Wave vs Sage
A detailed comparison of Wave and Sage — features, pricing, pros & cons, and which one is right for you.
Last updated: April 3, 2026
Wave
Free accounting software for small businesses and freelancers. Offers invoicing, accounting, and receipt scanning at no cost.
Sage
Established accounting and business management software trusted by millions of businesses worldwide. Offers solutions from freelancer to enterprise level.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Wave | Sage |
|---|---|---|
| Invoicing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Expense Tracking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bank Reconciliation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Payroll | Paid add-on | ✓ |
| Tax Preparation | Basic | ✓ |
| Financial Reports | Standard | Advanced |
| Multi Currency | ✓ | ✓ |
| Inventory Management | ✗ | ✓ |
| Time Tracking | ✗ | ✓ |
| Mobile App | ✓ | ✓ |
| Receipt Scanning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Api Integrations | Limited | 200+ |
Pros & Cons
Wave
✓ Pros
- •Core accounting is completely free
- •Unlimited invoicing included
- •Easy to learn and use
- •No user limits
- •Receipt scanning included
✗ Cons
- •Limited integrations
- •No inventory management
- •Payroll only in US and Canada
- •Customer support limited on free plan
Sage
✓ Pros
- •Trusted brand with 40+ years of experience
- •Scales from small to enterprise
- •Strong compliance and audit features
- •Good inventory and project management
- •Sage Intacct for mid-market is excellent
✗ Cons
- •Interface can feel dated
- •Pricing can be confusing across products
- •Steep learning curve for advanced features
- •Customer support varies by product
The Verdict: Wave or Sage?
Choose Wave if…
you prioritize freelancers and very small businesses wanting completely free accounting and invoicing software.
Choose Sage if…
you prioritize growing businesses and mid-market companies wanting established, scalable accounting with strong compliance.
Wave offers a free plan, making it easy to try before committing. The best choice depends on your team size, workflow complexity, and specific needs.
Ready to try?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wave better than Sage?▼
It depends on your needs. Wave is best for freelancers and very small businesses wanting completely free accounting and invoicing software, while Sage excels at growing businesses and mid-market companies wanting established, scalable accounting with strong compliance. Wave offers a free plan you can try.
Can I switch from Wave to Sage?▼
Yes, most accounting software tools offer data migration or import features. Sage can typically import data from Wave via export or direct integration. Plan for a transition period as your team adapts to the new workflow.
Which is cheaper, Wave or Sage?▼
Wave pricing starts at Free (Accounting & Invoicing). Sage pricing starts at $15/mo (Accounting Start). Wave offers a free tier — compare features at each price point to find the best value.
Do Wave and Sage have free plans?▼
Wave offers a free plan. Sage does not have a free plan.