Compare / ShopBooks vs Wave
ShopBooks vs Wave
Wave built its reputation on free accounting. But since 2024 it moved to a tiered model, and core features like automatic bank imports now sit behind a paid Pro plan — while your data still lives in Wave's cloud. ShopBooks offers a different trade: local, private, and genuinely yours.
The short version: If you want cloud access from any device and built-in payments, Wave is convenient. If you want to own your books, keep them private on your own machine, and avoid paywalled core features, ShopBooks is the better fit.
Side-by-side comparison
| ShopBooks | Wave | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing (2026) | Free / open source to build; one-time paid installer | Starter $0 (manual); Pro $19/mo for bank import & automation |
| Where data lives | On your computer (local SQLite file) | Wave's cloud |
| Automatic bank import | Included (statement import + SimpleFIN) | Paywalled — requires Pro since 2024 |
| Privacy | No cloud, no telemetry | Cloud-hosted; data on Wave's servers |
| If the vendor changes terms | Doesn't affect you — it's local & open source | You depend on Wave's roadmap and pricing |
| Works offline | Yes | No — requires internet |
| Open source | Yes (MIT) | No |
| Best for | Makers who want to own their data | Users comfortable with free cloud accounting |
Where Wave is stronger
- Access from any device with a browser, plus a mobile app.
- Built-in invoicing and payment processing in one place.
- A free Starter tier if you're happy to categorize manually.
- No local install or backups to manage.
Where ShopBooks is stronger
- Your books never leave your computer — no cloud, no telemetry.
- Core features aren't paywalled: statement import and receipt matching are built in.
- No dependence on a vendor's pricing changes or roadmap.
- Works fully offline and keeps running years from now.
- Open source (MIT) — you can read and build it yourself.
Who should choose which
Choose Wave if you want free, cloud-based accounting with built-in payments and don't mind your data living on Wave's servers. Choose ShopBooks if you want your books local, private, and yours — without paying to unlock basic automation.
Frequently asked questions
Isn't Wave free?
Only partly, as of 2026. Wave's Starter plan is $0 but limited to manual bookkeeping; automatic bank imports and collaborator access now require the Pro plan at about $19/month. ShopBooks includes statement import at no subscription cost.
Where does Wave store my data versus ShopBooks?
Wave stores your books in its cloud. ShopBooks stores everything in a single local file on your own computer, with no data uploaded anywhere.
Can ShopBooks send invoices like Wave?
ShopBooks focuses on bookkeeping — importing statements, matching receipts, and producing tax-ready exports. Invoicing is on the roadmap; Wave's built-in invoicing and payments are more mature today.
Why choose local over cloud accounting?
Local-first means durability, privacy, and ownership: you back up a folder, nothing is uploaded, and no vendor can lock you out of your own history.
See also: ShopBooks vs QuickBooks Online · ShopBooks vs GnuCash
ShopBooks is local, subscription-free bookkeeping for makers, freelancers, and one-person shops that would rather own their books than rent them.
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