QuickBooks Online vs Wave
A side-by-side look at what QuickBooks Online and Wave publish about pricing, plans and features.
This page sets the two products' recorded data side by side. It is not an editorial review — nobody has tested either product for this page, and the figures below are not independently verified. Read how we handle data and what each label means.
| Field | QuickBooks Online | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Accounting | Accounting |
| Entry price | $35/mo | Free plan only |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Free trial | 30-day trial | No |
| Tagged for | Freelancers | Freelancers |
| G2 rating unverified | 4 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Capterra rating unverified | 4.3 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
Where they differ
- Wave lists a free plan; QuickBooks Online does not, though it lists a 30-day trial.
- Wave does not publish an entry price; pricing is quote-based.
- QuickBooks Online lists a free trial; Wave does not.
Head to head
QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks Online is the accounting lingua franca of US small business — the software accountants expect, with the deepest ecosystem of banks, apps and tax integrations. Invoicing, expense capture, mileage and reporting are comprehensive, and the accountant marketplace makes professional help easy to find. Prices have climbed steadily and the interface shows its age in places, but network effects keep it the safe default choice.
The go-to accounting suite for SMBs.
What we record about QuickBooks Online →Reported strengths
- Feature-rich
- Accountant-friendly
- Lots of integrations
Reported drawbacks
- Pricey
- Occasional bugs
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.
Free accounting and invoicing for the self-employed.
What we record about Wave →Reported strengths
- Free core features
- Simple
- Good for freelancers
Reported drawbacks
- Paid payments/payroll
- Limited scaling