Keap â—†
Keap is a small-business CRM that automates lead capture, email and text marketing, and follow-ups with a dedicated mobile number.
from $299/mo
About Wave
What is Wave?
Wave is a small business financial platform that provides free accounting, invoicing, receipt scanning, and bookkeeping without monthly fees. It helps freelancers, solopreneurs, and small businesses track income and expenses, manage cash flow, and stay tax-ready year-round—all from a single dashboard.
Who is Wave for?
Wave is best for service-based freelancers and small businesses with fewer than 10 employees who need affordable, easy-to-use accounting. It is not ideal for large enterprises, inventory-heavy retailers, or businesses requiring advanced ERP features.
Real use cases
A freelance graphic designer sends professional invoices with automatic payment reminders and accepts credit card payments directly from the invoice. A small consulting firm tracks expenses via receipt scanning and connects unlimited bank accounts for auto-import of transactions. A micro-business owner runs payroll for a few employees with tax filing included as a paid add-on.
Key features
- Free Accounting — Unlimited income and expense tracking, bank reconciliation, and financial reports with no monthly fee.
- Invoicing — Create and send professional invoices with customizable templates, automatic payment reminders, and recurring billing.
- Receipt Scanning — Snap receipts via mobile app; Wave extracts amounts, dates, and categories automatically.
- Bank Connections — Link unlimited bank accounts and credit cards for automatic transaction import and categorization.
- Payment Processing — Accept credit cards (2.9% + $0.60 per transaction) and bank payments (1% per transaction) directly from invoices.
- Payroll (paid add-on) — Run payroll for employees and contractors in the US and Canada, with tax filing included.
Wave Pricing
Wave pricing: from $0/mo. Billing model: Freemium.
Starter — $0/mo (free)
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). Invoice on-the-go with mobile app. Manage cash flow and customers in one dashboard.
Pro — $19/mo billed monthly ($9.50/mo for first 3 months with promo) or $190/yr billed annually
Everything in Starter, plus discounted payment processing rates (2.9% + $0 per credit card transaction, 3.4% + $0 per Amex transaction), auto-import and auto-merge bank transactions, unlimited digital receipt capture, automated late payment reminders, and more.
Wave Advisors — Starting at $199/mo
Includes Pro Plan features, plus a dedicated bookkeeper who keeps books accurate, monthly financial statements, expert support, and optional packages for one-on-one accounting coaching. Onboarding included when switching from other accounting software.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wave accounting really free?
Yes, the core accounting features (income and expense tracking, bank reconciliation, invoicing, and receipt scanning) are free with no monthly fee or time limits. Payment processing and payroll are paid add-ons.
How much does Wave Pro cost?
Wave Pro costs $19 per month billed monthly, or $190 per year billed annually. Promotional pricing of $9.50 per month is available for the first 3 months for monthly subscribers.
Who is Wave best for?
Wave is best for freelancers, solopreneurs, and small businesses with fewer than 10 employees, especially service-based businesses that send invoices and track expenses. It is less suitable for large enterprises or inventory-heavy businesses.
What are the top alternatives to Wave?
Popular alternatives include FreshBooks (paid, more automation), QuickBooks Online (paid, more inventory features), and Xero (paid, better multi-currency). Wave is unique for its free core accounting.
Does Wave include payroll?
Payroll is a paid add-on available in the US and Canada, including tax filing for employees and contractors. It is not included in the free plan.
What are the limitations of Wave?
Wave does not support inventory tracking, project management, or time tracking natively. The free plan has limited payment processing features, and customer support is primarily self-service with paid advisor options.
