Wave vs FreshBooks: Which is better in 2026?
A side-by-side comparison of pricing, features, and use cases to help you decide between Wave and FreshBooks.
Wave
Free accounting and invoicing for small businesses
From Free/mo
Free plan available
FreshBooks
Invoicing and accounting for freelancers and small businesses
From $17/mo
No free plan
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | Wave | FreshBooks |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free/mo ✓ Cheaper | $17/mo |
| Free plan | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Pricing model | freemium | paid |
| G2 rating | 4.4/5 | 4.5/5 ↑ |
| Capterra rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Founded | 2009 | 2003 |
Wave: pros & cons
Pros
- ✓Core features are free
- ✓No limits on invoices or clients
- ✓Easy to use
- ✓Good for freelancers
Cons
- ✗Payment processing fees
- ✗Less powerful than QuickBooks
- ✗US & Canada focused
- ✗Limited integrations
FreshBooks: pros & cons
Pros
- ✓Best invoicing experience
- ✓Great for freelancers
- ✓Easy to use
- ✓Strong mobile app
Cons
- ✗Client limits on lower plans
- ✗Not ideal for product businesses
- ✗Limited inventory features