Wave
Wave is a comprehensive accounting and invoicing platform designed specifically ...
Harpoon
Forward-looking time-tracking and invoicing software designed to help freelancer...
Wave vs Harpoon: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Wave and Harpoon covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Wave vs Harpoon: Overview
Choosing between Wave and Harpoon is a common dilemma for invoicing users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.
Wave offers a free tier and starts at $16/monthly, while Harpoon also has a free option and begins at $9/monthly. But pricing is just one factor—let's dive into features, use cases, and which tool fits your specific needs.
Wave is best known for completely free core accounting and invoicing features, whereas Harpoon stands out for unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability. In this detailed comparison, we'll analyze both tools across pricing, features, ease of use, and ideal use cases.
Quick Overview
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
Harpoon
- Best for: Freelancers seeking profitable growth, Small agencies and design studios
- Starting price: Free
- Category: invoicing
- Founded: 2014
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Wave and Harpoon.
| Feature | W Wave | H Harpoon |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Invoicing | Create and send unlimited invoices on all plans | |
| Online Payment Processing | 2.9% + $0.60 per credit card transaction | |
| Bank Transaction Import | Pro plan only - automatic import and categorization | |
| Receipt Scanning | Basic on Starter, unlimited on Pro | |
| Multi-Currency Support | Handle international transactions and invoices | |
| Mobile App | iOS and Android apps for on-the-go management | |
| Financial Reports | Profit & loss, cash flow, and tax reports | |
| Recurring Invoices | Automate regular billing cycles | |
| Customer Management | Track customer information and payment history | |
| Tax Preparation Ready | Organize books and reports for tax season | |
| Time Tracking | Track time across projects and clients | |
| Invoicing | Professional invoice generation and management | |
| Financial Forecasting | Plan and predict future revenue streams | |
| Project Scheduling | Schedule projects and estimate cash flow | |
| The Harpoon Method | Four-rule system for financial clarity | |
| SSL Encryption | Secure data protection like online banking | |
| Stripe Integration | Secure payment processing for client payments | |
| Team Management | Studio and Agency plans only | |
| Dashboard Analytics | Key business metrics at a glance | |
| No Software Installation | Web-based platform with automatic updates |
Features Deep Dive
Both Wave and Harpoon offer core invoicing functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Core functionality.
Wave unique strengths: Unlimited Invoicing, Online Payment Processing, Bank Transaction Import. This makes it ideal for small business owners starting out with limited budgets.
Harpoon unique strengths: Time Tracking, Invoicing, Financial Forecasting. This makes it better suited for freelancers seeking profitable growth.
Wave offers 10 core features with 8 integrations, while Harpoon provides 10 features and 2 integrations.
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, Wave edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, Wave offers more features for the price. Harpoon remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize freelancers seeking profitable growth.
Wave
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 WaveHarpoon
Best for Freelancers seeking profitable growth and Small agencies and design studios. Unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability.
Try HarpoonPros & Cons
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
Harpoon Pros & Cons
Pros
- Unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability
- Simple four-rule methodology for business management
- 14-day free trial with no credit card required
- 21% discount for annual billing
- No hidden fees or setup costs
Cons
- Starter plan limited to only 3 clients
- No free permanent plan available
- Additional team members cost $5 each beyond 20 users
- May be too simple for complex enterprise needs
Pricing Comparison
Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.
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
Harpoon
subscription- 14-day trial
- All features included
- No credit card required
- Up to 3 clients
- Basic time tracking
- Invoicing
- Unlimited clients
- Time tracking
- Invoicing
- Multiple team members
- Advanced reporting
- Project scheduling
- Up to 20 team members
- Advanced analytics
- Custom reporting
Pricing Comparison Analysis
Wave Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $16/monthly. 4 plans available: Starter, Pro, Wave Payroll, Wave Advisors.
Harpoon Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $9/monthly. 5 plans available: Free Trial, Starter, Freelancer, Studio, Agency.
Verdict: Harpoon 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, Harpoon 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 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
Choose Harpoon if you need:
- Freelancers seeking profitable growth
- Small agencies and design studios
- Service-based businesses needing financial clarity
- Teams wanting to predict future revenue streams
- Unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability
- Simple four-rule methodology for business management
Final Verdict
Choose Wave if: You need small business owners starting out with limited budgets or freelancers needing basic invoicing and expense tracking. It excels at completely free core accounting and invoicing features and user-friendly interface designed for non-accountants.
Choose Harpoon if: You prioritize freelancers seeking profitable growth or small agencies and design studios. It's particularly strong for unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability and simple four-rule methodology for business management.
Overall: Wave has a slight edge with a 4.3/5 rating from 350,000 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.
Wave vs Harpoon FAQ
What are the main differences between Wave and Harpoon?
Wave focuses on small business owners starting out with limited budgets with completely free core accounting and invoicing features, while Harpoon excels at freelancers seeking profitable growth with unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Wave or Harpoon better for small businesses?
Wave 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 Harpoon's lower starting price of $9/month.
What is the pricing difference between Wave and Harpoon?
Wave starts at $16/month with a free tier available, while Harpoon starts at $9/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Wave integrate with Harpoon?
While direct integration may vary, both Wave and Harpoon support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Wave integrates with PayPal, Stripe, Shopify, while Harpoon works with Stripe, Web browsers.
Which tool is easier to use, Wave or Harpoon?
Based on user reviews, Wave 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. Wave is known for user-friendly interface designed for non-accountants.
Does Wave or Harpoon offer better customer support?
Both Wave and Harpoon provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. Wave offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of Wave compared to Harpoon?
Wave's main advantages include: Completely free core accounting and invoicing features, User-friendly interface designed for non-accountants, Strong mobile app for on-the-go management. Compared to Harpoon, it's particularly strong for small business owners starting out with limited budgets.
What are the cons of Wave compared to Harpoon?
Wave's potential drawbacks include: Payment processing fees are higher than some competitors, Limited integrations compared to premium accounting software. Harpoon may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Wave to Harpoon 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, Wave leads in this comparison with a 4.3 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. Wave excels for small business owners starting out with limited budgets, while Harpoon is ideal for freelancers seeking profitable growth.