Happy Valley

Brex vs Wave

Brex and Wave are both accounting & finance tools. Brex is aimed at enterprise and small businesses, while Wave is aimed at freelancers and small businesses. Brex costs less, from $12/mo versus $19/mo for Wave. Both have a free plan.

Brex

Corporate cards and spend management

Wave

Free accounting and invoicing for freelancers

PricingFreemium · $12Freemium · $19
Starting price$12/mo$19/mo
Free planYesYes
Free trial——
Built forEnterprise, Small businessesFreelancers, Small businesses
Platformsweb, ios, androidweb, ios, android
CountryUS · 2017CA · 2010
Rating——

Choose Brex if

US-based startups and mid-market companies.

  • Strong controls and automation
  • Global capabilities
  • Free core plan

Look elsewhere if: Businesses outside supported markets.

Choose Wave if

North American freelancers and micro-businesses on a tight budget.

  • Free core accounting
  • Simple and approachable
  • Good for solo founders

Look elsewhere if: Growing companies or businesses outside the US and Canada.

Brex vs Wave pricing

Brex

  • Essentials$0Up to 2 entities; one local card program
  • Premium$12/user/moMulti-entity, US and international
  • EnterpriseCustomUnlimited US or global entities

Wave

  • Starter$0Unlimited invoices, estimates, bookkeeping
  • Pro$19/mo$190/yr billed annually; auto-import bank transactions
  • Payments2.9% + $0.60/per cardPer card transaction on Starter; 3.4% + $0.60 Amex
  • Wave Advisorsfrom $149/moDedicated bookkeeper, includes Pro features

Brex · Key features

  • Corporate cards with real-time controls
  • Expense management and receipt AI
  • Bill pay and procurement
  • Travel booking with policies
  • Business banking and treasury
  • Accounting integrations

Cons

  • Eligibility requirements
  • Premium features cost per user
  • Primarily US-focused banking

Wave · Key features

  • Free invoicing and estimates
  • Double-entry accounting and reports
  • Bank connections and transaction import
  • Receipt capture (Pro)
  • Card and bank payments
  • Payroll add-on in US and Canada

Cons

  • US and Canada focus
  • Limited features and integrations
  • Support mostly paid

Brex vs Wave: FAQ

Which is cheaper, Brex or Wave?

Brex starts at $12/mo and Wave at $19/mo. Both prices are checked on the vendors' own pricing pages.

Do Brex and Wave have a free plan?

Yes, both Brex and Wave have a free plan; paid plans add more usage and features.

Not sure yet?