FreshBooks vs Wave
On the evidence we track, FreshBooks leads this comparison with a composite score of 64/100. Scores are only directly comparable because these tools share a category; the full breakdown and every source is below.
Capabilities
Feature-by-feature on the axes that matter for accounting software. “-” means undocumented, not absent.
What each one is
The product in its own terms, so the numbers below have context.
FreshBooks
LeaderA web-based accounting platform that streamlines invoicing, payment collection, expense tracking, and financial reporting for small businesses and independent professionals.
Wave
A unified platform combining bookkeeping, invoicing, payment processing, and reporting in one dashboard. Helps small business owners track income and expenses, manage cash flow, and maintain organized financial records year-round.
Pricing
List pricing as published by each vendor, with the date we read it. Always verify at the source before you buy.
FreshBooks
LeaderFrom $2.30/mo (introductory) or $23.00/mo (regular). Free 30-day trial.
- Lite$2.30/mo (promotional: 90% off for 3 months, regular $23.00/mo)
- Track and organize client info
- 5 billable clients
- Automated recurring invoices
- Plus$4.30/mo (regular price $43.00/mo)
- Track and organize client info
- 50 billable clients
- Automated recurring invoices
- Client payment options
- Email receipts to account
- Premium$7.00/mo (regular price $70.00/mo)
- Track and organize client info
- Unlimited billable clients
- Automated recurring invoices
- Client payment options
- Email receipts to account
Wave
Free Starter plan with unlimited invoicing and bookkeeping. Pro from $16/month includes bank automation. Wave Advisors from $149/month for managed bookkeeping. Payment processing fees: 2.9% + $0.60 per Visa/Mastercard transaction.
- StarterFree
- Unlimited invoices, estimates, bills
- Unlimited bookkeeping records
- Mobile app access
- Dashboard and reports
- Payment processing available
- Pro$16/month billed monthly, or $190/year billed annually
- Everything in Starter
- Auto-import bank transactions via Plaid
- Auto-merge and auto-categorize transactions
- Unlimited receipt capture and tracking
- Add multiple users/collaborators
- +1 more
- Wave Advisors$149/month or $199/month depending on tier
- Everything in Pro
- Dedicated bookkeeper management
- Monthly financial statements
- Expert bookkeeping support
- Transition assistance from other software
- +1 more
Platform & deployment
Where each product runs and how it can be hosted. A dash means undocumented, not unsupported.
Integrations
What each product connects to. Counts come from the vendor's own integration directory where one exists.
FreshBooks
Leader- Pidj
- NiceJob
- Acuity Scheduling
- ReviewNudger
- EasyCSV
- AvaTax
- Trophy Jar
- Paystorm: Chase Late Payments
- InvoiceSherpa
Wave
- Plaid
- Zapier
- Shopify
- Square
- ADP
- RBC
- Block Advisors
- Apple Pay
FreshBooks or Wave: which one depends on you
A composite score cannot know your constraints. Describe them and both get re-weighted against what you actually need, with the evidence behind every position.
Free to run, no account needed to start. How the evaluation works
Comparison generated from independently-sourced facts. Every value links to its source and retrieval date. See the method.