Head-to-head · Bookkeeper Software
Zoho Books vs Wave
Zoho Books leads on 0 checks, Wave on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreZoho Books · 9.3/10
- Free planboth
- Free trialonly Zoho Books
- Most featuresZoho Books · 1 of 4
Zoho Books scores higher on our rubric for bookkeeper software: 9.3 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.
Zoho Books is the better fit for teams wanting capable, affordable cloud bookkeeping. Wave is the better fit for freelancers and small firms seeking free basics.
- Zoho Books fits best
Teams wanting capable, affordable cloud bookkeeping
- Wave fits best
Freelancers and small firms seeking free basics
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Side by side
| Feature | Zoho Books 9.3/10 Visit ↗ | Wave 9.0/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.3 | 9.0 |
| Ranking | #2 in Bookkeeper Software | #6 in Bookkeeper Software |
| Best for | Teams wanting capable, affordable cloud bookkeeping | Freelancers and small firms seeking free basics |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | $15/mo | $190/yr |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | 14 days | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
| Integrations | 500+ integrations | 1 integrations |
| Features Zoho Books 1/4 · Wave 0/4 | ||
| Bank reconciliation | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Automatic bank feeds | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Mobile app | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Multi-currency | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Accounting basis | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Users included | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Zoho Books is cloud-based bookkeeping software for solopreneurs, small businesses, and growing teams. It combines invoicing, recurring invoices, expense and bill management, bank feeds, transaction matching, reconciliation, receipt… Read the review → |
Wave is web-based invoicing and financial management software for small-business owners, including freelancers and contractors. It combines estimates and invoices with customer and payment tracking, bookkeeping records, expense tracking,… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Zoho Books — where it wins
- Free plan covers invoicing, expenses, reconciliation, and receipt scans
- 500 integrations plus API access connect payments, commerce, and Zoho apps
- Inventory, portals, accountant access, and mobile apps support growing teams
Where it doesn't
- Free plan limits receipt autoscans to 50 per month
- Advanced inventory and warehouse controls require the Elite tier
- Costs rise from $15 annually to $150 monthly at higher capacity
Wave — where it wins
- Starter includes unlimited invoices, estimates, bills, and bookkeeping records
- Pro adds bank imports, expense tracking, and receipt capture
- Invoice and send from web, iOS, or Android
Where it doesn't
- Automatic bank import and expense tracking require Pro
- Online payments are optional and incur transaction fees
- Feature breadth is narrower than full bookkeeping suites
- Zoho Books9.3/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial
Affordable cloud bookkeeping with a free plan, broad features, and scalable paid tiers.
Visit Zoho BooksFull verdict → - Wave9.0/10 · Free plan
A free invoicing foundation with paid automation for freelancers and small firms.
Visit WaveFull verdict →
All bookkeeper software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update