Wave Accounting vs Shoeboxed

Last Updated:

Our analysts compared Wave Accounting vs Shoeboxed based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Accounting Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Wave Accounting Software Tool
Shoeboxed Software Tool

Product Basics

Wave Accounting streamlines financial management for small businesses and freelancers. Its intuitive interface simplifies bookkeeping tasks like expense tracking, invoicing, and receipt scanning. Users praise its ease of use and mobile accessibility, making it ideal for entrepreneurs on the go. Wave offers core accounting features like bank reconciliation and income/expense reports, all for free. Premium plans unlock advanced functionalities like payroll, double-entry bookkeeping, and tax filing for an affordable monthly fee. Compared to similar products, Wave shines in user experience. Reviews highlight its intuitive design, helpful tutorials, and responsive customer support. However, its free plan lacks features crucial for larger businesses, requiring an upgrade for robust accounting needs. Ultimately, Wave excels as a beginner-friendly, cost-effective solution for solopreneurs and small teams seeking hassle-free financial management.

Pros
  • Free core features
  • Easy to use interface
  • Mobile-friendly design
  • Excellent customer support
  • Free bank reconciliation
Cons
  • Limited features in free plan
  • No inventory tracking
  • No double-entry accounting
  • Few integrations with other software
  • Limited reporting options
read more...
Shoeboxed is a business document management and online receipt service that helps track expenses by scanning, organizing and categorizing receipts and business cards into a searchable cloud database. It helps small businesses focus more time on core objectives and less on paperwork by turning physical files into digital data. Available through the web app and mobile apps, it aids small businesses and entrepreneurs to get organized and maximize tax deductions.
read more...
$20 Monthly
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
$18 Monthly
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Free: Utilize Wave Accounting's free features forever, making it a great help for entrepreneurs and freelancers who may find themselves in the preliminary stages of launching their business or service.  
  • Easy Setup: Get to work immediately with easy account setup and installation. 
  • Available Anywhere: Access this solution on computers and mobile devices to access and change anything from practically any location. All changes are automatically saved and synced so users always see current information. 
  • Instant Transactions: Connect bank accounts for instant transaction recordings. It also eliminates manually inputting receipts. 
  • Stay Organized for Tax Season: Sort incomes, expenses, payments and invoices in one centralized location for tax time.  
  • Collaborate with Accountants: Share data and collaborate with accountants for smooth financial processing and advice. 
  • Top-Notch Security: Protect financial information with security components such as bank connections with 256-bit encryption in read-only formats and PCI Level-1 security for managing credit cards and bank account information. 
read more...
  • Flexible Receipt Capture: Upload images from anywhere through mobile applications or drag and drop from the desktop and send the receipt through email. 
  • Human Verified Data: Use extracted information that gets double-checked by a team of experts. Organize fully searchable and editable data. 
  • Simplified Expense Reports: Export, share or print information with just a few clicks. Use the receipt images to make tax preparation and reimbursement easy and hassle-free. 
  • Better Audit Readiness: Scan and properly categorize documents to ensure they are always ready for the audit. 
  • Secure Data: Store all papers and documents. Use the Secure Socket Layer encryption to protect digital data. 
read more...
  • Link Accounts and Credit Cards: Connect an unlimited amount of bank accounts and credit cards. Users may supervise multiple businesses with one account. 
  • Smooth Integrations: Integrate Shopify transactions and link with PayPal, Shoeboxed and Etsy accounts. 
  • Intricate Dashboards: Elaborate dashboards that display cash balances, invoice statuses, incomes, expenses and payments. This accessory also provides bill and invoice reminders. 
  • Export Various Reports: Export a variety of accounting reports such as profit and loss, sales tax, cash flow, comparative and others. 
  • Automatic Updates: Receive prompt updates and reminders on invoices, payments and payroll details. 
  • Evaluate High Volumes of Transactions: Process a bulk amount of transactions to ensure rapid bookkeeping practices. Users can also perform and accept transactions in foreign currencies and search for transactions based on descriptions. 
  • Double-Entry Accounting: Operate with double-entry accounting—a method that chronicles transactions in two or more accounts — that performs prompt exchange rate calculations and has a flexible sales tax module. 
  • Adaptable Expense and Income Categories: Use account IDs to create adjustable expense and income categories, sometimes called chart of accounts. There's also an unlimited income and expense tracking accessory. 
read more...
  • OCR and Human Data Verification: Extract receipts and transform them into human-verified data. Digitize and archive them into a single secure location. Convert document digitally into any format and make it editable. Enable automation of specific tasks and get bulk data entry done in minutes. 
  • Online Organization: Ensure that all the images of the receipt are accepted by the Internal Revenue Service and the Canada Revenue Service and keep them audit ready. Ensure all the receipts get scanned, easy to locate and comprehensively categorized. 
  • Expense Report: Create comprehensive expense reports with receipt images from anywhere using the web or mobile app. Ensure accurate and timely expense reporting without paper receipts. 
  • Integration: Eliminate the worry of manual data entry or errors by seamlessly working with other accounting tools like QuickBooks, Evernote, Bench, Working Point, SkyClerk, Abbyy and more. 
  • Automatic Receipts Archive: Import receipts automatically from Gmail so that they are never lost. Archive receipts from any email by sending it to a unique, secure email address. 
  • Business Card Management: Free users from the worry of carrying piles of business cards with the possibility of losing them. Transform business cards into online contacts. Download the database as a CSV file or send it to a CRM program for further communication. 
  • Mobile Apps: Take receipt images from the phone with their free app with receipt and mileage tracker. Get accurate mileage tracking with its phone’s GPS capability. Keep track of business expenses, mileage and billable time. Pull in data automatically and create an expense report. 
read more...

Product Ranking

#4

among all
Accounting Software

#146

among all
Accounting Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

72
we're gathering data
78
we're gathering data
92
we're gathering data
87
we're gathering data
Show More Show More

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Wave Accounting
Shoeboxed
+ Add Product + Add Product
Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable Banking And Cash Management Budget And Expense Management Financial Statements And Revenue Management General Ledger And Chart Of Accounts Integration And Extensibility Inventory Management Journal Entries Mobile Support Multi-company Accounting And Asset Management Platform Capabilities Project Accounting Reporting And Analytics Tax Management 78 92 87 57 98 61 58 50 73 90 65 78 56 70 88 0 25 50 75 100
56%
0%
44%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
83%
11%
6%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
80%
0%
20%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
31%
15%
54%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
100%
0%
0%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
63%
0%
37%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
23%
0%
77%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
0%
0%
100%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
60%
0%
40%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
80%
0%
20%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
50%
0%
50%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
78%
0%
22%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
0%
40%
60%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
47%
5%
48%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
80%
0%
20%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

33%
0%
67%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
83%
0%
17%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A

User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 2602 reviews
Great User Sentiment 435 reviews
88%
of users recommend this product

Wave Accounting has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 88% when considering 2602 user reviews from 5 recognized software review sites.

88%
of users recommend this product

Shoeboxed has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 88% when considering 435 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

4.0 (15)
n/a
4.4 (203)
n/a
4.43 (1298)
4.38 (214)
4.4 (964)
4.4 (221)
4.0 (122)
n/a

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

System Performance: Of the users who mentioned this solution's performance, precisely 65% said it's easy to use, documents all tasks performed and provides accurate information.
Modules: Approximately 57% of users who discussed this program's functionality said it has a variety of capabilities such as an assortment of reports, bank account synching and invoice reminders.
Cost: Of the users who mentioned this application's pricing, approximately 87% of users said they like the free version because it comes with plenty of appliances.
Show more
Effortless Expense Tracking: Shoeboxed makes it easy to keep tabs on business expenses by converting receipts into digital data. This simplifies accounting by eliminating the need for manual data entry.
Mileage Deduction Calculation: The mileage tracking feature helps users maximize tax deductions by accurately logging business trips. This eliminates the hassle of manual mileage logs and ensures accurate records for tax purposes.
Organized Digital Records: Shoeboxed provides a central hub for storing receipts and invoices, making it easy to find documents when needed. This eliminates the need for physical storage and simplifies record keeping.
Show more
Frustrating reconciliation process: Users often describe matching transactions as difficult and time-consuming, leading to delayed reconciliation and potential errors.
Limited reporting options: Users express a desire for more robust and flexible reporting features, including better sorting, exporting, and preset date options for generating customized reports.
Lack of phone support: Wave relies primarily on email and online resources for support, which can be frustrating for users who prefer immediate assistance or have complex issues to resolve.
Occasional glitches and errors: Users have reported occasional software glitches, such as duplicated transactions or difficulties with bank syncing, which can disrupt workflows and create data inconsistencies.
No inventory management: Wave lacks full-fledged inventory tracking and management capabilities, making it unsuitable for businesses with complex inventory needs or those who sell directly through eCommerce platforms.
Show more
Lack of Customization: Some users have expressed frustration with the lack of customization options for expense categorization. Shoeboxed automatically categorizes expenses, which may not always align with a business's specific accounting needs.
Limited Integrations: Shoeboxed's integrations with other accounting software can be limited, potentially requiring manual data entry for users who rely on specific accounting platforms.
Pricing: Some users find Shoeboxed's subscription plans to be expensive, particularly for businesses with low volumes of receipts.
Show more

Wave Accounting users appreciate its simplicity and affordability, making it a popular choice for freelancers and solopreneurs. The free plan covers essential features like invoicing, expense tracking, and basic reporting, catering to those with straightforward accounting needs. Users praise its intuitive interface and mobile app for on-the-go tracking, highlighting its convenience compared to clunky desktop software. However, Wave's limitations become apparent as businesses grow. Users cite frustrating reconciliation issues, limited reporting options, and the lack of advanced features like inventory management or payroll integrations. Compared to competitors like Quickbooks or Xero, Wave feels less capable of handling complex accounting workflows. While its automatic bank imports save time, the absence of phone support can be a dealbreaker for some users who need immediate help troubleshooting issues. Ultimately, Wave shines for its ease of use and zero-cost entry point, but its lack of scalability and robust features might necessitate switching to more powerful alternatives as businesses evolve. Choosing Wave comes down to prioritizing convenience and affordability over comprehensive functionality and expert support.

Show more

Recent user reviews suggest that Shoeboxed can be a valuable tool for small businesses and individuals looking to streamline their accounting processes. Users praise Shoeboxed for its ability to effortlessly digitize receipts and documents, eliminating the need for bulky physical storage. This feature proves particularly useful for individuals who frequently travel or have limited office space. The ability to access financial records from any location with an internet connection is also highlighted as a major advantage. However, some users express concerns about the software's learning curve, finding the initial setup and navigation somewhat cumbersome. Others point out that the expense tracking functionality, while helpful, lacks the robust reporting capabilities of dedicated accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero. Shoeboxed's strength lies in its simplicity and ease of use for basic accounting tasks, making it ideal for freelancers, contractors, and small business owners who need a straightforward solution for managing receipts and generating expense reports. For users requiring more advanced accounting features, integrating Shoeboxed with dedicated accounting software might be a more suitable approach.

Show more

Screenshots

Top Alternatives in Accounting Software


Accounting Seed

Acumatica

BQE Core

Dynamics 365 Finance

FreeAgent

Freshbooks

Manager

Odoo Accounting

Oracle Financials Cloud

Patriot Accounting

QuickBooks Online

Sage 50cloud Accounting

Sage Intacct

SAP Business One

SAP S/4 HANA Finance

TallyPrime

Workday Financial Management

Xero

ZarMoney

Zoho Books

Related Categories

WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more...

Compare products
Comparison Report
Just drag this link to the bookmark bar.
?
Table settings