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Head-to-head · Freelance Invoicing Software

Wave vs Bonsai

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Wave #3 in Freelance Invoicing Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Wave
Bonsai #4 in Freelance Invoicing Software 8.8/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Bonsai

Wave leads on 0 checks, Bonsai on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreWave · 9.0/10
  • Free planonly Wave
  • Free trialonly Bonsai
  • Most featuresBonsai · 5 of 5

Wave scores higher on our rubric for freelance invoicing software: 9.0 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.

Wave is the better fit for low-cost invoicing and bookkeeping. Bonsai is the better fit for freelancers wanting an all-in-one workspace.

  • Wave fits best

    Low-cost invoicing and bookkeeping

  • Bonsai fits best

    Freelancers wanting an all-in-one workspace

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Wave 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Bonsai 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.8
Ranking #3 in Freelance Invoicing Software #4 in Freelance Invoicing Software
Best for Low-cost invoicing and bookkeeping Freelancers wanting an all-in-one workspace
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $190/yr $9/user/mo
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — 7 days
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile, Desktop, Browser extension
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Chrome extension
Integrations 1 integrations 8 integrations
Features Wave 3/5 · Bonsai 5/5
Recurring invoices ✓ ✓
Online payments ✓ ✓
Time tracking Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Expense tracking ✓ ✓
Client portal Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Mobile apps Ios and android Ios and android
Our review
Pros
  • Starter includes unlimited estimates, invoices, bills, and bookkeeping records.
  • Create recurring invoices and accept online credit-card or bank payments.
  • Pro adds bank imports, expense tracking, receipt capture, and payment reminders.
  • Recurring invoices support weekly, biweekly, monthly, or yearly schedules
  • Combines invoicing, time and expense tracking, and a client portal
  • Integrates with QuickBooks Online, Xero, Stripe, and PayPal
Cons
  • Online payments are optional and carry transaction fees.
  • The listed integration is limited to Plaid.
  • The reviewed product details do not include time tracking or a dedicated client portal.
  • Invoicing and payments start at the Essentials plan
  • The lowest annual price requires annual billing
  • Elite requires a three-user minimum
Our verdict

Wave combines invoicing with bookkeeping for small-business owners, including freelancers and contractors. It supports creating and sending invoices and estimates, tracking customers and payments, accepting online payments, and maintaining…

Read the review →

Bonsai brings invoicing into a wider workspace for freelancers, agencies, and other client-based businesses. Alongside invoices and online payments, it covers project and client management, time and expense tracking, contracts, proposals,…

Read the review →
  1. WaveFreelance Invoicing Software 9.0Free plan
  2. BonsaiFreelance Invoicing Software 8.87-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Wave — where it wins

    • Starter includes unlimited estimates, invoices, bills, and bookkeeping records.
    • Create recurring invoices and accept online credit-card or bank payments.
    • Pro adds bank imports, expense tracking, receipt capture, and payment reminders.

    Where it doesn't

    • Online payments are optional and carry transaction fees.
    • The listed integration is limited to Plaid.
    • The reviewed product details do not include time tracking or a dedicated client portal.

  • Bonsai — where it wins

    • Recurring invoices support weekly, biweekly, monthly, or yearly schedules
    • Combines invoicing, time and expense tracking, and a client portal
    • Integrates with QuickBooks Online, Xero, Stripe, and PayPal

    Where it doesn't

    • Invoicing and payments start at the Essentials plan
    • The lowest annual price requires annual billing
    • Elite requires a three-user minimum
  • Wave9.0/10 · Free plan

    Free invoicing with paid automation for payments, bank transactions, and expenses.

    Visit WaveFull verdict →
  • Bonsai8.8/10 · 7-day trial

    An invoicing option for freelancers who want project, client, and payment tools together.

    Visit BonsaiFull verdict →

More comparisons

All freelance invoicing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update