W
Wave4.3/5vsHB
HoneyBook4.3/5Wave vs HoneyBook (March 2026)
| WWave | HBHoneyBook | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $36/mo |
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Free Tier | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Best For | Small business owners starting out with limited budgets, Freelancers needing basic invoicing and expense tracking | Freelancers and consultants needing invoicing plus client management, Event and wedding planners managing projects, payments, and calendars |
Quick Verdict
Both Wave and HoneyBook earn a 4.3/5 rating — your choice depends on which feature set and pricing model fits your workflow best.
Quick Overview
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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
HB
HoneyBook
HoneyBook is an AI-powered client relationship platform that streamlines invoices, payments, proposals, contracts, and a...
- Best for: Freelancers and consultants needing invoicing plus client management, Event and wedding planners managing projects, payments, and calendars
- Starting price: $36/mo
- Category: Invoicing Software
- Founded: N/A
- Pricing model: subscription
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Wave | HoneyBook |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Invoicing | ✓ | ✗ |
| Online Payment Processing | ✓ | ✗ |
| Bank Transaction Import | ✓ | ✗ |
| Receipt Scanning | ✓ | ✗ |
| Multi-Currency Support | ✓ | ✗ |
| Mobile App | ✓ | ✗ |
| Financial Reports | ✓ | ✗ |
| Recurring Invoices | ✓ | ✗ |
| Customer Management | ✓ | ✗ |
| Tax Preparation Ready | ✓ | ✗ |
| Customizable online invoice templates | ✗ | ✓ |
| Automatic payment reminders | ✗ | ✓ |
| Credit/debit card payments | ✗ | ✓ |
| ACH/bank transfers | ✗ | ✓ |
| Mobile invoicing | ✗ | ✓ |
| Recurring/scheduled payments | ✗ | ✓ |
| Real-time payment tracking | ✗ | ✓ |
| Client portal | ✗ | ✓ |
| Direct deposit | ✗ | ✓ |
| Fraud protection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Tipping option | ✗ | ✓ |
| PDF invoice download | ✗ | ✓ |
| Autopay | ✗ | ✓ |
| HoneyBook AI | ✗ | ✓ |
Pricing Comparison
Prices last verified: March 16, 2026
Wave
Free
Starting price
freemium · 4 plans
Starter
FreeProPopular
$16/moWave Payroll
$40/moWave Advisors
$149/moHoneyBook
$36/mo
Starting price
subscription · 2 plans
Starter
$36/moEssentialsPopular
$59/moPros & Cons
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
HoneyBook
Pros
- All-in-one platform simplifies invoicing, payments, and client workflow beyond standalone tools
- 90% of invoices paid on time or early via automations and reminders
- Highly customizable templates that match your brand
- Frictionless client payments from any device with autopay
Cons
- No free tier beyond trial; requires subscription for full use
- Transaction fees apply (2.9% + 25¢ for cards, 1.5% for ACH)
- Advanced features like automations and team access limited to higher plans
- Pricing details not publicly listed, requires signup or contact
Which Is Best for You?
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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
- Budget is a priority ($16 vs $36)
HB
Choose HoneyBook if:
- Freelancers and consultants needing invoicing plus client management
- Event and wedding planners managing projects, payments, and calendars
- Home stagers and venue managers with client workflow automation
- Digital marketers and contractors requiring branded billing
Our Verdict
🏆
WWave — WinnerHBHoneyBook — Runner-up
After thorough analysis, Wave takes the lead in this comparison, though both tools share an identical 4.3/5 rating.
Wave is best for Small business owners starting out with limited budgets and Freelancers needing basic invoicing and expense tracking. Completely free core accounting and invoicing features.
HoneyBook remains a strong alternative, especially for Freelancers and consultants needing invoicing plus client management and Event and wedding planners managing projects, payments, and calendars. All-in-one platform simplifies invoicing, payments, and client workflow beyond standalone tools.
Pricing-wise, Wave is the more affordable starting option. Evaluate free trials of both before committing.
Explore More
Wave Alternatives
HoneyBook Alternatives
Category Resources
Related Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Both Wave and HoneyBook earn a 4.3/5 rating — your choice depends on which feature set and pricing model fits your workflow best.
Wave starts at $16/mo (free tier available), while HoneyBook starts at $36/mo.
Yes. Most users can migrate data between the two. Check both platforms for import/export tools before switching.
Wave integrates with PayPal, Stripe, Shopify, Square. HoneyBook integrates with QuickBooks Online, Google Contacts, Meta Leads, Zoom. Both offer solid third-party connectivity, though the best choice depends on your existing tech stack.
Both tools are designed for ease of use. Wave is best for Small business owners starting out with limited budgets and Freelancers needing basic invoicing and expense tracking, while HoneyBook excels for Freelancers and consultants needing invoicing plus client management and Event and wedding planners managing projects, payments, and calendars. Consider trying both free trials to judge which interface suits your workflow.
Wave has a 4.3/5 rating from 350,000 reviews, while HoneyBook scores 4.3/5 from 850 reviews. Higher review counts generally indicate a more established support ecosystem.
For small businesses, Wave may be more budget-friendly starting at Free. However, HoneyBook ($36/mo) could offer better value depending on the features you need most.
For enterprise use, consider which offers more advanced plans. Wave has 4 plans while HoneyBook has 2 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 Wave and HoneyBook offer web-based access, and many modern SaaS tools provide companion mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Choose Wave if you prioritize completely free core accounting and invoicing features and want to start free. Choose HoneyBook if you value all-in-one platform simplifies invoicing, payments, and client workflow beyond standalone tools.