Xero vs Wave
A detailed comparison of Xero and Wave — features, pricing, pros & cons, and which one is right for you.
Last updated: April 3, 2026
Xero
Cloud-based accounting software popular worldwide, especially in UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Known for its clean interface and unlimited users.
Wave
Free accounting software for small businesses and freelancers. Offers invoicing, accounting, and receipt scanning at no cost.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Xero | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Invoicing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Expense Tracking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bank Reconciliation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Payroll | Add-on | Paid add-on |
| Tax Preparation | ✓ | Basic |
| Financial Reports | Advanced | Standard |
| Multi Currency | ✓ | ✓ |
| Inventory Management | Basic | ✗ |
| Time Tracking | ✗ | ✗ |
| Mobile App | ✓ | ✓ |
| Receipt Scanning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Api Integrations | 1000+ | Limited |
Pros & Cons
Xero
✓ Pros
- •Unlimited users on all plans
- •Clean, modern interface
- •Excellent bank feeds and reconciliation
- •Strong multi-currency support
- •Great app marketplace
✗ Cons
- •Limited invoices on starter plan
- •Payroll is a paid add-on
- •US tax features less robust than QuickBooks
- •Inventory management is basic
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
The Verdict: Xero or Wave?
Choose Xero if you prioritize small to medium businesses wanting clean cloud accounting with unlimited users and strong international support.
Choose Wave if you prioritize freelancers and very small businesses wanting completely free accounting and invoicing software.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Xero better than Wave?▼
It depends on your needs. Xero is best for small to medium businesses wanting clean cloud accounting with unlimited users and strong international support, while Wave excels at freelancers and very small businesses wanting completely free accounting and invoicing software. Wave offers a free plan you can try.
Can I switch from Xero to Wave?▼
Yes, most accounting software tools offer data migration or import features. Wave can typically import data from Xero via export or direct integration. Plan for a transition period as your team adapts to the new workflow.
Which is cheaper, Xero or Wave?▼
Xero pricing starts at $15/mo (Early). Wave pricing starts at Free (Accounting & Invoicing). Wave offers a free tier — compare features at each price point to find the best value.
Do Xero and Wave have free plans?▼
Xero does not have a free plan. Wave offers a free plan.