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 with invoicing, bank connections, receipt scanning, and financial reports. No subscription, no feature timer. Wave monetizes through optional payment processing and payroll. For businesses that need basic accounting at zero cost, Wave is the answer.
The trade-off is a smaller feature set -- fewer integrations, simpler reporting, limited automation. But for solo businesses and side hustles, Wave covers the fundamentals without any financial commitment.
Zoho Books -- Overview
Zoho Books is free for businesses under $50K annual revenue and $15/month after that. Even the free tier includes more automation and features than Wave. Inventory management, project accounting, multi-currency, and workflow rules are available on paid plans.
Within the Zoho ecosystem, Zoho Books becomes part of a unified platform with CRM, project management, and help desk. This integration depth doesn't exist with Wave.
Key Differences
Both are free, but differently. Wave is free for everyone, forever, with no revenue cap. Zoho Books is free under $50K revenue, then $15/month. For businesses under $50K, Zoho Books' free tier offers more features. For businesses over $50K, Wave remains free while Zoho Books costs $15/month.
Feature depth favors Zoho Books. Workflow automation, inventory tracking, and project accounting are capabilities Wave doesn't offer. If your business needs these features, Zoho Books provides them at a reasonable price point.
Simplicity favors Wave. Wave's interface is straightforward and uncluttered. Zoho Books has more settings, more options, and more complexity. For businesses that want the simplest possible accounting experience, Wave's simplicity is a feature.
The Verdict
Choose Wave for the simplest free accounting with no revenue limits. Best for solo businesses that want basic accounting at zero cost forever. Choose Zoho Books for more features on the free tier (under $50K), inventory management, and Zoho ecosystem integration. Best for businesses that need more capability and don't mind $15/month when they grow.