
Making the best business invoicing choice requires knowing how Square Invoices and Wave differ in terms of features, costs and target markets.
Wave and Square Invoices both provide free plans. Wave offers a more reasonably priced Starter and Pro plan at $9.50/month while Square offers a Plus plan at $49/month with custom Premium pricing. The two platforms charge different fees for processing payments.
With features for project-based billing, creating custom reports and managing expenses, Square Invoices is a powerful billing solution for expanding companies. Wave integrates Driversnote to provide thorough mileage and expense tracking. Both platforms lack integrated time tracking capabilities but they do support basic invoicing features.
Wave provides fewer options than Square Invoices which offers better payment gateway integration and supports credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Cash App Pay, ACH bank transfers and Afterpay. QuickBooks Online, Xero, FreshBooks, BlueCamroo, Zapier and Customer Directory systems are all integrated with Square.
Both Square Invoices and Wave are straightforward platforms with user-friendly mobile apps and interfaces that provide excellent customer service via email, chat and phone.
Wave provides cost-effectiveness, expense management, support for multiple currencies and integrated mileage tracking for global enterprises while Square Invoices provides a project-based billing system, custom reporting and payment gateway assistance.
Choose Square Invoices based on the complexity and needs of your business. Square Invoices serves expanding companies with complicated needs while Wave provides basic features at a reasonable cost.
| Square Invoices | Wave | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Features | ||
| Custom Templates | Yes | Multiple customizable invoice templates available |
| Send Estimates/Quotations | Yes | Yes |
| Recurring Billing Automation | Yes | Yes |
| Expense Tracking | Limited | Yes |
| Time Tracking | No | No |
| Mileage Tracking | No | Yes, available through Driversnote integration |
| Automated Payment Reminders | Yes | Yes |
| Project-Based Billing | Yes | No |
| Tax Handling | Yes | Yes (basic tax support) |
| User Permissions/Role Management | Yes | Yes |
| File Uploads | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing and Plans | ||
| Free Plan Availability | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing Range | Free: $0/month Plus: $49/month Premium: $149/month |
Starter: $0/month Pro: $9.50/month |
| Trial Period | No | No trial (free plan available) |
| User Limits | No strict limits | Unlimited |
| Client Limits | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Storage Limits | Unlimited cloud storage | Yes (via Driversnote integration) |
| Payment Processing Fees | Varies by payment gateway | Starter: 2.9% + $0.60 Pro: 2.9% + $0 (first 10) then 2.9% + $0.60 |
| Ease of Use | ||
| User Interface | Simple | Simple |
| Onboarding Experience | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile App Availability | Yes | Available for iOS and Android |
| Mobile App Functionality | Full functionality – Create, send invoices, accept payments | Invoicing and payment management |
| Integration | ||
| Payment Gateways Supported | Credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Cash App Pay, ACH, Afterpay | Credit card, bank transfer, ACH payments |
| Accounting Software Compatibility | QuickBooks Online, Xero integration | QuickBooks, FreshBooks, spreadsheets, export options |
| CRM Integration | Customer Directory system built-in | BlueCamroo, CRMs via Zapier, API for custom integrations |
| API Availability | Yes | Yes |
| Reporting & Analytics | ||
| Bank Connections | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-Built Financial Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Custom Report Creation | Yes | No |
| Security & Compliance | ||
| Dashboard Metrics | Yes | Yes |
| Data Encryption | Yes | Yes |
| GDPR Compliance | Yes | Yes |
| Backup Options | Automatic | Automatic |
| Customer Support | ||
| Support Channels | Phone, Chat, Email | Email, Chat |
| Help Center/Knowledge Base | Yes | Yes |
| 24/7 Support | Partial – 24/7 for premium users | No |
| Adaptability | ||
| Multi-Currency Support | No | Yes |
| Localization | English | English |
| Industry-Specific Customization | Yes | Yes |
| Scalability | Freelancers to Small/Medium Businesses | Freelancers to Small Businesses |
| Read Square Invoices Review | Read Wave Review |