The best free QuickBooks alternative for a one-person business that mostly invoices. The free plan has been trimmed over the years, though: bank auto-import and receipt scanning now need Pro.
What it is
Wave is accounting and invoicing software for freelancers and very small businesses. Starter is free: unlimited estimates, invoices, bills and double-entry bookkeeping records, with card payments at 2.9% + $0.60 per transaction. Pro is $19 a month or $190 a year (new customers currently pay $9.50 a month for 3 months) and adds automatic bank transaction import and categorization, unlimited receipt capture, automated late-payment reminders, team access (admin, editor and viewer roles) and card payments at 2.9% + $0 for the first 10 transactions a month. Payroll is an add-on from $25 or $40 a month depending on the state, receipts on Starter are $11 a month, and Wave Advisors bookkeeping starts at $149 a month. Prices checked November 12, 2026 on waveapps.com/pricing.
Best for
- Freelancers and solo businesses
- Service businesses that mainly invoice
- Owners who want free double-entry books
What we like
- Free plan with unlimited invoices and bills
- Pro is $19 a month, half QuickBooks Simple Start
- Payroll, bookkeeping help and payments in one place
What to watch
- Free plan dropped bank auto-import and receipt scanning: both need Pro or an add-on
- No inventory, projects or multi-currency depth for growing businesses
- Card fees of 2.9% + $0.60 on free; the $0 fixed fee on Pro covers only 10 transactions a month
Where Wave ranks
Alternatives and head-to-heads
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