Wave is great for free accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning for small businesses, but it's not the only option. We compared 14 accounting tools to find the best alternatives.
QThe most popular small business accounting software in the US
XCloud-based accounting software for small businesses and accountants
FAccounting software built for freelancers and small service businesses
ZSmart accounting software for growing businesses in the Zoho ecosystem
SAccounting and financial management software for businesses of all sizes
KSimple cloud accounting with AI-powered transaction categorization
BOnline bookkeeping service with dedicated bookkeepers and software
FAccounting software designed for freelancers, contractors, and small businesses
BAll-in-one product for freelancers: invoicing, contracts, accounting, and tax
HTime tracking and invoicing software for teams and freelancers
AFree open-source online accounting software for small businesses
MFree accounting software for small business with desktop and cloud versions
HReal-time financial tracking and tax estimation for freelancers and gig workers
PSimple, affordable accounting and payroll for US small businesses
The top alternative to Wave in 2026 is QuickBooks Online. It offers the most popular small business accounting software in the us with plans from $35/mo. Other strong options: Xero, FreshBooks.
Yes! Zoho Books, Harvest, Akaunting all offer free plans.
Wave offers a free plan and has paid plans starting at $16/mo.
While Wave excels at free accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning for small businesses, users often seek alternatives for pricing, specific features, or workflow preferences.