FreshBooks vs Wave (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of pricing, features and real-world ratings to help you choose between FreshBooks and Wave.
| Feature | FreshBooks | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Accounting | Accounting |
| Starting Price | $19/mo | Free |
| Free Trial | 30-day trial | No |
| G2 Rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Best For | Freelancers | Freelancers |
| Reviews | 4,400 | 1,700 |
Key differences between FreshBooks and Wave
Wave offers a free plan you can start on today, while FreshBooks requires a paid subscription (after its 30-day trial). If budget is the deciding factor, that difference matters more than any feature.
User sentiment favors FreshBooks: it averages 4.4/5 across 4,400 reviews versus 4.3/5 for Wave (1,700 reviews).
FreshBooks leans into invoicing and time tracking, while Wave puts its weight behind invoicing and accounting — pick based on which of those you will actually use weekly.
🏆 Our Verdict
FreshBooks is our overall pick, scoring 4.4/5 across 4400 reviews. That said, Wave remains a great option if you prioritise freelancers. Read the breakdown below before you decide.
Head to head
FreshBooks
FreshBooks is accounting for people who sell their time: freelancers, consultants and agencies who live on invoices, tracked hours and expense receipts. Its invoicing is the best-looking in the category, with retainers, proposals and late-payment reminders built in. It is intentionally lighter on double-entry depth than QuickBooks or Xero — accountants sometimes grumble — and client limits on lower tiers push growing practices upward.
FreshBooks
Invoicing and accounting built for freelancers.
Visit FreshBooks →Pros
- ✓Super easy
- ✓Great invoicing
- ✓Good support
Cons
- ✗Client limits on plans
- ✗Less robust accounting
Wave
Wave's core promise is radical for the category: real double-entry accounting and unlimited invoicing for exactly zero dollars, funded by payment processing and payroll fees. For freelancers and side businesses with simple books, it covers surprisingly much. The boundaries are clear — US/Canada only, basic reporting, no inventory, and support prioritizes paying users — but as a starting point it is unbeatable on price.
Wave
Free accounting and invoicing for the self-employed.
Visit Wave →Pros
- ✓Free core features
- ✓Simple
- ✓Good for freelancers
Cons
- ✗Paid payments/payroll
- ✗Limited scaling
How we compare tools
Every comparison on SaaS Compare follows the same recipe: we aggregate verified user ratings from G2 and Capterra, track published pricing (including free plans and trial terms), and weigh the practical pros and cons reported by real users. We refresh this data on a regular schedule and never let affiliate partnerships influence a verdict — the same criteria decide every matchup, including this FreshBooks vs Wave comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Is FreshBooks better than Wave?
Based on aggregated ratings, FreshBooks edges ahead with a 4.4/5 score. The right choice still depends on your budget and use case — FreshBooks suits freelancers, while Wave is strong for freelancers.
Which is cheaper, FreshBooks or Wave?
FreshBooks starts at $19/mo and Wave starts at a free plan.
Does FreshBooks or Wave offer a free trial?
FreshBooks: 30-day trial. Wave: no free trial.
What do users say about FreshBooks and Wave?
FreshBooks averages 4.4/5 from 4,400 reviews (G2: 4.5/5, Capterra: 4.5/5). Wave averages 4.3/5 from 1,700 reviews (G2: 4.3/5, Capterra: 4.4/5). Ratings aggregate thousands of verified users, so small gaps are meaningful at this scale.
When should I pick Wave instead?
Despite the overall verdict, Wave is the better fit when free core features and simple matter most to your workflow, particularly for freelancers.