Wave vs QuickBooks: Best Accounting Tool in 2025?

This discount can’t be combined with any other promotional offer from Wave. Plus, easily access key reports (like profit and loss statements) about the health of your business. Wave’s dashboard organizes your info to show how your business is performing.

Our plans are built for small business owners at every stage! Then, whenever you’re ready, upgrade to the Pro Plan to unlock even more money management features. Sign up for the Starter Plan to take the bookkeeping and invoicing basics for a spin. If you’re looking for an on-the-go solution, you can install our mobile app to help you manage invoices and payments. Wave’s tools are web-based, so you just need an Internet connection and browser—no installation is necessary for our online software!

While it’s free for core features, some services like payroll or payment processing may incur a fee. Desktop provides more control and are often a one-time purchase, though they lack cloud convenience. Online offers more flexibility and accessibility. Wave Accounting does not offer built-in inventory management.

How to file taxes as an LLC: Step-by-step guide for small business owners

You can grant access to a trusted individual—an accountant, bookkeeper, tax preparer, or business partner, for example—by inviting that person to be a collaborator. Wave uses real, double-entry accounting software. You don’t need to be an accountant to keep your books organized, accurate, and ready for tax time. Our robust small business accounting reports are easy to use and show month-to-month or year-to-year comparisons so you can easily identify cash flow trends.

Less mess, less-stress small business bookkeeping

Look and feel polished, keep your books organized, and kick tax season’s butt, whether you’re a newbie or seasoned pro. Plus, our features are designed to work together, meaning less to worry about. Our invoicing process would be lost without it! In eight years, we haven’t had a single unpaid invoice, thanks to how easy it is to create, send, and follow up. “Wave makes your life a whole lot easier and takes that worry off you. I’ve tried Quickbooks—it’s a bit more complicated and technical, and takes more time to set up.”

Over 300,000 small businesses trust Wave to easily button-up their books

Transactions will appear in your bookkeeping automatically, and you’ll say goodbye to manual receipt entry. Have an eye on the big picture so you can make better business decisions. Create unlimited bookkeeping records and keep your records spotless. With the Pro Plan, automatically import, merge, and categorize your bank transactions.

  • The Wave app is the mobile companion to your desktop experience, helping you keep tabs on your biz— anytime, anywhere.
  • Transactions will appear in your bookkeeping automatically, and you’ll say goodbye to manual receipt entry.
  • Plus, easily access key reports (like profit and loss statements) about the health of your business.
  • It’s a solid choice for “software for small” businesses on a tight budget.
  • Approval to use online payments is subject to eligibility criteria, including identity verification and credit review.

Built for small business owners like you

The “better” choice depends on your specific business needs and budget. For managing your money seriously, it’s stronger. This is good as your business grows.

What if I just want to try Wave to see if it works for my business?

Wave makes it easy to invite additional users limitations of activity based costing to your account to help with your accounting. Yes, switching from other accounting apps or products to Wave is easy! “When I signed up with Wave it was a no brainer. It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made when it comes to making sure my accounting is on point.”

Import, categorize, and reconcile your transactions and stay organized, painlessly.

Think of it like a helpful friend for your business money. Used by over 7 million businesses, QuickBooks can save you an average of 42 hours per month on bookkeeping. We used each software to manage real business finances.

Small biz-friendly software

  • But QuickBooks has more features.
  • See our step-by-step guide on how to invite collaborators to your Wave account.
  • This can help you make bookkeeping a breeze.

Visit your dashboard or use your invoicing or accounting features, and click the peach “Upgrade now” button. Visit your dashboard or use your invoicing or accounting features, and click the “Upgrade now” button. Wave’s core accounting features are free.

Our double-entry accounting software is trusted by over 2 million small business owners.With Wave, you’ll also have an entire suite of money management features at your fingertips, including invoicing, payroll, and online payment processing. Wave lets small business owners like you create beautiful invoices, accept online payments, and make accounting easy—all in one place. Wave lets small business owners like you create beautiful invoices, accept online payments,and make accounting easy—all in one place. Choosing your accounting software is one of the most critical financial decisions you’ll make for your business. QuickBooks operates on a subscription-based pricing plan with various tiers offering different features. For small business owners, choosing the right accounting solution often comes down to cost versus comprehensive features.

Know when an invoice is viewed, becomes due, or gets paid, so you can stay on top of your cash flow better than ever. Easily create, customize, and send professional invoices while on-the-go. The quick summary allows you to stay in control of your business finances, including a task list of outstanding items. Easily monitor and keep track of what’s going on in your business with the intuitive dashboard. The Wave app is the mobile companion to your desktop experience, helping you keep tabs on your biz— anytime, anywhere. Prices do not include applicable tax.

1 Rates are 1% for bank payments (minimum fee of $1). “It’s not just a cool piece of software, it is giving peace of mind to people.” You deserve to know your taxes aren’t something you have to sweat over the entire calendar year.” It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made when it comes to making sure my accounting is on point.” “Wave invoicing makes your life a whole lot easier and takes that worry off you. I’ve tried Quickbooks—it’s a bit more complicated and technical, and takes more time to set up.”

You didn’t start your business to be a bookkeeper

Button-up your bookkeeping to make tax time suck less. Unlike other software, Wave is built for small business owners and solopreneurs at every stage—not accountants—so it’s easy for you to use. Make bookkeeping and tax time easy with solutions that are affordable, small biz friendly, and—dare we say—fun to use. It’s a solid choice for “software for small” businesses on a tight budget. Yes, Wave Accounting is a truly free option for basic accounting needs. QuickBooks Desktop and some QuickBooks Online plans offer more robust inventory tools.

The right choice depends entirely on where your business is today and where you plan for it to be tomorrow. Both platforms generate the reports your accountant needs for tax filing. To improve your financial literacy, check out our guide on remote work tools to improve communication and save time. Collaborate with an external accountant, giving them the access and tools needed to review the books, make adjustments, and prepare for tax season. For more insights on managing your business finances effectively, ledger account check out our guide on essential remote work software.

QuickBooks Online often offers more features and better scalability for growing businesses. At the end of the month, connect a business bank account, categorize 50 transactions, reconcile the account, and generate a Profit & Loss statement to review invoice templates for free performance. Find a platform that makes accounting as easy as possible for your small business. Learn more about changing subscription periods and plan types, and how to cancel your Pro subscription in our Help Centre. You’ll need to answer a few questions about your business and provide us with a little more information about yourself in order to get approved to accept online payments.

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