
Wave vs. ZipBooks vs. Akaunting: Free Accounting Software Compared for Small Businesses
Wave offers the fullest free core, ZipBooks the simplest start, and Akaunting free self-hosted books — compare invoicing, bank feeds, and payroll costs.
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Free plan features and getting started without cost

Wave offers the fullest free core, ZipBooks the simplest start, and Akaunting free self-hosted books — compare invoicing, bank feeds, and payroll costs.

Wave Accounting moved automatic bank feeds, collaborator access, and receipt scanning behind its $16-19/month Pro tier on June 1, 2026, leaving legacy free-plan (Starter) users to enter transactions manually or pay to keep those features.

What free accounting tiers actually include in 2026—Wave, Zoho Books, ZipBooks, GnuCash, Akaunting—plus hidden costs and the signals you have outgrown free.

Starting May 1st, 2023, Beancount reintroduces its free plan for new customers, enhancing accessibility and user experience while maintaining quality for Pro plan users.