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wave

by Wave Accounting · Since 2010
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ActiveAvailable globallyCloudFree tier
Quick facts
VendorWave Accounting
Year launched2010
StatusActive
LocationPrimary 155 Queens Quay E, 500, Toronto, Ontario M5A 0W4, CANADA
Countries servedGlobal
Languages1
Integrations8+
Free tierYES
Free trialYES
Contact salesN/A

About wave

Wave is an accounting software platform from Wave Accounting designed for small businesses. It provides features like a small business tax season guide, a tax season checklist, and resources on profit and loss statements so users can manage their finances effectively. Wave also helps simplify bookkeeping and payroll management, making it a comprehensive tool for financial oversight. Over 350,000 small businesses trust Wave to simplify their accounting processes with its user-friendly interface and helpful resources. Key capabilities: create and send invoices accept online payments manage payroll access financial reports provide bookkeeping resources Best for: small business owners that need efficient financial management tools.

Wave is an all-in-one money management solution tailored for small business owners and solopreneurs, aiming to make bookkeeping and tax time easy—or even "fun." Its core functionality integrates no-sweat accounting, professional invoicing, and secure online payments in one place. Praised as simpler and less complicated than alternatives like QuickBooks, Wave is highly intuitive, featuring a convenient mobile companion app for tracking income, expenses, and cash flow on the go. The system provides dependable functionality, including reliable payroll that manages complicated legal requirements, and Advisors for 1:1 expert coaching or full service. Users appreciate the integrated features, which are designed to work together, eliminating the need to endlessly research separate solutions. The platform is deployed as a modern, Web-Based, Cloud, and SaaS solution, meaning no installation is necessary for use. Pricing is structured modularly to suit growing needs. It offers a generous Starter Plan for $0/month and a Pro Plan for $19 USD/month. Specialized services include the Wave Advisors Plan starting at $199/month and the Payroll Add-On starting from $40/month. CONTACT FOR QUOTE on larger services is available.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Completely free core accounting and invoicing tools make it cost-effective for freelancers and small businesses.
  • Simple, intuitive interface designed for non-accountants helps users manage finances without steep learning curves.
  • Integrated payments and payroll systems streamline operations and reduce the need for third-party tools.
  • Cloud-based platform allows access from anywhere with automatic data syncing across desktop and mobile.
  • Robust financial reporting provides clear insights into profitability, cash flow, and business performance.
Cons
  • Payroll and payments services are region-specific, leaving many international users without access.
  • Lacks advanced accounting features like inventory tracking or project-based costing for larger firms.
  • No dedicated phone support line; users rely primarily on email or live chat with limited availability.
  • Occasional syncing and bank connection issues can disrupt transaction imports and reconciliation.
  • Reporting customization is limited compared to more advanced accounting platforms.
  • Multi-user permissions and team management options are basic and not ideal for larger teams.

Features

Key features

Accounting

Double-entry bookkeeping, P&L, balance sheet, cashflow reporting and accounting reports.

Invoicing

Create, customize and send unlimited professional invoices and estimates.

Payments

Accept online credit card payments, bank (ACH) payments and Apple Pay via Payments by Wave.

Payroll

Run payroll, direct deposit, tax forms and (where supported) automatic tax remittances and filings.

Receipts

Digitally capture receipts (receipt scanning / OCR) and attach to transactions.

Pro Plan automation

Auto-import, auto-merge and auto-categorize bank transactions; automated late reminders; unlimited receipt scanning in Pro.

Wave Connect / Google Sheets

Upload/download customers, invoices, transactions and generate reports via Google Sheets add-on.

Integrations & API

Developer API plus partner integrations (Make, Zapier, Driversnote, etc.) for automation.

Wave Advisors

Paid bookkeeping & advisory services (in-house experts) and optional managed bookkeeping.

Mobile App

iOS/Android app for invoicing, expense tracking and notifications.

Additional features

Double-entry Accounting

Supports journal entries and customizable chart of accounts for accurate bookkeeping.

Income & Expense Tracking

Monitors cash inflows and outflows with detailed category management.

Financial Reporting

Generates Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow reports for business insights.

Invoicing

Create unlimited invoices, estimates, and bills for clients and suppliers.

Invoice Customization

Offers editable templates for branded, professional-looking invoices.

Recurring Billing

Automates recurring invoices and payment reminders (available in Pro plan).

Online Payments

Accepts credit cards, ACH bank transfers, and Apple Pay for fast online payments.

Payment Fees

Applies transparent per-transaction fees for processing online payments.

Payroll

Handles employee payroll, direct deposits, tax forms (W-2/1099 in US, T4/T4A in Canada), and supported tax remittances.

Receipt Management

Enables digital receipt scanning, OCR recognition, and mobile receipt uploads.

Wave Connect

Integrates with Google Sheets for easy data import, export, and custom reporting.

Integrations

Connects via Make, Zapier, and partners like Driversnote and MinuteDock for automation.

Developer API

Provides API access for developers to build custom integrations and workflows.

Wave Advisors

Offers expert-paid bookkeeping and accounting advisory services.

Multi-Business Profiles

Allows managing multiple business accounts within a single user profile.

Data Management

Supports data import/export in CSV format and via bank statement uploads.

Security

Ensures PCI Level 1 compliance and read-only bank connections through Plaid for data safety.

Help Center

Provides a detailed knowledge base and education resources for Accounting and Payroll.

Mobile App

iOS/Android app for invoicing, expense tracking, and financial notifications.

Pricing

Free trial
Free version
Request a quote
Promo Offer

Monthly plans

Receipts Add-On
USD 8/mo
billed monthly
Pro Plan
USD 19/mo
billed monthly

Countries & Languages

Global
Countries served
1
Interface languages
1
Billing currencies

Interface languages

English

Billing currencies

🇺🇸USD

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