--- title: "Wave Software Pricing, Alternatives & More 2026 | Capterra" description: "With the help of Capterra, learn about Wave Software - reviews, pricing plans, popular comparisons to other Idea Management products and more." source_url: "https://www.capterra.com/p/146264/Wave/" page_type: "product" language: "en" --- # Wave Software Review 2026: Features, Integrations, Pros & Cons Last updated on September 10, 2026 Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Description](#description)[Use cases](#use-cases)[Alternatives](#alternatives)[FAQs](#faqs)[Features](#features)[Pricing](#pricing)[Support](#support)[Reviews](#reviews) Wave ## What is Wave? SharePoint based Idea Management application. It is designed to capture, collaborate, evaluate and select bright ideas. ## What is Wave used for? [Idea Management](https://www.capterra.com/idea-management-software/) Top alternative Featured Overall rating Based on 17 user reviews Reviews sentiment Positive \- Neutral \- Negative \- Contact vendor for pricing Free trial not available Free version not included Capterra Shortlist charts the highest-rated and most popular products... Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings... Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings... Do you work for Wave?[Manage this product listing](https://www.g2.com/products/acuvate-wave/claim_requests/new?auto=true) ## Compare with a popular alternative Capterra selects software alternatives based on relevant features, verified user reviews and user interactions. Placement may be influenced by client status. ### Wave 4.4 (17) VS. [4.6 (6,117)](https://www.capterra.com/p/147657/monday-com/reviews/) Starting Price Contact vendor Starting Price $9 Per User, Per Month Free Trial Free Version Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version Ease Of Use 4.4 (17) Ease Of Use 4.5 (22,433) Value For Money 4.7 (15) Value For Money 4.3 (15,237) Customer Service 4.1 (10) Customer Service 4.4 (12,735) ## Wave alternatives [4.7 (565)](https://www.capterra.com/p/144020/Aha/reviews/) Starting price $59.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 96% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Trello](https://www.capterra.com/p/211559/Trello/) [4.5 (23,619)](https://www.capterra.com/p/211559/Trello/reviews/) Starting price $5.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 92% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/211559/Trello/) Highest Rated [Miro](https://www.capterra.com/p/128955/Miro/) [4.7 (1,705)](https://www.capterra.com/p/128955/Miro/reviews/) Starting price $10.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 97% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/128955/Miro/) [Asana](https://www.capterra.com/p/184581/Asana-PM/) [4.5 (13,703)](https://www.capterra.com/p/184581/Asana-PM/reviews/) Starting price $10.99 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 92% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/184581/Asana-PM/) [View all alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/146264/Wave/alternatives/) ## FAQs about Wave Overview ### Which roles and teams benefit most from Wave? Wave is most used by small-business owners, presidents, and founders who need simple accounting, invoicing, and cash-flow tracking without dedicated finance staff. Administrative, legal, and project-based professionals use it to organize billing and payments, while freelancers, marketers, and service providers rely on it to manage client transactions and basic financial reporting. Answer based on 17 reviews Overview ### What company size and specific industries is Wave built for? Wave is designed for manufacturing, IT, ITES, engineering, and BFSI organizations that need an idea management tool for collaboration, reporting, dashboards, and gamification. It is best suited to companies in these sectors that want to manage employee ideas and participation across teams. Features and Usability ### What are the key features of Wave? Wave offers gamification, an activity/news feed, and collaboration tools for team participation. It also includes idea collection, idea ranking, mind maps, approval workflow, and status tracking to organize submissions, review options, and monitor progress through each stage. Getting Started and Support ### What training and onboarding options does Wave offer? Wave provides in person training, live online sessions, webinars, and documentation to support getting started. In person training allows direct instruction, live online sessions support guided remote learning, webinars cover scheduled topic-based instruction, and documentation gives written reference material for self-paced review. Getting Started and Support ### What customer support options does Wave offer? Wave offers email/help desk and phone support for customer assistance. No reviewer feedback about support quality is available, so user experience with response speed, helpfulness, or common frustrations cannot be assessed from the provided data. ## Features AI summary Based on 3,180 Idea Management reviews According to Capterra reviewers, these are the features buyers prioritize most when evaluating idea management software: - **Progress Tracking** (**62%** of reviewers rated this feature as critical) - **Real-Time Updates** (**54%**) - **Activity Dashboard** (**56%**) Wave focuses on a different set of capabilities within idea management. The available coverage data does not list support for the highest-priority features above, but the product still provides its own approach to managing ideas and team input. This can help businesses organize innovation work in a way that fits their internal processes, giving teams a central place to capture and manage ideas. Collaboration Tools 4.0 (1) 100.00% of 1 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Provides a channel for team members to share AI models, media files, communicate, and work together Activity/News Feed Continuous profile-based stream of news and activity Approval Workflow Route documents and other data through one or more stakeholders for review and approval Gamification Games or game-like elements to track progress and reward accomplishments Idea Collection Process of gathering idea submissions from users, employees, or customers using internal, external, or crowdsourcing channels Idea Ranking Facilitates users voting on ideas that are presented so the most favorable ones can be highlighted and further pursued Wave 8 features ### All Features - Activity/News Feed: Continuous profile-based stream of news and activity - Approval Workflow: Route documents and other data through one or more stakeholders for review and approval - Collaboration Tools: Provides a channel for team members to share AI models, media files, communicate, and work together - Gamification: Games or game-like elements to track progress and reward accomplishments - Idea Collection: Process of gathering idea submissions from users, employees, or customers using internal, external, or crowdsourcing channels - Idea Ranking: Facilitates users voting on ideas that are presented so the most favorable ones can be highlighted and further pursued - Mind Maps: Diagram used to organize information in a hierarchical way to show relationships - Status Tracking: Track the status over time for a request, process, asset, or transaction --- Features 4.2 (17) 4.2 Based on 17 reviews ## Pricing Value for money 4.7 (15) [View all Pricing Plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/146264/Wave/pricing/) Value for money 4.7 (15) 4.7 Based on 15 reviews ## Support, customer service and training options Customer Service 4.1 (10) Support - Email/Help Desk - FAQs/Forum - Knowledge Base - Phone Support - 24/7 (Live rep) - Chat Training - In Person - Live Online - Webinars - Documentation - Videos Deployment - Web - Android - iPhone/iPad Typical users - Freelancers - Small businesses - Mid size businesses - Enterprises Customer Service 4.1 (10) 4.1 Based on 10 reviews ## User reviews Overall rating 4.4 Based on 17 reviews Filter by rating 5(10) 4(6) 3(0) 2(0) 1(1) Mentioned topic Sorted by most recent KK Kathryn K. President Environmental Services ### "Serious problems with Wave Payments and its Risk Team" 1.0 Overall Rating 1.0 1.0 Ease of Use 3.0 3.0 Features 3.0 3.0 Customer Service 1.0 1.0 Likelihood to Recommend 0/10 August 4, 2026 I selected Wave to reduce the time spent on invoicing and accounting. After years of use, Wave’s handling of one legitimate payment caused more administrative burden than the service was worth. On July 24, 2026, a large US law firm client paid a $15,669.83 invoice generated through Wave. Wave charged the approved 1% fee but did not transfer the proceeds. Wave subsequently demanded: The signed client agreement; Client emails, texts, and other correspondence; Confirmation that services were performed and that the client was satisfied; Three months of bank statements; Identity verification; Business-registration documents; Refund and cancellation policies; Marketing and client-acquisition information; and Historical payment-processing information. Wave already had the invoice, the linked bank account, years of account history, and my company’s historical invoicing data. This invoice was smaller than the average invoice issued by my business. Because my work involved expert consulting in litigation, the requested contract and correspondence could include confidential information, attorney work product, or privileged communications. I explained that I was not authorized to disclose those materials and asked Wave to rely on the information already in its possession and publicly available corporate records. The Risk Team did not respond to my specific questions. Instead, it repeatedly resent the original generic checklist. Wave eventually said it would hold the payment for 70 days and then refund it to the client if the payment had not been returned during that period. Wave also stated that it could not reverse or refund the payment sooner. Apparently this is all part of Wave's publicly announced corporate review of all its accounts and nothing unique to us, but as a paying account with years of experience with Wave, you would think we would be accorded a little more courtesy. I disabled Wave payment processing for all other clients because I could not risk additional payments being accepted and held. My client was then forced to contact its bank to attempt to recover money that it had properly paid. Absolutely not worth it. Pros The invoicing and accounting interface had previously been convenient but not worth their holding onto funds for 70 days. Cons The payment hold, intrusive documentation demands, lack of individualized review, repeated template responses, and refusal either to remit or promptly return the client’s funds. They took the authorized 1% fee for an invoice payment and then said they would hold onto the funds for 70 days on a paid account. Unacceptable. Switched from [QuickBooks Online](https://www.capterra.com/p/190778/QuickBooks-Online/) Too expensive and far more features than we need. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. AN Anonymous User Project Manager Information Technology and Services ### "Wave for accounting" 4.0 Overall Rating 4.0 4.0 Ease of Use 4.0 4.0 Features 3.0 3.0 Customer Service 0.0 0.0 Likelihood to Recommend 7/10 January 11, 2022 Quick customer support when required, good feature set, outside of them removing the main feature which is why we chose Wave. We are now looking elsewhere. Pros Wave makes accounting and keeping track of your invoices very easy. Interface is friendly and you don't need to be a accountant to get many tasks done. Cons Wave used to have a feature of scanning your receipts, it would then figure out what was on it, and record the items. ie it was from ABC Company and it was $100 + 10 tax. Each item attached to their own category for accounting. This feature, arguably the best feature has been removed :( Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. SD Sasheena D. Communications and Admin Officer Accounting ### "Wave is the Wave :)" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 4.0 4.0 Features 3.0 3.0 Customer Service 4.0 4.0 Likelihood to Recommend 7/10 April 22, 2021 Very good Pros Its ease of use. Very easy to understand how to use the features Cons The placement of the features can be tweaked a but so they can be a bit easier to find Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. AN Anonymous User Senior Data Wrangler Computer Software ### "Wave by Acuvate" 4.0 Overall Rating 4.0 4.0 Ease of Use 4.0 4.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 0.0 0.0 Likelihood to Recommend 9/10 January 5, 2021 We really needed something that all of the team members can log into and use. This is a great tool for that. Pros The setup was very easy. It is easy to submit ideas and collaborate with the internal team members. Cons We were not a huge fan of the gaming addition as we do not use it. Reasons for choosing Wave We wanted something that was easy to use and good for collaboration Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. JJ Jamie J. Owner/designer Design ### "Quickbooks alternative " 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 5/10 November 3, 2020 Works great and happy to keep my reports in order Pros The app functionality and that my accounts sync all in one place Cons Sometimes I have to log back in to my bank account Switched from [QuickBooks Enterprise](https://www.capterra.com/p/174984/QuickBooks-Enterprise/) No monthly fees with wave Alternatives considered [QuickBooks Enterprise](https://www.capterra.com/p/174984/QuickBooks-Enterprise/) Reasons for choosing Wave No monthly fee Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. LE Larissa E. Lead Generation Freelancer Internet ### "Request payments with ease!" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 July 20, 2020 I live designed my invoices with Wave and knowing that my client will receive a clear and easy way to send a payment! Pros I loved how easy Wave was to use! It helped me create professional invoices and I loved that they didn't take out a large percentage for a service fee. Wonderful experience! Cons It took me a little bit of time to setup and I was worried it would cause the invoice I sent out to be delayed, but the next morning it all was quickly approved and I had no issues! Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. JB Jacqueline B. Legal assistant Legal Services ### "Amazingly Easy to Use" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 0.0 0.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 July 16, 2020 Overall my experience has been positive I am able to set up my letterhead on my accounts and ease of sending the invoices and sending it to multiple parties at the same time is a bonus Pros I love that this product numbers my invoices sends reminders attaches to my main accounts so many different things I like about this not enough space to write Cons I’m not sure if it was a setting that I did but it sent a reminder out to a client when I didn’t want to reminder sent. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. SK Stephan K. President Real Estate ### "Great software" 4.0 Overall Rating 4.0 4.0 Ease of Use 4.0 4.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 0.0 0.0 Likelihood to Recommend 9/10 May 12, 2020 Very stable, great product. I use it for various small companies. Pros Complete package, all you need. Linked into banks, credit cards, etc. All you need. Very easy to get started on bookkeeping. Works great with foreign currency. Cons A bit unflexible, but as it is free, I can work with it (would love more templates for invoices and customizable dashboard). Switched from [QuickBooks Enterprise](https://www.capterra.com/p/174984/QuickBooks-Enterprise/) Quickbooks was too expensive for these small companies. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. ML Michael L. Therapist Health, Wellness and Fitness ### "Wave seems great" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 4.0 4.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 4.0 4.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 January 20, 2020 I used to be the recipient of a W2 through wave and I never had a problem. Pros I like that the info comes directly from my accounts and I like that it’s free. It seems to offer options I can use when I grow, like payroll or 1099 contractors. Cons I find it a little confusing and I’m not sure where or how to categorize things. They offer a free 20 min consult w a wave advisor. I know they will try to upsell me into something but I don’t mind if they can help. Reasons for choosing Wave Mostly because it was free and I could try it without obligation. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. ML Maya L. Leasing Agent Real Estate ### "Wave" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 0.0 0.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 November 22, 2019 Haven't used that long, but so far it's been great and has definitely made keeping track of financial stuff much easier and more organized! Pros Love Wave. Just starting to use this software for our non-profit. It keeps track of all of our accounting and money info. It is free and simple to use. Perfect for our small non-profit (or small business). Cons So far it's been working great and we've been able to do everything we need. Haven't needed to do anything too complicated yet though. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. [View all Reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/146264/Wave/reviews/) ## Top-rated software of 2026 ### Fill out the form and we'll send a list of the top-rated software based on real user reviews directly to your inbox.