Alternatives
Looking for a Wave alternative?
Here is what to check before you switch, and how InvoiceWren handles a job from the first estimate to the final payment.
Updated
The short answer
InvoiceWren suits service businesses that quote and bill jobs: estimates your client signs, change orders, progress invoices and no fee on client payments. If you want free accounting and bookkeeping with built-in card payments, Wave may suit you better.[1][2]
Four things to check in any Wave alternative
- 1
Do you need accounting, or a tool for the job?
Accounting software does a lot. If you mostly quote and bill jobs, you may want something simpler.
- 2
Can your client sign the estimate?
A signature on the estimate settles what was agreed.
- 3
What happens when the job changes?
Without change orders, extra work ends up in emails and edited invoices.
- 4
What does each card payment cost?
Card fees add up on big jobs. Check the fee per payment.
Wave and InvoiceWren side by side
| What you need | Wave | InvoiceWren |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes: Starter, unlimited estimates and invoices[1] | Yes: 5 invoices and 5 estimates a month, for good[4] |
| Client e-signature on estimates | Not listed on their estimates page[3] | Every plan, including Free[4] |
| Change orders | Not listed on their pricing, invoicing or estimates pages[1][2][3] | Pro, and free on your first job[4] |
| Progress invoices | Not listed on their pricing, invoicing or estimates pages[1][2][3] | Pro, and free on your first job[4] |
| Card payment fees | 2.9% + $0.60 per card payment; lower on Pro for the first 10 a month[1] | We take no fee. You add your own payment link, Zelle or bank[4] |
See every row in the full comparison, including where Wave is stronger.
How to switch in an afternoon
- 1
Create your account
Use Google, Apple or your email. Add your business name and logo.
- 2
Start with open work
Add the jobs you are working on now. Past invoices can stay where they are.
- 3
Add how clients pay you
Zelle, bank transfer or your own payment link. Your client taps "I've paid" and you confirm.
Questions
Is Wave free?
Wave Starter is $0, and Wave Pro is $190 a year billed annually (checked Nov 09 2026). Card payments have a fee on both plans.[1]
Does InvoiceWren do accounting?
No. InvoiceWren runs estimates, changes, invoices and payments for each job. You can export everything for your accountant.[4]
Does InvoiceWren take card payments?
Your client pays you directly by Zelle, bank transfer or your own payment link, such as a Stripe or PayPal link. We never take a fee.[4]
Can I use both?
Yes. Some businesses keep their books in an accounting tool and run their jobs in InvoiceWren.
Run your next job in InvoiceWren.
Get startedFree plan available. No credit card for Free.
Sources
- Wave, Pricing. Checked .
- Wave, Invoicing. Checked .
- Wave, Estimates software. Checked .
- InvoiceWren, Pricing. Checked .
Prices and features change. We check these pages before each update. If something here is out of date, tell us at hello@invoicewren.com and we will fix it.
Wave is a trademark of its owner. InvoiceWren is not affiliated with Wave.