wave’s pocket- and small business-friendly solutions today, starting at free.

PROPlan

$19
USD monthly

Solopreneur

$20
USD monthly

Simple Start

$38
USD monthly
Track income and expenses
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Capture and organize receipts
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Send invoices & accept payments
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Send estimates
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Track sales & sales tax
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Customize chart of accounts
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Manage 1099 contractors
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Accountant-approved reporting
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Built for businesses with 1-9 employees
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Manage vendors
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Manage bills
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
View balance sheets and financial statements
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Create checkout links
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Create recurring invoices and get paid automatically
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Reconcile accounts
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Run basic reports
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Some reports
Included.
Not included.
Some reports
Add multiple users to your account
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Manage accounts payable
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Manage accounts receivable
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
View cash flow dashboard
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Track income and expenses
Included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Capture and organize receipts
Included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Maximize tax deductions
Included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Invoice & accept payments
Included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Run basic reports
Included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Send estimates
Included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Track sales & sales tax
Included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Manage 1099 contractors
Included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Manage and pay bills
Included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Accountant-approved reporting
Included.
Some reports
Some reports
Add multiple users to your account
Included.
Not included.
Not included.
Manage accounts payable
Included.
Not included.
Not included.
Manage accounts receivable
Included.
Not included.
Not included.
View cash flow dashboard
Included.
Not included.
Not included.

PROPlan

$25
CAD monthly

Self-Employed

$20
CAD monthly

EasyStart

$30
CAD monthly
Track income and expenses
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Capture and organize receipts
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Send invoices & accept payments
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Send estimates
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Track sales & sales tax
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Customize chart of accounts
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Create checkout links
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Create recurring invoices and get paid automatically
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Reconcile accounts
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Run basic reports
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Some reports
Included.
Not included.
Some reports
Built for businesses with 1-9 employees
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Manage vendors
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Manage bills
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
View balance sheets and financial statements
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Add multiple users to your account
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Manage accounts payable
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Manage accounts receivable
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
View cash flow dashboard
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Track income and expenses
Included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Capture and organize receipts
Included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Maximize tax deductions
Included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Invoice & accept payments
Included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Run basic reports
Included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Send estimates
Included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Track sales & sales tax
Included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Manage 1099 contractors
Included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Manage and pay bills
Included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Accountant-approved reporting
Included.
Some reports
Some reports
Add multiple users to your account
Included.
Not included.
Not included.
Manage accounts payable
Included.
Not included.
Not included.
Manage accounts receivable
Included.
Not included.
Not included.
View cash flow dashboard
Included.
Not included.
Not included.

PROPlan

$19
USD monthly

Solopreneur

$20
USD monthly

Simple Start

Easy Start

$38
USD monthly
Track income and expenses
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Capture and organize receipts
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Send invoices & accept payments
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Send estimates
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Track sales & sales tax
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Customize chart of accounts
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Manage 1099 contractors
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Accountant-approved reporting
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Built for businesses with 1-9 employees
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Manage vendors
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Manage bills
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
View balance sheets and financial statements
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Create checkout links
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Create recurring invoices and get paid automatically
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Reconcile accounts
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Run basic reports
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Some reports
Included.
Not included.
Some reports
Add multiple users to your account
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Manage accounts payable
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Manage accounts receivable
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
View cash flow dashboard
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Track sales & sales tax
Included.
Included.
Included.
Customize chart of accounts
Included.
Included.
Included.
Send invoices & accept payments
Included.
Included.
Included.
Send estimates
Included.
Included.
Included.
Track sales & sales tax
Included.
Included.
Included.
Customize chart of accounts
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Manage 1099 contractors
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Accountant-approved reporting
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Built for businesses with 1-9 employees
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Manage vendors
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Manage bills
Included.
Not included.
Included.
View balance sheets and financial statements
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Create checkout links
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Create recurring invoices and
get paid automatically
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Reconcile accounts
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Run basic reports
Included.
Some reports
Some reports
Built for businesses with 1-9 employees
Included.
Not included.
Not included.
Manage 1099 contractors
Included.
Not included.
Not included.
Manage vendors
Included.
Not included.
Not included.
Manage bills
Included.
Not included.
Not included.
View balance sheets and financial statements
Included.
Not included.
Not included.
Add multiple users to your account
Included.
Not included.
Not included.
Manage accounts payable
Included.
Not included.
Not included.
Manage accounts receivable
Included.
Not included.
Not included.
View cash flow dashboard

PROPlan

$25
CAD monthly

Solopreneur

Self-Employed

$20
CAD monthly

Simple Start

Easy Start

$30
CAD monthly
Track income and expenses
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Capture and organize receipts
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Send invoices & accept payments
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Send estimates
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Track sales & sales tax
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Customize chart of accounts
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Create checkout links
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Create recurring invoices and get paid automatically
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Reconcile accounts
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Run basic reports
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Some reports
Included.
Not included.
Some reports
Built for businesses with 1-9 employees
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Manage vendors
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Manage bills
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
View balance sheets and financial statements
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Add multiple users to your account
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Manage accounts payable
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Manage accounts receivable
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
View cash flow dashboard
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Track sales & sales tax
Included.
Included.
Included.
Customize chart of accounts
Included.
Included.
Included.
Send invoices & accept payments
Included.
Included.
Included.
Send estimates
Included.
Included.
Included.
Track sales & sales tax
Included.
Included.
Included.
Customize chart of accounts
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Manage 1099 contractors
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Not included.
Accountant-approved reporting
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Built for businesses with 1-9 employees
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Manage vendors
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Manage bills
Included.
Not included.
Included.
View balance sheets and financial statements
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Create checkout links
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Create recurring invoices and
get paid automatically
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Reconcile accounts
Included.
Not included.
Included.
Run basic reports
Included.
Some reports
Some reports
Built for businesses with 1-9 employees
Included.
Not included.
Not included.
Manage 1099 contractors
Included.
Not included.
Not included.
Manage vendors
Included.
Not included.
Not included.
Manage bills
Included.
Not included.
Not included.
View balance sheets and financial statements
Included.
Not included.
Not included.
Add multiple users to your account
Included.
Not included.
Not included.
Manage accounts payable
Included.
Not included.
Not included.
Manage accounts receivable
Included.
Not included.
Not included.
View cash flow dashboard

Wave vs QuickBooks: Pros & Cons

Wave pros:

  • Free invoicing and accounting for small businesses with the free Starter Plan
  • Simple, easy to use, and designed for freelancers and small businesses
  • No hidden fees, full transparency

Wave pros:

  • Free invoicing and accounting for small businesses with the free Starter Plan
  • Simple, easy to use, and designed for freelancers and small businesses
  • No hidden fees, full transparency

Wave pros:

  • Free invoicing and accounting for small businesses with the free Starter Plan
  • Simple, easy to use, and designed for freelancers and small businesses
  • No hidden fees, full transparency

Wave cons:

  • Limited advanced features compared to QuickBooks
  • Not as customizable as QuickBooks

QuickBooks cons:

  • High pricing for basic features
  • Advanced features may create a steeper learning curve
  • Additional costs for certain features, with high price jumps between plans

QuickBooks cons:

  • High pricing for basic features
  • Advanced features may create a steeper learning curve
  • Additional costs for certain features, with high price jumps between plans

QuickBooks cons:

  • High pricing for basic features
  • Complex user interface steep learning curve
  • Hidden fees for certain advanced features

QuickBooks pros:

  • Advanced features for larger teams and businesses
  • Extensive reporting options

Wave pros:

  • Free invoicing and accounting for small businesses with the free Starter Plan
  • Simple, easy to use, and designed for freelancers and small businesses
  • No hidden fees, full transparency

Wave pros:

  • Free invoicing and accounting for small businesses with the free Starter Plan
  • Simple, easy to use, and designed for freelancers and small businesses
  • No hidden fees, full transparency

Wave pros:

  • Free invoicing and accounting for small businesses with the free Starter Plan
  • Simple, easy to use, and designed for freelancers and small businesses
  • No hidden fees, full transparency

Wave cons:

  • Limited advanced features compared to QuickBooks
  • Not as customizable as QuickBooks

QuickBooks cons:

  • High pricing for basic features
  • Advanced features may create a steeper learning curve
  • Additional costs for certain features, with high price jumps between plans

QuickBooks cons:

  • High pricing for basic features
  • Advanced features may create a steeper learning curve
  • Additional costs for certain features, with high price jumps between plans

QuickBooks cons:

  • High pricing for basic features
  • Complex user interface steep learning curve
  • Hidden fees for certain advanced features

QuickBooks pros:

  • Advanced features for larger teams and businesses
  • Extensive reporting options

Real feedback from Wave users

Tatiyanna W.
TruCreates.com

"Wave's invoicing software makes your life a whole lot easier and takes that worry off you. I've tried Quickbooks—it's a bit more complicated and technical, and takes more time to set up."

A headshot of Wave customer Don Lam.
Don Lam
Don Lam, DIY Body

“When I signed up with Wave it was a no brainer. It's been one of the best decisions I've made when it comes to making sure my accounting is on point.”

Patrick Bazinet's headshot.
Patrick Bazinet
Graphic Designer

"I can be tech savvy, but I’m not an accountant. Other systems feel like you're on your own, but Wave grows with you and supports you throughout—it was a no-brainer to jump in."

TRUSTED BY SMALL BUSINESSES LIKE YOURS

More reasons to love Wave

More reasons to love Wave

Make bookkeeping and tax time easy with solutions that are affordable, small biz friendly, and—dare we say—fun to use.

Learn more
Learn more
Learn more
Learn more
Accounting icon

No sweat accounting

Track income and expenses, manage cash flow, and access reporting that’ll help you make smart business decisions.
Invoicing icon

Easy invoicing

Create beautiful, professional invoices and estimates in only a few clicks and wow your customers.
Wallet icon

Secure online payments

Give your customers the choice of quickly paying you using credit card, bank transfer, or Apple Pay.

Painless payroll

Reliably pay employees and yourself and manage contractors without worrying about the complicated legal stuff.
Compare with QuickBooks Payroll

Painless payroll

Reliably pay employees and yourself and manage contractors without worrying about the complicated legal stuff.
Compare with QuickBooks Payroll
Ask an expert

Get by with a little 1:1 help

Our (non-judgmental) in-house team of bookkeeping, accounting, and payroll experts is standing by to coach you—or do the work for you.
Learn more about Advisors
Three of our Wave Advisors
Ask an expert

Get by with a little 1:1 help

Our (non-judgmental) in-house team of bookkeeping, accounting, and payroll experts is standing by to coach you—or do the work for you.
Learn more about Advisors
Three of our Wave Advisors

Built for small business owners like you

Built for small business owners like you

Freelancers

Pay your staff (and yourself!) with confidence.
Tru Williams
Photographer/Videographer

Solopreneurs

Get tidy books for tax time—one less thing to worry about.
Dae
Dae the poet

Contractors

Fire off professional invoices and estimates in minutes.
Wave customer Troy Styke
Troy Styke
Crystal Clean Window Cleaning

Consultants

Set up recurring invoices and payments for repeat clients.
Wave customer Sarah Stockdale
Sarah Stockdale
Growclass Founder

Built for small business owners like you

Freelancers

Pay your staff (and yourself!) with confidence.
Tru Williams
Photographer/Videographer

Solopreneurs

Get tidy books for tax time—one less thing to worry about.
Dae
Dae the poet

Contractors

Fire off professional invoices and estimates in minutes.
Wave customer Troy Styke
Troy Styke
Crystal Clean Window Cleaning

Consultants

Set up recurring invoices and payments for repeat clients.
Wave customer Sarah Stockdale
Sarah Stockdale
Growthclass Founder

Wave vs. QuickBooks

Final verdict

If you’re a freelancer or small business owner, Wave offers easier, more affordable accounting software. For more complex businesses with a bigger budget, QuickBooks might be more suitable. Explore Wave today — getting started is free!

How does Wave compare to other accounting and invoicing software?

Wave vs.

HoneyBook

Wave vs.

FreshBooks

Wave vs.

ZipBooks

Wave vs.

Xero

Wave vs.

Sage

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand allCollapse all

Which is better for freelancers, Wave or QuickBooks?

Wave is better for freelancers, because it’s easy to use and offers free accounting and invoicing features with the Starter Plan. QuickBooks might be better for businesses with more complex needs and a bigger budget.

Is Wave's software something I need to install?

Wave's tools are web-based, so you just need an Internet connection and browser—no installation is necessary for our online software!

‍

If you're looking for an on-the-go solution, you can install our mobile app to help you manage invoices and payments. Download our mobile app on iOS and Android today!

Is my data secure when I use Wave?

Our servers are protected physically and electronically. Any connections between you, your bank accounts, and Wave are protected by 256-bit SSL encryption. Wave is a PCI-DSS Level 1 Service Provider.

Do you provide customer support?

We provide different levels of support, depending on the plan and/or the add-on features you choose. Learn more about how Wave support works here.

Is Wave’s software free?

Wave’s Starter Plan is free, and all its features are available immediately, with no trial period or time limits. This includes:

  • Accounting: Transactions, reports, adding sales taxes, and more.
  • Invoicing: Creating and editing invoices and estimates, and sending them using a link or PDF. You can create as many invoices, estimates, payment receipts, customers, vendors, and products as you need.

As your business grows, you can save more time and reduce admin work with Wave’s Pro Plan. Explore the Starter Plan and the Pro Plan today.

Are there any other fees for online payments?

With online payments enabled on your invoices, you can accept bank payments for 1% per transaction, Visa and Mastercard payments for 2.9% per transaction, and American Express payments for 3.4% per transaction. Each transaction also has a $0.60 fee, but with the Wave Pro Plan, your first 10 transactions each month have a $0 fee. Learn more here.

Do I need to enter my credit card details to sign up?

If you are signing up for our free Starter Plan, no credit card info is required! If you are signing up for our Pro Plan, you’ll need to provide credit card details during the sign up process.

You didn't start your business to
be a bookkeeper

You didn't start your business to be a bookkeeper

Get started for free

You didn't start your business to be a bookkeeper

Get started for free