Wave: free invoicing and accounting for US and Canadian freelancers
Invoicing and accounting with a $0 Starter plan, published for US and Canadian small businesses
Wave is invoicing and accounting software for small businesses, with a Starter plan at $0. You send invoices and estimates, record your income and expenses, and take online payments from one web app.
Where it works: Wave publishes its prices in USD and CAD, and its payment terms for US and Canadian businesses. Its payroll page also covers those two countries, excluding Quebec. If you live anywhere else, do not assume it works for you: check with Wave first.
Who is Wave for?
Small business owners. The homepage names freelancers, solopreneurs, contractors and consultants, and the invoicing page mentions freelance writers, editors and developers. It suits you if you are based in the US or Canada and want to start without a monthly bill.
Features
- Invoicing: professional invoices and estimates, with your logo and colors.
- Payments: credit card, bank payment and Apple Pay.
- Accounting: income, expenses, cash flow and reports.
- Receipts: scan and store them.
- Mobile app: on iOS and Android.
- Payroll: a separate paid service for employees and contractors.
Wave pricing in 2026
Prices checked on the official site in October 2026, for the United States and Canada, in USD and CAD:
- Starter: $0, with unlimited estimates, invoices, bills and bookkeeping records.
- Pro: $19 USD a month or $190 USD a year, and $25 CAD a month or $250 CAD a year.
Online payments carry transaction fees on top. The rates depend on the plan and the payment method, so check the pricing page. Payroll and expert help from Wave Advisors are charged separately.
Why we recommend Wave
We recommend it if you are a US or Canadian freelancer who wants real invoicing and bookkeeping without a subscription on day one. The weak point to know about: automated overdue reminders and recurring billing need Pro, and Wave says not all financial institutions are supported for bank connections. Check the transaction fees too: they can matter more than the subscription.
Wave or another solution?
QuickBooks, Xero and FreshBooks are the paid comparisons. For a client document or a signature before you invoice, look at PandaDoc.
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths
- A $0 Starter plan with unlimited estimates, invoices, bills and bookkeeping records
- Freelancers, solopreneurs, contractors and consultants are named on the homepage
- Card, bank and Apple Pay payments on your invoices
- Web-based, with a mobile app for iOS and Android
Weaknesses
- Prices and payment terms are only published for the US and Canada
- Automated overdue reminders and recurring billing need the Pro plan
- Online payments carry transaction fees, and not all banks connect through Plaid
Frequently asked questions about Wave
Wave is invoicing and accounting software for small businesses. It covers invoices, estimates, payments, bookkeeping and receipts, with payroll as a separate service.
The Starter plan costs $0 and includes unlimited estimates, invoices, bills and bookkeeping records. Online payments carry transaction fees, and some features need the Pro plan.
Wave publishes its prices in USD and CAD, and its payment terms for US and Canadian businesses. If you live elsewhere, do not assume it works for you: check with Wave first.
In October 2026, Pro costs $19 USD a month or $190 USD a year, and $25 CAD a month or $250 CAD a year.
Freelancers are named on the homepage, and the invoicing page cites freelance writers, editors and developers. It fits best if you are based in the US or Canada.
Alternatives to Wave
What we would use instead, in the same category.
