FreshBooks vs Wave
Wave is the free starting point; FreshBooks is built for freelancers who bill clients regularly.
Prices and features come from each vendor's own pages, last checked Oct 26, 2026. We haven't finished hands-on testing of FreshBooks and Wave yet, so this page compares published facts only. How we choose.
Side by side
| FreshBooks | Wave | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From $23/mo | From $19/mo |
| Free plan | No | Starter: unlimited invoices, estimates and bookkeeping records |
| Free trial | 30-day free trial | None listed |
| Fees and limits | Extra team members cost $11/month each. Yearly billing is an extra 10% off. | Online card payments 2.9% + 60¢ (Pro: first 10 transactions a month at 2.9% + 0¢). |
| Best for | Freelancers who bill clients for time and projects | New freelancers who want free invoicing |
| Website | Visit FreshBooks | Visit Wave |
Which should you choose?
Choose FreshBooks if
- You bill clients often and want a client-focused workflow
- You're fine paying after the promo period
Choose Wave if
- You want free invoicing and bookkeeping
- You'll upgrade to Pro only when you need bank sync
The drawbacks to know
FreshBooks
- Lite limits you to 5 billable clients
- No free plan
Wave
- Bank connections and reminders need Pro
- Card fees include a 60¢ fixed charge
Full pricing: FreshBooks · Wave