Note.now vs Wave
Note.now vs Wave - Free tier done better, with a clear growth path
Wave offers a permanently free product, which is genuinely valuable for very small businesses. But it can feel limiting as you grow. Note.now also has a free tier, and paid plans unlock powerful features - expense approvals, project tracking, advanced reporting - that Wave simply does not offer at any price.
Feature-by-feature comparison
| Feature | Note.now | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Core Accounting | ||
| Double-entry general ledger | ||
| Invoicing | ||
| Expense tracking | ||
| Bank feeds (auto-import) | ||
| Bank reconciliation | ||
| Profit & Loss statement | ||
| Balance Sheet | ||
| Advanced Features | ||
| Project tracking & P&L | Pro+ | |
| Expense approval workflows | Pro+ | |
| Mileage tracking | ||
| Multi-entity management | Business | |
| Role-based permissions (custom) | Business | |
| Cash flow forecasting | ||
| 90-day forecast | ||
| Purchase order matching | ||
| Team & Collaboration | ||
| Multi-user access | Limited | |
| Role-based permissions | Limited | |
| Accountant access (free) | ||
| Audit trail | Basic | |
| Two-factor authentication | ||
| Pricing | ||
| Free tier | Yes | Yes (more limited) |
| Pro plan | $15/mo | $16+/mo |
| Business plan | $39/mo | Not available |
| Advanced plan | $79/mo | Not available |
| Support on free plan | None | |
Pricing comparison
All prices are per month. Features and limits vary by plan - see respective pricing pages for full details.
| Plan | Note.now | Wave |
|---|---|---|
Free Wave's free tier is more established; Note.now free tier adds email support. | Free - invoicing, expenses, bank feeds, reporting | Free - similar core features |
Pro Similar price point; Note.now Pro includes mileage and cash flow forecasting. | $15/mo | $16/mo (Wave Pro) |
Business/Advanced Note.now is the natural upgrade path Wave cannot offer. As you grow, you do not need to switch platforms. | $39–$79/mo | Not available - Wave does not offer these tiers |
Best for - who each product suits
Note.now is best for
Businesses that want a free tier to start, with a clear, affordable path to more powerful features as they grow. Ideal for businesses that anticipate needing project tracking, expense approvals, or multi-entity management within the next 12 months.
Wave is best for
Wave suits micro-businesses and sole traders that need basic invoicing, expense tracking, and reporting and are very cost-sensitive. If you genuinely need nothing beyond the basics indefinitely, Wave's permanently free model is hard to beat.
Why Note.now wins
- More advanced paid tiers unlock features Wave never offers at any price point
- Expense approval workflows for growing teams - Wave has none
- Project tracking and project-level P&L - Wave has none
- Mileage tracking built in - Wave lacks this
- Email support even on the free tier - Wave only offers help documentation for free users
- Clearer upgrade path - you grow on Note.now rather than having to switch platforms
Wave downsides
- Wave's free tier covers basics but has no upgrade path for project management or advanced reporting
- No expense approval workflows at any price
- No project tracking or project profitability analysis
- Limited customer support on free plans - documentation only
- Wave has been slow to introduce new features; the product has stagnated since its acquisition
Real reasons people switch from Wave
You have hired employees and need expense approval workflows that Wave cannot provide
You want to understand which of your projects and clients are actually profitable
You need email support and Wave only offers help articles on the free plan
Your business is growing and you anticipate needing multi-user permissions within 12 months
You have outgrown the basics and do not want to switch accounting platforms again in 12 months when you need more
How to switch from Wave to Note.now
Most businesses complete the migration in less than a business day. Our migration wizard guides you through every step.
Export your Wave data
In Wave: Accounting → Chart of Accounts (export), Reports → Customer and Vendor lists, and Transactions report for transaction history. Download each as CSV.
Import into Note.now
Use Note.now's import tools to upload your Wave CSVs. The chart of accounts mapping tool handles standard Wave account names automatically.
Set opening balances
Enter your opening balance figures from your most recent Wave balance sheet. Your accountant can assist with ensuring the opening entries are correct.
Reconnect your bank feeds
Connect your bank accounts via Plaid. Future transactions import automatically; for Wave transaction history, a CSV import ensures continuity.
Our verdict
Wave is a great starting point - genuinely free and genuinely capable for very small businesses. Note.now is where you go when you hit Wave's ceiling. The paid tiers are competitive, and you get features Wave simply does not offer at any price: project tracking, expense approvals, and a proper upgrade path.
Ready to try Note.now?
7-day free trial. No credit card required. We will help you migrate from Wave.
Get started free