Wave Pricing (April 2026)
How much does Wave cost?
Wave offers a free plan with paid tiers starting at $16/mo.
All Plans
Starter
- Unlimited invoices
- Basic accounting
- Receipt scanning
- Expense tracking
- Mobile app
- Cash flow management
Pro
- All Starter features
- Auto-import bank transactions
- Auto-categorize transactions
- Unlimited receipt capture
- Priority support
- First 10 transactions free monthly
Wave Payroll
- Payroll processing
- Tax filing
- Direct deposits
- W-2 forms
- $6 per employee/contractor
Wave Advisors
- Dedicated bookkeeper
- Monthly financial statements
- Expert support
- Tax preparation
- Onboarding assistance
Wave Pricing Breakdown
Wave's pricing strategy is uniquely positioned to support small businesses, offering a compelling mix of free and paid services. The core accounting and invoicing features are completely free, which is a significant advantage for budget-conscious entrepreneurs. This freemium model allows you to access essential financial management tools without any monthly subscription fees.
The free plan includes unlimited invoicing, income and expense tracking, and basic reporting. However, when you process payments through Wave, transaction fees apply: 2.9% + $0.60 per credit card transaction and 3.4% + $0.60 for American Express. These fees are competitive with other payment processing platforms and are only charged when you actually receive payments.
Wave's Pro plan, priced at $19.99 per month, introduces advanced features for growing businesses. This plan offers automatic bank transaction importing, transaction categorization, unlimited receipt scanning, and the ability to remove Wave branding from invoices. For businesses needing additional support, Wave offers payroll services starting at $40 per month plus per-employee fees, and bookkeeping assistance at $149 per month.
When comparing Wave to competitors like QuickBooks or FreshBooks, the cost savings are substantial. Most small businesses can manage their entire financial workflow without spending hundreds of dollars monthly. The key is understanding which features are essential for your specific business needs and selecting the appropriate tier accordingly.
Feature Breakdown by Plan
| Feature | Starter | Pro | Wave Payroll | Wave Advisors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited invoices | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Basic accounting | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Receipt scanning | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expense tracking | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Mobile app | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Cash flow management | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| All Starter features | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Auto-import bank transactions | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Auto-categorize transactions | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Unlimited receipt capture | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Priority support | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| First 10 transactions free monthly | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Payroll processing | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Tax filing | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Direct deposits | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| W-2 forms | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| $6 per employee/contractor | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Dedicated bookkeeper | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Monthly financial statements | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert support | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Tax preparation | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Onboarding assistance | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
Team Cost Calculator
Estimated monthly costs based on team size (price per user × team members):
| Team Size | Pro | Wave Payroll | Wave Advisors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 users | $80/mo | $200/mo | $745/mo |
| 10 users | $160/mo | $400/mo | $1,490/mo |
| 25 users | $400/mo | $1,000/mo | $3,725/mo |
| 50 users | $800/mo | $2,000/mo | $7,450/mo |
Is Wave Worth It?
The free plan lets you test core functionality before committing.
Paid plans range from $16/mo (Pro) to $149/mo (Wave Advisors). Most users pick the Pro plan.
Best for: Small business owners starting out with limited budgets, Freelancers needing basic invoicing and expense tracking, Solopreneurs managing simple financial operations. Keep in mind: payment processing fees are higher than some competitors.
Wave Pros & Cons
- Completely free core accounting and invoicing features
- User-friendly interface designed for non-accountants
- Strong mobile app for on-the-go management
- Automatic bank synchronization with major financial institutions
- No setup or monthly fees for basic functionality
- Payment processing fees are higher than some competitors
- Limited integrations compared to premium accounting software
- Advanced features require paid upgrades
- Customer support primarily through chat, no phone support