Wave vs Zoho Books
A head-to-head comparison for 2026 — pricing, features, and which is better for different use cases.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Wave | Zoho Books |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $15/mo |
| Free Plan | Yes (full product) | Yes (under $50K revenue) |
| Payroll | Add-on ($40/mo) | Zoho Payroll add-on |
| Invoicing | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Feeds | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Solo businesses + side hustles | Zoho ecosystem + value seekers |
Wave — Overview
Wave is genuinely free accounting software — not a trial, not freemium. Invoicing, receipt scanning, bank connections, and financial reports at zero cost. Revenue comes from optional payment processing and payroll add-ons.
Zoho Books — Overview
Zoho Books offers the broadest feature set at the lowest price, especially if you use other Zoho products (CRM, Projects, Desk). Inventory management, project accounting, and multi-currency included on plans where QuickBooks charges extra.
Key Differences
Free vs affordable-with-more. Wave is free but limited in features and integrations. Zoho Books at $15/mo includes inventory, project accounting, multi-currency, and the Zoho ecosystem. Wave for bare-minimum accounting; Zoho Books when $15/mo buys meaningful upgrades.
The Verdict
Choose Wave if free is non-negotiable and basic accounting is sufficient. Choose Zoho Books for a complete accounting platform at $15/mo.