LedgerSMB vs Wave
LedgerSMB
ledgersmb.org
Wave
waveapps.comSide by side
| Figure | LedgerSMB | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $6/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 10 |
| Spec score · Financial Management | 8.7 (#6) | 8.6 (#10) |
| Spec score · Bookkeeping Software | 8.8 (#18) | 9.3 (#4) |
| Spec score · Gym Accounting Software | 8.8 (#8) | 8.6 (#13) |
| Spec score · Core Financial Management | 8.8 (#7) | 8.6 (#13) |
| Spec score · Bookkeeper Software | 8.8 (#7) | 8.6 (#12) |
| API | LedgerSMB exposes a language-independent web-services API documented with versioned OpenAPI files. | Wave provides an API with application creation, endpoint documentation, query and mutation examples, a playground and webhooks. |
| Bank feeds | Yes | Pro supports read-only bank and credit-card connections with automatic transaction import, merging and categorization. |
| Founded | 2006 | 2010 |
| Licence | The source repository identifies LedgerSMB as GPLv2-licensed. | Wave API use is governed by Wave terms of service; the reviewed pages do not identify an open-source licence. |
| Purpose | LedgerSMB is open source ERP and accounting software for small and mid-size businesses, combining accounting, invoicing, order processing, and related operations. | Wave’s invoicing software helps businesses create and send invoices, get paid, and manage customer information. |
| Security | Official release tarballs are GPG signed so users can verify their integrity. | Wave states that it uses up to 256-bit TLS encryption, protected hosting facilities and tokenized payment data handling. |
| Security limitation | The project warns that versions before currently maintained releases may contain unresolved security issues, with older versions requiring restricted networks. | Wave says it is not HIPAA-compliant and does not currently support healthcare-related businesses. |
| Self-hosting | Official downloads provide tarballs, Docker images and installers, allowing deployment on the operator's infrastructure. | Wave describes its software as web-based and provides hosted mobile apps; no self-hosted deployment is documented. |
| Support | Free community help is offered through mailing lists and Matrix, while paid providers offer hosting, installation, training and customization. | The Help Center and automated support chatbot Mave are available 24/7 to all customers; eligible customers can contact support by email or live chat Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM Eastern. |
| What it does | LedgerSMB is a web-based, open-source ERP and accounting system for small and midsize businesses. | Wave provides cloud accounting, invoicing, payments, payroll and bookkeeping tools for small businesses, freelancers and contractors. |
Plans
Wave
- StarterFree
- Pro$19 a month
- StarterFree
- Receipts$8 a month
- Pro$19 a month
- Pro Plan$19 a month
- Receipts$72 a year
- Wave Advisors$149 a month
- Pro$190 a year
- Pro Plan$190 a year
In their own words
LedgerSMB
LedgerSMB is free, open-source ERP and accounting software for small and mid-size businesses. It combines double-entry general ledger functions with quotations, sales and purchase orders, invoices, receivables, payables, and cash management. The application also supports inventory, light manufacturing, and fixed-asset depreciation and disposal. Transactions can use multiple currencies, while budgets can be tracked by project or department with variance reports. LedgerSMB produces PDF, HTML, CSV, and Office documents, can email documents from inside the application, and includes 45 languages. A web services API enables programmatic interaction; connecting an online store is not available out of the box and requires custom integration. The web application is intended for installation on the user’s own infrastructure, with Linux installers and production Docker images available. Official release tarballs are GPG signed. Free volunteer support is available through a users mailing list and Matrix, with paid professional support also offered. The project began in 2006 as a fork of SQL-Ledger.
Wave
Wave's invoicing software helps businesses create and send invoices, receive payments, and manage customer information. Invoice templates can be customized with a logo and brand colors using drag-and-drop editing. It supports recurring invoices and automatic credit card payments for repeat customers. Customers can pay by credit card, bank payment (ACH/EFT), or Apple Pay, and invoice and payment information connects to Wave's accounting feature. The free Starter plan costs nothing and includes unlimited estimates, invoices, bills, and bookkeeping records; online payments have transaction fees. Pro costs $19 a month and adds automatic bank transaction import, transaction merging and categorization, receipt capture, expense tracking, and late-payment reminders. Wave lists integrations including Amazon, eBay, Capsule, and Etsy, with workflows through Make. Connecting or maintaining Partner integrations and Make requires Pro or a Wave Advisors bookkeeping subscription; third-party API connections also require an active Pro or Wave Advisors package. Wave says it is not HIPAA-compliant and does not support healthcare-related businesses.