Top 10 Alternatives to Wave in 2025

Wave accounting software has long been a popular choice for small businesses due to its user-friendly features and affordability. However, with the diverse needs of businesses today, it's important to explore other options that might better suit specific requirements. Here are the top 10 alternatives to Wave as of 2025, each with their unique features, pricing, and target users.

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1. QuickBooks Online

Description: A widely used, comprehensive accounting solution for small to medium businesses. It offers powerful features, integrations, and ease of use.
Key Features:
Detailed contact records for clients and vendors.
Inventory management.
Customizable reports.
Mobile access.
Extensive app integrations.
Pricing: Offers various plans to fit different business needs, but can be pricy compared to some alternatives.
Best For: Small to medium businesses seeking a comprehensive, scalable solution.
Website: QuickBooks Online

2. Xero

Description: Known for its ease of use, scalability, and integration capabilities, Xero is a strong choice for fast-growing businesses.
Key Features:
Bank reconciliation.
Expense claims.
Fixed asset depreciation.
Multi-currency reporting.
Connections with thousands of banks globally.
Pricing: Subscription-based with various plans.
Best For: Fast-growing businesses needing simple, scalable software with strong integration options.
Website: Xero

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3. Zoho Books

Description: A comprehensive suite of financial management tools designed for small and medium-sized businesses, also well-suited for startups.
Key Features:
Invoice tracking and recurring invoices.
Expense tracking.
Inventory management.
Customizable financial reporting.
Strong invoice management.
Pricing: Offers a free plan for micro businesses and paid plans with more features.
Best For: Small to medium-sized businesses and startups that need comprehensive tools, strong invoicing, and good value.
Website: Zoho Books

4. FreshBooks

Description: Aimed at service-based businesses and freelancers, FreshBooks is known for its user-friendly interface and strong focus on invoicing.
Key Features:
Customizable invoices.
Project management tools.
Mobile receipt scanning.
Project cost estimations.
Time tracking.
Pricing: Subscription-based with different plans based on business needs.
Best For: Service-based businesses and freelancers who need robust invoicing and project management.
Website: FreshBooks

5. Sage 50 Accounting

Description: Desktop-based accounting software with robust features and strong customer service, suitable for tech-savvy business owners.
Key Features:
Automatic bank reconciliation.
Bill tracking.
Expense management.
Invoicing.
Customer service.
Pricing: Entry-level plan with more features than Wave's free plan; various tiers available.
Best For: Businesses that prefer a desktop solution with more features than free options, and value customer support.
Website: Sage 50 Accounting

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6. ZipBooks

Description: Free online accounting software for small businesses that allows cross-platform ease of use.
Key Features:
Financial reports.
Automated recurring invoices.
Project-based accounting.
Cross-platform access.
Pricing: Free option available.
Best For: Small businesses that need free software with financial insights.
Website: ZipBooks

7. NetSuite

Description: A comprehensive cloud-based ERP software known for its scalability, customization, and real-time visibility, suitable for various business sizes and industries.
Key Features:
Scalability.
Customization.
Real-time visibility.
Multiple languages.
Departmental supports.
Pricing: Custom pricing not provided by vendor.
Best For: Businesses that require a scalable solution with real-time visibility.
Website: NetSuite

8. Akaunting

Description: Free and open-source accounting software that can be installed on a web host.
Key Features:
Free and open-source.
Web-based.
Pricing: Free.
Best For: Businesses needing free, customizable accounting software.
Website: Akaunting

9. YavaBook

Description: A cloud-based platform tailored to small businesses offering an all-in-one free solution.
Key Features:
Intuitive invoicing.
Expense tracking.
Real-time financial reports.
User-friendly interface.
Pricing: Free.
Best For: Startups and small businesses that need a free comprehensive solution.
Website: YavaBook

10. Bloom

Description: Free invoicing software for freelancers and small businesses, equipped with project management tools.
Key Features:
Invoicing.
Project management.
CRM.
Integrations.
Pricing: Free.
Best For: Freelancers who need project management along with accounting.
Website: Bloom

This comprehensive list of Wave alternatives for 2025 provides a range of tools to suit various business needs, from free options to more robust, paid solutions.

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FAQ

1. What is a good alternative to Wave for small to medium businesses?

QuickBooks Online is an excellent choice for small to medium businesses seeking a comprehensive, scalable solution. Learn more about QuickBooks Online

2. Which accounting software is best for fast-growing businesses?

Xero is ideal for fast-growing businesses due to its simplicity, scalability, and strong integration options. Discover Xero

3. What is a suitable accounting tool for startups?

Zoho Books is well-suited for startups and offers comprehensive tools, strong invoicing features, and good value. Explore Zoho Books

4. Which software is recommended for service-based businesses and freelancers?

FreshBooks is designed with service-based businesses and freelancers in mind, focusing on robust invoicing and project management tools. Find out more about FreshBooks

5. Is there a desktop-based accounting software alternative to Wave?

Sage 50 Accounting offers robust features and strong customer service for businesses that prefer a desktop solution. Explore Sage 50 Accounting

6. What is a good free accounting software for small businesses?

ZipBooks provides free online accounting software with financial reports and project-based accounting for small businesses. Learn more about ZipBooks

7. Which accounting software provides real-time visibility and scalability?

NetSuite is a cloud-based ERP software known for its scalability, customization, and real-time visibility, suitable for businesses of all sizes. Explore NetSuite

8. Is there a free and open-source accounting software alternative to Wave?

Akaunting is a free and open-source accounting software that offers a customizable solution for businesses. Discover Akaunting

9. What is an all-in-one free accounting solution for small businesses?

YavaBook is a good choice for startups and small businesses, offering intuitive invoicing, expense tracking, and real-time financial reports at no cost. Find out more about YavaBook

10. What free software combines invoicing and project management for freelancers?

Bloom provides free invoicing software with project management tools, ideal for freelancers. Learn more about Bloom

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.