H
Harpoon4.3/5vsW
Wave4.3/5Harpoon vs Wave (March 2026)
| HHarpoon | WWave | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Free Tier | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Best For | Freelancers seeking profitable growth, Small agencies and design studios | Small business owners starting out with limited budgets, Freelancers needing basic invoicing and expense tracking |
Quick Verdict
Both Harpoon and Wave earn a 4.3/5 rating — your choice depends on which feature set and pricing model fits your workflow best.
Quick Overview
H
Harpoon
Forward-looking time-tracking and invoicing software designed to help freelancers, agencies, and studios plan and foreca...
- Best for: Freelancers seeking profitable growth, Small agencies and design studios
- Starting price: Free
- Category: Invoicing Software
- Founded: 2014
- Pricing model: subscription
W
Wave
Wave is a comprehensive accounting and invoicing platform designed specifically for small businesses, freelancers, and s...
- Best for: Small business owners starting out with limited budgets, Freelancers needing basic invoicing and expense tracking
- Starting price: Free
- Category: Invoicing Software
- Founded: 2010
- Pricing model: freemium
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Harpoon | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Time Tracking | ✓ | ✗ |
| Invoicing | ✓ | ✗ |
| Financial Forecasting | ✓ | ✗ |
| Project Scheduling | ✓ | ✗ |
| The Harpoon Method | ✓ | ✗ |
| SSL Encryption | ✓ | ✗ |
| Stripe Integration | ✓ | ✗ |
| Team Management | ✓ | ✗ |
| Dashboard Analytics | ✓ | ✗ |
| No Software Installation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Unlimited Invoicing | ✗ | ✓ |
| Online Payment Processing | ✗ | ✓ |
| Bank Transaction Import | ✗ | ✓ |
| Receipt Scanning | ✗ | ✓ |
| Multi-Currency Support | ✗ | ✓ |
| Mobile App | ✗ | ✓ |
| Financial Reports | ✗ | ✓ |
| Recurring Invoices | ✗ | ✓ |
| Customer Management | ✗ | ✓ |
| Tax Preparation Ready | ✗ | ✓ |
Pricing Comparison
Prices last verified: March 16, 2026
Harpoon
Free
Starting price
subscription · 5 plans
Free Trial
FreeStarter
$9/moFreelancerPopular
$19/moStudio
$39/moAgency
$99/moWave
Free
Starting price
freemium · 4 plans
Starter
FreeProPopular
$16/moWave Payroll
$40/moWave Advisors
$149/moPros & Cons
Harpoon
Pros
- Unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability
- Simple four-rule methodology for business management
- 14-day free trial with no credit card required
- 21% discount for annual billing
Cons
- Starter plan limited to only 3 clients
- No free permanent plan available
- Additional team members cost $5 each beyond 20 users
- May be too simple for complex enterprise needs
Wave
Pros
- 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
Cons
- 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
Which Is Best for You?
H
Choose Harpoon if:
- Freelancers seeking profitable growth
- Small agencies and design studios
- Service-based businesses needing financial clarity
- Teams wanting to predict future revenue streams
- You want to start with a free plan
- Budget is a priority ($9 vs $16)
W
Choose Wave if:
- Small business owners starting out with limited budgets
- Freelancers needing basic invoicing and expense tracking
- Solopreneurs managing simple financial operations
- Contractors requiring professional invoice creation
- You want to start with a free plan
Our Verdict
🏆
HHarpoon — WinnerWWave — Runner-up
After thorough analysis, Harpoon takes the lead in this comparison, though both tools share an identical 4.3/5 rating.
Harpoon is best for Freelancers seeking profitable growth and Small agencies and design studios. Unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability.
Wave remains a strong alternative, especially for Small business owners starting out with limited budgets and Freelancers needing basic invoicing and expense tracking. Completely free core accounting and invoicing features.
Pricing-wise, Harpoon is the more affordable starting option. Evaluate free trials of both before committing.
Explore More
Harpoon Alternatives
Wave Alternatives
Category Resources
Related Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Both Harpoon and Wave earn a 4.3/5 rating — your choice depends on which feature set and pricing model fits your workflow best.
Harpoon starts at $9/mo (free tier available), while Wave starts at $16/mo (free tier available).
Yes. Most users can migrate data between the two. Check both platforms for import/export tools before switching.
Harpoon integrates with Stripe, Web browsers. Wave integrates with PayPal, Stripe, Shopify, Square. Both offer solid third-party connectivity, though the best choice depends on your existing tech stack.
Both tools are designed for ease of use. Harpoon is best for Freelancers seeking profitable growth and Small agencies and design studios, while Wave excels for Small business owners starting out with limited budgets and Freelancers needing basic invoicing and expense tracking. Consider trying both free trials to judge which interface suits your workflow.
Harpoon has a 4.3/5 rating from 150 reviews, while Wave scores 4.3/5 from 350,000 reviews. Higher review counts generally indicate a more established support ecosystem.
For small businesses, Harpoon may be more budget-friendly starting at Free. However, Wave (Free) could offer better value depending on the features you need most.
For enterprise use, consider which offers more advanced plans. Harpoon has 5 plans while Wave has 4 plans. Evaluate each tool's enterprise features, security compliance, and team management capabilities before committing.
Check each tool's website for the latest mobile app availability. Both Harpoon and Wave offer web-based access, and many modern SaaS tools provide companion mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Choose Harpoon if you prioritize unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability and want to start free. Choose Wave if you value completely free core accounting and invoicing features and want a free tier.