FreshBooks vs Wave
FreshBooks rates 4.5/5 and starts at $19/mo. Wave rates 4.3/5 and starts at Free. Wave is the cheaper entry point. FreshBooks is the higher rated. Only Wave has a free tier.
FreshBooks rates higher (4.5/5 vs 4.3/5). Wave is cheaper to start (Free vs $19/mo). FreshBooks suits Freelancers & service businesses, while Wave is aimed at Micro-businesses & freelancers.
FreshBooks vs Wave at a glance
| Measure | FreshBooks | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Reviews | 6,200 | 3,900 |
| Starting price | $19/mo | Free |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Public API | Yes | No |
| Integrations listed here | 5 | 4 |
Feature & pricing comparison
| Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.3 |
| Starting price | $19/mo | Free |
| Pricing model | Paid | Freemium |
| API available | ||
| Best for | Freelancers & service businesses | Micro-businesses & freelancers |
| Invoicing | ||
| Time tracking | ||
| Expense tracking | ||
| Project billing | ||
| Client portal | ||
| Free accounting | ||
| Unlimited invoicing | ||
| Receipt scanning | ||
| Paid payments add-on | ||
| Payroll add-on | ||
| Visit | Visit |
Pricing side by side
FreshBooks
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Lite | $19/mo | $228 |
| Plus | $33/mo | $396 |
| Premium | $60/mo | $720 |
Wave
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Free | — |
| Pro | $16/mo | $192 |
Which should you choose?
Choose FreshBooks if…
- Very easy to use matters to you.
- Great invoicing matters to you.
- Strong time tracking matters to you.
- Limited integrations would be a problem.
Choose Wave if…
- Core features free matters to you.
- Easy for beginners matters to you.
- Good invoicing matters to you.
- Client limits on low tiers would be a problem.
FreshBooks
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Great invoicing
- Strong time tracking
Cons
- Client limits on low tiers
- Lighter on full bookkeeping
Wave
Pros
- Core features free
- Easy for beginners
- Good invoicing
Cons
- Limited integrations
- Support paid
Frequently asked questions
Is FreshBooks better than Wave?+
FreshBooks rates higher (4.5/5 vs 4.3/5). Wave is cheaper to start (Free vs $19/mo). FreshBooks suits Freelancers & service businesses, while Wave is aimed at Micro-businesses & freelancers.
Which is cheaper, FreshBooks or Wave?+
Wave — it starts at Free, versus $19/mo for FreshBooks.
Do FreshBooks or Wave have a free plan?+
Wave has a free tier; FreshBooks does not (though trials may be available).
Which is better rated, FreshBooks or Wave?+
FreshBooks, at 4.5/5 across 6,200 reviews, versus 4.3/5 for Wave.
What is FreshBooks best for, and what is Wave best for?+
FreshBooks is aimed at Freelancers & service businesses (freelancers, agencies billing clients). Wave is aimed at Micro-businesses & freelancers (side hustles, micro-businesses).