FreshBooks vs Wave
Entry paid: FreshBooks $23 · Wave $0. Free forever: FreshBooks no · Wave yes.
At a glance
| Feature | FreshBooks | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Entry monthly | $23 | $0 |
| Entry annual /mo | $20.70 | $15.83 |
| Entry plan | Lite | Pro |
| Seats model | 1 seat | Not listed |
| Forever free | No | Yes |
| Trial | 30 | Not listed |
| Card fees | Not listed as a single fixed rate on pricing snapshot (Payments add-on / processor) | Starter: 2.9% + $0.60; Pro: 2.9% + $0 on first 10 payments/mo (then standard — confirm live) |
| ACH fees | Not listed | Not listed on snapshot |
| Category | invoicing | invoicing |
All plans
FreshBooks
| Plan | Mo | Yr/mo |
|---|---|---|
| Lite | $23 | $20.70 |
| Plus | $43 | $38.70 |
| Premium | $70 | $63 |
Wave
| Plan | Mo | Yr/mo |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $0 | $0 |
| Pro | — | $15.83 |
Gotchas
FreshBooks
- Client caps on Lite/Plus matter more than sticker price for growing freelancers.
Wave
- Software can be $0 while payment fees dominate total cost of ownership.
FAQ
How much is FreshBooks vs Wave?
FreshBooks entry paid plan is $23/mo (monthly billing) when verified; Wave is $0/mo. Annual equivalents and seats change the yearly bill — use the calculator on the freelance hub.
Does FreshBooks or Wave have a free plan?
FreshBooks: no forever-free plan cited. Wave: yes — forever-free available. Trials: FreshBooks 30 days · Wave Not listed days.
Do payment processing fees matter more than the subscription?
Often yes. A $0–$25/mo tool with 2.9% card fees on $100k/year of invoices costs far more in fees than software. We show published fee text when vendors list it; otherwise Not listed.