QuickBooks Online vs Wave (October 2026)
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QuickBooks Online
The most widely used small business accounting software in the US, from invoicing to payroll add-ons.
Visit QuickBooks OnlineWave
Free invoicing and accounting for small businesses, with a low-cost Pro plan for bank import and automation.
Visit WaveVerdict. Wave has the lower entry price (USD 19.00 against USD 38.00). QuickBooks Online confirms 2 of our 3 key features; Wave confirms 3.
Side by side
| Feature | QuickBooks Online | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest paid plan | Simple Start: USD 38 per month | Pro: USD 19 per month |
| Other plan or fee | Free | Starter: Free |
| Another plan or fee | Essentials: USD 85 per month | — |
| Free plan or trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic bank import | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited invoices | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Number of plans listed | 5 | 2 |
| Our score | 78/100 (#2 of 4) | 100/100 (#1 of 4) |
| Best for | Best free starting point | Lowest entry price |
| A year on the cheapest paid plan | USD 456 | USD 190 (billed yearly) |
| Notes | 50% off for the first 3 months on paid plans; 30-day free trial | Card payments 2.9% + USD 0.60 per transaction |
Shaded cells mark the lower price. Sources: QuickBooks Online, Wave.
Which to choose
Choose Wave if you want the lower starting price.
Choose QuickBooks Online if its features above matter more to you than price.
See all options: best invoicing and accounting apps.
More: QuickBooks Online pricing, QuickBooks Online alternatives, QuickBooks Online vs FreshBooks, Wave pricing, Wave alternatives, FreshBooks vs Wave, Wave vs Zoho Invoice.