Billing & Invoicing Software · Accounting Software

FreshBooks vs Wave

Both are billing & invoicing software and accounting software. The short answer: choose FreshBooks if you are freelancers and service businesses billing clients for time; choose Wave if you are very small businesses in the US and Canada on a tight budget.

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FreshBooks logo FreshBooksWave logo Wave
Best forFreelancers and service businesses billing clients for timeVery small businesses in the US and Canada on a tight budget
Free planNo (trial may exist)Yes
PricingSee providerSee provider
Built for IndiaGlobalGlobal
CategoriesBilling & Invoicing Software, Accounting Software, Freelancer & Agency ToolsBilling & Invoicing Software, Accounting Software
Strengths
  • Very easy invoicing
  • Time tracking built in
  • Good client experience
  • Free core invoicing and accounting
  • Simple to learn
Watch out for
  • Pricing tiers limit billable clients
  • Less suited to inventory businesses
  • Best suited to US/Canada
  • Fewer integrations
Visit FreshBooksVisit Wave

Which should you choose?

FreshBooks: Invoicing-first accounting software with time tracking, expenses and client portals.

Wave: Free-to-start invoicing and accounting for small businesses, with paid payments and payroll add-ons.

The best way to decide is to run the same week of real work through both — most offer a free plan or trial — and compare how long tasks take, what your team prefers, and the total cost for your number of users including renewal pricing.

Not sure either fits? See all billing & invoicing software compared.