Both are strong choices. The short answer: pick Bench if you are owners who want bookkeeping done for them. Pick Wave if you are micro businesses that want free books.
| Bench | Wave | |
|---|---|---|
| In one line | Real human bookkeepers plus simple software. | Genuinely free accounting and invoicing. |
| Pricing | From $249/mo | Free accounting; pay for payments/payroll |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Best for | Owners who want bookkeeping done for them | Micro businesses that want free books |
| Category | Accounting & Bookkeeping | Accounting & Bookkeeping |
| Website | bench.co | waveapps.com |