Wave review (2026): features, pros and cons, and what to check before you buy
Free-to-start bookkeeping and invoicing for tiny businesses that makes money on payments and a $19 Pro tier.
Our take for buyers
Wave is bookkeeping and invoicing software for solo and micro businesses, with a free Starter tier and a $19 Pro tier. It is owned by H&R Block. Shortlist it for freelancers and small service businesses that collect card payments through invoices. It is a poor match for teams that want a wide app ecosystem or inventory, or that need governance features. G2 rates it 4.3 from 327 reviews.
Reviewers praise free core bookkeeping and a simple interface. The recurring complaints are slow customer support, limited depth for growing firms and payment fees. Accountant access is practical: Block Advisors tax pros can be added free on Starter, and Wave Advisors offers a dedicated bookkeeper from $149 a month. Wave is native accounting, so there is no separate ledger to connect, but no integration list is given.
Pros
- Free core bookkeeping.
- Simple interface.
Cons
- Slow customer support.
- Payment fees replace subscription revenue.
- Limited depth for growing firms.
- Best for
- Freelancers and micro businesses wanting free bookkeeping.
- Starting price
- $0 (Starter); Pro $19/month
- G2 rating
- 4.3 (327 reviews)
What is Wave?
Free-to-start bookkeeping and invoicing for tiny businesses that makes money on payments and a $19 Pro tier. Wave offers free bookkeeping and invoicing for solo and micro businesses, with a $19 Pro tier. It earns money from payment processing and add-ons, so it fits freelancers who want simple books but not teams needing fast support or inventory. Wave was founded in 2009 and is based in Toronto, Canada.
Category: Accounting Software, Invoicing Software
Wave key features
| Criterion | What we found |
|---|---|
| Invoicing and billing | Invoicing on both tiers; online payments are paid by transaction. |
| Bank feeds and reconciliation | Automatic bank imports on Pro per Gappsy; not confirmed by the vendor. |
| Expense and bill management | Receipt capture add-on $11 or $8/month. |
| Payroll and sales tax support | Payroll add-on from $25 or $40/month. |
| Accountant access and integrations | Block Advisors tax pros can be added free on Starter. |
| Pricing model | Free Starter, $19 Pro, per-transaction payment fees. |
| Target company size | Solo and micro businesses. |
| Online payment acceptance | 2.9% + $0.60 per card on Starter. |
| Accounting integration | Native accounting. |
Wave plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $0 | Card processing 2.9% + $0.60 (Amex 3.4% + $0.60) | |
| Pro | $19/month or $190/year | 2.9% + $0 for first 10 transactions per month, then 2.9% + $0.60 | |
| Wave Advisors | from $149 or $199/month | Dedicated bookkeeper |
Payroll from $25 or $40/month. Receipt capture $11 or $8/month. Page lists no numeric user limit.
Who should shortlist Wave
A strong fit for
- Freelancers and micro businesses wanting free bookkeeping.
- Service businesses collecting card payments through invoices.
A weak fit for
- Teams wanting a wide app ecosystem or inventory.
- Buyers needing fast support (slow support is the main G2 complaint)
Wave alternatives
QuickBooks OnlineSmall businesses that work with an outside accountant who already uses QuickBooks.
XeroTeams that need unlimited users without per-seat cost.
FreshBooksFreelancers and service businesses billing a limited number of clients.
Zoho BooksSmall firms already on Zoho CRM or other Zoho apps.
Invoice NinjaFreelancers and small firms comfortable self hosting to avoid per seat fees.
Bill.comFinance teams that run both bill pay and invoicing in one tool with approval chains.
Contract and buying terms
- Starting price
- $0 (Starter); Pro $19/month.
- Pricing model
- Free tier plus flat Pro plan and payment fees.
- Free plan or trial
- Free plan.
What to test in a Wave demo or trial
Set up your real invoices and run a test payment to see how the 2.9% + $0.60 fee affects your margins. Check what you need that sits outside the product, because reviewers cite limited depth for growing firms and the app ecosystem is narrow. A third-party source says automatic bank imports are a Pro feature, so confirm that for your plan. Try accountant access with your own bookkeeper. Contact support before buying, since slow support is the main complaint, and note how long a reply takes.
Questions to ask Wave before you sign
These are the points Wave's public pages leave open. Get the answers in writing before procurement signs off.
- Which plan includes SAML SSO, and what does it cost for our seat count?
- Is SCIM provisioning included, or a paid add-on?
- Which plan includes audit logs, and how long are they kept?
- Where is our data stored, and can we choose the region?
- Can we sign your standard DPA without changes?
- Is there a monthly option, and what are the cancellation and renewal terms?
- What will the price be at renewal, and is the increase capped?
Things to know before a demo
- Owned by H&R Block, which reports Wave Pro tier momentum in fiscal 2026.
- Starter is free but card payments cost 2.9% + $0.60 per transaction.
- Pro roles (admin, editor, viewer) imply multi-user, but the page gives no numeric user limit.
- Wave Advisors adds a dedicated bookkeeper from $149/month.
- A $9.50/month Pro promo ran Dec 2025 to Jan 2026.
Wave FAQ
What is Wave used for?
Wave offers free bookkeeping and invoicing for solo and micro businesses, with a $19 Pro tier. It earns money from payment processing and add-ons, so it fits freelancers who want simple books but not teams needing fast support or inventory. It suits freelancers and micro businesses wanting free bookkeeping.
Who is Wave best for?
Freelancers and micro businesses that want free bookkeeping, and service businesses that collect card payments through invoices. Slow support and limited depth for growing firms are the main drawbacks.
Does Wave support SSO?
Wave does not publish SSO or SCIM support. Ask the vendor if you need single sign-on or audit logs.
Who owns Wave?
Wave is owned by H&R Block, which acquired it for $537 million according to Wave's announcement.
Vendor profile
- Founded
- 2009.
- Headquarters
- Toronto, Canada.
- Employees
- 370 (Jan 2023, per Wikipedia)
- Funding or owner
- Acquired by H&R Block.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from Wave's own pricing, product or documentation pages, G2 and company records, checked on October 24, 2026. Unknown values are left out instead of estimated.