Why Compare Deelo and Wave?
Businesses looking for invoicing & billing software often narrow their search to Wave — and for good reason. Completely free invoicing and accounting. But Wave has limitations: revenue comes from payment processing fees (2.9% + $0.60). Deelo takes a fundamentally different approach: instead of selling a single-purpose tool, it bundles Invoicing with 49+ integrated business apps under one subscription.
Wave Overview
Wave is best known for its position in the Invoicing space. Completely free invoicing and accounting. Clean interface that is easy for non-accountants. Free receipt scanning and bank connections. However, these strengths come with trade-offs. Revenue comes from payment processing fees (2.9% + $0.60). No project management, CRM, or scheduling. Limited customer support — community forums are the main resource. The typical price range is Free + payment processing fees, and it is best for solopreneurs who want free invoicing with basic accounting.
Deelo Overview
Deelo is an all-in-one business platform that provides Invoicing alongside CRM, invoicing, scheduling, field service, marketing, helpdesk, and dozens more apps — all connected through a unified data layer. Instead of patching together five or six SaaS subscriptions, teams run their entire operation from Deelo at a fraction of the combined cost.
See Deelo in action
Try every app free — no credit card required. See how one platform can replace your entire tool stack.
Start Free — No Credit CardFeature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Deelo | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Professional invoice templates with custom branding | ✓ | ✓ |
| Online payment acceptance (card, ACH, PayPal) | ✓ | ✓ |
| All-in-one platform (CRM, invoicing, scheduling) | ✓ | ✗ |
| AI-powered automation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Transparent per-seat pricing | $19/seat/mo | Free + payment processing fees |
| Free tier available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Recurring invoices and subscription billing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Field service & dispatch | ✓ | ✗ |
Wave Pros and Cons
Pros
- Pro: Completely free invoicing and accounting
- Pro: Clean interface that is easy for non-accountants
- Pro: Free receipt scanning and bank connections
Cons
- Con: Revenue comes from payment processing fees (2.9% + $0.60)
- Con: No project management, CRM, or scheduling
- Con: Limited customer support — community forums are the main resource
Deelo Pros and Cons
Pros
- Pro: All-in-one platform with 49+ integrated business apps
- Pro: Unified data across CRM, invoicing, scheduling, and operations — no siloed tools
- Pro: Flat per-seat pricing starting at $19/mo with no hidden add-on fees
- Pro: AI assistant that works across every app for automation and insights
- Pro: Free tier available so you can evaluate before committing
Cons
- Con: Newer platform — smaller third-party integration marketplace than decade-old competitors
- Con: All-in-one design means individual apps may have fewer niche features than single-purpose tools
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Wave if solopreneurs who want free invoicing with basic accounting and you do not need tools outside Invoicing. Choose Deelo if you want CRM, invoicing, scheduling, and Invoicing in one place without paying for multiple subscriptions. Deelo is particularly strong for small and mid-size businesses that are tired of juggling disconnected tools and want one source of truth.
The Verdict
Both platforms are capable Invoicing tools, but they serve different needs. Wave is a deep, focused Invoicing tool at Free + payment processing fees. Deelo is a full business platform starting at $19/seat/mo that includes Invoicing plus 50+ additional apps. If you are currently paying for Invoicing and separate tools for CRM, invoicing, and scheduling, switching to Deelo can simplify your stack and save money.
Ready to compare for yourself?
Start your free Deelo account and import your data from Wave in minutes.
Start Free — No Credit CardDeelo vs Wave FAQ
- Is Deelo really a replacement for Wave?
- Deelo covers the core Invoicing features that Wave offers — Professional invoice templates with custom branding, Online payment acceptance (card, ACH, PayPal), Automated payment reminders and overdue notices — and adds 49+ additional business apps so you can consolidate tools instead of paying for multiple subscriptions.
- How does Deelo pricing compare to Wave?
- Wave charges Free + payment processing fees while Deelo starts at $19 per seat per month with all apps included. There are no per-feature add-on charges or surprise overages.
- Can I migrate my data from Wave to Deelo?
- Yes. Deelo supports CSV and bulk imports for contacts, deals, invoices, and work orders. Most teams complete migration in under a day.