FreshBooks vs Wave: which is better for a new business? (2026)
7.9/10
FreshBooks
From $23/mo
Choose FreshBooks if: Solo service providers who bill clients by invoice
Skip it if: You bill more than 5 clients yet need a plan under $43/month.
Visit FreshBooks7.4/10
Wave
Free plan
Choose Wave if: Solo owners who want free invoicing and bookkeeping
Skip it if: You need inventory, time tracking, mileage tracking or a Spanish interface.
Visit WaveQuick verdict
| Higher OwnerUnlocked score | FreshBooks (7.9 vs 7.4) |
|---|---|
| Lower starting price | Wave (From $23/mo vs Free plan) |
| Better public ratings | FreshBooks (4.2 vs 3.7 / 5) |
| More Spanish help | Wave (Not confirmed vs English only) |
Side by side
| Best for | Solo service providers who bill clients by invoice | Solo owners who want free invoicing and bookkeeping |
|---|---|---|
| Skip if | You bill more than 5 clients yet need a plan under $43/month. | You need inventory, time tracking, mileage tracking or a Spanish interface. |
| Free plan or trial | 30 days | Free plan |
| Spanish | Not confirmed | English only |
| Support | Phone, email in office hours; 24/7 AI chatbot | Chat, email M-F 9am-4:45pm ET (Pro or any add-on) |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| Public rating | 4.7/5 (App Store, 10,979) | 3.3/5 (Google Play, 23,630) |
| Price | $23/mo (Lite); $1/mo first-year promo | $0 (Starter); Pro $19/mo |
| Free plan | No free plan | No bank auto-import; receipts $8/mo add-on; no extra users |
| Users | Owner only; +$11/mo per team member | Starter: owner only; Pro: multiple users |
| Invoicing | Unlimited invoices; client limits by plan | Unlimited on all plans |
| Bank connection | Yes, all plans; reconciliation on Plus and up | Pro only (via Plaid) |
| Receipt capture | Plus and up | Pro; $8/mo add-on on Starter |
| Mileage tracking | Yes, mobile app, all plans | No (Driversnote integration on Pro) |
| Payroll add-on | $40/mo + $6/mo per person | $40/mo + $6 per employee or contractor paid |
| Sales tax | Taxes on invoices + sales tax summary report | Manual rates on invoices + sales tax report |
| Time tracking | Yes, all plans | No |
| Inventory | Basic stock counts on items | No |
| Accountant access | Plus and up | Pro (admin, editor or viewer roles) |
| 1099 contractors | Expense reports only; 1099-NEC via payroll add-on | 1099-NEC forms via Wave Payroll |
| Online payment fees | Cards 2.9% + 30¢; ACH 1% | Cards 2.9% + 60¢ (Amex 3.4% + 60¢); ACH 1% ($1 min) |
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FreshBooks
- Lite promo: $1/month for the first year (regular $23).
- Unlimited time tracking and mobile mileage tracking on every plan.
- Invoices and estimates can be sent in Spanish to chosen clients.
- 30-day free trial with no credit card; 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Lite caps billable clients at 5; Plus caps them at 50.
- No team members included; each added user costs $11/month.
- Receipt scanning and accountant access start at Plus ($43/month).
Wave
- Starter is free with unlimited invoices, estimates and bills.
- Pro adds automatic bank imports and unlimited receipt scans for $19/month.
- Pro waives the 60¢ card fee on the first 10 payments monthly.
- Payroll with tax filing in all 50 states: $40/month + $6 per worker.
- Wave is English-only; you can only type Spanish text on invoices.
- No built-in mileage, time tracking or inventory quantity tracking.
- Free Starter needs manual bank entry; automatic import requires Pro.
Also worth a look
Questions
Is FreshBooks or Wave cheaper?
Wave starts lower: From $23/mo for FreshBooks vs Free plan for Wave. Compare the plan you'd actually use, including add-ons.
Which has better reviews?
FreshBooks, with 4.2/5 on average across the public ratings we checked.
Which one helps in Spanish?
FreshBooks: Not confirmed. Wave: English only.
Can I switch from one to the other later?
Yes, though switching mid-year takes some setup. Export your records before you cancel, and check for annual contracts or cancellation notice periods.
Facts from each company's own pages and public rating sites, checked Oct 4, 2026. How we rate.