Starter
Free
What's included:
- Unlimited invoices
- Basic accounting
- Receipt scanning
- Expense tracking
- Mobile app
- Cash flow management
W
Wave Pricing in 2026
Complete pricing breakdown for Wave. Compare plans, features, and find the best value.
Quick Answer
How much does Wave cost in 2026?
Wave offers a FREE plan. Paid plans start at $16/month. 4 plans are available with monthly billing.
Free Tier Yes ✓
Starting Price Free
Plans 4 tiers
Billing Monthly/Annual
Starting Price Free
Plans Available 4 plans
Annual Discount Save 20%
Best For Small business owners starting out with limited budgets
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Free | Unlimited invoices, Basic accounting |
| Pro ★ | $16/mo | All Starter features, Auto-import bank transactions |
| Wave Payroll | $40/mo | Payroll processing, Tax filing |
| Wave Advisors | $149/mo | Dedicated bookkeeper, Monthly financial statements |
Wave Plans & Pricing
Pro
$16 /mo
Save ~20% with annual billing
What's included:
- All Starter features
- Auto-import bank transactions
- Auto-categorize transactions
- Unlimited receipt capture
- Priority support
- First 10 transactions free monthly
Wave Payroll
$40 /mo
Save ~20% with annual billing
What's included:
- Payroll processing
- Tax filing
- Direct deposits
- W-2 forms
- $6 per employee/contractor
Wave Advisors
$149 /mo
Save ~20% with annual billing
What's included:
- Dedicated bookkeeper
- Monthly financial statements
- Expert support
- Tax preparation
- Onboarding assistance
Prices shown are for monthly billing. Annual plans typically offer 10-20% savings.
How Wave Pricing Compares
| Tool | Starting Price | Free Tier | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W Wave Current | Free | Small business owners starting out with limited budgets | ||
| Z Zoho Invoice | Free | Small businesses needing professional invoicing | Compare | |
| F FreshBooks | $23/mo | Freelancers and consultants | Compare | |
| FB FreshBooks | $21/mo | Freelancers and solopreneurs managing invoicing and expenses | Compare | |
| X Xero | $25/mo | Small businesses | Compare | |
| Wa Wave Accounting | Free | Freelancers and solopreneurs tracking income and expenses | Compare |
Is Wave Worth the Price?
From $16/mo
Mid-Range
Wave provides a free tier for getting started, with paid plans from $16/mo. While the jump from free to paid is notable, the additional features justify the cost for growing teams. Consider starting with the free plan to evaluate fit.
Best Value Tier
Free plan — Starter tier provides core functionality at no cost
When NOT to Pay for Wave
Need robust customer support
Wave's support model is its biggest weakness. Free users have no access to human support—only email responses, and users report overwhelming dissatisfaction with this limitation, citing it as their reason for switching platforms entirely.
Compare QuickBooks pricingRequire advanced accounting features
Wave lacks time or project tracking, inventory management, recurring transactions, and has limited reporting with no cash flow statements or customization options. Growing businesses will quickly outgrow Wave's basic capabilities.
Compare QuickBooks pricingExperience reliability issues
Users report recurring glitches including bank feed failures, transaction duplications, auto-categorization bugs, and account freezes. These technical issues undermine the software's core functions and business operations.
Compare Xero pricingSell physical products with inventory
Wave has no inventory management capabilities, making it unsuitable for businesses selling physical products. Users need inventory tracking, cost of goods sold, and sales tax features built in.
Compare QuickBooks pricingIs Wave Worth the Price?
Wave's pricing strategy is uniquely positioned to support small businesses, offering a compelling mix of free and paid services. The core accounting and invoicing features are completely free, which is a significant advantage for budget-conscious entrepreneurs. This freemium model allows you to access essential financial management tools without any monthly subscription fees.
The free plan includes unlimited invoicing, income and expense tracking, and basic reporting. However, when you process payments through Wave, transaction fees apply: 2.9% + $0.60 per credit card transaction and 3.4% + $0.60 for American Express. These fees are competitive with other payment processing platforms and are only charged when you actually receive payments.
Wave's Pro plan, priced at $19.99 per month, introduces advanced features for growing businesses. This plan offers automatic bank transaction importing, transaction categorization, unlimited receipt scanning, and the ability to remove Wave branding from invoices. For businesses needing additional support, Wave offers payroll services starting at $40 per month plus per-employee fees, and bookkeeping assistance at $149 per month.
When comparing Wave to competitors like QuickBooks or FreshBooks, the cost savings are substantial. Most small businesses can manage their entire financial workflow without spending hundreds of dollars monthly. The key is understanding which features are essential for your specific business needs and selecting the appropriate tier accordingly.
Features by Plan
| Feature | Starter | Pro | Wave Payroll | Wave Advisors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Invoicing Create and send unlimited invoices on all plans | ||||
| Online Payment Processing 2.9% + $0.60 per credit card transaction | ||||
| Bank Transaction Import Pro plan only - automatic import and categorization | ||||
| Receipt Scanning Basic on Starter, unlimited on Pro | ||||
| Multi-Currency Support Handle international transactions and invoices | ||||
| Mobile App iOS and Android apps for on-the-go management | ||||
| Financial Reports Profit & loss, cash flow, and tax reports | ||||
| Recurring Invoices Automate regular billing cycles | ||||
| Customer Management Track customer information and payment history | ||||
| Tax Preparation Ready Organize books and reports for tax season |
Wave Pros & Cons
Great Value If You Need
- Completely free core accounting and invoicing features
- User-friendly interface designed for non-accountants
- Strong mobile app for on-the-go management
- Automatic bank synchronization with major financial institutions
Consider Alternatives If
- Payment processing fees are higher than some competitors
- Limited integrations compared to premium accounting software
- Advanced features require paid upgrades
- Customer support primarily through chat, no phone support
Our Verdict
Wave offers excellent value with its free tier and competitive paid plans. It's best suited for Small business owners starting out with limited budgets and Freelancers needing basic invoicing and expense tracking. Starting at $16/mo, it's accessible for most budgets.
Our Rating 4.3/5
Wave Pricing Verdict
Wave represents an exceptional accounting solution for small businesses and freelancers seeking professional financial management without substantial financial investment. Its completely free core features, combined with transparent, affordable add-on services, make it an industry-leading platform for micro-businesses.
While Wave excels for small service-based businesses and individual entrepreneurs, it may not be suitable for larger organizations or companies requiring complex accounting workflows. Businesses needing advanced inventory tracking, extensive third-party integrations, or comprehensive enterprise-level reporting might need to explore more robust alternatives like QuickBooks or NetSuite.
Ultimately, Wave earns a strong 4.3/5 rating for its target market. The platform's user-friendly interface, zero-cost core features, and focus on solving small business financial challenges make it an outstanding choice for entrepreneurs prioritizing simplicity and affordability in their accounting software.
Related to Wave
Wave Price vs Competitors
Wave Pricing FAQ
How much does Wave cost in 2026?
Wave offers a FREE plan with Unlimited invoices. Paid plans start at $16/month.
Does Wave have a free plan or free tier?
Yes! Wave offers a free Starter plan that includes: Unlimited invoices, Basic accounting, Receipt scanning. Perfect for small business owners starting out with limited budgets.
What are the limits of Wave's free plan?
The Starter plan (Free) includes: Unlimited invoices; Basic accounting; Receipt scanning; Expense tracking. Upgrade to paid plans for more features and higher limits.
Is Wave worth it for small teams and personal use?
Wave is excellent for small teams thanks to its free tier. Best for: Small business owners starting out with limited budgets and Freelancers needing basic invoicing and expense tracking. Rated 4.3/5.
Wave vs Zoho Invoice pricing — which is cheaper?
Wave starts at Free vs Zoho Invoice at Free. Wave is more affordable. Compare features side-by-side to decide.
Does Wave offer discounts for annual billing?
Yes, most invoicing tools including Wave offer 10-20% discounts when you pay annually instead of monthly. This can save you approximately $38 per year depending on your plan.