Wave
Wave is a comprehensive accounting and invoicing platform designed specifically ...
Invoice Ninja
Invoice Ninja is a comprehensive invoicing and billing platform designed for fre...
Wave vs Invoice Ninja: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Wave and Invoice Ninja covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Wave vs Invoice Ninja: Overview
Choosing between Wave and Invoice Ninja 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 Invoice Ninja also has a free option and begins at $14/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 Invoice Ninja stands out for generous free plan with unlimited invoicing. 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
Invoice Ninja
- Best for: Freelancers and consultants, Small businesses with recurring billing
- Starting price: Free
- Category: invoicing
- Founded: 2014
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Wave and Invoice Ninja.
| Feature | W Wave | IN Invoice Ninja |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Invoicing | Create and send unlimited invoices on all plans | |
| Online Payment Processing | 2.9% + $0.60 per credit card transaction | Supports Stripe, PayPal, Square, and dozens of other gateways |
| 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 | Bill international clients with localized formatting |
| 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 | Auto-billing with stored payment tokens |
| Customer Management | Track customer information and payment history | |
| Tax Preparation Ready | Organize books and reports for tax season | |
| Professional Invoice Templates | 4 templates on free plan, 11 on paid plans | |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
Features Deep Dive
Both Wave and Invoice Ninja offer core invoicing functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Online Payment Processing, Multi-Currency Support, Recurring Invoices.
Wave unique strengths: Unlimited Invoicing, Bank Transaction Import, Receipt Scanning. This makes it ideal for small business owners starting out with limited budgets.
Invoice Ninja unique strengths: Professional Invoice Templates, Client Portal, Time Tracking. This makes it better suited for freelancers and consultants.
Wave offers 10 core features with 8 integrations, while Invoice Ninja provides 10 features and 8 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. Invoice Ninja remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize freelancers and consultants.
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 WaveInvoice Ninja
Best for Freelancers and consultants and Small businesses with recurring billing. Generous free plan with unlimited invoicing.
Try Invoice NinjaPros & 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
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
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
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
Pricing Comparison Analysis
Wave Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $16/monthly. 4 plans available: Starter, Pro, Wave Payroll, Wave Advisors.
Invoice Ninja Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $14/monthly. 4 plans available: Free, Ninja Pro, Enterprise, Premium Business+.
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 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 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
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 Invoice Ninja if: You prioritize freelancers and consultants or small businesses with recurring billing. It's particularly strong for generous free plan with unlimited invoicing and self-hosted option available for data control.
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 Invoice Ninja FAQ
What are the main differences between Wave and Invoice Ninja?
Wave focuses on small business owners starting out with limited budgets with completely free core accounting and invoicing features, while Invoice Ninja excels at freelancers and consultants with generous free plan with unlimited invoicing. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Wave or Invoice Ninja 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 Invoice Ninja's lower starting price of $14/month.
What is the pricing difference between Wave and Invoice Ninja?
Wave starts at $16/month with a free tier available, while Invoice Ninja starts at $14/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Wave integrate with Invoice Ninja?
While direct integration may vary, both Wave and Invoice Ninja support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Wave integrates with PayPal, Stripe, Shopify, while Invoice Ninja works with Stripe, PayPal, Square.
Which tool is easier to use, Wave or Invoice Ninja?
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 Invoice Ninja offer better customer support?
Both Wave and Invoice Ninja 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 Invoice Ninja?
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 Invoice Ninja, it's particularly strong for small business owners starting out with limited budgets.
What are the cons of Wave compared to Invoice Ninja?
Wave's potential drawbacks include: Payment processing fees are higher than some competitors, Limited integrations compared to premium accounting software. Invoice Ninja may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Wave to Invoice Ninja 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 Invoice Ninja is ideal for freelancers and consultants.