Accounter vs Wave
Which accounting software is better for South African businesses?
Accounter
SA-built- From R300/month — priced in ZAR
- Full SARS compliance built-in
- Local SA support team
- Built for SA accountants & bookkeepers
Wave
Free accounting software- Free (basic accounting)
- Revenue from payment processing fees
- Best for: Very small businesses who need free basic bookkeeping
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
See how Accounter and Wave stack up across all the key areas that matter for South African businesses.
| Feature | AccounterR300/month | WaveFree (basic accounting) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Monthly price | R300/month | Free |
| Tax | ||
| SA tax compliance | ||
| Payroll | US/Canada only | |
| Core | ||
| Invoicing | ||
| Bank reconciliation | ||
| Features | ||
| Inventory | ||
| Fixed assets | ||
| Purchase orders | ||
| Support | ||
| SA support | ||
Why South African Businesses Choose Accounter
Accounter is built from the ground up for the South African market — not adapted from a foreign product.
Full-featured accounting vs basic bookkeeping
SARS compliance saves money on penalties and accountant fees
SA bank feeds and payment processing
Inventory, assets, and payroll included
R300/month is a small price for peace of mind on compliance
About Wave
Wave offers free accounting and invoicing software. Revenue comes from payment processing and payroll services.
Wave Strengths
- Free basic plan
- Simple to use
- Good invoicing
- No credit card required
Wave Weaknesses (for SA)
- No SA tax compliance
- Limited features
- No inventory
- US/Canada focused
- No local support
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Accounter vs Wave
Is free accounting software worth it?
For very basic needs, yes. But Wave lacks SA tax compliance, payroll, inventory, and local support. The cost of SARS penalties or hiring an accountant to fix compliance issues often exceeds R300/month.
Can I use Wave in South Africa?
Wave works globally for basic bookkeeping, but it has no SA-specific features: no PAYE, no UIF, no VAT at 15%, and no SARS filing support.
Try Accounter Free for 30 Days
See why South African businesses and accountants choose Accounter over Wave. Full access, no credit card required.
30-day free trial • ZAR pricing • Local SA support