Sign in

Browse by category

More

Comparison · Accounting software

FreeAgent vs Wave: which is better in 2026?

FreeAgent81.0#6 in best accounting softwareWave88.5#3 in best accounting software

Wave ranks higher in our list of accounting software (#3 against #6, score 88.5 against 81.0).

How we rank Share

  • 81.0
    Editorial score
    88.5
  • 3
    Platforms
    3
  • No
    Free to use
    Yes
  • No
    Open source
    No

Which should you choose?

Choose FreeAgent if you want

UK freelancers and small businesses with an accountant.

Open Banking bank feeds, a practice dashboard for accountants, payroll and Making Tax Digital in one UK product. It has no inventory module, and its pricing and tax features are set for the UK.

Choose Wave if you want

Freelancers and very small businesses on a budget.

Unlimited invoices and bookkeeping on a free Starter plan, with card and bank payments that carry a fee. It does not track inventory, and payroll is a separate paid service.

The main differences

  • Wave can be used for free; FreeAgent requires payment.

Side by side

FreeAgentWave
Score81.088.5
Rank in list#6 of 9#3 of 9
PriceSubscriptionPaid monthly or annual plans after a 30-day free trialFree plan, paid upgradesFree Starter plan; paid Pro plan and card payment fees
Free to useNoYes
Open sourceNoNo
PlatformsWebiOSAndroidWeb, iOS, AndroidWebiOSAndroidWeb, iOS, Android
Made byNot statedWave Financial
HostingVendor cloudVendor cloud
Bank feedsYesYes
Inventory trackingNoNo
Best forUK freelancers and small businesses with an accountantFreelancers and very small businesses on a budget
Strengths
  • Open Banking bank feeds with status per client
  • Making Tax Digital and payroll for UK users
  • Free Starter plan with unlimited invoices
  • Receipt capture and expense tracking on Pro
Limits
  • Pricing and tax features are set for the UK
  • Paid plans only, after a 30-day trial
  • Card payments carry a per-transaction fee
  • Payroll is a separate paid service
LinksVisit site Visit site

Questions about FreeAgent vs Wave

Is Wave better than FreeAgent?
Wave ranks higher in our list of accounting software (#3 against #6, score 88.5 against 81.0). FreeAgent is best for: UK freelancers and small businesses with an accountant. Wave is best for: freelancers and very small businesses on a budget.
Which is cheaper, FreeAgent or Wave?
FreeAgent: Paid monthly or annual plans after a 30-day free trial. Wave: Free Starter plan; paid Pro plan and card payment fees.
Do FreeAgent and Wave run on the same platforms?
FreeAgent supports Web, iOS, Android. Wave supports Web, iOS, Android.

Choosing between the two

Learning Center
1:17Beginner · 4 min readHow to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.1:20Beginner · 6 min readHow to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.

Read more about FreeAgent and Wave

All articles