Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience real numbers from our own analytics — open to see them
–Visitors
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · counted by iTechGuides's own first-party analytics, bots removed, every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Freelance Invoicing Software

Wave vs Invoice Ninja

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Wave #3 in Freelance Invoicing Software 9.0/10 Free plan · paid from $19/mo Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Wave
Invoice Ninja #6 in Freelance Invoicing Software 8.3/10 Free plan · paid from $14/user/mo Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Invoice Ninja

Wave leads on 0 checks, Invoice Ninja on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 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 planboth
  • Most featuresWave · 3 of 5

Wave scores higher on our rubric for freelance invoicing software: 9.0 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

Wave is the better fit for low-cost invoicing and bookkeeping. Invoice Ninja is the better fit for freelancers who want flexible free or self-hosted invoicing.

  • Wave fits best

    Low-cost invoicing and bookkeeping

  • Invoice Ninja fits best

    Freelancers who want flexible free or self-hosted invoicing

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. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Wave 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Invoice Ninja 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.3
Ranking #3 in Freelance Invoicing Software #6 in Freelance Invoicing Software
Best for Low-cost invoicing and bookkeeping Freelancers who want flexible free or self-hosted invoicing
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $19/mo Free plan · paid from $14/user/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Integrations 1 integrations 12 integrations
Features Wave 3/5 · Invoice Ninja 1/5
Recurring invoices ✓ ✓
Online payments ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Time tracking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Expense tracking ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Client portal Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Mobile apps Ios and android Not checked yet
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.
  • Free plan includes recurring invoices, auto-billing, and online payment gateways
  • Pro adds unlimited clients and invoices, reminders, reports, and REST API access
  • Hosted apps, self-hosting, and integrations including Stripe, PayPal, and Zapier
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.
  • Free plan is limited to 5 clients
  • Advanced functions such as bank sync and PEPPOL access require Enterprise
  • Many options across hosted and self-hosted editions may take time to evaluate
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 →

Invoice Ninja is invoicing and payment software for freelancers, contractors, consultants, agencies, and small businesses. It covers creating and sending invoices and quotes, collecting online payments through connected gateways, recurring…

Read the review →
  1. WaveFreelance Invoicing Software 9.0Free plan · paid from $19/mo
  2. Invoice NinjaFreelance Invoicing Software 8.3Free plan · paid from $14/user/mo

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.

  • Invoice Ninja — where it wins

    • Free plan includes recurring invoices, auto-billing, and online payment gateways
    • Pro adds unlimited clients and invoices, reminders, reports, and REST API access
    • Hosted apps, self-hosting, and integrations including Stripe, PayPal, and Zapier

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan is limited to 5 clients
    • Advanced functions such as bank sync and PEPPOL access require Enterprise
    • Many options across hosted and self-hosted editions may take time to evaluate
  • Wave9.0/10 · Free plan · paid from $19/mo

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

    Visit WaveFull verdict →
  • Invoice Ninja8.3/10 · Free plan · paid from $14/user/mo

    Flexible invoicing with a free tier, payment tools, and hosted or self-hosted options.

    Visit Invoice NinjaFull 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