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Wave vs ZipBooks (2024 Comparison)

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Author

Martin Lunendonk

Last Update

Nov 15, 2024

We earn a commission from partner links on Keevee. Commissions do not affect our editor's opinions or evaluations.

Excellent Value For Price
4.3

0

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Wave

Wave offers a comprehensive suite of financial tools for free, making it an excellent choice for small businesses. Its user-friendly interface and all-in-one solution simplify financial management.

  • Free to use with essential features.
  • User-friendly interface for easy navigation.
  • Comprehensive financial tools in one platform.
  • Limited scalability for growing businesses.
  • Basic customer support options.

Free plan?

Yes

Starting price

$16 per month
Good Value For Price
4.1

0

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ZipBooks

ZipBooks provides advanced features and smart insights, making it ideal for growing businesses. Its extensive support options ensure users have access to the help they need.

  • Advanced features in paid plans.
  • Smart insights for better decision-making.
  • Extensive customer support options.
  • Fewer integrations compared to competitors.
  • Limited features in free version.

Free plan?

Yes

Starting price

$15 per month

What is Wave?

Wave is a comprehensive accounting software designed for small businesses and freelancers. It offers a suite of financial tools including invoicing, accounting, and receipt scanning, all in one place. Wave simplifies financial management by automating tasks like expense tracking and tax calculations, allowing users to focus on growing their business. Its user-friendly interface and robust features make it an ideal choice for those seeking an efficient and cost-effective solution to manage their finances.

What is ZipBooks?

ZipBooks is an intuitive accounting software that caters to small businesses and freelancers. It provides essential tools for invoicing, bookkeeping, and financial reporting, helping users streamline their financial operations. With its smart insights and easy-to-use interface, ZipBooks enables users to make informed financial decisions, improve cash flow, and enhance productivity. It's a reliable choice for those looking to simplify their accounting processes and gain better control over their finances.

Pros and Cons of Wave vs ZipBooks

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Pros & Cons of Wave

Generous free plan
  • Wave offers a comprehensive set of features for free, making it an excellent choice for small businesses and freelancers looking to manage their finances without incurring additional costs.
User-friendly interface
  • Wave's intuitive design makes it easy for users to navigate and manage their finances, even if they have little to no accounting experience.
All-in-one solution
  • Wave provides a suite of financial tools, including invoicing, accounting, and receipt scanning, all integrated into one platform for seamless financial management.
Limited scalability
  • While Wave is ideal for small businesses, it may not offer the advanced features and scalability needed for larger or rapidly growing businesses.
Basic customer support
  • Wave's customer support options are limited, with no phone support available, which may be a drawback for users who require more immediate assistance.
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Pros & Cons of ZipBooks

Advanced features
  • ZipBooks offers a range of advanced features in its paid plans, including smart insights and project management tools, making it a great choice for growing businesses.
Smart insights
  • ZipBooks provides users with smart insights and analytics, helping them make informed financial decisions and improve their business operations.
Extensive support
  • ZipBooks offers extensive customer support options, including phone support for its paid plans, ensuring users have access to the help they need.
Limited integrations
  • While ZipBooks offers some integrations, its selection is smaller compared to competitors, which may limit its compatibility with other business tools.
Limited free version
  • ZipBooks' free version offers fewer features compared to its paid plans, which may not be sufficient for users with more complex financial needs.

Wave vs ZipBooks: At A Glance

Decision FactorWaveZipBooks
Value to Price
Excellent4.5
Good4.2
Ease of Use
Excellent4.3
Excellent4.4
Functionality
Excellent4.4
Excellent4.3
Scalability
Good4.2
Good4.1
Integrations
Good4.1
Good4.0
Customer Support
Good4.0
Good4.2
Security
Excellent4.3
Good4.1
Overall Rating
Excellent4.3
Good4.1

Wave vs ZipBooks: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features

FeaturesWaveZipBooks
Invoicing
Excellent4.5
Excellent4.3
Expense Tracking
Excellent4.4
Good4.2
Financial Reporting
Excellent4.3
Excellent4.4
Receipt Scanning
Good4.2
Good4.1
Project Management
Good4.0
Excellent4.3
Smart Insights
Good4.1
Excellent4.4

Invoicing

Wave offers a robust invoicing feature that allows you to create and send professional invoices with ease. Its customization options and automated reminders make it a favorite among small business owners. ZipBooks also provides a strong invoicing tool, with additional features like recurring billing and payment reminders. If you need advanced invoicing capabilities, ZipBooks might be the better choice.

Expense Tracking

Wave's expense tracking feature is intuitive and easy to use, allowing you to categorize and monitor your expenses effortlessly. ZipBooks offers similar functionality, with the added benefit of smart categorization and insights. If you want more detailed expense tracking, ZipBooks could be the better option.

Financial Reporting

Wave provides comprehensive financial reporting tools that help you gain insights into your business's financial health. ZipBooks offers similar reporting features, with the added advantage of smart insights and analytics. If you need more advanced reporting capabilities, ZipBooks might be the better choice.

Receipt Scanning

Wave's receipt scanning feature allows you to capture and store receipts digitally, making it easy to track expenses. ZipBooks also offers receipt scanning, with the added benefit of automatic categorization. If you want more efficient receipt management, ZipBooks could be the better option.

Project Management

Wave offers basic project management tools, allowing you to track time and expenses for projects. ZipBooks provides more advanced project management features, including task tracking and collaboration tools. If you need comprehensive project management capabilities, ZipBooks might be the better choice.

Smart Insights

Wave offers basic insights into your financial data, helping you make informed decisions. ZipBooks provides more advanced smart insights, with predictive analytics and recommendations. If you want deeper insights into your financial data, ZipBooks could be the better option.

Pricing Comparison of Wave and ZipBooks

We’ve compiled the pricing tables and highlighted the key features of both Wave and ZipBooks to aid in your decision-making process. Let’s explore what each platform has to offer.

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Wave Pricing Plans

Starter Plan
For Small Business Owners
$0

Get Startedright_arrow
Starter Plan includes:
  • Option to accept online payments for faster transactions.
  • Invoice on-the-go via the Wave app for convenience.
  • Manage cash flow and customers in one dashboard efficiently.
  • Access to basic accounting features for small businesses.
Pro Plan
For Growing Businesses
$16

per month

Try For Freeright_arrow
Includes Starter Plan, plus:
  • Auto-import and categorize bank transactions for accuracy.
  • Digitally capture unlimited receipts and track expenses.
  • Automate late payment reminders to save time.
  • Advanced features for better cash flow management.
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ZipBooks Pricing Plans

Starter
For Small Businesses
0

Get Startedright_arrow
Starter includes:
  • Manage unlimited vendors and customers efficiently.
  • Accept digital payments via Square or PayPal.
  • View basic financial reports for insights.
  • Connect one bank account for transactions.
Smarter
For Growing Businesses
$15

per month

Try For Freeright_arrow
Includes Starter, plus:
  • Automate reminders for payments and invoices.
  • Save invoice line items for future use.
  • Connect multiple bank accounts for transactions.
  • Receive account notifications for updates.
Sophisticated
For Established Enterprises
$35

per month

Try For Freeright_arrow
Includes Smarter, plus:
  • Reconcile every account quickly and efficiently.
  • Lock completed books to prevent editing.
  • Share documents securely with team members.
  • Generate insightful reports for better decision-making.
Accountant
For Accounting Firms
Contact sales
Try For Freeright_arrow
Includes Sophisticated, plus:
  • Export comprehensive financial packages easily.
  • Cobrand your firm on client accounts for branding.
  • Edit transactions in bulk for efficiency.
  • Manage clients from one centralized dashboard.

Our Rating Methodology

We thoroughly evaluate each accounting software, focusing on key factors like value to price, ease of use, and functionality. By analyzing user reviews and testing features, we ensure our recommendations fit your needs. Each factor is weighted to provide an accurate final rating, helping you make informed decisions.

Decision FactorScoring Weight
Value to Price
20%
20%
Ease of Use
20%
15%
Functionality
20%
25%
Scalability
20%
15%
Integrations
20%
10%
Customer Support
20%
10%
Security
20%
5%

Wave or ZipBooks: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?

Choose Wave If You Need ...

  • Free and Comprehensive Solution

    If you are a small business owner or freelancer looking for a free and comprehensive accounting solution, Wave is the ideal choice. Its suite of financial tools and user-friendly interface make it easy to manage your finances without incurring additional costs.

  • User-Friendly Interface

    If you prefer a simple and intuitive interface for managing your finances, Wave is the better option. Its design makes it easy for users to navigate and manage their financial operations efficiently.

Choose ZipBooks If You Need ...

  • Advanced Features for Growth

    If you are a growing business in need of advanced features and smart insights, ZipBooks is the better choice. Its paid plans offer additional tools and analytics to help you make informed financial decisions.

  • Extensive Customer Support

    If you require extensive customer support options, including phone support, ZipBooks is the ideal choice. Its support options ensure you have access to the help you need when managing your finances.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Author

Martin Lunendonk

Martin Lunendonk is a senior tech writer specializing in website builders, web hosting, and ecommerce platforms. With a background in finance, accounting, and philosophy, he has founded multiple tech startups and worked in medium to large tech companies and investment banking, bringing deep expertise and reliable insights to his software reviews.