The best Wave alternatives for freelancers in 2026
Wave is genuinely free — and it's a solid starting point. But if you're outgrowing basic invoicing and need proposals, contracts, or a client portal, here's what to consider next.
TL;DR
You're just starting out and…
→ Wave
You've outgrown Wave and need…
→ kinako.
You need proper accounting with…
→ FreshBooks
You're ready to invest in…
→ HoneyBook or Dubsado
About Wave
Wave is a free invoicing and accounting tool that's genuinely useful for freelancers who are just starting out or who need very basic billing. No monthly fee, decent invoice customization, and basic accounting features. The limits hit fast: no proposals, no contracts, no client portal, no project management. As a business grows, most Wave users end up adding other tools — which is when the 'free' calculation changes.
Where Wave shines
- Genuinely free invoicing — no monthly fee
- Decent accounting with double-entry bookkeeping
- Receipt scanning for expense tracking
- Good enough for very simple freelance businesses
- No commitment — easy to start without risk
Why people look for alternatives
- No proposals, contracts, or e-signatures — you'll need a separate tool
- No client portal or project management
- Payment processing fees are high (2.9% + 30¢) with no flat-fee alternative
- Limited customer support on free plan
- Wave Pro ($16/mo) adds features but still no CRM or contracts
- Feels incomplete as your business grows
Feature comparison
Wave vs. the top alternatives — side by side.
| Feature | kinako.us | wave | FreshBooks | Bonsai | HoneyBook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free / $19/mo | Free | $19/mo | $21/mo | $16/mo |
| Free plan | |||||
| Proposals + contracts | |||||
| E-signatures | |||||
| Online payments | Per-use fees | Pro+ only | |||
| Client portal | Basic | ||||
| Expense tracking | |||||
| Double-entry accounting |
The best Wave alternatives
Detailed breakdown of each option.
kinako.
This is usOne tool to run your entire freelance business
Free · Pro from $19/mo
Free plan available
Best for: Solo freelancers who want everything in one place — invoicing, contracts, proposals, client portal, expenses, and project tracking — without paying for five tools
Pros
- All-in-one workflow at $19/mo — replaces a $60–90/mo stack
- Online Stripe payments out of the box
- Contracts with e-signatures included at all paid tiers
- Expense tracking + revenue dashboard
- Free plan available (3 clients/projects/invoices)
- Clean, modern UI — no setup overwhelm
- Recurring invoices + automated payment reminders
Cons
- Newer product — smaller community and fewer tutorials than HoneyBook or Dubsado
- No native scheduling or Calendly-style booking tool (use scheduling link in profile)
- No team/multi-user accounts yet
FreshBooks
Accounting and invoicing for small businesses
From $19/mo
Best for: Freelancers and small businesses who need proper accounting, double-entry bookkeeping, tax reporting, and payroll — not CRM or proposals
Pros
- Excellent accounting features — double-entry bookkeeping, tax summaries, P&L reports
- Time tracking built in
- Strong recurring invoicing and expense tracking
- Well-established with integrations for accountants
- Good mobile app
Cons
- No proposals or contracts — not a CRM at all
- No client portal or project sharing
- Very expensive for what freelancers actually need ($19–$60/mo)
- Lite plan limited to 5 clients
- Overkill if you don't need accounting — you're paying for features you won't use
Bonsai
All-in-one freelance management platform
From $21/mo
Best for: Freelancers focused primarily on proposals, contracts, and time tracking — especially those in tech, design, and consulting who want a clean, modern UI
Pros
- Excellent proposal and contract templates
- Time tracking built in
- Clean, modern UI
- Good task/project management features
- Available internationally
Cons
- Online payments (Stripe integration) requires higher-tier plan
- No free plan
- Starter plan is notably limited for the price
- Client portal is more basic than competitors
- Expense tracking limited on lower tiers
- More expensive than alternatives for equivalent features
HoneyBook
Client management platform for creative professionals
From $16/mo
Best for: Wedding photographers, event planners, and creative agencies who need polished proposals, automation workflows, and a recognizable brand in the industry
Pros
- Large, established community with extensive tutorials and templates
- Powerful automation workflows (e.g., auto-send contract when inquiry form is filled)
- Polished proposal and contract builder
- Built-in scheduling (Calendly alternative)
- Strong mobile app
Cons
- Expensive: full features require $32/mo plan
- No free plan — 7-day trial only
- No expense tracking
- Limited project management depth
- US and Canada only
- Can feel overkill for solo freelancers with simple needs
Dubsado
Client management for creative entrepreneurs
From $20/mo
Best for: Photographers, videographers, and designers who want deep customization, complex automation workflows, and full control over every client touchpoint
Pros
- Highly customizable forms, proposals, and workflows
- Unlimited clients and projects on all plans
- Strong automation builder for complex multi-step client journeys
- Good value at $20/mo given feature depth
- Active user community with shared templates
Cons
- Complex setup — user reviews commonly cite 40–60 hours to fully configure
- UI feels dated in places, per user reviews
- No expense tracking on its published plans
- Significant learning curve before users describe seeing full value
- No free plan — 21-day trial
- Mobile app described as more limited than competitors in user reviews
Which one should you pick?
The honest answer: it depends on how you work.
It's genuinely free and works well for simple needs. Start here, upgrade when you're ready.
The free plan gives you 3 clients and 3 invoices like Wave, plus proposals and a client portal. Pro is $19/mo.
Wave's accounting is decent, FreshBooks is more robust for tax prep and bookkeeping.
More feature-complete than Wave, built for running a real creative business.
You've outgrown Wave. kinako is the next step.
Free plan with proposals, contracts, and a client portal — not just invoicing. When you're ready, Pro is $19/mo.
Free plan · No credit card required