Wave Accounting Resource Center
So, you’ve heard Wave is free accounting software, and free sounds perfect when you’re just starting out. It still is free, mostly. But Wave has changed, and the old “everything’s free” story isn’t quite true any more.
I’ve used Wave myself. Here’s everything on the site about it, so you know what’s free, what isn’t, and when you’ll outgrow it.
Is Wave right for you?
Wave’s free Starter plan covers invoicing and basic bookkeeping well. Some of the time-savers, like automatic bank imports, now sit in the paid Pro plan.
Wave is usually a good fit if you:
- are a freelancer or a very small business in the US or Canada
- want to stop using a spreadsheet without adding a monthly bill
- don’t mind entering or importing some transactions yourself
You might want to look elsewhere if you:
- work outside the US or Canada, where Wave’s banking and payroll features are limited
- want your accountant to work in familiar software (see Wave vs QuickBooks)
- need inventory, multi-currency or several users
Start here
Wave Accounting Review
What the free plan covers, what Pro adds, and who should skip Wave.
Wave vs QuickBooks
Free against paid: the point where QuickBooks earns its price.
Xero vs Wave
When to stay on Wave, and when to move to Xero.
Other free and low-cost options
Best Free Accounting Software
Wave against every other genuinely free option, with the limits spelled out.
Zoho Books Resource Center
The other serious free plan, with a clear upgrade path.
Best Accounting Software for Freelancers
Free and paid freelancer options compared on real costs.
How I review Wave
I’m an accountant, so I look at Wave the way I’d look at any set of books: does it keep the records accurate, does reconciliation get quicker, and can your accountant work in it without a fight? A pretty dashboard doesn’t count for much.
Prices and plan limits change, so the pricing guide is the one place on this site where I keep the numbers. If a price ever looks different elsewhere, trust the pricing guide and tell me. You can read how I test accounting software and how I keep pages up to date.
Questions people ask
Is Wave Accounting still free?
The Starter plan is still free. The paid Pro plan adds features like automatic bank imports. My Wave review spells out exactly where the line sits.
How does Wave make money if it’s free?
Mainly through payment processing fees, payroll and the Pro plan. That’s worth knowing, because card and bank payment fees can add up if you take a lot of online payments.
Where to go next
- Best accounting software for small business: my shortlist across every product.
- How to choose accounting software: the questions to answer before you pick anything.
- Accounting Software Resource Center: every review, comparison and guide on the site.