Don’t let this summer sale melt away. 🔥
Unlock 30% off
 3 months of pro†
Check out with code
SUMMER30
Click to copy!
by August 31
Don’t let this summer sale melt away. 🔥
Unlock 30% off
3 months of pro*
Check out with code
SUMMER30
Click to Copy!
by August 31

QuickBooks alternative

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!

Featured in

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.

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.

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!

Get started for free

QuickBooks alternative

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

Wave plans

QuickBooks (all plans)

Pricing
$0-$20 CAD/month
$5-$75/month
Track income and expenses
✓
✓
Capture and organize receipts
with Pro or a subscription to our receipts feature
✓
Maximize tax deductions
✓
✓
Invoice & accept payments
✓
✓
Run basic reports
✓
✓
Send estimates
✓
✓
Track sales & sales tax
✓
✓
Manage 1099 contractors
✓
✓
Manage and pay bills
✓
Some paid plans
Accountant-approved reporting
✓
Some paid plans
Fully integrated with other Wave financial tools
✓
✖
Built for businesses with 1-9 employees
✓
✖

Over 300,000 small businesses
trust Wave

Over 300,000 small businesses trust Wave

Headshot of Wave customer Tatiyanna.
Tatiyanna W.
TruCreates.com

"Wave invoicing 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.”

Headshot of Wave customer Robbie Katherine Anthony.
Robbie Katherine Anthony
Euphoria LGBT Inc.
App Development

"It’s not just a cool piece of software, it is giving peace of mind to people.” You deserve to know your taxes aren't something you have to sweat over the entire calendar year."

Take the easy route with Wave!

Get started for free

QuickBooks alternative

Here's why we think you'll love Wave.

Simple-to-use accounting

  • Seamlessly links with our other money management features
  • Easy-to-use functionality
  • Backed by certified bank-grade security practices

Professional invoicing

  • Create unlimited invoices unique to your business
  • Send invoices from your mobile device using our free iOS and Android app
  • Set up repeat invoices for clients

Save money and time

  • Accept credit card and bank payments for as little as 1% per transaction.1
  • Get time-saving features such as scheduled payment reminders and automatic credit card payments
  • Customizable options to suit any customer

1 Rates are 1% for bank payments (minimum fee of $1). For information on credit card rates, visit Pricing for details.

Plans to make your
plans happen

Get started for free
Save $50
Save $38
Save $50
Save $38
Monthly
Annual
STARTERPlan

Just starting your business or looking for the basics? This is the place.

$0
Get started now

  • Create unlimited estimates, invoices, bills, and bookkeeping records

  • Option to accept online payments
    2.9% + $0.60 per credit card transaction
    3.4% + $0.60 per Amex transaction

  • Invoice on-the-go with the mobile app

  • Manage cash flow and customers in one dashboard

Recommended
ProPlan

Want to look more polished, save more time, and conquer cash flow? It’s Pro time.

PROMO:
$19
$13.30USD/month
Save $17.10 off your first 3 months
$19USD/month*
Billed monthly
PROMO:
$25
$17.50CAD/month
Save $22.50 off your first 3 months
$25CAD/month*
Billed monthly
Get started now
Everything in Starter, plus….

  • Option to accept online payments at a discounted rate
    2.9% + $0** per credit card transaction
    3.4% + $0** per Amex transaction

  • Auto-import bank transactions***

  • Auto-merge and categorize bank transactions

  • Digitally capture unlimited receipts and track expenses

  • Automate late payment reminders

  • And more!

STARTERPlan

Just starting your business or looking for the basics? This is the place.

$0
Get started now

  • Create unlimited estimates, invoices, bills, and bookkeeping records

  • Option to accept online payments
    2.9% + $0.60 per credit card transaction
    3.4% + $0.60 per Amex transaction

  • Invoice on-the-go with the mobile app

  • Manage cash flow and customers in one dashboard

Recommended
ProPlan

Want to look more polished, save more time, and conquer cash flow? It’s Pro time.

$190USD/year*
Billed annually
$250CAD/year*
Billed annually
Get started now
Everything in Starter, plus….

  • Option to accept online payments at a discounted rate
    2.9% + $0** per credit card transaction
    3.4% + $0** per Amex transaction

  • Auto-import bank transactions***

  • Auto-merge and categorize bank transactions

  • Digitally capture unlimited receipts and track expenses

  • Automate late payment reminders

  • And more!

 ‍1Rates are 1% for bank payments (minimum fee of $1). For information on credit card rates, visit Pricing for details.

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
4.6
Google logo
4.6
Google logo
4.6
Google logo
QuickBooks vs. Wave

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
""
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 easier to use, more affordable, and grows with your business.

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 than QuickBooks’
least expensive plan!

  • QuickBooks is for larger businesses, and comes with
a bigger price tag.

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 than QuickBooks’
least expensive plan!

  • QuickBooks is for larger businesses, and comes with
a bigger price tag.

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.

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

PROPlan

$19 $13.30USD monthly†
$25 $17.50CAD monthly†

Solopreneur

Self-Employed

$20USD monthly
$20CAD monthly

Simple Start

Easy Start

$38USD monthly
$28CAD monthly
Track income and expenses
Included.
Included.
Included.
Capture and organize receipts
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.
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
Included.
Not included.
Not included.

PROPlan

$19 $13.30USD monthly†
$25 $17.50CAD monthly†

Solopreneur

Self-Employed

$20USD monthly
$20CAD monthly

Simple Start

Easy Start

$38USD monthly
$28CAD monthly
Track income and expenses
Included.
Included.
Included.
Capture and organize receipts
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
Included.
Not included.
Not included.

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 cons:

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

QuickBooks cons:

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

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 cons:

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

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

Headshot of Wave customer Tatiyanna.
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.”

Headshot of Wave customer Robbie Katherine Anthony.
Robbie Katherine Anthony
Euphoria LGBT Inc.
App Development

"It’s not just a cool piece of software, it is giving peace of mind to people. You deserve to know your taxes aren't something you have to sweat over the entire calendar year."

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.

Accounting icon

No sweat accounting

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

Easy invoicing

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

Secure online payments

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

Painless payroll

Reliably pay employees and yourself and manage contractors without worrying about the complicated legal stuff.
Learn more about payroll
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.

Painless payroll

Reliably pay employees and yourself and manage contractors without worrying about the complicated legal stuff.
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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand allCollapse all

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.

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.

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

†Offer only available to new Pro Plan subscribers when purchasing a monthly subscription through Wave’s website, and is limited to one offer per customer. Discount applied to the listed monthly price for Wave’s Pro Plan, starting from the date the Pro Plan is purchased and continuing for three monthly payment periods. Following the offer period, your account will automatically be charged at the listed monthly price until you cancel your subscription. You can cancel your subscription up until one (1) day before your renewal date through Wave. If you choose to cancel your subscription, it will remain active until the end of your current billing period. This discount can't be combined with any other promotional offer from Wave. Offer available from August 14, 2025 until August 27, 2025. Please see Waves Paid Subscription Terms of Service for more details. Offer Terms and Conditions subject to change without notice.