Can I open-source Wave?
NOT REALLY · nothing credible yetNo credible open-source replacement for Wave yet — Invoice Ninja and ERPNext are the closest escape hatches, but they don't cross the moat. Wave: People pay because errors touch real money. Bank connections, reconciliation, tax changes, evidence, security, and support are the product.
Wave: People pay because errors touch real money. Bank connections, reconciliation, tax changes, evidence, security, and support are the product.
xbank, payment, tax, and reconciliation integrations
xlive bank feeds and payment rails
xtax and accounting rule updates
xaudited security and recovery
xmulti-user controls and accountant workflows
These projects already replace it, free.
EERPNextFull ERP — accounting, inventory, HR, manufacturing, CRM — that rivals systems costing six figures.open source↗IInvoice NinjaInvoicing, quotes, expenses, and time tracking for freelancers who'd rather not pay monthly.open source↗KKimaiProfessional time tracking with invoicing, teams, and exports.open source↗What each one is, in full: ERPNext · Invoice Ninja · Kimai
no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
Wave pricing
| plan | monthly | annual (per mo) | what you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| starter | $0/workspace | $0/workspace | 1 business; unlimited estimates, invoices, bills, and bookkeeping; card processing 2.9%+$0.60, or 3.4%+$0.60 Amex |
| pro | $19/workspace | $15.83/workspace | 1 business; unlimited users and receipt scans; automatic bank import/categorization; first 10 card transactions each month omit the $0.60 fixed fee |
free tier1 business; unlimited estimates, invoices, bills, and bookkeeping; receipt scanning and automatic bank import are not included
billingfree + monthly/annual Pro
hidden costsStarter receipt scanning is $11/month or $96/year. Payroll starts at $25 or $40/month depending on state, plus employee fees. Advisors cost $149/month on an annual commitment or $199 month to month. Card processing remains 2.9% (3.4% Amex); the $0.60 fixed component is waived only for Pro's first 10 card transactions per month.
verified 2026-08-10 · source ↗
Can I open-source Wave?
Not really. Wave's value is not the code: . No credible open-source replacement exists yet.
How much does Wave cost?
Wave costs about $19/month (Pro, checked 2026-07-31), which is $228 per year.
What do I lose by replacing Wave?
Honestly: bank, payment, tax, and reconciliation integrations; live bank feeds and payment rails; tax and accounting rule updates; audited security and recovery; multi-user controls and accountant workflows. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.
Is there an open-source alternative to Wave?
Yes: ERPNext (Full ERP — accounting, inventory, HR, manufacturing, CRM — that rivals systems costing six figures.) Invoice Ninja (Invoicing, quotes, expenses, and time tracking for freelancers who'd rather not pay monthly.) Kimai (Professional time tracking with invoicing, teams, and exports.)