Smagle vs Wave
See how Smagle compares to Wave (free invoicing and accounting software) for free invoicing & accounting and beyond.
Wave pricing: Free + 2.9%+60¢/txn; $16/mo Pro · Smagle: free (2% of late invoices we collect) or $29/mo flat
Is Smagle a good alternative to Wave? Yes — Smagle is a strong Wave alternative. Like Wave, there is a free plan for invoicing and accounting, but Smagle also chases every unpaid invoice until the money lands and adds appointments, POS, projects, inventory, and a client portal. Wave is fine for pure bookkeeping; Smagle gets service businesses paid. $29/mo flat for unlimited users with no cut of your payments, or free for one user, where Smagle takes 2% only of late invoices it collects for you.
Feature-by-feature comparison
A side-by-side look at what you get with Smagle vs Wave.
| Feature | Smagle | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $29/mo flat, unlimited users (free plan available) | Free (Starter) |
| Free Plan | Yes | Yes |
| AI Assistant | Yes | No |
| Modules Available | 11 modules | 2–3 features |
| Client Portal | Yes | No |
| POS / Payments | Yes | Payments only |
| Invoicing | Yes | Yes |
| Accounting | Yes | Yes |
| Appointments | Yes | No |
| Inventory | Yes | No |
| Team Management | Yes | Payroll add-on |
| API Access | Yes | No |
Why businesses switch from Wave
Common frustrations that Wave users run into.
Invoicing and accounting only — no appointment scheduling or online booking
No project or job management — can’t track tasks, milestones, or job costs
No POS — no way to ring up walk-in or in-person sales
Limited support on the free plan — self-serve unless you pay for Pro
No AI assistant, and payroll is only available in some regions
What you get with Smagle
Everything Wave offers and much more — at a better price.
Invoicing and accounting on the free plan too — plus 9 more modules Wave doesn’t have
Appointments, POS, projects, and inventory in the same app
Client portal so customers can book, view invoices, and pay online
AI Business Manager drafts invoices, categorizes expenses, and answers questions about your numbers
Industry plugins for 20+ business types — the app adapts to how you actually work
Frequently asked questions
Is Smagle a good alternative to Wave?
Yes. Smagle matches Wave on free invoicing and accounting, then adds appointments, POS, projects, inventory, a client portal, and an AI Business Manager in the same app. If you only need free bookkeeping, Wave is simpler; if you also book clients or take payments in person, Smagle covers more.
Is Smagle free like Wave?
Smagle has a free plan for one user with no usage caps — unlimited invoices and customers, every module, and the AI business manager included — and it takes 2% only when it collects a late invoice for you by card. Wave’s invoicing and accounting are free too, but Smagle also includes appointments, POS, and automatic chasing of unpaid invoices. Most growing businesses pick the $29/mo Flat plan instead: unlimited users and no cut of your payments.
Can I migrate from Wave to Smagle?
Yes. Export your customers, invoices, and transactions from Wave and import them into Smagle. Email support@smagle.com and we’ll help you move everything over.
Does Smagle handle accounting as well as Wave?
Yes. Smagle includes double-entry accounting with a chart of accounts, P&L and balance-sheet reports, and expense tracking — matching Wave’s accounting and adding modules Wave doesn’t offer.