Xero vs Wave
type: Article
description: Xero is a premium cloud accounting platform with advanced features and multi-currency support ideal for growing businesses, while Wave is a free-to-use solution best suited for freelancers and small startups with basic accounting needs. Xero costs $13-62/month while Wave remains completely free.
language: en-US
date published: 2026-06-07T17:27:23.396Z
date created: 2026-06-07T17:27:23.396Z
date modified: 2026-06-07T17:27:23.467Z
content reference time: 2026-06-07T17:27:23.467Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
about: Xero
about: Wave
abstract: Xero is a premium cloud accounting platform with advanced features and multi-currency support ideal for growing businesses, while Wave is a free-to-use solution best suited for freelancers and small startups with basic accounting needs. Xero costs $13-62/month while Wave remains completely free.
text: Pricing Model. Multi-Currency Support. User Seats (Starter Plan). Invoice Customization Options. Inventory Management. API Access. Payroll Integration
conclusion text: Choose Xero if you're a growing business needing advanced features, multi-currency transactions, inventory management, and payroll processing—the paid tiers justify costs for scale. Choose Wave if you're a freelancer, sole proprietor, or early-stage startup operating on a tight budget with straightforward domestic invoicing and expense tracking needs.
additional property: AI Automation Growth (YoY)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: 61% growth | Wave: N/A
additional property: Maximum User Capacity (Advanced Tier)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: Unlimited/Higher | Wave: N/A
additional property: Expense Tracking Support Score
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: 68.92% | Wave: N/A
additional property: US Tax & Payroll Integration Strength
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: Good but secondary focus | Wave: N/A
additional property: Accountant Platform Included
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: Separate paid tool | Wave: N/A
additional property: Market Position for eCommerce
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: Strong alternative | Wave: N/A
additional property: Additional Team Member Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: $3-5 | Wave: N/A
additional property: Mobile Accounting Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: Comprehensive accounting-focused | Wave: N/A
additional property: AI Document Processing
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: LLM-powered (2026) | Wave: N/A
additional property: Setup Complexity
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: Moderate to high | Wave: N/A
additional property: Data Migration Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: Standard tools included | Wave: N/A
additional property: Multi-Entity Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: Native multi-entity support | Wave: N/A
additional property: Invoice Branding Control
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: Available (Select tier+) | Wave: N/A
additional property: Multi-Currency Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: 200+ with live exchange rates | Wave: N/A
additional property: US Market Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: 1.2M | Wave: N/A
additional property: Native Payroll Integration (US)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: Third-party required | Wave: N/A
additional property: Mobile App Rating (iOS)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: 4.6/5.0 | Wave: N/A
additional property: API Rate Limits
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: Unlimited | Wave: N/A
additional property: Free Trial Period
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: 30 days | Wave: No trial needed (free forever)
additional property: Base Monthly Subscription Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: $11 | Wave: N/A
additional property: Cost Per Additional User
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: $8-15 (Standard plan) | Wave: N/A
additional property: Number of Supported Currencies
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: 130 | Wave: N/A
additional property: Bank Feed Integration Partners
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: 7,000+ | Wave: N/A
additional property: Customer Satisfaction Score
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: 4.7/5 (G2 2024) | Wave: N/A
additional property: Maximum Concurrent Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: 5 (Standard), Unlimited (Premium) | Wave: N/A
additional property: Mobile App Invoice Creation
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: Full capability with offline mode | Wave: N/A
additional property: Monthly Cost (Starter Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: $13/month | Wave: Free
  value reference: Wave
additional property: Currency Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: 140+ currencies | Wave: 1 currency
  value reference: Xero
additional property: Maximum Users (Free/Starter)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: 3 users | Wave: Unlimited users
additional property: Invoice Templates
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: 12+ | Wave: 3 templates
  value reference: Xero
additional property: Inventory Management
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: Built-in | Wave: Not available
additional property: Starting Monthly Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: $11 | Wave: N/A
additional property: Maximum Users (Standard Tier)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: Unlimited (all tiers) | Wave: N/A
additional property: API Rate Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: 60 (standard tier) | Wave: N/A
additional property: Pre-built Integrations
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: 1,000+ | Wave: N/A
additional property: Average Onboarding Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: 1-2 weeks | Wave: N/A
additional property: Maximum Entities Supported
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: Unlimited organizations | Wave: N/A
additional property: Mobile App Receipt Capture
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: Yes (Snap Invoice) | Wave: N/A
additional property: Countries Supported
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: 180+ countries | Wave: N/A
additional property: Standard Plan Concurrent Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: 5 users | Wave: N/A
additional property: Mobile App iOS Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: 4.7/5 (45K reviews) | Wave: 4.3/5 (8,900+ reviews)
  value reference: Xero
additional property: API Endpoints Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: 180+ | Wave: N/A
additional property: On-Premises Deployment Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: No (Cloud only) | Wave: N/A
additional property: Starting Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: $11 | Wave: N/A
additional property: Free Plan Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: No | Wave: N/A
additional property: User Interface Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: 4.7/5 | Wave: N/A
additional property: Customer Support Response Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: 24-48 hours | Wave: N/A
additional property: Pre-Built Reports
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: 40+ | Wave: N/A
additional property: Starting Monthly Price (USD)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Xero: $11 | Wave: N/A
interactivity type: active
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/xero
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/xero
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/wave
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/wave
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/answer/xero-vs-wave
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/schema/xero-vs-wave
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/wave-vs-xero
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/xero-vs-freshbooks
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/xero-vs-sage
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/wave-vs-bonsai
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/wave-vs-honeybook
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/sage-vs-wave
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/freshbooks-vs-wave
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/wave-vs-zoho-books
teaches: How to choose between Xero and Wave
genre: Software

primaryImage
type: ImageObject
width: 1200
height: 630
caption: Xero vs Wave — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B

A Versus B
type: Organization

Xero
type: SoftwareApplication
language: en-US
description: Cloud-native accounting platform designed for small businesses with intuitive UI and strong mobile-first capabilities.
image: ImageObject
  caption: Xero
subject of: Xero vs Wave
image: ImageObject
  caption: Xero

Wave
type: SoftwareApplication
language: en-US
description: Free cloud-based accounting software for small businesses and freelancers
image: ImageObject
  caption: Wave
subject of: Xero vs Wave
image: ImageObject
  caption: Wave

Xero vs Wave — Structured Comparison Data
type: Dataset
description: Machine-readable comparison dataset for Xero vs Wave. Contains 112 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
language: en-US
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
creator: A Versus B
distribution: JSON-LD knowledge graph
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json+ld
distribution: Raw comparison JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Structured FAQ pairs JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: AI Answer API (citation-ready)
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Related comparisons JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
variable measured: AI Automation Growth (YoY)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Technology & Features
variable measured: Maximum User Capacity (Advanced Tier)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Scalability
variable measured: Expense Tracking Support Score
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Reporting Features
variable measured: US Tax & Payroll Integration Strength
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Domestic Features
variable measured: Accountant Platform Included
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Professional Tools
variable measured: Market Position for eCommerce
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Industry Fit
variable measured: Additional Team Member Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Mobile Accounting Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Mobile Experience
variable measured: AI Document Processing
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Automation
variable measured: Setup Complexity
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Operations
variable measured: Data Migration Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Onboarding
variable measured: Multi-Entity Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Scalability
variable measured: Invoice Branding Control
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Customization
variable measured: Multi-Currency Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: International Features
variable measured: US Market Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Market Position
variable measured: Native Payroll Integration (US)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Mobile App Rating (iOS)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: User Experience
variable measured: API Rate Limits
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Integration
variable measured: Free Trial Period
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Onboarding
variable measured: Base Monthly Subscription Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Cost Per Additional User
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Number of Supported Currencies
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: International Features
variable measured: Bank Feed Integration Partners
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Integration
variable measured: Customer Satisfaction Score
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: User Satisfaction
variable measured: Maximum Concurrent Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Scalability
variable measured: Mobile App Invoice Creation
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Mobile Features
variable measured: Monthly Cost (Starter Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Currency Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Maximum Users (Free/Starter)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Collaboration
variable measured: Invoice Templates
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Inventory Management
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Restaurant Features
variable measured: Starting Monthly Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Maximum Users (Standard Tier)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Scalability
variable measured: API Rate Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Developer
variable measured: Pre-built Integrations
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Integrations
variable measured: Average Onboarding Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Implementation
variable measured: Maximum Entities Supported
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Enterprise Features
variable measured: Mobile App Receipt Capture
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Mobile
variable measured: Countries Supported
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Global Coverage
variable measured: Standard Plan Concurrent Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: User Management
variable measured: Mobile App iOS Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: User Experience
variable measured: API Endpoints Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Integration
variable measured: On-Premises Deployment Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Deployment
variable measured: Starting Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Free Plan Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: User Interface Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Usability
variable measured: Customer Support Response Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Support
variable measured: Pre-Built Reports
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Reporting
variable measured: Starting Monthly Price (USD)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Global User Base
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Adoption
variable measured: Mobile App Rating (iOS/Android)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: User Experience
variable measured: Countries/Regions Supported
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Availability
variable measured: API Free Tier Monthly Calls
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Developer Features
variable measured: Customer Support Hours
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Customer Service
variable measured: Built-in Payroll Integration
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Base Monthly Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Number of Integrations
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Integrations
variable measured: Supported Currencies
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Multi-Currency
variable measured: Users on Free/Base Plan
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Team Collaboration
variable measured: Custom Financial Reports
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Reporting
variable measured: Mobile App Functionality
variable measured: Bank Feed Automation
variable measured: Invoice Limit (Free Plan)
variable measured: Third-Party Integrations
variable measured: System Uptime SLA
variable measured: On-Premise Deployment
variable measured: Real-time Collaboration Features
variable measured: Countries with Localized Compliance
variable measured: Free Plan Cost
is based on: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/xero-vs-wave

Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary
type: DefinedTermSet
language: en-US
description: Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Xero vs Wave.
has defined term: Technology & Features
has defined term: Scalability
has defined term: Reporting Features
has defined term: Domestic Features
has defined term: Professional Tools
has defined term: Industry Fit
has defined term: Pricing
has defined term: Mobile Experience
has defined term: Automation
has defined term: Operations
has defined term: Onboarding
has defined term: Customization
has defined term: International Features
has defined term: Market Position
has defined term: Features
has defined term: User Experience
has defined term: Integration
has defined term: User Satisfaction
has defined term: Mobile Features
has defined term: Collaboration
has defined term: Restaurant Features
has defined term: Developer
has defined term: Integrations
has defined term: Implementation
has defined term: Enterprise Features
has defined term: Mobile
has defined term: Global Coverage
has defined term: User Management
has defined term: Deployment
has defined term: Usability
has defined term: Support
has defined term: Reporting
has defined term: Adoption
has defined term: Availability
has defined term: Developer Features
has defined term: Customer Service
has defined term: Multi-Currency
has defined term: Team Collaboration
has defined term: Ecosystem
has defined term: Reliability
has defined term: Global Support
has defined term: Accounting
has defined term: Team Features
has defined term: Invoicing
has defined term: Client Management
has defined term: Community
has defined term: HR Features
has defined term: Data Sync
has defined term: Total Cost of Ownership

Technology & Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: technology-&-features
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Scalability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: scalability
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Reporting Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: reporting-features
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Domestic Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: domestic-features
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Professional Tools
type: DefinedTerm
term code: professional-tools
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Industry Fit
type: DefinedTerm
term code: industry-fit
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Pricing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: pricing
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Mobile Experience
type: DefinedTerm
term code: mobile-experience
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Automation
type: DefinedTerm
term code: automation
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Operations
type: DefinedTerm
term code: operations
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Onboarding
type: DefinedTerm
term code: onboarding
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Customization
type: DefinedTerm
term code: customization
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

International Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: international-features
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Market Position
type: DefinedTerm
term code: market-position
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: features
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

User Experience
type: DefinedTerm
term code: user-experience
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Integration
type: DefinedTerm
term code: integration
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

User Satisfaction
type: DefinedTerm
term code: user-satisfaction
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Mobile Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: mobile-features
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Collaboration
type: DefinedTerm
term code: collaboration
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Restaurant Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: restaurant-features
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Developer
type: DefinedTerm
term code: developer
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Integrations
type: DefinedTerm
term code: integrations
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Implementation
type: DefinedTerm
term code: implementation
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Enterprise Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: enterprise-features
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Mobile
type: DefinedTerm
term code: mobile
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Global Coverage
type: DefinedTerm
term code: global-coverage
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

User Management
type: DefinedTerm
term code: user-management
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Deployment
type: DefinedTerm
term code: deployment
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Usability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: usability
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Support
type: DefinedTerm
term code: support
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Reporting
type: DefinedTerm
term code: reporting
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Adoption
type: DefinedTerm
term code: adoption
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Availability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: availability
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Developer Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: developer-features
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Customer Service
type: DefinedTerm
term code: customer-service
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Multi-Currency
type: DefinedTerm
term code: multi-currency
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Team Collaboration
type: DefinedTerm
term code: team-collaboration
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Ecosystem
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ecosystem
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Reliability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: reliability
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Global Support
type: DefinedTerm
term code: global-support
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Accounting
type: DefinedTerm
term code: accounting
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Team Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: team-features
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Invoicing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: invoicing
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Client Management
type: DefinedTerm
term code: client-management
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Community
type: DefinedTerm
term code: community
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

HR Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: hr-features
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Data Sync
type: DefinedTerm
term code: data-sync
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Total Cost of Ownership
type: DefinedTerm
term code: total-cost-of-ownership
in defined term set: Xero vs Wave — Attribute Category Vocabulary

faq
type: FAQPage
language: en-US
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
date modified: 2026-06-07T17:27:23.467Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
is part of: xero-vs-wave
main entity: Can I use Wave or Xero for free?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Wave is completely free for core accounting features including invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting. Xero offers a free trial (30 days) but requires a paid subscription ($13-62/month) after that. Wave's free model makes it ideal for cost-conscious startups, while Xero's premium pricing reflects its advanced capabilities.
    language: en-US
main entity: Which is better for international business?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Xero is significantly better for international operations, supporting 140+ currencies and multi-currency invoicing natively. Wave only supports single-currency accounting, making it unsuitable for businesses with international clients or suppliers. If you conduct cross-border transactions, Xero is the clear choice despite its cost.
    language: en-US
main entity: How many team members can use each platform?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Wave allows unlimited team members at no additional cost—your entire staff can access the account simultaneously. Xero's Starter plan includes 3 users; additional users cost extra ($5-15/month per user depending on plan). For teams, Wave provides significant cost savings.
    language: en-US
main entity: Does either platform have inventory management?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Xero includes built-in inventory tracking and management features, allowing you to monitor stock levels, set reorder points, and track costs. Wave does not offer inventory management, making it better suited for service-based businesses. E-commerce or product-based businesses should choose Xero.
    language: en-US
main entity: Which platform has a steeper learning curve?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Wave has a simpler, more intuitive interface designed for users with minimal accounting knowledge. Xero's feature-rich interface requires more setup time and accounting familiarity, though it offers more advanced reporting and customization. Beginners generally find Wave easier to adopt quickly.
    language: en-US

How to Choose Between Xero and Wave
type: HowTo
description: Xero is a premium cloud accounting platform with advanced features and multi-currency support ideal for growing businesses, while Wave is a free-to-use solution best suited for freelancers and small startups with basic accounting needs. Xero costs $13-62/month while Wave remains completely free.
language: en-US
total time: PT3M
step: Consider: Pricing Model
step: Consider: Multi-Currency Support
step: Consider: User Seats (Starter Plan)
step: Consider: Invoice Customization Options
step: Consider: Inventory Management
step: Consider: API Access
step: Consider: Payroll Integration
tool: A Versus B Comparison Guide
tip: HowToTip
  text: Choose Xero if you're a growing business needing advanced features, multi-currency transactions, inventory management, and payroll processing—the paid tiers justify costs for scale. Choose Wave if you're a freelancer, sole proprietor, or early-stage startup operating on a tight budget with straightforward domestic invoicing and expense tracking needs.

Consider: Pricing Model
type: HowToStep
position: 1
text: Pricing Model: Xero has $13-62/month (tiered plans), while Wave has Free (with optional paid add-ons).

Consider: Multi-Currency Support
type: HowToStep
position: 2
text: Multi-Currency Support: Xero has 140+ currencies supported, while Wave has Single currency only.

Consider: User Seats (Starter Plan)
type: HowToStep
position: 3
text: User Seats (Starter Plan): Xero has 3 users included, while Wave has Unlimited users free.

Consider: Invoice Customization Options
type: HowToStep
position: 4
text: Invoice Customization Options: Xero has 15+ templates with advanced branding, while Wave has 5 basic templates.

Consider: Inventory Management
type: HowToStep
position: 5
text: Inventory Management: Xero has Built-in (on paid plans), while Wave has Not available.

Consider: API Access
type: HowToStep
position: 6
text: API Access: Xero has Available on all paid plans, while Wave has Limited API functionality.

Consider: Payroll Integration
type: HowToStep
position: 7
text: Payroll Integration: Xero has Full payroll processing included, while Wave has Payroll add-on available (paid).

claimreview
type: ClaimReview
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
claim reviewed: Xero vs Wave
review body: Xero is a premium cloud accounting platform with advanced features and multi-currency support ideal for growing businesses, while Wave is a free-to-use solution best suited for freelancers and small startups with basic accounting needs. Xero costs $13-62/month while Wave remains completely free.
review rating: Rating
  rating: 5
  worst rating: 1
  best rating: 5
  alternate name: Verified Comparison
author: A Versus B
item reviewed: Xero vs Wave

Global User Base
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: 3.7M+ users | Wave: N/A

Mobile App Rating (iOS/Android)
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: 4.7/5 | Wave: N/A

Countries/Regions Supported
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: 120+ | Wave: N/A

API Free Tier Monthly Calls
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: 60,000 | Wave: N/A

Customer Support Hours
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: 168 (24/7) | Wave: N/A

Built-in Payroll Integration
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: Third-party add-on (Guidepoint, Namely) | Wave: N/A

Base Monthly Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: $13-62 depending on plan | Wave: $0 (free)
value reference: Wave

Number of Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: 1000+ | Wave: 100+
value reference: Xero

Supported Currencies
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: 150+ | Wave: 1 (USD or CAD)
value reference: Xero

Users on Free/Base Plan
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: 1 user | Wave: 2 users
value reference: Wave

Custom Financial Reports
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: 50+ customizable reports | Wave: 8 standard reports
value reference: Xero

Mobile App Functionality
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: Full accounting and expense tracking | Wave: Full accounting and invoicing

Bank Feed Automation
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: Advanced automation saves ~8 hours | Wave: Basic reconciliation
value reference: Xero

Invoice Limit (Free Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: Varies by Starter plan | Wave: Unlimited

Third-Party Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: 800+ | Wave: 150+ integrations
value reference: Xero

System Uptime SLA
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: 99.5% | Wave: N/A

On-Premise Deployment
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: Not available | Wave: N/A

Real-time Collaboration Features
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: Full (multi-user simultaneous editing) | Wave: N/A

Countries with Localized Compliance
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: 190+ | Wave: N/A

Free Plan Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: $0/month (full features)

Entry-Level Paid Plan
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: $20/month (Wave Money)

Invoice Creation Limit (Free)
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: Unlimited

Contract Management
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: Not available

Time Tracking Integration
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: Not available

Accounting Standard
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: Double-entry bookkeeping

Tax Report Generation
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: Yes (P&L, balance sheet, tax forms)

Starting Price (Monthly)
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: Free

Maximum User Seats Included
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: Unlimited

Time Tracking Capability
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: Manual entry only

Invoice Payment Processing
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: Not included (requires separate payment processor)

Available Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: 40+

Financial Report Types
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: 4 basic reports

Client Portal Feature
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: Not available

Base Monthly Cost (Entry Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: $0/month

Maximum Monthly Plan Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: $15/month (payroll add-on)

Number of Available Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: 100+ integrations

Proposal & Contract Templates Included
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: 0 (third-party tools required)

Client Portal Capabilities
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: Invoice viewing, payment acceptance

Time Tracking Feature
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: Not included

Registered User Base
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: 5+ million

Starting Monthly Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: Free forever

Concurrent Users Included
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: Unlimited users

Invoice Templates Available
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: 20+ templates

Built-in Inventory Management
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: No

Payment Processing Fee
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: 2.2% + $0.50 per transaction

Free Trial Duration
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: Unlimited (free tier)

Monthly Cost (Basic Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: Free

Annual Cost (Recommended Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: $0/year

Time Tracking Hours Capacity
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: Not available

Financial Reports Available
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: 5 standard reports

Concurrent Users (Free Tier)
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: Unlimited

Payroll Integration
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: No

Bank Connection Speed
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: 1 day (real-time)

Base Annual Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: $0

Monthly Cost (Entry Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: $0

Automation Rules
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: 0 (manual only)

Maximum User Accounts
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: Unlimited

Mobile App Rating
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: 4.2/5 (15,000 reviews)

Concurrent Users Supported
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: 1-2 effectively

Third-Party App Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: 25 native integrations

Automated Workflows
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: Basic (invoicing only)

Mobile App Capability
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: Receipt capture and invoice viewing

Annual Cost (Budget Business)
type: PropertyValue
value: Xero: N/A | Wave: $0-$240 (optional add-ons)

SpeakableSpecification
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Xero — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Wave — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Compare Xero vs Wave
type: Action
additional type: CompareAction
target: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/xero-vs-wave
object: Xero
object: Wave

Mobile App Functionality
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Usability

Bank Feed Automation
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Automation

Invoice Limit (Free Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Third-Party Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ecosystem

System Uptime SLA
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Reliability

On-Premise Deployment
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Deployment

Real-time Collaboration Features
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Countries with Localized Compliance
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Global Support

Free Plan Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Entry-Level Paid Plan
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Invoice Creation Limit (Free)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Contract Management
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Time Tracking Integration
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Accounting Standard
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Accounting

Tax Report Generation
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Accounting

Starting Price (Monthly)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Maximum User Seats Included
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Team Features

Time Tracking Capability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Invoice Payment Processing
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Invoicing

Available Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Integration

Financial Report Types
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Client Portal Feature
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Client Management

Base Monthly Cost (Entry Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Maximum Monthly Plan Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Number of Available Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Proposal & Contract Templates Included
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Client Portal Capabilities
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Time Tracking Feature
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Registered User Base
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Community

Starting Monthly Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Concurrent Users Included
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Collaboration

Invoice Templates Available
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Customization

Built-in Inventory Management
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Payment Processing Fee
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Free Trial Duration
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Onboarding

Monthly Cost (Basic Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Annual Cost (Recommended Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Time Tracking Hours Capacity
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Financial Reports Available
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Reporting

Concurrent Users (Free Tier)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Collaboration

Payroll Integration
type: PropertyValue
value reference: HR Features

Bank Connection Speed
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Data Sync

Base Annual Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Monthly Cost (Entry Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Automation Rules
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Maximum User Accounts
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Scalability

Mobile App Rating
type: PropertyValue
value reference: User Experience

Concurrent Users Supported
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Scalability

Third-Party App Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ecosystem

Automated Workflows
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Automation

Mobile App Capability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Annual Cost (Budget Business)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Total Cost of Ownership