Accounting Software Programs Reviews

Wave Review: Accounting Software Programs

We've analyzed the best Accounting Software Programs to help you find the right solution for your needs.

2026 Accounting Software Program Reviews

Where is the best place to find accounting software?  Owning your own business has lots of ups and downs. One of the biggest struggles business owners have is getting a handle on their accounting. In the past, accounting meant long hours spent doing calculations by hand or struggling with complicated spreadsheets. That old approach often left room for errors and caused delays (and headaches). But there are better, more modern options that can help you optimize your accounting and get a handle on your business finances with zero hassle.

5.0

EXCELLENT

1

Best Option

  • Subscription is either for $19 per month or $190 per year
  • Some in-house integrations
  • Includes banking, invoicing, expense tracking, and automations
  • Free version includes actual features, and no payment is required
  • 4.4-star average rating on third-party review sites
  • "A+" rating and accreditation from the BBB

EXCELLENT

5.0

On the Wave website

Wave bills itself as a money management system with accounting software that serves small business owners first. The goal is to simplify your everyday business tasks like invoicing, online payments, and keeping track of your finances all in one simple dashboard. The best part is that this software isn't built for accountants. Instead, it's built for people who own businesses but need to handle their accounting themselves. So, there's little to no learning curve.

Impressive interface on free plan

To get started with Wave, you can click the "get started for free" button to join. You just need to add an email and a password to jump right into the software. Wave will ask for your business details, including the name, type, and legal structure of your current business. You can select what you want Wave to help you with first, and it will suggest the best plan. One of the plans is totally free, so you can use the software at no cost. When you get started, Wave will guide you through setting up your dashboard. You'll be directed to add a company signatory, agree to the terms of service, set up your direct deposit, add team members for payroll, and 1099 tax forms. From there, you'll be directed to your accounting software dashboard, where you can see everything in a clean user interface at a glance.

Two plans with plenty of features

Wave's accounting software plans are the Starter plan, which is totally free, and the Pro plan, which is a paid subscription (available for monthly and annual payments).

  • The Starter Plan includes unlimited invoices, estimates, bills, and space to add your own logo and design. You can accept online payments at $0.50 per credit card and Amex transaction, and 1% fee for ACH. You can also invoice remotely and preview all your finances on the dashboard.
  • If you choose the paid Pro Plan, you'll get all the features of Starter plus lower fees for credit card transfers, automated late payment reminders, automated imports of bank transactions, unlimited digital capture for receives, live chat and support, adding attachments to invoices, reusable message templates, and accounting transaction management from the mobile app.
Best Accounting Software

Costs either $19 per month or $190 per year

The accounting software at Wave includes two plans. One is totally free of charge: yes, you can use it without any cost. It isn't a free trial, either. You just get access to the features above without payment. Wave's paid Pro plan isn't particularly costly either. The monthly fee is $19 per month for all the listed features, and you can save $38 per year if you choose the $190 annual fee. Either way, the prices are upfront and don't break the bank.

Some integrations are limited to "Pro" accounts

Wave's integrations are solid, but are limited to those who are subscribed to the Pro plan. According to an announcement on the integrations page, Wave requires you to have a Pro plan to integrate with existing and new APIs. (If you've checked out Wave in the past and this is coming as a surprise, the company implemented this requirement in May 2025.) However, some in-house integrations, like Zapier and Wave Connect, are still available for free. To see the full list of integrations, though, you will need to finish setting up your account and click on your business name to open the integrations tab. Otherwise, the list isn't offered before you're signed up.

Top pick for invoicing

Wave currently holds an "A+" rating and accreditation with the Better Business Bureau. It also has highly impressive reviews on tech-based review sites like Capterra and Business News Daily. On Capterra, which offers verified third-party reviews, Wave holds a 4.4-star average out of 1,700 total reviews. In general, business owners were impressed with the invoicing features of Wave. It helped multiple reviewers "stay on top of billing cycles" and required minimal effort to maintain general finances. Customers love the tracking and logging features for payments and estimate assistance. It's harder to find reviews for Wave on our traditional third-party review sites, but we're not concerned.

Top pick for budget-friendly software

If you're looking for accounting software that doesn't break the bank and has top-tier support for invoicing, Wave is going to be your next pick. While we'd like to see more transparency on the integrations for this accounting software, it remains our top pick due to the unbeatable pricing. Wave doesn't charge anything for its base tier, which offers plenty of tools for starting business owners. The Pro tier also isn't overly costly and offers savings if you plan to subscribe for a year. If anything, the free version is 100% worth a look. For these reasons, Wave earns a full 5 stars in our review.

On the Wave website

Continued from above...

Where is the Best Place to Find Accounting Software?

Owning your own business has lots of ups and downs. One of the biggest struggles business owners have is getting a handle on their accounting. In the past, accounting meant long hours spent doing calculations by hand or struggling with complicated spreadsheets. That old approach often left room for errors and caused delays (and headaches). But there are better, more modern options that can help you optimize your accounting and get a handle on your business finances with zero hassle.

Modern accounting software has transformed this process by automating calculations and keeping records in real time. It can even connect to your bank accounts and track expenses as they happen. These improvements mean that your business can now manage its finances faster and more accurately. So, when you get to the tough part of the year (yeah, we all hate tax season), your numbers are all ready to go.

Accounting software can make a big difference for anyone, but it's especially helpful if you own a small business. Instead of worrying about lost receipts or trying to track your payroll yourself, accounting software helps you keep everything in one easy-to-read dashboard. For many small businesses, having your finance tools for payments, taxes, and more all in one program saves time, giving you more freedom to focus on growing your company.

One of the biggest advantages of accounting software today is the support that comes with it. Many platforms include tutorials, built-in guides, and even access to live experts who can answer questions. This way, if you're totally new to accounting software (or changing over from a software that's completely different from the newer ones out there), you can jump right in without the extra learning curve. And, if you do feel comfortable with finance, some programs also provide detailed reports on cash flow, profit margins, and other key data, giving you a clearer picture of how your company is doing and what steps to take next.

Plus, accounting software also offers flexibility and savings that make it an attractive option. Cloud-based platforms allow access from anywhere, so you can check accounts on the go. Some services offer features that can grow along with your business, too, so as you level up, you don't need to worry about finding new or different accounting software all over again.

If you're ready to find the right program so you can cut down on wasted time, keep finances secure, and gain peace of mind knowing that your records are accurate, we totally get it. Here are some factors to consider before you start crunching numbers:

For small businesses that need efficiency and reliability, accounting software has become one of the smartest investments available. Whether you're starting your first business or you've been building an empire for years now, solid accounting software can make the difference between a smooth fiscal year and a high-stress end-of-year audit. To help you make the best choice for your business, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked the top accounting software platforms available today. This way, you can hand off the finances to the experts and focus on making your mark in the business world!

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Accounting Software Program FAQ

What is accounting software used for?
Accounting software is a computer program that helps record a company's financial transactions. This includes accounts payable, bookkeeping, payroll, inventory, reconciliations, time sheets, and much more.
Do you need to be an accountant to use accounting software?
No, in fact many account software companies have made their product specifically for small businesses who don't have an in-house accountant and need to be able to manage their finances on the platform without prior knowledge of how it all works. Of course, it is helpful to have an accounting background, but it is not at all necessary.
How much does accounting software cost?
Most accounting software companies give you the option to pay month-to-month or a lump sum each year. When you pay yearly, you usually end up paying less than you would monthly. You can typically expect to pay between $200 and $1,000 yearly for an accounting software built for small businesses. The number of users, features, and integrations are what make the biggest difference between what different companies charge.
Does every company need to use accounting software?
It is highly recommended! Keeping all of your financial information backed up on a software platform that calculates taxes, payroll, does invoicing, monitors sales, and more, is a safe thing to do because it helps eliminate human error that can easily happen when dealing with so many details. Making a mistake with your accounting can be very costly to a business, so using accounting software is becoming the standard.
How do I know which accounting software is right for my business?
Nearly all accounting software companies allow you to try their product for 30 days without charge. This is a great way to test out their platform and make sure they have all the features your company needs.
Does accounting software ever need to be updated?
If you're using accounting software that gets a big update, it's usually included in the cost you are already paying. If they add options for additional features, this may come with a separate price, but either way you don't have to worry about doing updates yourself.
How do I learn how to use new accounting software?
It may take a bit of time to get used to all of the functions offered by your accounting software. The companies that create accounting software for small businesses work hard to make sure their platform is intuitive and easy to learn. If you have questions, it is a great idea to contact their customer service team for help.
Is it possible to have a company customize an accounting software package for me?
Yes! Some companies are able to give you customized features and integrations that work for your particular industry. To do this, you'll work directly with the accounting software company to build out a platform that caters to your needs. The cost for this will be determined by the complexity of your software package.

Compare Any 2 Products

Wave
FreeAgent
Sage 50
LessAccounting
Zoho Books
FreshBooks
Xero
Kashoo
Quickbooks
Oracle Netsuite
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