SoloBid vs Wave
Wave is genuinely free accounting and invoicing software aimed at freelancers and micro-businesses doing their own books. The price is unbeatable — but it's built around bookkeeping at a desk, not quoting and closing jobs in the field, and it has none of the trade-specific tooling contractors rely on.
No credit card required · 14-day free trial
Wave is built for freelancers and micro-businesses doing their own bookkeeping. If you're a one-person shop, here's what that means:
It's built for bookkeeping, not for quoting a job in a customer's driveway.
No trade templates and no price book — every quote starts from a blank page.
There's no quote → sign → deposit → invoice flow designed around real jobs.
It's a general accounting tool you'd hand your accountant, not a field tool for your phone.
Side by side — what you actually get.
Monthly cost
SoloBid
$19.99/month flat
Wave
Free / $19 Pro
Card payment fee
SoloBid
Stripe standard rates
Wave
2.9% + $0.60 per charge
Built for
SoloBid
Trade contractors
Wave
Bookkeeping
Trade templates
SoloBid
Yes
Wave
No
Price book (materials + labor)
SoloBid
Yes
Wave
No
Quote → sign → deposit → invoice flow
SoloBid
Built for it
Wave
No
Quote on-site from phone
SoloBid
Built for it
Wave
Basic
E-signatures
SoloBid
Yes
Wave
No
SMS invoice sending
SoloBid
Yes
Wave
No
Recurring invoices
SoloBid
Yes
Wave
Yes
Full accounting & bookkeeping
SoloBid
No (use with accountant)
Wave
Yes
Best for
SoloBid
Solo trade contractors
Wave
DIY bookkeeping
We're not trying to replace Wave. If you run a big operation, use Wave. But if you're a solo contractor, here's why SoloBid makes more sense.
Great features — for companies with employees.
Built for the one-person shop.
Wave: Free Starter plan (unlimited invoices) + Pro at $19/month; payment fees 2.9% + $0.60 per card charge.
SoloBid: $19.99/month. Everything included.
Pro
$19.99/month
or $149/year (save 37%)
14-day free trial · No credit card required
Quote it. Send it. Get paid. That's it. Start your free trial and see why solo contractors are switching to SoloBid.
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