Introducing G2.ai, the future of software buying.Try now
Compare FreshBooks and Wave 
At a Glance
Market Segments
Small-Business (87.0% of reviews)
Small-Business (95.2% of reviews)
Entry-Level Pricing
Starting at $6.30 Per Month
$20-$35 per month
FreshBooks
Star Rating
(933)4.5 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (87.0% of reviews)
Entry-Level Pricing
Starting at $6.30 Per Month
Free Trial is available
Browse all 4 pricing plansWave
Star Rating
(298)4.3 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (95.2% of reviews)
Entry-Level Pricing
$20-$35 per month
Browse all 3 pricing plansSummary
AI Generated Summary
AI-generated. Powered by real user reviews.
- Users report that FreshBooks excels in "Quality of Support" with a score of 9.2, while Wave's support quality is notably lower at 7.7. Reviewers mention that FreshBooks' customer service is responsive and helpful, making it a preferred choice for small businesses needing assistance.
- Reviewers mention that FreshBooks offers superior "Ease of Use" with a score of 9.2 compared to Wave's 8.9. Users say that FreshBooks' intuitive interface simplifies navigation and task completion, which is particularly beneficial for those new to accounting software.
- G2 users highlight FreshBooks' "Digital Receipt Management" feature, scoring 8.0, as a standout, allowing for easy tracking and organization of expenses. In contrast, Wave's similar feature received a lower score, indicating that users find FreshBooks more effective in managing receipts.
- Users on G2 report that FreshBooks provides better "Invoice Customization" options, both scoring 8.7, but FreshBooks is noted for its more flexible templates and branding capabilities, which help businesses create professional invoices that reflect their brand identity.
- Reviewers mention that FreshBooks shines in "Recurring Billing" with a score of 8.3, which is on par with Wave. However, users say that FreshBooks offers more robust automation features that streamline the billing process, making it easier for businesses to manage subscriptions.
- Users report that FreshBooks has a more comprehensive "Expense Reports" feature, scoring 8.6, compared to Wave's lack of detailed reporting capabilities. Reviewers mention that FreshBooks allows for better tracking and categorization of expenses, which is crucial for financial analysis.
Featured Products
Sponsored
Invoiced
(376)
Accounting
Visit Website
Sponsored
Monitask
(88)
Accounting
Visit Website
Pricing
Entry-Level Pricing
FreshBooks
Lite
Starting at $6.30
Per Month
For professionals with basic needs
- Send unlimited invoices to up to 5 clients
- Track unlimited expenses
- Send unlimited estimates
Wave
Pay your staff
$20-$35
per month
$20/month base fee in Canada + 44 states
$35/month base fee in California, Florida, New York, Texas, Illinois & Washington
$4 additional per employee added
- Includes direct deposit.
- Employee portal to check pay stubs and history.
- Perfect for salaried and hourly workers, full-time or part-time.
Free Trial
FreshBooks
Free Trial is available
Wave
Free Trial is available
Ratings
Meets Requirements
8.8
754
8.6
241
Ease of Use
9.2
837
8.9
242
Ease of Setup
9.2
455
8.9
112
Ease of Admin
9.2
333
8.8
109
Quality of Support
9.2
703
7.7
159
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
9.2
328
8.6
101
Product Direction (% positive)
8.7
752
8.0
232
Features by Category
Expense Reports
8.6
100
Not enough data
8.0
94
Not enough data
7.6
93
Not enough data
8.1
92
Not enough data
7.1
75
Not enough data
7.2
82
Not enough data
7.9
84
Not enough data
Travel Management
6.9
74
Not enough data
6.5
71
Not enough data
6.1
66
Not enough data
6.6
67
Not enough data
Client Invoicing
9.0
128
Not enough data
8.4
112
Not enough data
8.2
118
Not enough data
Mobile
8.3
79
Not enough data
6.8
76
Not enough data
5.7
68
Not enough data
Platform
6.1
58
Not enough data
6.2
61
Not enough data
Administration
6.9
58
Not enough data
Administration
7.2
100
Not enough data
7.7
101
Not enough data
7.6
108
Not enough data
7.2
98
Not enough data
7.9
106
Not enough data
Platform
8.3
120
Not enough data
7.3
93
Not enough data
7.0
90
Not enough data
9.0
121
Not enough data
8.4
111
Not enough data
7.1
95
Not enough data
General Ledger
8.0
228
|
Verified
7.9
47
|
Verified
7.8
223
|
Verified
7.9
38
|
Verified
8.0
219
|
Verified
7.6
37
|
Verified
Accounts Receivable
8.7
394
|
Verified
8.7
65
8.5
302
|
Verified
8.3
46
|
Verified
8.3
269
|
Verified
8.1
40
|
Verified
Accounts Payable
8.3
266
|
Verified
8.0
29
8.7
321
|
Verified
8.2
44
|
Verified
7.6
137
7.2
25
|
Verified
Other Functionality
7.2
121
6.8
21
|
Verified
Feature Not Available
7.1
23
|
Verified
7.5
151
|
Verified
6.7
22
7.0
124
7.1
25
|
Verified
7.3
128
7.1
26
|
Verified
7.5
139
7.7
38
|
Verified
7.6
149
7.0
21
|
Verified
8.6
309
|
Verified
7.1
20
|
Verified
Reporting & Analytics
8.7
355
|
Verified
8.3
66
|
Verified
8.1
194
7.9
53
|
Verified
7.6
187
|
Verified
7.7
34
|
Verified
8.8
380
|
Verified
8.6
64
|
Verified
Platform
7.9
159
7.5
53
|
Verified
7.6
146
7.7
35
|
Verified
8.4
283
|
Verified
7.9
49
|
Verified
7.4
132
7.5
23
|
Verified
9.1
374
|
Verified
8.4
58
|
Verified
8.3
149
8.0
48
|
Verified
Integration
8.2
265
|
Verified
8.0
43
|
Verified
8.0
190
|
Verified
7.5
26
7.6
212
6.9
26
|
Verified
Cash Flow
8.3
197
|
Verified
8.1
26
|
Verified
8.9
283
|
Verified
8.4
29
|
Verified
8.4
240
|
Verified
7.9
22
|
Verified
Budgeting & Forecasting
7.6
187
|
Verified
7.7
34
|
Verified
8.1
162
|
Verified
7.3
19
|
Verified
7.6
133
|
Verified
6.8
13
|
Verified
8.2
200
|
Verified
7.3
21
|
Verified
Revenue
8.4
224
|
Verified
8.2
22
|
Verified
7.8
166
|
Verified
7.7
17
|
Verified
8.0
160
7.4
15
Payroll
7.8
109
|
Verified
7.3
15
|
Verified
7.3
103
|
Verified
7.1
12
7.7
111
|
Verified
6.9
15
|
Verified
8.3
121
|
Verified
7.9
19
|
Verified
AI
7.7
36
Not enough data
7.3
33
Not enough data
7.7
33
Not enough data
7.4
34
Not enough data
7.3
33
Not enough data
6.9
35
Not enough data
7.3
42
Not enough data
7.5
37
Not enough data
6.9
39
Not enough data
7.4
35
Not enough data
Mobile Applications - Accounting
9.0
8
Not enough data
8.8
8
Not enough data
8.1
7
Not enough data
8.6
7
Not enough data
8.8
8
Not enough data
8.8
8
Not enough data
Employee Self Service
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Administration
8.6
14
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
9.4
14
Not enough data
8.5
10
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
7.9
12
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Taxes
8.2
15
Not enough data
7.9
12
Not enough data
8.1
12
Not enough data
Integration
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
8.2
12
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Platform
8.2
12
Not enough data
8.6
13
Not enough data
8.6
11
Not enough data
8.5
12
Not enough data
Payment Processing
8.2
75
Not enough data
8.5
82
Not enough data
8.2
74
Not enough data
7.4
63
Not enough data
Administration
8.3
80
Not enough data
6.8
64
Not enough data
6.7
80
Not enough data
7.0
60
Not enough data
7.2
63
Not enough data
6.9
64
Not enough data
7.0
64
Not enough data
Payment Options
7.3
61
Not enough data
8.4
73
Not enough data
Security
7.4
60
Not enough data
Platform
7.5
65
Not enough data
7.0
62
Not enough data
Bill Generation
8.4
140
8.0
33
8.5
143
8.4
36
8.3
132
8.2
32
Bill Processing
7.5
125
7.7
24
7.8
122
7.7
22
8.3
124
8.3
34
Integration
7.9
129
8.0
33
8.4
131
8.2
30
7.1
101
7.2
17
Time Tracking
8.9
67
Not enough data
9.0
72
Not enough data
8.9
73
Not enough data
Client Invoicing
9.0
128
Not enough data
8.4
112
Not enough data
8.2
118
Not enough data
Mobile Time Tracking
8.7
73
Not enough data
Administration
7.2
100
Not enough data
7.7
101
Not enough data
7.6
108
Not enough data
7.2
98
Not enough data
7.9
106
Not enough data
Platform
8.3
120
Not enough data
7.3
93
Not enough data
7.0
90
Not enough data
9.0
121
Not enough data
8.4
111
Not enough data
7.1
95
Not enough data
Categories
Categories
Shared Categories
FreshBooks and Wave are categorized as Billing and Accounting
Unique Categories
Wave has no unique categories
Reviews
Reviewers' Company Size
FreshBooks
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
Wave
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
Small-Business
(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market
(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise
(> 1000 emp.)
Reviewers' Industry
Marketing and Advertising
17.4%
Information Technology and Services
6.4%
Graphic Design
4.6%
Accounting
4.6%
Consulting
4.0%
Other
63.0%
Marketing and Advertising
15.9%
Information Technology and Services
6.2%
Accounting
5.2%
Design
4.8%
Computer Software
3.5%
Other
64.4%
Most Helpful Reviews
FreshBooks
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Emily B.
Verified User in Online Media
Great way to track time and directly invoice clients. Cloud-based, website and mobile app sync seamlessly.
Most Helpful Critical Review
Steve S.
Verified User in Information Technology and Services
My reasons for leaving Freshbooks? Integration with banking or credit card accounts is not good at all - compared to the other services they compete with. In order to use Freshbooks, you have to have some other software or service for managing the...
Wave
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Paul J.
Verified User in Accounting
Wave is very simple and intuitive to use. It provides small business (they specifically focus on organizations with 0-9 employees) users with the main tools they need in order to effectively account for their business transactions. You can access multiple...
Most Helpful Critical Review
Ariam S.
Verified User in Hospitality
That it charges so much for transferring my funds.
Emily B.
Verified User in Online Media
Great way to track time and directly invoice clients. Cloud-based, website and mobile app sync seamlessly.
Paul J.
Verified User in Accounting
Wave is very simple and intuitive to use. It provides small business (they specifically focus on organizations with 0-9 employees) users with the main tools they need in order to effectively account for their business transactions. You can access multiple...
Steve S.
Verified User in Information Technology and Services
My reasons for leaving Freshbooks? Integration with banking or credit card accounts is not good at all - compared to the other services they compete with. In order to use Freshbooks, you have to have some other software or service for managing the...
Ariam S.
Verified User in Hospitality
That it charges so much for transferring my funds.
Discussions
Does FreshBooks support recurring billing?
3 comments
PM
I'm a long-time user, and yes. Freshbooks does recurring billing flawlessly. Your client can also have their credit card information stored so they don't...Read more
How do you like using Freshbooks
2 comments
ZB
Hi Rodney,
We have used Freshbooks since 2013, and are in no way affiliated with them.
For the most part, our experience overall has been positive,...Read more
What is the best way to manage deposits against future work as a consultant?
2 comments
DL
Hi Mark,
You most likely would benefit from the retainer feature in FB which allows you to track time against a retainer payment....Read more
Is wave a good accounting software?
2 comments
MM
Yeah. It has most of the features required by a small business. You can request the team if you need anything in particular Read more
What is Wave Software?
2 comments
MM
Wave software is an easy to use Payroll and Accounting software. You can create invoices, send billings, track expenses, and all normal transactions...Read more
Hunting for software insights?
With over 2.5 million reviews, we can provide the specific details that help you make an informed software buying decision for your business. Finding the right product is important, let us help.
