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Accounting

Wave vs Xero: Pricing Comparison 2026

Side-by-side pricing comparison of Wave and Xero. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.

Bottom line: Xero starts at $2/mo, making it $14/mo cheaper than Wave ($16/mo). Wave offers a free plan.

Last updated: August 31, 2026

Data compiled by Arthur Jacquemin
Updated August 31, 2026
Try Wave freeTry Xero freePrice updated today

Wave vs Xero: Quick Pricing Facts

FeatureWaveXero
Starting Price$16/mo$2/mo
Number of Plans23
Free TierYesNo
Pricing Modelfreemiumper-seat
Annual DiscountUp to 11%N/A

Xero is the more affordable option, starting at $2/mo compared to Wave's $16/mo. Both are Accounting tools with 5 combined pricing plans and 40 features compared.

Wave stands out with a free plan for getting started. Wave uses freemium pricing while Xero uses per-seat pricing, which may affect your total cost at scale.

Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your Accounting needs.

Pricing Plans
Wave
Xero
Tier 1
Starter
$0/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Unlimited invoicing
  • Unlimited estimates
  • Basic accounting
  • Income & expense tracking
Start with Starter
Early
$2/month
Includes
  • Send quotes and 20 invoices†
  • Accept online invoice payments^
  • 5 bills
  • Reconcile bank transactions
  • Smart Document Capture
  • View real-time reports
  • W-9 + 1099 management
  • Sales tax
  • Visualize performance with basic graphs
  • 30 day cash flow forecast
  • Make online bill payments (Domestic - Free ACH)
  • Make online bill payments (Cross Border)
  • Buy now
  • Learn more
Start with Early
Tier 2
ProPopular
$16/month
$170 / year(save $22)
Includes
  • Auto-import bank transactions
  • Auto-categorization
  • Receipt scanning
  • Unlimited users
Start with Pro
Growing
$5/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Send invoices and quotes
  • Automate bill entry and track bills
  • Auto-reconcile bank transactions
  • Visualize performance with graphs
  • 60 day cash flow forecast
  • Customize performance dashboards
  • Tailored financial health scorecards
  • Buy now
  • Learn more
Start with Growing
Tier 3
-
Established
$9/monthCheapest
Includes
  • 180 day cash flow forecast
  • Analyze KPIs and ratios
  • Use multiple currencies
  • Track time and costs for projects
  • Employee expense and mileage claims
  • Benchmark against the industry
  • Make online bill payments (International)
  • Buy now
  • Learn more
Start with Established

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Wave

Free accounting and invoicing software for small businesses, with paid add-ons for payroll and payments

View all Wave plans

Xero

Cloud-based accounting platform with unlimited users on every plan, designed for small businesses and accountants

View all Xero plans

Frequently Asked Questions: Wave vs Xero

Which is cheaper, Wave or Xero?
As of September 2026, Xero starts at a lower price point. Wave starts at $16/mo while Xero starts at $2/mo. However, the best value depends on the features you need at each tier.
How many pricing plans does Wave have vs Xero?
Wave offers 2 pricing plans, while Xero offers 3 plans. More plans typically means more flexibility to match your exact needs and budget.
Does Wave or Xero offer a free plan?
Wave offers a free plan, while Xero does not. If budget is a concern, Wave lets you get started at no cost.
Can I save money by paying annually for Wave or Xero?
Wave offers up to 11% off on the Pro plan with annual billing. Xero does not currently advertise annual discounts.
What is the most popular Wave plan?
The Pro plan is Wave's most popular tier, priced at $16/mo. Key features include Auto-import bank transactions, Auto-categorization, Receipt scanning.
What pricing models do Wave and Xero use?
Wave uses a freemium pricing model, while Xero uses per-seat pricing. The right model depends on your team size and usage patterns.
How do Wave and Xero compare for Accounting?
Both Wave and Xero are Accounting tools. Wave offers 2 plans starting at $16/mo, while Xero offers 3 plans starting at $2/mo. Review the feature breakdowns above to see which better fits your Accounting needs.
AI Recommendations

Sources

  1. Wave Official Pricing- Vendor pricing page
  2. Xero Official Pricing- Vendor pricing page

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