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Compare Wave and Xero 
At a Glance
Market Segments
Small-Business (95.3% of reviews)
Small-Business (69.4% of reviews)
Entry-Level Pricing
$20-$35 per month
$13.00 Per Month
Wave
Star Rating
(308)4.3 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (95.3% of reviews)
Pros & Cons
Entry-Level Pricing
$20-$35 per month
Browse all 3 pricing plansXero
Star Rating
(1,322)4.4 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (69.4% of reviews)
Pros & Cons
Entry-Level Pricing
$13.00 Per Month
Free Trial is available
Browse all 3 pricing plansSummary
AI Generated Summary
AI-generated. Powered by real user reviews.
- G2 reviewers report that Xero excels in overall user satisfaction, boasting a significantly higher G2 Score compared to Wave. Users appreciate its intuitive interface, noting that the dashboard is not cluttered with unnecessary features, making it easier to manage accounting tasks.
- Users say that Xero's implementation process is smooth and straightforward, with many highlighting the ease of initial setup. This is in contrast to Wave, which, while praised for its simplicity, lacks the same level of comprehensive onboarding support that Xero offers.
- Reviewers mention that Xero provides superior customer support, with a quality rating that outshines Wave. Users have noted that Xero's support team is responsive and helpful, which is crucial for businesses needing timely assistance.
- According to verified reviews, Wave is favored by small businesses and freelancers for its cost-effectiveness and ease of navigation. Users appreciate features like automatic transaction downloads and simple invoicing, which save time and streamline financial management.
- G2 reviewers highlight that Xero's advanced features, such as robust reporting and reconciliation tools, are particularly beneficial for users with more complex accounting needs. In contrast, while Wave offers essential functionalities, it may not meet the demands of users requiring more sophisticated accounting capabilities.
- Users report that both platforms are user-friendly, but Xero edges out with higher ratings in ease of use. Reviewers have expressed that Xero's capabilities make it easier to manage accounting tasks effectively, while Wave, although simple, may require more guidance for optimal use.
Pricing
Entry-Level Pricing
Wave
Pay your staff
$20-$35
per month
$20/month base fee in Canada + 44 states
$35/month base fee in California, Florida, New York, Texas, Illinois & Washington
$4 additional per employee added
- Includes direct deposit.
- Employee portal to check pay stubs and history.
- Perfect for salaried and hourly workers, full-time or part-time.
Xero
Starter / Early
$13.00
Per Month
Good for sole traders, new businesses, and the self-employed.
- Send quotes and 20 invoices
- Enter 5 bills
- Reconcile bank transactions
Free Trial
Wave
Free Trial is available
Xero
Free Trial is available
Ratings
Meets Requirements
8.6
249
8.7
1,064
Ease of Use
8.9
251
8.9
1,117
Ease of Setup
8.8
121
8.7
810
Ease of Admin
8.7
112
8.7
373
Quality of Support
7.6
165
8.3
990
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
8.5
104
8.6
368
Product Direction (% positive)
8.0
240
8.7
1,053
Features by Category
Expense Reports
Not enough data
8.7
237
Not enough data
8.9
236
Not enough data
8.5
221
Not enough data
8.5
223
Not enough data
8.4
212
Not enough data
8.3
209
Not enough data
8.8
220
Agentic AI - Expense Management
Not enough data
8.9
108
Not enough data
9.1
109
Travel Management
Not enough data
7.8
195
Not enough data
7.3
188
Not enough data
7.2
186
Not enough data
7.6
190
Client Invoicing
Not enough data
9.1
225
Not enough data
8.8
211
Not enough data
8.6
210
Mobile
Not enough data
8.4
211
Not enough data
7.7
188
Not enough data
7.4
184
Platform
Not enough data
8.2
174
Not enough data
8.2
177
Administration
Not enough data
8.5
170
Administration
Not enough data
8.4
211
Not enough data
8.4
210
Not enough data
8.2
207
Not enough data
8.2
197
Not enough data
8.6
217
Platform
Not enough data
8.8
233
Not enough data
8.5
199
Not enough data
8.3
190
Not enough data
9.1
219
Not enough data
8.3
202
Not enough data
5.8
172
General Ledger
7.9
54
|
Verified
8.6
681
|
Verified
7.8
45
|
Verified
8.2
636
|
Verified
7.5
44
|
Verified
8.5
650
|
Verified
Accounts Receivable
8.5
72
8.7
701
|
Verified
8.1
53
|
Verified
8.4
601
8.0
47
|
Verified
8.2
616
|
Verified
Accounts Payable
7.8
36
8.5
596
8.1
51
|
Verified
8.7
652
|
Verified
7.2
32
|
Verified
8.5
623
|
Verified
Other Functionality
6.8
27
|
Verified
7.9
557
7.0
29
|
Verified
7.9
555
6.8
28
8.1
542
|
Verified
6.9
31
|
Verified
7.8
575
|
Verified
7.1
32
|
Verified
8.4
606
|
Verified
7.6
44
|
Verified
8.9
682
|
Verified
6.7
27
|
Verified
8.2
592
|
Verified
6.7
26
|
Verified
8.4
592
Reporting & Analytics
8.3
72
|
Verified
8.8
695
|
Verified
7.9
59
|
Verified
8.6
672
|
Verified
7.5
40
|
Verified
8.4
580
|
Verified
8.5
70
|
Verified
8.7
686
|
Verified
Platform
7.3
58
|
Verified
8.3
631
|
Verified
7.3
40
|
Verified
8.2
602
7.8
54
|
Verified
8.6
658
|
Verified
7.3
28
|
Verified
8.3
560
|
Verified
8.2
64
|
Verified
8.8
668
|
Verified
7.9
53
|
Verified
8.6
614
|
Verified
Integration
7.8
49
|
Verified
8.6
635
|
Verified
7.2
31
8.6
563
6.6
31
|
Verified
8.4
593
|
Verified
Cash Flow
7.9
32
|
Verified
8.7
528
|
Verified
8.3
35
|
Verified
9.0
548
|
Verified
7.6
28
|
Verified
8.7
514
|
Verified
Budgeting & Forecasting
7.5
40
|
Verified
8.4
580
|
Verified
7.0
23
|
Verified
8.6
517
|
Verified
6.6
17
|
Verified
8.3
481
|
Verified
7.2
27
|
Verified
8.5
510
|
Verified
Revenue
7.9
28
|
Verified
8.7
535
|
Verified
7.5
23
|
Verified
8.6
521
|
Verified
7.2
21
8.3
489
|
Verified
Payroll
6.7
20
|
Verified
8.2
468
|
Verified
6.8
17
8.0
454
|
Verified
6.6
20
|
Verified
8.4
496
|
Verified
7.7
25
|
Verified
8.8
510
|
Verified
AI
5.5
7
8.3
342
6.5
8
8.7
342
6.7
9
8.6
342
4.5
7
8.4
340
6.7
8
8.4
338
5.6
8
8.0
338
7.6
9
8.9
345
6.7
8
8.7
343
6.0
7
8.6
334
5.7
7
8.4
335
Mobile Applications - Accounting
6.5
8
8.7
333
7.5
8
8.7
322
6.7
7
8.7
332
3.0
5
7.2
300
6.2
7
8.8
326
7.7
8
8.9
326
Agentic AI - Accounting
Not enough data
8.4
299
General Ledger
7.9
54
|
Verified
8.6
681
|
Verified
7.8
45
|
Verified
8.2
636
|
Verified
7.5
44
|
Verified
8.5
650
|
Verified
Accounts Receivable
8.5
72
8.7
701
|
Verified
8.1
53
|
Verified
8.4
601
8.0
47
|
Verified
8.2
616
|
Verified
Accounts Payable
7.8
36
8.5
596
8.1
51
|
Verified
8.7
652
|
Verified
7.2
32
|
Verified
8.5
623
|
Verified
Invoice Generation
Not enough data
8.7
233
Not enough data
9.0
232
Not enough data
9.0
227
Invoice Processing
Not enough data
8.7
225
Not enough data
8.7
224
Not enough data
8.4
222
Not enough data
9.0
232
Analytics
Not enough data
9.0
224
Not enough data
8.6
226
Not enough data
8.3
212
Not enough data
8.8
227
Integration
Not enough data
9.1
236
Not enough data
8.9
229
Not enough data
8.3
218
Not enough data
8.6
229
Agentic AI - Invoice Management
Not enough data
8.6
133
Not enough data
8.5
134
Not enough data
8.4
135
Multichannel inventory management
Not enough data
8.9
89
Not enough data
8.9
89
Not enough data
8.7
89
3PL inventory management
Not enough data
9.0
89
Not enough data
8.9
89
Not enough data
8.8
88
Inventory Management
Not enough data
9.1
90
Not enough data
8.9
89
Not enough data
8.9
87
Not enough data
8.9
88
Not enough data
9.3
88
Inventory Management Platform Features
Not enough data
9.2
94
Not enough data
9.2
95
Not enough data
8.9
94
Not enough data
8.9
91
Not enough data
8.9
91
Not enough data
9.2
95
Not enough data
9.0
93
Not enough data
9.3
92
Not enough data
9.4
94
Not enough data
9.4
94
Bill Generation
7.9
36
8.5
214
8.3
40
8.8
218
8.0
35
8.8
219
Bill Processing
7.6
28
8.3
210
7.6
26
8.5
211
8.2
38
8.7
214
Integration
7.9
37
8.9
223
8.0
33
8.7
217
6.8
19
8.1
205
Agentic AI - Billing
Not enough data
8.6
124
Agentic AI - Accounting & Finance
Not enough data
Not enough data
Categories
Categories
Shared Categories
Wave and Xero are categorized as Billing and Accounting
Unique Categories
Wave has no unique categories
Xero is categorized as Invoice Management, Inventory Control, Expense Management, and Nonprofit Accounting
Reviews
Reviewers' Company Size
Wave
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
Xero
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
Small-Business
(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market
(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise
(> 1000 emp.)
Reviewers' Industry
Marketing and Advertising
16.1%
Information Technology and Services
6.0%
Accounting
5.4%
Design
4.7%
Computer Software
3.4%
Other
64.4%
Accounting
20.0%
Information Technology and Services
8.4%
Computer Software
6.7%
Marketing and Advertising
5.8%
Construction
3.2%
Other
55.8%
Alternatives
Discussions
Is wave a good accounting software?
2 Comments
MM
Yeah. It has most of the features required by a small business. You can request the team if you need anything in particular Read more
What is Wave Software?
2 Comments
MM
Wave software is an easy to use Payroll and Accounting software. You can create invoices, send billings, track expenses, and all normal transactions...Read more
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