Salon Accounting vs Wave

Salon Accounting9.4Visit Wave8.6Visit

Higher score Salon Accounting #1 in Salon Accounting Software 9.4/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 6 features Try Salon Accounting

vs

Wave #7 in Salon Accounting Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 6 features Visit Wave

• Salon Accounting fits best

  Salons needing purpose-built accounting

• Wave fits best

  Small salons prioritizing free invoicing

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Side by side

Feature	Salon Accounting 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Wave 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.6
Ranking	#1 in Salon Accounting Software	#7 in Salon Accounting Software
Best for	Salons needing purpose-built accounting	Small salons prioritizing free invoicing
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$7.99/mo	$190/yr
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	14 days	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android
Integrations	1 integrations	1 integrations
Features Salon Accounting 3/6 · Wave 0/6
Bank feed sync	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Receipt capture	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Financial reports	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Sales tax tools	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Accountant access	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Multi-currency	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Tracks services, tips, products, expenses, and receipts Imports bank and credit-card transactions automatically Adds scheduling, reminders, tax tools, and Stripe payments	Free Starter plan includes unlimited invoices, estimates, and bookkeeping records Recurring billing, online payments, expense tracking, and reports cover core needs Web, iOS, and Android access supports mobile invoice creation and sending
Cons	No free plan U.S.-focused tax and payment features Stripe is the listed payment integration	Automatic bank imports and transaction categorization require the Pro plan The verified integration set is limited to Plaid Online payments are optional and carry transaction fees
Our verdict	Salon Accounting is bookkeeping and quarterly tax software for independent salon professionals, including stylists, booth renters, suite owners, nail technicians, barbers, and small salon owners. It combines daily tracking for services,… Read the review →	Wave is web-based invoicing and financial management software for small business owners, including salon operators, freelancers, and contractors. For salons, its core value is keeping invoicing, recurring payments, customer payment… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Salon Accounting — where it wins

  • Tracks services, tips, products, expenses, and receipts
  • Imports bank and credit-card transactions automatically
  • Adds scheduling, reminders, tax tools, and Stripe payments

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan
  • U.S.-focused tax and payment features
  • Stripe is the listed payment integration

• Wave — where it wins

  • Free Starter plan includes unlimited invoices, estimates, and bookkeeping records
  • Recurring billing, online payments, expense tracking, and reports cover core needs
  • Web, iOS, and Android access supports mobile invoice creation and sending

  Where it doesn't

  • Automatic bank imports and transaction categorization require the Pro plan
  • The verified integration set is limited to Plaid
  • Online payments are optional and carry transaction fees

• Salon Accounting9.4/10 · 14-day trial

  Purpose-built salon accounting with scheduling, tax tools, and payment features.

  Try Salon AccountingFull verdict →
• Wave8.6/10 · Free plan

  A strong free starting point for salon invoicing, with paid automation for growing needs.

  Visit WaveFull verdict →