The 5 best Wave alternatives
Short answer
The best Wave alternatives are FreshBooks, QuickBooks, Xero. FreshBooks is our top pick — it scores 8.2/10 and is best for Freelancers and consultants billing by project or time. The right choice depends on your budget, team size, and which features matter most.
Why look for a Wave alternative?
Wave scores 8.2/10 in our review and works well for many teams — but it is not the right fit for everyone. The most common reasons readers look elsewhere:
- ✗Payroll only available in US and Canada
- ✗Limited integrations compared to QuickBooks or Xero
- ✗Customer support slower than paid alternatives
- ✗Less suitable as a business grows beyond a few employees
Wave alternatives, ranked
FreshBooks
Top pickInvoicing and accounting for small businesses
FreshBooks is an accounting and invoicing platform designed for service businesses and freelancers. It covers invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, estimates, and basic double-entry accounting. Much easier to use than QuickBooks, though less powerful for complex accounting needs.
Strengths
- ✓Extremely easy to use
- ✓Beautiful invoices
- ✓Time tracking built in
Best for
- →Freelancers and consultants billing by project or time
- →Service businesses
QuickBooks
Small business accounting that does the heavy lifting
QuickBooks is the dominant small business accounting software in the US. It handles invoicing, expense tracking, payroll, tax preparation, and financial reporting. Best for businesses that work with a bookkeeper or accountant.
Strengths
- ✓Gold standard for accountants and bookkeepers
- ✓Comprehensive payroll features
- ✓Huge integration ecosystem
Best for
- →Small businesses with employees
- →Anyone working with a US-based accountant or bookkeeper
Xero
Beautiful accounting software for small businesses
Xero is a cloud-based accounting platform popular outside the US, particularly in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. It's cleaner and more modern than QuickBooks, with excellent multi-currency support and a strong app marketplace.
Strengths
- ✓Best multi-currency accounting
- ✓Cleaner UI than QuickBooks
- ✓Strong international accounting standards support
Best for
- →International businesses or remote-first teams
- →Businesses outside the US looking for modern accounting
Gusto
Payroll, benefits, and HR for small businesses
Gusto is the leading payroll and HR platform for US small businesses, handling full-service payroll (direct deposit, tax filings, W-2s, and 1099s), employee benefits (health insurance, 401k), and basic HR tools (offer letters, onboarding checklists, PTO tracking). It automates federal, state, and local payroll tax filings — one of the most time-consuming compliance tasks for small business owners. Gusto is contractor-friendly, making it popular with agencies and studios that mix employees and freelancers.
Strengths
- ✓Automated payroll tax filings — federal, state, and local handled automatically
- ✓1099 contractor payments and management alongside employee payroll
- ✓Employee benefits (health, dental, 401k) integrated in one system
Best for
- →US-based agencies and studios with a mix of W-2 employees and 1099 contractors
- →Small businesses that want payroll, HR, and benefits in one place
Deel
Hire and pay contractors and employees in 150+ countries
Deel solves international hiring compliance — it lets businesses hire full-time employees and contractors in 150+ countries without setting up a local legal entity. Deel acts as the Employer of Record (EoR), handling local employment contracts, tax compliance, and payroll in each country. For contractors, Deel manages contracts, invoicing, and payments in local currencies. Built for globally distributed teams. Critical infrastructure for agencies and remote-first businesses hiring internationally.
Strengths
- ✓Hire legally in 150+ countries without setting up a local entity
- ✓Contractor management (contracts, invoicing, payments) free for up to 200 contractors
- ✓Handles local tax compliance, social contributions, and mandatory benefits automatically
Best for
- →Remote-first agencies hiring developers, designers, or marketers internationally
- →Any business paying contractors across multiple countries who wants compliance certainty
Wave vs. the alternatives
| Tool | Score | Starting price | Free plan | Ease of use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wave(current) | 8.2/10 | — | Yes | 8.5/10 |
| FreshBooks | 8.2/10 | $19/mo | No | 9/10 |
| QuickBooks | 8/10 | $17/mo | No | 7/10 |
| Xero | 8.3/10 | $15/mo | No | 8/10 |
| Gusto | 9/10 | — | No | 8.5/10 |
| Deel | 9/10 | — | Yes | 8/10 |
Wave alternatives — FAQ
What is the best Wave alternative?
FreshBooks is our top-rated Wave alternative, scoring 8.2/10. It is best for Freelancers and consultants billing by project or time.
Is there a free Wave alternative?
Yes — Deel offers a free plan you can use to evaluate the tool before paying.