Accounter vs Wavefor Small Business
Full-featured accounting for small businesses with 1-50 employees in South Africa.
Feature Comparison for Small Business
Key features that matter most for small business — Accounter vs Wave side by side.
| 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 | ||
The Bottom Line for Small Business
Free software sounds appealing, but Wave lacks everything SA small businesses need: payroll, inventory, VAT compliance, and local support.
Wave has no inventory, payroll, fixed assets, or purchase orders
No SA VAT compliance or SARS filing support of any kind
No local support — you are on your own if something goes wrong
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Accounter vs Wave for small business
Is Wave good for small businesses in South Africa?
Wave is too basic for most SA small businesses. It lacks inventory, payroll, SA tax compliance, and local support. Accounter provides all of this for R300/month.
Can I switch from Wave to Accounter for my small business?
Yes. Accounter imports your financial data from Wave. Our team ensures a smooth transition to full SA compliance.
Which is cheaper for small businesses — Wave or Accounter?
Wave is free, but the missing features (payroll, inventory, tax compliance) mean you will pay for separate tools anyway. Accounter's all-in-one R300/month is better value.
Last verified: March 2026. Pricing and features may change. Please check each provider's website for the latest information.
Try Accounter Free for 30 Days
See why South African small business businesses choose Accounter over Wave. Full access, no credit card required.
30-day free trial • ZAR pricing • Local SA support