Wave review (2026): pricing, fees and who it's for
Free invoicing and bookkeeping app; the Pro plan adds bank imports and receipt scanning.
Good fit if
Solo owners who want free invoicing and bookkeeping
Pick something else if
You need inventory, time tracking, mileage tracking or a Spanish interface.
What we like
- 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.
Watch out for
- 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.
Wave pricing
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $0/mo | Unlimited invoices and bills; manual bank entry |
| Pro | $19/mo | Promo shown: $9.50/mo first 3 months; $190/yr option |
| Wave Advisors | From $149/mo | A Wave bookkeeper keeps your books; includes Pro features |
Prices as published on Oct 4, 2026. Confirm on their site; promotions change often.
The details
| Price | $0 (Starter); Pro $19/mo |
|---|---|
| Free plan | No bank auto-import; receipts $8/mo add-on; no extra users |
| Users | Starter: owner only; Pro: multiple users |
| Invoicing | Unlimited on all plans |
| Bank connection | Pro only (via Plaid) |
| Receipt capture | Pro; $8/mo add-on on Starter |
| Mileage tracking | No (Driversnote integration on Pro) |
| Payroll add-on | $40/mo + $6 per employee or contractor paid |
| Sales tax | Manual rates on invoices + sales tax report |
| Time tracking | No |
| Inventory | No |
| Accountant access | Pro (admin, editor or viewer roles) |
| 1099 contractors | 1099-NEC forms via Wave Payroll |
| Online payment fees | Cards 2.9% + 60¢ (Amex 3.4% + 60¢); ACH 1% ($1 min) |
Before you sign up
You'll need
- Email address and business name
- Card only for Pro or add-ons
- ID check and credit review to accept online payments
Do this first: Open your business bank account first, then connect it so transactions flow in automatically.
What users say in public ratings
Seen on Oct 4, 2026. App store ratings mostly reflect the app; Trustpilot leans toward billing and support stories.
Wave alternatives
- 9.4/10QuickBooks OnlineBusinesses whose accountant already works in QuickBooks · Free plan Wave vs QuickBooks Online
- 8.8/10Zoho BooksNew low-budget businesses wanting full accounting free · Free plan Wave vs Zoho Books
- 7.9/10FreshBooksSolo service providers who bill clients by invoice · From $23/mo Wave vs FreshBooks
- 6.6/10XeroSmall teams that want unlimited users at one price · From $27/mo Wave vs Xero
Questions
How much does Wave cost?
Starter: $0/mo; Pro: $19/mo; Wave Advisors: From $149/mo.
Does Wave have a free plan?
Yes. Starter costs $0/mo.
Does Wave offer help in Spanish?
Not that we could find: the app and support are in English.
What do I need to sign up for Wave?
Email address and business name; Card only for Pro or add-ons; ID check and credit review to accept online payments.
Is Wave good for a new business?
It fits solo owners who want free invoicing and bookkeeping. Pick something else if you need inventory, time tracking, mileage tracking or a Spanish interface.
What are the alternatives to Wave?
QuickBooks Online (Businesses whose accountant already works in QuickBooks); Zoho Books (New low-budget businesses wanting full accounting free); FreshBooks (Solo service providers who bill clients by invoice); Xero (Small teams that want unlimited users at one price).
Sources
- waveapps.com/pricing
- waveapps.com/payments
- waveapps.com/payroll
- support.waveapps.com/hc/en-us/articles/115005571103-Is-Wave-available-in-my-lang
- support.waveapps.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000099163-How-to-record-mileage
- support.waveapps.com/hc/en-us/articles/360039628292-How-sales-tax-is-tracked-and
- support.waveapps.com/hc/en-us/articles/360060120332-Track-sales-and-purchases-fo
- apps.apple.com/us/app/wave-small-business-software/id881629660
- play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.waveapps.sales
- trustpilot.com/review/waveapps.com
Checked Oct 4, 2026. Something out of date? Tell us. Our score is calculated from public facts; partners can't pay for a better one.