Wave pricing (2026): plans, costs and is it worth it?
Let's put real numbers on Wave and what each plan gets you. Wave is a accounting tool offering paid plans only; its paid tiers are summarised below from public plans current at the time of writing.
Free, capable accounting for micro businesses that monetizes only through payments and payroll. Wave keeps things paid-only, so budget for a subscription from day one. Free core accounting and invoicing for very small businesses; monetizes via payments and payroll add-ons.
Plans & pricing tiers
| Plan | Price (approx.) | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Free | Core accounting and invoicing |
| Pro | ~$19/mo (or $190/yr) | Bank feeds, OCR receipts, unlimited collaborators |
Pricing here reflects published tiers at the time of writing; confirm current costs, billing cycle and local taxes with the vendor.
Prices verified 2026-06-28 from public vendor pricing. Plans and prices change — always confirm on the vendor's own site. No price here is guaranteed.
What you're paying for
Here is what your subscription actually buys with Wave across its plans:
- Free core accounting, invoicing and expense tracking (Starter)
- Unlimited income/expense tracking and unlimited invoices
- Pro plan adds automatic bank feeds (Plaid), OCR receipts and unlimited collaborators
- Pay-per-use payment processing
- Add-on payroll for US and Canada
Which capabilities land on which plan depends on the tier, so use the table above to match features to budget.
Which plan to pick
Wave is built for micro businesses, solopreneurs and side hustles wanting free books. That points most buyers to the Pro plan (~$19/mo (or $190/yr)) as a starting point, with a step up only when free accounting forces it.
Is Wave worth it?
Paid access starts at roughly $16 per month. For micro businesses, the entry tier is usually enough to get real value; you mainly move up a plan when you need free accounting. Budget-conscious buyers should price the entry tier against competitors before deciding.
Pricing watch-outs
- Bank feeds and receipt scanning require the paid Pro plan.
- Payment processing fees ~2.9% + $0.60 per card transaction and 1% for bank transfers.
- Service is limited to the US and Canada.
Drawn from independent reviews and the vendor's own plan details (see sources below).
With Wave, cost is driven more by the plan you choose than by raw usage, which makes budgeting simpler than with seat- or usage-metered tools.
Pricing FAQ
Does Wave have a free plan?
Wave is a paid tool without a standing free plan; check its site for any current trial or money-back window.
How much does Wave cost?
Its cheapest paid plan, Pro, lists at ~$19/mo (or $190/yr). Paid access starts at roughly $16 per month. The exact bill depends on billing cycle and how many seats or how much usage you need.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Wave?
Yes — several accounting tools do the same job at lower entry prices; our Wave alternatives roundup compares them side by side.
Is Wave worth the price for micro businesses?
For micro businesses it generally earns its cost at the entry tier; if that's only a side need, weigh it against a cheaper specialist first.
Which Wave plan should I choose?
For micro businesses, solopreneurs and side hustles wanting free books, the Pro plan (~$19/mo (or $190/yr)) is the usual place to begin; only climb a tier once free accounting genuinely calls for it.
Sources
The Wave plan, price and feature details above are compiled from these vendor pages and independent reviews: