Wave vs QuickBooks
Head-to-head comparison of two popular accounting software tools. See which one is right for your needs.
Last updated: March 2026
Quick Verdict
QuickBooks has a higher rating (4.3/5) compared to Wave (4.2/5). However, Wave offers a free tier which QuickBooks does not.
Wave
4.2Wave is a completely free accounting software for small businesses. It offers invoicing, accounting, receipt scanning, and financial reporting at no cost. Wave makes money through optional paid services like payroll and payment processing.
Pricing
Free
Key Features
- Invoicing
- Accounting
- Receipt Scanning
- Bank Connections
- Financial Reports
- Multi-business
- Payment Processing
- Payroll (Paid)
Pros
- + Completely free
- + Unlimited invoicing
- + Good for basics
- + No credit card required
Cons
- − Limited features
- − No inventory
- − Basic reporting
QuickBooks
4.3QuickBooks by Intuit is the most popular accounting software for small businesses in the US, with over 7 million users. It offers invoicing, expense tracking, payroll, and tax preparation. QuickBooks integrates with 750+ business apps and is the industry standard for small business accounting.
Pricing
$30/month
Key Features
- Invoicing
- Expense Tracking
- Bank Connections
- Payroll
- Tax Preparation
- Receipt Capture
- Reporting
- 750+ Integrations
Pros
- + Industry standard
- + Excellent integrations
- + Payroll included in some plans
- + Tax features
Cons
- − Expensive
- − Steep learning curve
- − Price increases over time