Wave delivers an excellent, free accounting service for freelancers. Its invoice creation and management tools are good, too, though the invoices could stand to be more flexible.

4.2

Summary

Wave Accounting was created in 2010 by co-founders Kirk Simpson and James Lochrie who were frustrated by the lack of free and easy-to-use financial software for small businesses. Today Wave has more than 250 employees serving small businesses around the world. We chose it as the best accounting software because it lets small businesses track income and expenses, send invoices, scan receipts, track sales taxes, and more, all for free.

Wave helps users connect multiple bank accounts and credit cards and set up profiles for multiple businesses to help keep track of income and expenses. The software organizes accounts, payments, and invoices to make tax time easier and also offers robust reports to help identify cash flow trends.   

Users can create and send professional, branded invoices from Wave’s dashboard or mobile app. The invoicing software can set up recurring invoices and automatic credit card payments for repeat customers and automatically syncs invoice and payment information with its accounting software.   

Users can create and send professional, branded invoices from Wave’s dashboard or mobile app. The invoicing software can set up recurring invoices and automatic credit card payments for repeat customers and automatically syncs invoice and payment information with its accounting software.   

Wave’s mobile app lets users scan receipts anywhere and sync them seamlessly with their Wave account to help keep track of business expenses. Users can also email invoices to their Wave account or scan receipts offline to be synced the next time the device is online.

Although Wave is completely free to use, it also offers additional paid services, including accepting credit cards and bank payments and setting up payroll for employees and contractors. 

Pros

  • Free (payments and payroll incur fees)
  • Smart selection of features for very small businesses
  • Double-entry accounting
  • Excellent invoice and transaction management
  • Can pre-authorize recurring credit card payments
  • Good user interface and navigation tools
  • Context-sensitive help
  • Multicurrency support
  • Instant Payouts

Cons

  • Simple record templates
  • Invoice customization could be stronger
  • Can’t offer discounts
  • No dedicated time-tracking features
  • No comprehensive mobile app
  • Receipts by Wave app unavailable on Android
  • Payroll features not as capable as other solutions