2026 head-to-head

Wave vs Zoho Invoice: Which is Better in 2026?

Wave wins on more features overall (5 vs 3, 11 tied). Below is the full feature-by-feature breakdown.

Scoreboard

5
Wave wins
11
Tied
3
Zoho Invoice wins

Feature-by-feature comparison

Pricing

Feature Wave Zoho Invoice
Free plan
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
1 user, 1,000 invoices/year
Entry paid plan
✓ Yes
Pro Plan US$16/mo (about AU$25)
— Paid add-on
AU$15/mo Standard
Download PDF without signup
✗ No
Requires signup to generate invoices
✗ No

Invoicing features

Feature Wave Zoho Invoice
Unlimited invoices
✓ Yes
— Limited
Custom logo & branding
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
Recurring invoices
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
Email invoices to clients
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
Multi-currency
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
Client management
✓ Yes
✓ Yes

Australian compliance

Feature Wave Zoho Invoice
ATO-compliant GST invoices
— Limited
No automatic ATO Tax Invoice wording
— Limited
ABN field built in
✗ No
Manual workaround needed
✓ Yes
Australian-focused support
✗ No
No AU-based support
— Limited

Accounting features

Feature Wave Zoho Invoice
Bank reconciliation
— Limited
AU bank feeds are limited
✗ No
Expense tracking
✓ Yes
— Limited
Payroll
✗ No
US/Canada only
✗ No
Inventory tracking
✗ No
✗ No

Integrations

Feature Wave Zoho Invoice
Stripe payments
— Limited
Wave Payments only — no direct Stripe integration
✓ Yes
Mobile app
✓ Yes
— Limited

Setup & support

Feature Wave Zoho Invoice
Setup time
— Limited
~10 min signup + business setup
— Limited
Account signup required

Where Wave wins

  • Entry paid plan
  • Unlimited invoices
  • Bank reconciliation
  • Expense tracking
  • Mobile app

Where Zoho Invoice wins

  • ABN field built in
  • Australian-focused support
  • Stripe payments

A third option: InvoiceSonic, free

Neither tool fits your invoicing-only workflow? Try InvoiceSonic — free for unlimited ATO-compliant tax invoices, no signup required.

Create a free invoice now →

Frequently asked questions

Is Wave cheaper than Zoho Invoice?

Wave starts at Free (Pro Plan US$16/mo); Zoho Invoice starts at AU$15/mo (Standard). Wave offers free forever. Zoho Invoice offers free for 1 user, 1,000 invoices/yr.

Does Wave handle Australian GST and ABN better than Zoho Invoice?

For ATO-compliant GST: Wave = limited, Zoho Invoice = limited. For native ABN field: Wave = no, Zoho Invoice = yes. If you operate in Australia and either tool falls short here, InvoiceSonic handles both natively — and it's free.

Which is better for freelancers — Wave or Zoho Invoice?

Most freelancers want fast invoicing without paying for full accounting. Between these two, Wave wins more categories overall. But if you're a freelancer who just wants ATO-compliant tax invoices for free, InvoiceSonic is purpose-built for that workflow.

Can I switch from Wave to Zoho Invoice easily?

Do not assume a one-click migration. Confirm each product's current export and import formats, then test contacts, opening balances, unpaid invoices, tax codes, attachments and reconciliations before cancelling the old account. Keep statutory records outside both systems.

Should I use Wave or Zoho Invoice for invoicing only?

Both tools include more than invoicing. If invoicing is your only need, a dedicated generator can be faster and more focused than a full accounting subscription.

Is there a free alternative to both Wave and Zoho Invoice?

Yes — InvoiceSonic lets you create and download an invoice without signup. Its account plans have separate limits and pricing, so compare current official plans before deciding.