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Billable vs Wave
Wave gives away invoicing and accounting for free. Billable isn't free — it's focused, tracks your time, and stays out of your way.
The difference
Wave is a genuinely useful free option: unlimited invoices, real bookkeeping and receipt scanning at no cost, with the business built around payment processing and payroll fees. If free accounting is what you're after, it's hard to argue with the price.
Billable takes a different bet. It's a paid tool that does fewer things and does them calmly — time tracking, quotes, invoices, projects, contractors and a clear money view — with no upsell nudging you toward payments or payroll. You're paying for focus and time tracking Wave doesn't offer.
Head to head
Billable and Wave, side by side.
| Billable | Wave | |
|---|---|---|
| Invoicing | ||
| Quotes / estimates | ||
| Time tracking | ||
| Fixed, hourly & retainer projects | ||
| Contractor payouts | ||
| Multi-currency reporting | Limited | |
| Automatic weekly payment reminders | Add-on | |
| Multiple businesses on one login | ||
| Full double-entry accounting | ||
| Expense & receipt tracking | ||
| Accept card payments online | ||
| Pricing | Free, then flat | Free + paid add-ons |
Why solo businesses pick Billable
Built for a business of one.
Time tracking Wave doesn't have
Capture hours with a live timer, tie them to a project and bill them onto an invoice — a whole workflow Wave simply doesn't offer.
Focused, with no upsell
Wave's free tier earns its keep by steering you toward paid payments and payroll. Billable's free tier is the whole product, and the paid plan is one flat price that leaves you alone.
Built around how solo work is priced
Fixed, hourly and retainer projects, contractor payouts and multi-currency reporting fit real freelance engagements out of the box.
Being fair
When Wave might suit you better.
No tool is right for everyone. Wave is the better pick if:
- Your budget rules out a paid tool and free invoicing is the priority.
- You want proper bookkeeping and expense tracking, not just billing.
- You want to accept card and bank payments directly on your invoices.
Pricing at a glance
Free to start and flat after, or a plan to climb.
Billable
Free , then $19/mo
Free for up to 2 active projects, then one flat plan — every feature included, no per-transaction upsell.
Wave
Free core invoicing and accounting, with fees on payments and payroll and a paid Pro tier.
Keep comparing
How Billable stacks up against the rest.
When focus beats free.
Everything Billable does — quotes, invoices, time, projects and finances — in one calm place built for a business of one. Free for up to 2 active projects, then one flat plan.
Get started freeFree for 2 active projects · then $19/month · Cancel anytime