Link copied to clipboard # HoneyBook vs Wave Comparison - What are their main differences? Share [ Export ](/compare/honeybook/wave/export.csv) HoneyBookWave[+ Add Product](#) Pricing **HoneyBook** Free Trial **$29.00** 1 Users Per Month · Starter Plan **Wave** Free Trial **$20-$35** per month · Pay your staff **Pricing Insights** from reviews Time to Implement **HoneyBook** 1 month Based on 69 responses **Wave** 1 month Based on 87 responses Return on Investment **HoneyBook** 6 months1 month sooner Based on 66 responses **Wave** 7 months Based on 71 responses Perceived Cost **HoneyBook** $$$$$ **Wave** $$$$$ Average Discount **HoneyBook** 29%20% more **Wave** 9% ![HoneyBook](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_df4a329eac405212e5133fdb053fc64a/honeybook.png "HoneyBook") ![Wave](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1537757062/wave.svg "Wave") G2 offers free advice on this comparison. Chat with an expert How would you like to receive Software Advice? ![](/assets/advisor_router/laptop_form-f1a7012279826105416befde8d882ffc7589b1f9db09c93a1379d601cafe8e0d.svg) FormAnswer questions at your own pace, no call required. ![](/assets/advisor_router/ai_agent-4d78629a3ba354fed449a65c60df3a6f2eda90fb98411b711df4b25d7be52a38.svg) AI AgentChat live and get a recommendation in minutes. ![](/assets/advisor_router/phone_call_picker-c48821ec36f4182d8ee3e54cfbd3937500eec54d7b7e0cfb80dc80a8a733842f.svg) Phone CallTalk it through live with a software advisor. **Pros & Cons** from reviews **HoneyBook** [ Payment Management (19) ](https://www.g2.com/products/honeybook/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2513961&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Easy Creation (8) ](https://www.g2.com/products/honeybook/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2513928&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Payment Issues (5) ](https://www.g2.com/products/honeybook/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2514172&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Expensive (4) ](https://www.g2.com/products/honeybook/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1460845&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews) **Wave** [ Ease of Use (10) ](https://www.g2.com/products/wave/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1267291&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Invoice Management (5) ](https://www.g2.com/products/wave/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1267272&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Missing Features (5) ](https://www.g2.com/products/wave/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2233059&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Poor Customer Support (4) ](https://www.g2.com/products/wave/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1267102&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews) Integrations **HoneyBook** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_50828ef2b93af30b29edd9061533c3b9/activecampaign.jpg "Product Avatar Image") ActiveCampaign ](https://www.g2.com/products/activecampaign/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_d06214a78a4c42bbd28cfa5c5d8b7b38/acuity-scheduling.png "Product Avatar Image") Acuity Scheduling ](https://www.g2.com/products/acuity-scheduling/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_a697fff464fa3e9e9509f963fc269fe1/anthropic-sdk.png "Product Avatar Image") Anthropic SDK ](https://www.g2.com/products/anthropic-sdk/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_2a3c6c39bf8b8eb277cfcd42d9bbca1e/asana.png "Product Avatar Image") Asana ](https://www.g2.com/products/asana/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/honeybook/integrations) **Wave** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_033aa224b72b00b72e8860e4e6401efc/microsoft-excel.png "Product Avatar Image") Microsoft Excel ](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-excel/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_db4c97d6a091779bee99b5765660281e/zapier.png "Product Avatar Image") Zapier ](https://www.g2.com/products/zapier/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/wave/integrations) Screenshots **HoneyBook** ![HoneyBook screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/123608/Invoices.png) **Wave** ![Wave screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/88316/chrome-invoice-accounting.jpg) **Ratings** from reviews Meets Requirements **HoneyBook** 8.9 8.9182 **Wave** 8.6 8.6262 Ease of Use **HoneyBook** 8.8 8.8183 **Wave** 8.9 8.9264 Ease of Setup **HoneyBook** 8.7 8.7122 **Wave** 8.8 8.8134 Ease of Admin **HoneyBook** 8.9 8.996 **Wave** 8.8 8.8116 Quality of Support **HoneyBook** 9.0 9.0168 **Wave** 7.6 7.6173 Has the product been a good partner in doing business? **HoneyBook** 9.2 9.293 **Wave** 8.5 8.5108 Product Direction (% positive) **HoneyBook** 8.5 8.5173 **Wave** 8.0 8.0251 **Features** ratings from reviews Billing 8.9 85 7.8 49 CRM 8.5 120 Not enough data Accounting Not enough data 7.2 95 Online Form Builder 9.1 48 Not enough data Proposal 9.7 8 Not enough data Invoice Management 8.9 102 Not enough data Online Appointment Scheduling 8.5 48 Not enough data Payment Processing 8.6 94 Not enough data User Insights **Reviewers' Company Size** Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 98.4% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 1.6% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 0% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 98.4% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 1.6% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 0% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 94.6% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 4.1% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 1.3% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 94.6% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 4.1% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 1.3% **Reviewers' Industry** [![HoneyBook](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_df4a329eac405212e5133fdb053fc64a/honeybook.png "HoneyBook")](https://www.g2.com/products/honeybook/reviews) HoneyBook Photography 37.7% Events Services 13.5% Marketing and Advertising 7.2% Graphic Design 6.3% Design 4.9% Other 30.5% [![Wave](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1537757062/wave.svg "Wave")](https://www.g2.com/products/wave/reviews) Wave Marketing and Advertising 15.5% Accounting 5.8% Information Technology and Services 5.8% Design 4.8% Computer Software 3.2% Other 64.8% FAQs ## HoneyBook vs Wave FAQs Generated using AI Last updated: August 14, 2026 ### What is the difference between Wave vs HoneyBook? HoneyBook stands out for higher reviewer satisfaction on support and administration, while Wave is favored for its free core features and ease of use. | [Wave](https://www.g2.com/products/wave/reviews) | [HoneyBook](https://www.g2.com/products/honeybook/reviews) | | --- | --- | | 4.3/5 (328 reviews) | 4.5/5 (248 reviews) | | Small-Business | Small-Business | | 8.8 | 8.8 | | 7.6 | 9.0 | | Ease of Use (11 all-time mentions) | — | ### How do the pricing models of Wave and HoneyBook compare? Wave is considered the stronger value due to its free core features and higher satisfaction on price-related dimensions. - **Wave:** Reviewers consistently highlight the value of Wave's free core accounting and invoicing features, noting it is ideal for freelancers and small businesses seeking to avoid monthly subscription costs. - **HoneyBook:** Recent reviews describe HoneyBook as affordable for startups but mention that the cost can be high for low-revenue businesses, with some reviewers noting annual price increases. - **Switching reasons:** Several reviewers mention switching to Wave from paid competitors to reduce overhead, while HoneyBook reviewers cite its all-in-one workflow as a reason for switching from multiple tools. ### What are the best alternatives to Wave and HoneyBook? The top three alternatives to Wave and HoneyBook are Bonsai, Xero, and FreshBooks. | Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Wave](https://www.g2.com/products/wave/reviews) | 4.3/5 (328 reviews) | Small-Business | Free core features praised by reviewers | Ease of Use (11 all-time mentions) | | [HoneyBook](https://www.g2.com/products/honeybook/reviews) | 4.5/5 (248 reviews) | Small-Business | Affordable for startups, but cost can be high for low-revenue businesses | All-in-one workflow and automation | | [Bonsai](https://www.g2.com/products/bonsai/reviews) | 4.3/5 (101 reviews) | — | — | — | | [Xero](https://www.g2.com/products/xero/reviews) | 4.4/5 (1736 reviews) | Small-Business | — | — | | [FreshBooks](https://www.g2.com/products/freshbooks/reviews) | 4.5/5 (981 reviews) | Small-Business | — | — | ### Which Accounting features should I prioritize when comparing Wave and HoneyBook? Buyers should prioritize Payments, Ease of Use, Invoice Management, and Integration Features when comparing Wave and HoneyBook. - **Payments:** Payments is the most frequently mentioned feature in reviews for both products. - **Ease of Use:** Wave: 11 all-time mentions; HoneyBook: Ease of Use score 8.8. - **Invoice Management:** Wave: 6 all-time mentions; HoneyBook: Recent reviews highlight invoicing and contract management as core strengths. - **Integration Features:** Wave: 3 all-time mentions; HoneyBook: Calendar integration cited in 23 all-time reviews. ### What are the pros and cons of Wave vs HoneyBook? Wave's headline strength is its free core accounting features, while HoneyBook excels in workflow automation and client management. - **Wave strengths:** Free core features, ease of use (11 all-time mentions), invoice management (6 all-time mentions), easy setup (3 all-time mentions), automation efficiency, and cloud-based access. - **Wave trade-offs:** Missing advanced features (5 all-time mentions), poor customer support (5 all-time mentions), limited integrations, and some international compliance gaps. - **HoneyBook strengths:** All-in-one workflow, automation, client portals, and strong support experience (Quality of Support score 9.0). - **HoneyBook trade-offs:** Reviewers note higher costs for low-revenue businesses, some mobile app limitations, and a learning curve for advanced features. ### Is Wave or HoneyBook better for small businesses? Wave is the better fit for small businesses, with a strong focus on free features and positive small-business reviewer sentiment. - **Wave:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers consistently highlight its suitability for freelancers and small businesses due to its free core features and ease of use. - **HoneyBook:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers appreciate its all-in-one workflow but mention higher costs as a consideration for smaller businesses. ### Which Accounting platform has better integrations? HoneyBook is favored for integrations, especially with calendar tools. - **Wave:** Integration features are mentioned in 3 all-time reviews, but reviewers note limited third-party integrations compared to competitors. - **HoneyBook:** Calendar integration is cited in 23 all-time reviews, and Calendly is mentioned as a supported integration in recent reviews. ### How do Wave and HoneyBook compare on customer support? HoneyBook has a materially higher Quality of Support score than Wave, with a 1.4-point advantage. - **Wave:** Quality of Support score is 7.6; reviewers frequently cite slow or limited support, especially on the free plan. - **HoneyBook:** Quality of Support score is 9.0; reviewers consistently praise responsive and helpful support, with several noting positive experiences with onboarding and troubleshooting. ### Which is easier to implement, Wave or HoneyBook? Wave and HoneyBook are rated equally on Ease of Setup, both scoring 8.8, indicating parity in implementation experience. - **Wave:** Reviewers describe setup as quick and straightforward, often completed in under an hour, with easy bank account connections and minimal technical configuration. - **HoneyBook:** Reviewers highlight easy onboarding, detailed setup guides, and a short learning curve, with many noting that templates and support resources make initial implementation smooth. ### Which product has better Payments? Payments is the most frequently mentioned feature for both Wave and HoneyBook, with reviewers citing both strengths and trade-offs. - **Wave:** Payments is a recurring theme in recent reviews, with reviewers praising easy invoice payment links but noting slow payout times and occasional payment holds. - **HoneyBook:** Payments is frequently cited in reviews, with positive feedback on integrated invoicing and payment reminders, but some reviewers mention higher transaction fees and delayed fund releases. Alternatives **HoneyBook Alternatives** ![Bonsai](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/a4141b8a1d473c5118c259b42a5266ee/bonsai.svg "Bonsai") [ Bonsai ](/products/bonsai/reviews) ![Assembly](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1600ed9c292219e868d179d27be76fa2/assemblysoftware.svg "Assembly") [ Assembly ](/products/assemblysoftware/reviews) ![FreshBooks](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/58c5a614d757ea3d7bd5a61ee1fd9c75/freshbooks.svg "FreshBooks") [ FreshBooks ](/products/freshbooks/reviews) ![Bloom](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_1ded906f0e929d04040f02c988430dbd/bloom-io-bloom.jpg "Bloom") [ Bloom ](/products/bloom-io-bloom/reviews) **Wave Alternatives** ![Xero](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/808722a7f32bdeac24cfe7c4f9cd544a/xero.svg "Xero") [ Xero ](/products/xero/reviews) ![FreshBooks](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/58c5a614d757ea3d7bd5a61ee1fd9c75/freshbooks.svg "FreshBooks") [ FreshBooks ](/products/freshbooks/reviews) ![Zoho Books](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/345a131c8b9a57f44c83fcca37b008e0/zoho-books.svg "Zoho Books") [ Zoho Books ](/products/zoho-books/reviews) ![QuickBooks Desktop Pro](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1507301994/quickbooks-desktop-pro.png "QuickBooks Desktop Pro") [ Desktop Pro ](/products/quickbooks-desktop-pro/reviews)