Is Wave Invoicing Really Free? Fees, Limits & Alternatives (2026)
Wave Starter sends unlimited invoices for $0, but payment fees, Pro features and US/Canada eligibility change the real cost. Here is the honest comparison.
Short answer: Wave Starter really does include unlimited invoices for a $0 subscription. The trade-off is that Wave is a bookkeeping platform for the US and Canada, and collecting online payments carries separate processing fees. If you only need to invoice, compare the total workflow and payment cost—not just the subscription.
Is Wave invoicing still free?
Yes. Wave's Starter plan has a $0 subscription and lets small business owners create unlimited invoices, estimates and bookkeeping records. But creating an invoice, sending it through Wave and collecting a payment are three different things, and the free tier treats them differently.
Wave is small business software that combines invoicing with bookkeeping for the US and Canada. It works in a browser for the full desktop experience and through a mobile app for invoicing on the go. Our verdict: shortlist Wave if you are in its supported market and want invoices connected to your books. If you only need a PDF, or you run a new business outside North America, look at other tools first.
Updated September 2026 from Wave's pricing and support pages. We publish InvoiceSonic, one of the products discussed; this is an independent guide, not Wave support.
Starter vs Pro: what changes
| Features | Starter | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Free | US$19/month or US$190/year; C$25/month or C$250/year |
| Invoices, estimates and bookkeeping records | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Share a PDF or link yourself | Yes | Yes |
| Send through Wave | Requires online payments | Included |
| Automated late payment reminders | Requires online payments | Included |
| Auto-import and categorize bank transactions | Not included | Included |
| Custom branding on professional invoices | Wave footer | Included |
| Card processing | 2.9% + $0.60 (Amex 3.4% + $0.60) | $0 fixed fee on first 10 card transactions/month |
Upgrading does not automatically qualify you to accept payments; Wave Payments has its own eligibility and identity verification checks.
Can you send an invoice on the free tier?
You can download a PDF or share an invoice link yourself. Sending the email through Wave is tied to accepting payments or upgrading to Pro. This matters if your habit is pressing Send inside the app rather than attaching a PDF in your own email. Wave explains the distinction in its invoice capability update.
Before deciding Starter covers you, test the delivery method you intend to use. Who sends the email, where does a reply go, and can you find the invoice when the customer queries it?
Reminders and recurring invoices
Wave's support documentation says businesses accepting payments through Wave, or on the Pro plan, can schedule payment reminders. The customer needs a saved email address, and reminders go to the primary contact. See Wave's reminder instructions.
Recurring invoices follow the same rule for automatic sending. See Wave's recurring-invoice guide. A repeat invoice is not the same as a customer authorising an automatic charge, so confirm the billing arrangement first.
Payment fees: what free does not cover
Card payments on Starter cost 2.9% + $0.60, and Amex 3.4% + $0.60. Pro removes the $0.60 fixed fee on the first ten card transactions each month, but the percentage stays. Check current payment terms for your country and method.
At 2.9% + $0.60, a $3,000 card payment costs $87.60. Ten waived fixed fees save $6 a month, not the whole subscription. Upgrade for the features, not to remove card fees. For your own numbers, use a payment fee calculator.
Bookkeeping features that come with a Wave account
Wave's appeal is that invoices flow straight into your books. With a Wave account you can track expenses, record bank transactions and see cash flow without a second tool. Receipt scanning uses OCR technology to pull details from photos in the mobile app. Pro adds automatic bank imports, which removes most manual entry.
Limits to know: additional users and email support vary by plan and region. Check what is included before relying on it.
Can businesses in Australia or the UK use Wave?
Wave focuses on the US and Canada. Its support notice says some existing overseas accounts remain active but overseas product and customer support were discontinued. That is not a good basis for a new Australian or UK business. Australian readers can see our free invoice app shortlist for Australia and invoicing software australia options.
Wave alternatives by job
| Your priority | What to look at |
|---|---|
| A browser PDF without an account | InvoiceSonic or another tool in our free invoice generator guide |
| A dedicated invoicing account | Zoho Invoice — see Zoho Invoice vs Wave |
| Payment collection | Square's local offering and fees |
| Broader accounting | QuickBooks or FreshBooks, with your accountant |
| Contractor invoice workflows | Contractor invoicing software |
InvoiceSonic is an invoicing tool for small businesses, not a replacement for Wave's ledger. The browser tool includes one free PDF download without an account; a free web account saves 3 invoices a month. See pricing and our Wave alternatives page.
Checklist before switching from Wave
- Export the invoices and bookkeeping records you need to keep.
- List open invoices, credits, deposits and partial payments.
- Check the new tool's import options rather than assuming a one-click migration.
- Choose a cutover date and keep invoice numbers unique.
- Turn off duplicate reminders only when replacements are working.
- Reconcile opening balances before sending new bills.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wave completely free?
Starter has no subscription. Processed payments cost money, and some sending and automation features need online payments or Pro.
Does Wave charge to create an invoice?
No. Starter includes unlimited invoice creation. Fees apply to processed payments and the optional upgrade.
Are Wave reminders only on Pro?
No. Businesses accepting payments through Wave can also schedule reminders.
Does Wave have a mobile app?
Yes. You can create and send invoices and scan receipts from the mobile app, with the full desktop experience in a browser.
Should I switch from Wave to InvoiceSonic?
Only if you need a simpler invoicing workflow and do not need InvoiceSonic to replace your accounting. Try a sample in our invoice generator first.
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