BeltStack

QuickBooks Online vs Wave (2026)

QuickBooks Online is full-featured paid accounting; Wave offers free accounting and invoicing.

QuickBooks Online

4.6 rating

From $30/mo

Small businesses needing full accounting software with broad features.

Visit QuickBooks Online

Wave

4.3 rating

From Free

Free accounting software for very small businesses and freelancers.

Visit Wave

Quick recommendation

  • QuickBooks Online: Best for small businesses that need full accounting and can pay for it.
  • Wave: Best for very small businesses and freelancers who want free accounting.

Quick verdict

How these two tools differ.

QuickBooks delivers more features and integrations; Wave delivers free core accounting. Choose QuickBooks for advanced reporting; Wave if free software and simplicity matter most.

Feature comparison

Side-by-side feature check.

SupportedPartial supportNot available

FeatureQuickBooks OnlineWave
InvoicingFull invoicing and paymentsFull invoicing and payments
Expenses & bank feedsExpense tracking and bank syncExpense tracking and bank sync
ReportingP&L, balance sheet, reportsP&L, balance sheet, reports
IntegrationsApp marketplace and third-party appsApp marketplace and third-party apps

Pricing comparison

What to expect to pay.

QuickBooks starts around $30/month; Wave is free for core accounting. Wave charges for payments and payroll add-ons.

Pros and cons

Strengths and trade-offs.

QuickBooks Online

Pros

  • Full accounting features
  • Strong ecosystem

Cons

  • Can be complex
  • Cost varies by tier

Wave

Pros

  • Solid feature set
  • Good value

Cons

  • Depends on your needs
  • Compare add-ons

Best for

Which tool fits your situation.

Best for different needs

Each product suits different business sizes and workflows. Read our full reviews for detailed recommendations.

Alternatives

Other options we review.

Read full reviews

Dive deeper into each product.

For detailed ratings, features, and pros and cons, see our standalone reviews:

Best accounting software guides

Find the right fit by use case or trade.

FAQs

Quick answers.