Fe/male Switch: Your Startup Facilitator & Incubator for Women

Top 10 Free Alternatives to Wave Accounting in 2025

Top 10 Free Alternatives to Wave Accounting in 2025

If you're seeking a free alternative to Wave accounting software in 2025, you're in luck. We've compiled a list of the top 10 options that offer robust features without the cost.
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1. Zoho Books

  • Description: Zoho Books is a comprehensive accounting software with a robust free plan for small businesses. It’s part of the larger Zoho suite of business applications.
  • Key Features:
  • Free Plan Limit: Available for businesses with annual revenue under $50,000.
  • Invoicing: Includes up to 1,000 invoices per year.
  • User Access: Allows for accountant access.
  • Automation: Transaction categorization rules.
  • Scalability: Offers paid plans for business growth.
  • Pros: Feature-rich free plan, scalable with paid options, good for businesses already using other Zoho products.
  • Cons: Free plan revenue limit may be restrictive for some.
  • Learn more about Zoho Books: Zoho Books

2. ZipBooks

  • Description: ZipBooks is known for its user-friendly interface and focus on financial insights, suitable for freelancers and small businesses.
  • Key Features:
  • Bank Connection: Free bank account connection.
  • Reporting: Generates intuitive financial reports.
  • Invoicing: Automates recurring invoices.
  • Project Tracking: Simple project-based accounting tools.
  • Payment Processing: Can receive digital payments via Square or PayPal (fees apply).
  • Pros: Strong financial reporting, good for project-based work, easy electronic payments.
  • Cons: Payment processing has fees.
  • Learn more about ZipBooks: ZipBooks
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3. GnuCash

  • Description: GnuCash is an open-source, desktop-based accounting software, ideal for those who value customization and control.
  • Key Features:
  • Open Source: Free and highly customizable.
  • Financial Tracking: Tracks both personal and business finances.
  • Budgeting Tools: Includes effective budgeting features.
  • Double-Entry Accounting: Supports robust accounting principles.
  • Reporting: Can generate a variety of reports.
  • Pros: Free, open-source, extensive features, ideal for users who like full control.
  • Cons: User interface not as modern as other options, desktop-based.
  • Learn more about GnuCash: GnuCash

4. SlickPie

  • Description: SlickPie focuses on automating bookkeeping tasks and offers a user-friendly interface, suitable for small businesses and beginners.
  • Key Features:
  • Automation: Auto-reminders for unpaid invoices.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Modern and clean design.
  • Free Plan: Includes essential accounting functionality.
  • Multiple Companies: Supports up to 10 companies on the free plan.
  • Bank Integration: Links to unlimited bank and credit card accounts.
  • Pros: Good for beginners, automates invoicing, easy to use.
  • Cons: Free plan has email-only support, limited to 10 companies.
  • Learn more about SlickPie: SlickPie

5. Manager.io

  • Description: Manager.io provides both desktop and cloud-based software options and is suitable for businesses seeking advanced features in a free program.
  • Key Features:
  • Desktop & Cloud: Available as both a desktop application and cloud access.
  • Accounting Methods: Supports cash and accrual accounting.
  • Purchase Orders: Manages purchase orders efficiently.
  • Comprehensive Reporting: Generates various reports, including inventory, fixed assets, and more.
  • Advanced Features: Allows creation of separate tax codes and inventory tracking.
  • Pros: Desktop option, advanced reporting, suitable for complex accounting needs, good for inventory management.
  • Cons: User interface may not be as intuitive as cloud-based options.
  • Learn more about Manager.io: Manager.io
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6. Akaunting

  • Description: Akaunting is a free and open-source accounting software known for its language support and customizability.
  • Key Features:
  • Open Source: Free and customizable.
  • Language Support: Supports a wide variety of languages (45+).
  • Invoicing: Create professional invoices.
  • Expense Tracking: Track expenses effectively.
  • Payroll: Offers payroll features.
  • Pros: Good for international businesses, customizable, free.
  • Cons: May require some technical knowledge to fully customize.
  • Learn more about Akaunting: Akaunting

7. Brightbook

  • Description: Brightbook is tailored for freelancers and self-employed professionals, providing basic accounting and invoicing.
  • Key Features:
  • Freelancer Focused: Designed for freelancers and remote teams.
  • Invoicing: Free invoicing tools.
  • Simple Interface: Easy-to-use and straightforward.
  • Basic Reports: Generates essential financial reports.
  • Remote Accessibility: Ideal for remote teams and individuals.
  • Pros: Simple to use, good for freelancers, suitable for remote teams.
  • Cons: May lack more advanced features needed for larger businesses.
  • Learn more about Brightbook: Brightbook

8. YavaBook

  • Description: YavaBook is a cloud-based accounting solution designed for small businesses and startups, focusing on ease of use and robust features.
  • Key Features:
  • Cloud-Based: Accessible from anywhere.
  • Intuitive Invoicing: Easy professional billing.
  • Expense Tracking: Monitors cash flow effectively.
  • Real-Time Reports: Provides financial insights for decision-making.
  • All-in-One Solution: Combines ease of use with robust features.
  • Pros: Combines ease of use with powerful features, good for startups, real-time financial insights.
  • Cons: Might not be as well known as some other options.
  • Learn more about YavaBook: YavaBook

9. Paymo

  • Description: Paymo is a free invoicing software that includes time tracking, suitable for small teams and freelancers.
  • Key Features:
  • Free Invoicing: Create 100% free invoices.
  • Time Tracking: Includes time-tracking features for projects.
  • Mobile Invoicing: Create invoices on smartphones.
  • Client Management: Helps manage client work efficiently.
  • Team Collaboration: Ideal for small teams (up to 20 people).
  • Pros: Excellent for project-based work, includes time tracking, free invoicing.
  • Cons: Might be limited in accounting features compared to other options.
  • Learn more about Paymo: Paymo

10. TrulySmall Invoices

  • Description: TrulySmall Invoices is an invoicing solution for small businesses and freelancers, known for its simplicity.
  • Key Features:
  • Simple Invoicing: Simplifies the invoicing process.
  • Free Templates: Offers free invoice templates.
  • Budgeting: Includes basic budgeting tools.
  • Ease of Use: User-friendly interface.
  • Quick Invoicing: Streamlines the process of creating and sending invoices.
  • Pros: Easy to use, good for basic invoicing, suitable for very small businesses and freelancers.
  • Cons: May not be sufficient for more complex accounting needs.
Note: Pricing and feature availability can change. It's always best to check the provider's website for the most up-to-date information.
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FAQ

1. Which free accounting software is best for small businesses in 2025?
Zoho Books offers a comprehensive free plan for small businesses with an annual revenue under $50,000, including up to 1,000 invoices per year and accountant access. Learn more about Zoho Books
2. Is there an easy-to-use accounting software for freelancers?
Brightbook is tailored for freelancers and self-employed professionals, providing basic accounting and invoicing tools. Explore Brightbook
3. What is a good open-source accounting software for maximum customization?
GnuCash is an open-source, desktop-based accounting software that is free and highly customizable, supporting double-entry accounting and effective budgeting. Learn more about GnuCash
4. Which accounting software is best for international businesses?
Akaunting supports a wide variety of languages (45+), making it ideal for international businesses. Discover Akaunting
5. What are some free automation features available in accounting software?
SlickPie offers automation features such as auto-reminders for unpaid invoices and supports multiple companies on its free plan. Explore SlickPie
6. Can I find accounting software that includes project tracking?
ZipBooks provides project-based accounting tools and strong financial reporting, making it suitable for freelancers and small businesses. Discover ZipBooks
7. What free cloud-based accounting software is recommended for startups?
YavaBook is a cloud-based accounting solution with robust features and ease of use, making it ideal for small businesses and startups. Learn more about YavaBook
8. Which free accounting software is suitable for time tracking and invoicing?
Paymo includes time-tracking features and allows for the creation of 100% free invoices, making it suitable for small teams and freelancers. Explore Paymo
9. What software offers both desktop and cloud-based accounting options?
Manager.io provides both desktop and cloud-based software options and is suitable for businesses seeking advanced features in a free program. Learn more about Manager.io
10. Is there an accounting software specifically for simple invoicing needs?
TrulySmall Invoices simplifies the invoicing process, offering free templates and streamlining the creation and sending of invoices, suitable for very small businesses and freelancers.
Note: Pricing and feature availability can change. It's always best to check the provider's website for the most up-to-date information.

References

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.
2025-08-04 17:25 Top Alternatives