QuickBooks Online vs Wave Comparison
Compare QuickBooks Online and Wave side-by-side — pricing, features, scores, and which one is right for you.
The bottom line
QuickBooks Online and Wave are both strong contenders in the accounting space, but they serve different needs. QuickBooks Online edges ahead with an overall score of 84/100 compared to Wave's 72/100. Wave is easier to get started with (9/10 for ease of use vs 8/10). On pricing, Wave offers a free tier while QuickBooks Online requires a paid plan from $20/mo. Wave rates higher for value for money (9/10 vs 7/10), making it a better pick if budget is a concern.
At a glance
| QuickBooks Online | Wave | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 84/100 | 72/100 |
| Starting price | $20/mo | Free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Best for | The small business accounting standard | Free accounting for small businesses |
Pricing comparison
QuickBooks Online
Pricing verified 2026-03-19
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Feature comparison
core
| Feature | QuickBooks Online | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Invoicing | Yes | Yes |
| Expense tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Bank reconciliation | Yes | Yes |
| Financial reports | Yes | Yes |
advanced
| Feature | QuickBooks Online | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll | Add-on | Add-on ($40+/mo) |
| Inventory | Plus+ | No |
| Multi-currency | Essentials+ | No |
| Tax filing | Add-on | No |
integrations
| Feature | QuickBooks Online | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe | Yes | No |
| PayPal | Yes | Yes |
| Shopify | Yes | No |
| Zapier | Yes | Yes |
Ratings breakdown
Choose QuickBooks Online if...
- You're ready to invest from $20/mo
- You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- You need enterprise-grade capabilities
Choose Wave if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- Getting strong value for money is a priority
Frequently asked questions
Is QuickBooks Online or Wave better?
QuickBooks Online scores 84/100 compared to Wave's 72/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — QuickBooks Online excels at ease of use (8/10) while Wave scores 9/10.
How much does QuickBooks Online cost compared to Wave?
QuickBooks Online starts at $20/mo. Wave starts at free (free tier available). Wave is the more affordable option.
Does QuickBooks Online or Wave have a free plan?
Wave offers a free tier. QuickBooks Online does not — its cheapest plan starts at $20/mo.
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