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QuickBooks Online vs Wave at a glance
| QuickBooks Online | Wave | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Small businesses that want the most widely used option | Very small businesses that want free accounting |
| Pricing model | Free trial | Free plan |
| Available in | Global | US, Canada |
| Key features | Automatic bank feeds and transaction categorisation Invoicing, bills and reports in one place Large ecosystem of apps and accountants | Free core accounting and invoicing Receipt scanning on paid plan Payroll add-on in selected regions |
| Website | Visit QuickBooks Online ↗ | Visit Wave ↗ |
Pricing
QuickBooks Online offers a free trial, then paid plans, while Wave has a free plan, with paid upgrades. We never publish exact prices because they change too often; check the current plans on each website.
Where they work
QuickBooks Online is available worldwide; Wave in US, Canada. Check that the one you like works in your country first.
Which one should you choose?
- Choose QuickBooks Online: the better fit for small businesses that want the most widely used option.
- Choose Wave: the better fit for very small businesses that want free accounting.
Still unsure? Run through these before you sign up for either:
- Bank feeds for the banks you actually use, in your country.
- Support for your local tax rules (VAT, GST or sales tax) and the reports your accountant needs.
- Receipt capture that reads amounts and dates for you.
- A way to export everything if you ever switch.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between QuickBooks Online and Wave?
QuickBooks Online is built for small businesses that want the most widely used option. Wave is built for very small businesses that want free accounting. QuickBooks Online offers a free trial, then paid plans, while Wave has a free plan, with paid upgrades.
Is QuickBooks Online or Wave available in my country?
QuickBooks Online is available worldwide; Wave in US, Canada. Check that the one you like works in your country first.
Is QuickBooks Online cheaper than Wave?
It depends on how you use it, and prices change often, so we only list the pricing model. QuickBooks Online offers a free trial, then paid plans, while Wave has a free plan, with paid upgrades. Compare the current plans on each website before you sign up.
Not sold on either?
There are 10 other ai bookkeeping & accounting tools in the directory. Compare them all →
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Information checked 26 October 2026. NxtGenFin is an independent directory, not affiliated with QuickBooks Online or Wave unless marked as featured, sponsored or affiliate link. Not financial advice.