Waveapps

What is Wave

Wave is a cloud-based small business financial platform from Wave Financial that combines accounting, invoicing, and payments in one web app aimed at freelancers, solopreneurs, and very small teams. The core accounting and invoicing modules are available without a recurring subscription fee, while payment processing and payroll are offered as paid add-ons. Wave focuses on simplicity, automating routine bookkeeping tasks and removing barriers that often deter very small businesses from keeping tidy financial records.

The product is browser-first with mobile companion apps for on-the-go invoice management and receipt capture. Wave supports multi-currency billing, recurring invoices, basic expense tracking, and financial reports such as profit & loss and balance sheet. It also includes bank and credit card connections to import transactions automatically, with categorization rules to speed up reconciliation.

Wave positions itself as a practical tool for businesses that need core financial operations without the complexity or higher user counts typical of enterprise accounting software. It targets creators, consultants, contractors, and service businesses that process modest volumes of transactions and prefer a straightforward interface over granular accounting controls.

Wave features

Wave’s feature set is organized around four main areas: invoicing, accounting, payments, and payroll. Each area is designed to integrate so that invoices, payments, and bank activity flow into bookkeeping automatically.

• Invoicing: professional invoice templates, recurring invoices, automatic reminders, credit notes, and estimate conversion
• Accounting: double-entry bookkeeping, automatic bank imports and reconciliation, charts of accounts, and key financial reports
• Payments: online card and bank payment acceptance, automatic payment reconciliation, and payouts to a linked bank account
• Payroll (add-on): payroll processing, employee and contractor pay runs, tax filings (in supported jurisdictions), and year-end reporting

Beyond these, Wave provides receipt scanning via mobile, multi-user access with role-based permissions, and integrations for exporting data to CSV or Excel. The platform includes automated workflows such as saving categorized transactions and generating recurring invoices, which reduces manual entry and speeds up month-end close.

What does Wave do?

Wave helps small business owners create, send, and track invoices, accept customer payments online, and keep basic books without hiring an accountant. The invoicing tools let you design branded invoices, set payment terms, and schedule automated reminders to reduce late payments. When payments are received through Wave Payments, they are matched to invoices automatically so your accounts receivable and bank balance remain in sync.

On the bookkeeping side, Wave automates bank and card transaction imports and allows users to set recurring categorization rules. That reduces reconciliation time and enables fast generation of reports like profit & loss and cash flow summaries—useful for tax preparation and quarterly planning. For businesses that want payroll, Wave offers a paid payroll add-on that manages pay runs, tax calculations, and filings in jurisdictions where Wave supports those services.

Wave also provides team collaboration features at a basic level—multiple users can access the account with permission controls, which is suitable for sharing financial data with bookkeepers or co-owners. For deeper integrations or developer use cases, Wave documents developer APIs and partner options to move data programmatically or build custom workflows.

Wave pricing

Wave offers flexible pricing tailored to different business needs, from individual users to small teams. The core accounting and invoicing features are available without a monthly subscription, while payment processing and payroll are billed based on transaction volume and payroll services selected. Wave’s structure typically separates free core services from paid add-ons so small businesses can start without upfront costs and add features as they grow. Check their official pricing page for the most current information.

In practice this means:

• Free Plan: Core accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning available at no recurring cost so solo operators can manage bookkeeping and issue invoices without a subscription fee.
• Payments processing: Card and ACH/bank payment fees are charged per transaction and vary by country and payment method. These fees usually include a percentage of the transaction plus a fixed per-transaction amount; check Wave’s payment details on their site for exact rates.
• Payroll: Available as a paid monthly service in supported regions; pricing depends on whether you require tax service or self-service payroll and on the number of payees.

Visit their official pricing page for the most current information.

How much is Wave per month

Wave offers flexible monthly pricing rather than a single per-user subscription for core features. The accounting and invoicing core remain free of monthly charges; paid components such as online payments are charged per transaction and payroll is billed on a monthly basis where available. To get a precise monthly cost for your business, calculate expected payment processing volume and whether you will add payroll; then check their current pricing options for detailed transaction rates and payroll tiers.

How much is Wave per year

Wave offers flexible yearly options in the sense that core services do not require annual subscriptions. If you choose payroll or other recurring paid services and prefer annual billing (where offered), compare the monthly and annual billing options on their pricing page for potential savings. Visit their official pricing page to view any annual plans, promotional discounts, or enterprise arrangements.

How much is Wave in general

Wave pricing ranges from free (core accounting and invoicing) to transaction-based and payroll fees. Small businesses frequently pay nothing to use Wave’s accounting and invoicing, and then incur payment-processing fees (a percentage plus a per-transaction fee) and optional payroll subscription fees. Because costs depend on usage—number of card transactions, ACH volume, and number of payroll payees—Wave’s model is usage-driven rather than per-seat subscription for core features. Visit their official pricing page for up-to-date examples and calculators.

What is Wave used for

Wave is used primarily for small-business bookkeeping, invoicing, and accepting payments online. Freelancers and micro-businesses use it to issue professional invoices, track outstanding receivables, and automatically reconcile payments to reduce manual bookkeeping work. It also functions as an entry-level accounting platform that covers the essentials needed for tax filings and basic financial reporting.

Common use cases include:

• Contractors and consultants issuing recurring invoices and tracking time-based billing
• Freelancers managing receipts, expenses, and quarterly tax estimates
• Small service businesses using payment links and card acceptance to reduce the time between invoicing and cash collection

Because Wave integrates invoicing with bookkeeping, it’s often chosen by businesses that want their invoicing activity to flow directly into financial reports without extra exports or manual journal entries. For small teams, Wave offers multi-user access to involve bookkeepers or co-owners in the bookkeeping workflow.

Pros and cons of Wave

Wave works well for micro-businesses and solo operators but has trade-offs compared with more feature-rich accounting platforms.

Pros:

• Simple, uncluttered interface that non-accountants can use quickly
• Free Plan for core accounting and invoicing lowers the barrier to entry for new businesses
• Built-in payment processing that ties directly to invoices and bookkeeping
• Receipt capture and automatic bank import reduce manual data entry

Cons:

• Limited advanced accounting and enterprise features found in solutions like QuickBooks Online or Xero (e.g., advanced inventory, complex multi-entity consolidation)
• Payroll coverage is only available in certain countries and can require additional fees
• Less extensive app ecosystem and third-party integrations than larger competitors

Choosing Wave makes sense when your priority is simplicity and low fixed cost; businesses with complex accounting needs or multi-entity operations may outgrow Wave and need to plan for migration to a more feature-complete platform.

Wave free trial

Wave’s model centers on a permanently available, no-subscription core rather than a time-limited free trial for accounting and invoicing. New users can sign up and use the core bookkeeping and invoicing features immediately at no cost. For paid add-ons such as payroll, Wave may offer introductory promotions or limited-time discounts; check the payroll or payments sections of the site for any current trials or promotional pricing.

Because the core is free, a practical way to evaluate Wave is to sign up, connect a bank or a credit card on a read-only basis, create an invoice, and test the automated categorization and reporting workflows. This approach gives a real-world sense of how much manual effort Wave will save.

If you plan to add payroll or high-volume payment processing, contact Wave sales or consult their Help Center to confirm whether short-term trials or promotional offers are available for those paid services.

Is Wave free

Yes, Wave provides a free core offering for invoicing and accounting. The free components include invoice creation, basic bookkeeping, receipt scanning, and financial reports; they are intended to let solo operators and very small businesses manage day-to-day finances without a subscription. Paid items such as payment processing fees and payroll subscriptions apply only when you use those specific services.

For precise details about what is included in the free tier and which features require paid add-ons, consult Wave’s pricing and features documentation.

Wave API

Wave provides developer resources and APIs for programmatic access to certain parts of the platform. The Wave developer site documents endpoints for reading and writing data related to customers, invoices, payments, and accounts, enabling partners and developers to build integrations or synchronize data with other systems. Typical uses of the API include automating invoice creation from third-party systems, exporting accounting data to custom reporting tools, and integrating payment events with CRM platforms.

Access to particular API endpoints or partner programs may require registration and API keys; check Wave’s developer documentation for authentication methods, rate limits, and the exact capabilities available to external developers. For implementation details and examples, see Wave’s developer documentation.

If you need a custom integration but prefer not to develop it yourself, Wave’s support documentation lists recommended partner accountants and bookkeeping services that can assist with setup and automation.

10 Wave alternatives

Paid alternatives to Wave

• QuickBooks Online — Full-featured small business accounting with extensive reporting, payroll add-ons, and a large app marketplace; suited to businesses planning to scale beyond single-person operations.
• Xero — Cloud accounting with strong bank reconciliation, multi-currency support, and an established ecosystem of third-party integrations and accountants.
• FreshBooks — Invoicing and time-tracking focus with simple accounting features aimed at freelancers and service businesses.
• Zoho Books — Broad small business suite that integrates tightly with other Zoho apps; includes automation, inventory basics, and robust API access.
• Sage Business Cloud Accounting — Cloud accounting with payroll and compliance options targeted at growing small businesses and accountants.
• QuickBooks Self-Employed — Simplified bookkeeping and tax-tracking tool designed specifically for freelancers and independent contractors.
• Square Invoices — Invoicing and payments tightly integrated with Square’s point-of-sale and payment ecosystem; convenient for retail and service businesses that use Square hardware.

Open source alternatives to Wave

• GnuCash — Desktop double-entry accounting software aimed at small businesses and personal finance; free and mature, but lacks cloud-native collaboration.
• ERPNext — Open source ERP with accounting, invoicing, inventory, and CRM; suitable if you want a wider set of business modules and are comfortable with self-hosting or managed hosting.
• Odoo (Community Edition) — Modular open-source suite that includes invoicing and accounting in its community flavor; requires setup and maintenance for robust use.
• Manager.io — Free desktop accounting with a cloud option; covers standard bookkeeping and invoicing for micro-businesses.

Frequently asked questions about Wave

What is Wave used for?

Wave is used for invoicing, basic accounting, and accepting online payments. It helps freelancers and very small businesses send professional invoices, track expenses, import bank transactions, and produce core financial reports such as profit & loss and balance sheets. Wave integrates invoices and payment events into bookkeeping to reduce manual reconciliation work.

How does Wave accept customer payments?

Wave accepts card and bank payments through built-in payment processing. When you enable Wave Payments, customers can pay invoices by credit/debit card or supported bank transfer methods; Wave posts these payments back to your bookkeeping automatically. Payment processing fees apply per transaction—see their payments documentation for current rates.

Does Wave offer payroll services?

Yes, Wave offers payroll as a paid add-on in supported regions. Payroll handles pay runs for employees and contractors and can optionally include tax calculation and filing depending on your country. Because payroll availability and pricing vary by jurisdiction, check Wave’s payroll information for country-specific details and service levels.

Can I import bank transactions into Wave?

Yes, Wave supports bank and credit card connections for automatic transaction imports. Imported transactions can be auto-categorized using rules, and you can reconcile them against invoices and expenses to maintain accurate books. If your bank is not available as a direct connection, Wave supports CSV import of transactions as a fallback.

Is Wave secure for financial data?

Yes, Wave uses standard industry security practices to protect user data. Wave employs HTTPS/TLS encryption for data in transit and follows security controls appropriate to a PCI-compliant payments provider; for details on their security measures and compliance, review Wave’s security information.

Why choose Wave instead of QuickBooks or Xero?

Choose Wave when you need a low-cost, easy-to-use solution for solo or very small operations. Wave’s core accounting and invoicing are free, which can be a decisive advantage for micro-businesses with limited budgets. For organizations that require advanced features like inventory, complex payroll across many states/countries, or extensive third-party integrations, QuickBooks or Xero may be more appropriate.

When will my bank transactions sync with Wave?

Bank transactions typically sync within minutes to a few hours depending on the bank connection. Wave initiates periodic refreshes of linked accounts; if your bank enforces delays or multi-factor authentication, the initial connection may require manual steps. If automatic sync fails, use CSV import as a temporary method to get recent transactions into Wave.

Where can I find Wave's current pricing?

Wave posts up-to-date pricing and rates on their official pricing page. Because parts of Wave are free and other services are charged per transaction or per month (payroll), consult the official pricing page to calculate your expected costs and view any regional differences.

What integrations does Wave support?

Wave supports direct bank connections, CSV import/export, and API-based integrations. It offers native links to banks for transaction imports and a public developer site for building custom integrations; additionally, third-party tools and middleware can sync Wave data with common platforms like CRM or payment services. For a complete list of developer resources and integration examples, see Wave’s developer documentation.

How do I contact Wave support?

Wave offers tiered support depending on features and add-ons used. Free users can access self-service documentation and community resources through the Wave Help Center, while paid users and customers of paid add-ons often have access to email or chat support and, in some cases, phone support. Check Wave’s support center for current support channels and hours.

Wave careers

Wave regularly lists job openings for product, engineering, customer success, and marketing roles. The company often seeks candidates with backgrounds in fintech, SaaS product development, and customer support for small-business products. Many openings provide remote or hybrid options depending on role and location—check their careers page for current listings and application details.

Wave affiliate

Wave runs partner and affiliate programs that allow accountants, bookkeepers, and referrals partners to recommend Wave to clients and receive referral benefits. Partner programs often include access to resources for onboarding client accounts and visibility into product updates. For information on becoming a partner or joining affiliate programs, consult Wave’s partner resources on their site.

Where to find Wave reviews

Independent reviews for Wave can be found on software review platforms and business app marketplaces. For user ratings and comparative feedback, check customer reviews on sites such as G2 (search for Wave reviews) and Trustpilot to read current user experiences. For feature-specific feedback, reviews on accounting forums and community posts provide practical insight from businesses similar to yours.