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# Wave vs ZipBooks Comparison - What are their main differences?

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Pricing

**Wave**
Free Trial

**$20-$35** per month · Pay your staff 

 **2.9% + 30¢** PER TRANSACTION · Accept credit cards 

**$149** per month · Wave Plus

**ZipBooks**
Free Trial

No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Perceived Cost

**Wave**
$$$$$

**ZipBooks**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**Wave**
9%

**ZipBooks**
Not enough reviews yet

Uncover valuable pricing insights from real user feedback to improve your shopping experience.
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Time to Implement

**Wave** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**ZipBooks** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

Return on Investment

**Wave** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**ZipBooks** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

 ![Wave](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1537757062/wave.svg "Wave")

 ![ZipBooks](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1489426488/zipbooks.svg "ZipBooks")

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**Pros & Cons**
from reviews

**Wave**
[
Ease of Use (11)
](https://www.g2.com/products/wave/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1267291&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Invoice Management (6)
](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 (5)
](https://www.g2.com/products/wave/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1267102&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)

**ZipBooks**
Not enough data

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)

**ZipBooks**
Not enough data

Screenshots

**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)

**ZipBooks**
 ![ZipBooks 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/111975/ZipBooks-Dashboard.png)

**Ratings**
from reviews

Meets Requirements

**Wave**

**8.6** /10

Based on 262 responses

**ZipBooks**

**9.1** /10

Based on 76 responses

Ease of Use

**Wave**

**8.9** /10

Based on 264 responses

**ZipBooks**

**9.5** /10

Based on 76 responses

Ease of Setup

**Wave**

**8.8** /10

Based on 134 responses

**ZipBooks**

**9.5** /10

Based on 34 responses

Ease of Admin

**Wave**

**8.8** /10

Based on 116 responses

**ZipBooks**

**9.5** /10

Based on 34 responses

Quality of Support

**Wave**

**7.6** /10

Based on 173 responses

**ZipBooks**

**9.4** /10

Based on 71 responses

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**Wave**

**8.5** /10

Based on 108 responses

**ZipBooks**

**9.3** /10

Based on 32 responses

Product Direction (% positive)

**Wave**

**8.0** /10

Based on 251 responses

**ZipBooks**

**9.6** /10

Based on 78 responses

**Features**
ratings from reviews

Accounting

**7.2** /10

Based on 95 responses

Not enough data

Billing

**7.8** /10

Based on 49 responses

Not enough data

User Insights

**Reviewers' Company Size**

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%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
78.8%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
14.1%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
7.1%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
78.8%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
14.1%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
7.1%

**Reviewers' Industry**

[![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%

[![ZipBooks](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1489426488/zipbooks.svg "ZipBooks")](https://www.g2.com/products/zipbooks/reviews)
ZipBooks

Information Technology and Services
16.5%

Marketing and Advertising
9.4%

Computer Software
7.1%

Design
5.9%

Management Consulting
4.7%

Other
56.5%

Alternatives

**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)

**ZipBooks Alternatives**

 ![FreshBooks](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/58c5a614d757ea3d7bd5a61ee1fd9c75/freshbooks.svg "FreshBooks")

[
FreshBooks
](/products/freshbooks/reviews)

 ![Zoho Invoice](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/a05fe4f501b0130c41995a8a64659bdf/zoho-invoice.svg "Zoho Invoice")

[
Zoho Invoice
](/products/zoho-invoice/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)

 ![Zoho Books](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/345a131c8b9a57f44c83fcca37b008e0/zoho-books.svg "Zoho Books")

[
Zoho Books
](/products/zoho-books/reviews)

## Wave vs ZipBooks FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 14, 2026

### What is the difference between Wave vs ZipBooks?

ZipBooks stands out from Wave with higher reviewer satisfaction scores across all key dimensions, especially in support and ease of use.

| [Wave](https://www.g2.com/products/wave/reviews) | [ZipBooks](https://www.g2.com/products/zipbooks/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.3/5 (328 reviews) | 4.7/5 (86 reviews) |
| Small-Business | Small-Business |
| 8.8 | 9.5 |
| 7.6 | 9.4 |
| Ease of Use (11 all-time mentions) | Intuitive Interface (recent reviews) |

### How do the pricing models of Wave and ZipBooks compare?

ZipBooks is rated as the stronger value, with higher satisfaction on price and cost-related dimensions.

- **Wave:** Reviewers highlight the appeal of its free core plan, but note that some features have moved behind a paywall and add-on pricing can be high for small businesses.
- **ZipBooks:** Reviewers consistently praise its affordability and value, especially for small businesses and freelancers, with positive sentiment around its free plan and low-cost upgrades.
- **Switching reasons:** Recent reviewers mention moving from Wave to ZipBooks for better support and a more intuitive interface.

### What are the best alternatives to Wave and ZipBooks?

FreshBooks, Xero, and Zoho Books are the top alternatives to Wave and ZipBooks.

| 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 plan, paid add-ons for automation and bank feeds | Ease of Use (11 all-time mentions) |
| [ZipBooks](https://www.g2.com/products/zipbooks/reviews) | 4.7/5 (86 reviews) | Small-Business | Free plan with unlimited invoices, affordable upgrades | Intuitive Interface (recent reviews) |
| [FreshBooks](https://www.g2.com/products/freshbooks/reviews) | 4.5/5 (981 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Comprehensive invoicing and time tracking |
| [Xero](https://www.g2.com/products/xero/reviews) | 4.4/5 (1738 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Robust accounting features |
| [Zoho Books](https://www.g2.com/products/zoho-books/reviews) | 4.4/5 (329 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Integrated business management |

### Which Accounting features should I prioritize when comparing Wave and ZipBooks?

Buyers should prioritize ease of use, invoicing, automation, payroll, and integration features when comparing Wave and ZipBooks.

- **Ease of Use:** Wave (11 all-time mentions), ZipBooks (9.5/10 score)
- **Invoicing:** Wave (6 all-time mentions for invoice management), ZipBooks (recent reviews highlight invoicing as a core strength)
- **Automation:** Wave (2 all-time mentions for automation efficiency), ZipBooks (recent reviews cite automation and time-saving features)
- **Payroll:** Wave (2 all-time mentions for payroll management), ZipBooks (recent reviews mention payroll as a supported feature)
- **Integration Features:** Wave (3 all-time mentions), ZipBooks (recent reviews note limited integrations)

### What are the pros and cons of Wave vs ZipBooks?

Wave's headline strength is its free core accounting features, while ZipBooks is praised for its intuitive interface and superior support.

- **Wave strengths:** Free core plan, ease of use (11 all-time mentions), invoice management (6 all-time mentions), easy setup (3 all-time mentions), automation efficiency (2 all-time mentions).
- **Wave trade-offs:** Missing features (5 all-time mentions), poor customer support (5 all-time mentions), integration issues (2 all-time mentions), some advanced features behind a paywall.
- **ZipBooks strengths:** Intuitive and modern interface (recent reviews), high satisfaction with support, affordable pricing, unlimited invoices on the free plan, strong time tracking and project management.
- **ZipBooks trade-offs:** Limited integrations (recent reviews), basic reporting and customization on lower tiers, some features require paid upgrades.

### Is Wave or ZipBooks better for small businesses?

ZipBooks is the better fit for small businesses, with higher satisfaction scores and strong small-business reviewer sentiment.

- **Wave:** Small-Business segment, reviewers appreciate the free plan and ease of use for basic needs, but note limitations for growing businesses and advanced features.
- **ZipBooks:** Small-Business segment, reviewers consistently highlight its intuitive interface, affordability, and suitability for freelancers and small teams.

### Which Accounting platform has better integrations?

Wave is favored for integrations, with more reviewer-cited mentions than ZipBooks.

- **Wave:** Integration features cited in 3 all-time reviews, with recent mentions of integrations with other financial software and platforms.
- **ZipBooks:** Recent reviews note limited integrations, with Square as the primary integration currently available.

### How do Wave and ZipBooks compare on customer support?

ZipBooks has a materially higher Quality of Support score than Wave, with a 1.8-point advantage.

- **Wave:** Reviewers frequently cite slow or limited customer support, with 5 all-time mentions of poor support and restricted access to human agents on the free plan.
- **ZipBooks:** Reviewers consistently praise support as "out of this world" and "stellar," with a 9.4/10 Quality of Support score and multiple recent mentions of fast, helpful in-app chat support.

### Which is easier to implement, Wave or ZipBooks?

ZipBooks is easier to implement, with a 0.7-point higher Ease of Setup score than Wave.

- **Wave:** Reviewers describe setup as straightforward and quick, often completed in under an hour, but note occasional confusion with advanced configurations.
- **ZipBooks:** Reviewers highlight a simple, intuitive setup process, with many stating it takes less than a day and is easy even for those without accounting backgrounds.

### Which product has better Payroll?

Wave and ZipBooks both support payroll, but Wave has more all-time reviewer mentions for payroll management.

- **Wave:** Payroll management cited in 2 all-time reviews, with reviewers noting payroll as a valuable feature for small businesses.
- **ZipBooks:** Payroll is mentioned in recent reviews as a supported feature, but without all-time mention counts.