Invoice Ninja
Invoice Ninja is a comprehensive invoicing and billing platform designed for fre...
Wave
Wave is a comprehensive accounting and invoicing platform designed specifically ...
Invoice Ninja vs Wave: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Invoice Ninja and Wave covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Invoice Ninja vs Wave: Overview
Choosing between Invoice Ninja and Wave is a common dilemma for invoicing users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.
Invoice Ninja offers a free tier and starts at $14/monthly, while Wave also has a free option and begins at $16/monthly. But pricing is just one factor—let's dive into features, use cases, and which tool fits your specific needs.
Invoice Ninja is best known for generous free plan with unlimited invoicing, whereas Wave stands out for completely free core accounting and invoicing features. In this detailed comparison, we'll analyze both tools across pricing, features, ease of use, and ideal use cases.
Quick Overview
Invoice Ninja
- Best for: Freelancers and consultants, Small businesses with recurring billing
- Starting price: Free
- Category: invoicing
- Founded: 2014
Wave
- Best for: Small business owners starting out with limited budgets, Freelancers needing basic invoicing and expense tracking
- Starting price: Free
- Category: invoicing
- Founded: 2010
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Invoice Ninja and Wave.
| Feature | IN Invoice Ninja | W Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Invoice Templates | 4 templates on free plan, 11 on paid plans | |
| Online Payment Processing | Supports Stripe, PayPal, Square, and dozens of other gateways | 2.9% + $0.60 per credit card transaction |
| Recurring Invoices | Auto-billing with stored payment tokens | Automate regular billing cycles |
| Client Portal | Available on all plans including free | |
| Time Tracking | Convert tracked time to billable invoice items | |
| Expense Management | Track expenses and re-bill to clients | |
| Multi-Currency Support | Bill international clients with localized formatting | Handle international transactions and invoices |
| Mobile & Desktop Apps | Native apps for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux | |
| API & Webhooks | RESTful API with webhook support for integrations | |
| Self-Hosted Option | Open-source version available for self-hosting | |
| Unlimited Invoicing | Create and send unlimited invoices on all plans | |
| Bank Transaction Import | Pro plan only - automatic import and categorization | |
| Receipt Scanning | Basic on Starter, unlimited on Pro | |
| Mobile App | iOS and Android apps for on-the-go management | |
| Financial Reports | Profit & loss, cash flow, and tax reports | |
| Customer Management | Track customer information and payment history | |
| Tax Preparation Ready | Organize books and reports for tax season |
Features Deep Dive
Both Invoice Ninja and Wave offer core invoicing functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Online Payment Processing, Recurring Invoices, Multi-Currency Support.
Invoice Ninja unique strengths: Professional Invoice Templates, Client Portal, Time Tracking. This makes it ideal for freelancers and consultants.
Wave unique strengths: Unlimited Invoicing, Bank Transaction Import, Receipt Scanning. This makes it better suited for small business owners starting out with limited budgets.
Invoice Ninja offers 10 core features with 8 integrations, while Wave provides 10 features and 8 integrations.
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, Invoice Ninja edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, Invoice Ninja offers more features for the price. Wave remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize small business owners starting out with limited budgets.
Invoice Ninja
Best for Freelancers and consultants and Small businesses with recurring billing. Generous free plan with unlimited invoicing.
Try Invoice NinjaWave
Best for Small business owners starting out with limited budgets and Freelancers needing basic invoicing and expense tracking. Completely free core accounting and invoicing features.
Try WavePros & Cons
Invoice Ninja Pros & Cons
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited invoicing
- Self-hosted option available for data control
- Extensive payment gateway integrations
- Native mobile and desktop apps
- Strong API and webhook support
Cons
- Advanced features require paid plans
- Self-hosting requires technical expertise
- Limited advanced reporting on lower tiers
- Interface can be overwhelming for simple needs
Wave Pros & Cons
Pros
- Completely free core accounting and invoicing features
- User-friendly interface designed for non-accountants
- Strong mobile app for on-the-go management
- Automatic bank synchronization with major financial institutions
- No setup or monthly fees for basic functionality
Cons
- Payment processing fees are higher than some competitors
- Limited integrations compared to premium accounting software
- Advanced features require paid upgrades
- Customer support primarily through chat, no phone support
Pricing Comparison
Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.
Invoice Ninja
freemium- Up to 5 clients
- Unlimited invoicing
- 4 invoice templates
- Unlimited clients
- 11 invoice templates
- Advanced customization
- All Pro features
- Advanced reporting
- Multi-user access
- All Enterprise features
- Premium Business Concierge
- Custom development
Wave
freemium- Unlimited invoices
- Basic accounting
- Receipt scanning
- All Starter features
- Auto-import bank transactions
- Auto-categorize transactions
- Payroll processing
- Tax filing
- Direct deposits
- Dedicated bookkeeper
- Monthly financial statements
- Expert support
Pricing Comparison Analysis
Invoice Ninja Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $14/monthly. 4 plans available: Free, Ninja Pro, Enterprise, Premium Business+.
Wave Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $16/monthly. 4 plans available: Starter, Pro, Wave Payroll, Wave Advisors.
Verdict: Invoice Ninja is more affordable at the entry level and offers a free tier. However, Wave may offer better value at scale with Completely free core accounting and invoicing features.
For budget-conscious teams, Invoice Ninja is the clear winner. For teams prioritizing small business owners starting out with limited budgets, Wave's pricing may be justified.
Which Tool Is Best For You?
Choose Invoice Ninja if you need:
- Freelancers and consultants
- Small businesses with recurring billing
- Teams needing self-hosted solutions
- Businesses requiring extensive payment gateway options
- Generous free plan with unlimited invoicing
- Self-hosted option available for data control
Choose Wave if you need:
- Small business owners starting out with limited budgets
- Freelancers needing basic invoicing and expense tracking
- Solopreneurs managing simple financial operations
- Contractors requiring professional invoice creation
- Completely free core accounting and invoicing features
- User-friendly interface designed for non-accountants
Final Verdict
Choose Invoice Ninja if: You need freelancers and consultants or small businesses with recurring billing. It excels at generous free plan with unlimited invoicing and self-hosted option available for data control.
Choose Wave if: You prioritize small business owners starting out with limited budgets or freelancers needing basic invoicing and expense tracking. It's particularly strong for completely free core accounting and invoicing features and user-friendly interface designed for non-accountants.
Overall: Invoice Ninja has a slight edge with a 4.3/5 rating from 2,500 reviews. However, Wave has a larger user base with 350,000 reviews, suggesting broader market validation.
Both tools are solid choices in the invoicing space. Your decision should ultimately depend on your specific requirements, team size, and budget.
Invoice Ninja vs Wave FAQ
What are the main differences between Invoice Ninja and Wave?
Invoice Ninja focuses on freelancers and consultants with generous free plan with unlimited invoicing, while Wave excels at small business owners starting out with limited budgets with completely free core accounting and invoicing features. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Invoice Ninja or Wave better for small businesses?
Invoice Ninja offers a free tier which is great for small businesses starting out. For small businesses with limited budgets, consider starting with the tool that offers Invoice Ninja's lower starting price of $14/month.
What is the pricing difference between Invoice Ninja and Wave?
Invoice Ninja starts at $14/month with a free tier available, while Wave starts at $16/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Invoice Ninja integrate with Wave?
While direct integration may vary, both Invoice Ninja and Wave support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Invoice Ninja integrates with Stripe, PayPal, Square, while Wave works with PayPal, Stripe, Shopify.
Which tool is easier to use, Invoice Ninja or Wave?
Based on user reviews, Invoice Ninja generally receives higher marks for ease of use with a 4.3 rating. However, ease of use can depend on your specific needs and technical background. Invoice Ninja is known for self-hosted option available for data control.
Does Invoice Ninja or Wave offer better customer support?
Both Invoice Ninja and Wave provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. Invoice Ninja offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of Invoice Ninja compared to Wave?
Invoice Ninja's main advantages include: Generous free plan with unlimited invoicing, Self-hosted option available for data control, Extensive payment gateway integrations. Compared to Wave, it's particularly strong for freelancers and consultants.
What are the cons of Invoice Ninja compared to Wave?
Invoice Ninja's potential drawbacks include: Advanced features require paid plans, Self-hosting requires technical expertise. Wave may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Invoice Ninja to Wave or vice versa?
Consider switching if your current tool doesn't meet your needs. Key factors include: current pain points, migration complexity, team training, and total cost of ownership. Use our ROI calculator to estimate the potential impact of switching.
Which tool is best for invoicing in 2026?
In 2026, Invoice Ninja leads in this comparison with a 4.3 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. Invoice Ninja excels for freelancers and consultants, while Wave is ideal for small business owners starting out with limited budgets.