Pricing last checked against Wave Pricing · refreshes daily
Wave
Wave: Free Invoicing and Books for Freelancers Who Hate Monthly SaaS Fees
Send invoices, track expenses, and run basic reports at $0/month — then pay only when clients pay you by card or when you add payroll-style services.
At a Glance
- Core accounting and invoicing remain free
- Revenue comes from payments and optional services
- Solid fit for freelancers and sole props
- Reports help quarterly tax set-aside planning
- Editorial — verify live payment rates on Wave
Key Features
- Integrates with Stripe
- Integrates with FreshBooks migrations
- Integrates with QuickBooks import
- Integrates with Etsy
- Available on Web
- Available on iOS
- Available on Android
Plans & Pricing
Starter (Accounting & Invoicing)
$0 /mo
- Unlimited invoices and estimates
- Double-entry accounting
- Receipt scanning limits on free plan
- Financial reports for Schedule C prep
Payments & add-ons
$0 /mo
- Payment processing fees per transaction (not a monthly SaaS fee)
- Optional payroll and bookkeeping services priced separately
- Confirm current card rates on Wave’s pricing page
Our Verdict
Strengths
- No monthly fee for unlimited invoices on the free plan
- Real accounting foundation instead of a bare invoice PDF tool
- Mobile apps cover on-the-go freelancers
- Lower commitment than FreshBooks while testing client workflows
Limitations
- Payment processing fees can exceed FreshBooks on high card volume
- Customer support depth is thinner than paid competitors
- Growing agencies may outgrow Wave’s collaboration features
- Not a bank — pair with Found, Lili, or Novo for business cash
Who It's For
Best for
- Freelancers and consultants invoicing clients monthly
- Side-hustle sellers who want free books before hiring a bookkeeper
- Gig-adjacent workers with occasional client invoices
Consider alternatives if
- Teams needing advanced project budgeting and staff time tracking
- High-volume card processors optimizing exclusively for lowest take rates
- Users looking for investment or lending products
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wave really free?
Invoicing and accounting features are free. Wave charges when you accept online payments and for optional payroll or bookkeeping services. Read the current fee table before you enable payments.
Can Wave help with quarterly taxes?
Profit and loss reports show what you earned and spent — useful for estimated tax set-asides. Wave does not file your taxes or give CPA advice.
Wave vs FreshBooks?
Pick Wave if free unlimited invoicing matters most. Pick FreshBooks if you want polished client experience, time tracking, and are willing to pay a monthly subscription.
Data Sources
Specifications and pricing are verified against the following sources.
- Wave Pricing Checked 10/11/2026 · description, heroImage, title