Connecteam vs Wave
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: September 14, 2026
Connecteam is our recommended pick for most teams — smbs with deskless or frontline workers.
Try Connecteam →Read our full Connecteam review →Connecteam
Connecteam is an all-in-one employee management app built specifically for deskless and frontline workers. It combines scheduling, time tracking, team communication, training, and HR tools in a mobile-first platform. Connecteam is widely used in industries like retail, hospitality, construction, and healthcare.
Wave
Wave is a free accounting and invoicing platform designed for small businesses, freelancers, and solopreneurs. It offers genuinely free accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning with no subscription fee. Wave makes money through payment processing and payroll add-ons. It is one of the best free accounting tools available for very small businesses with simple needs.
Pros
- ✓Purpose-built for deskless workers with an excellent mobile experience
- ✓Combines scheduling, communication, and HR in one affordable platform
- ✓Easy to set up with minimal IT support required
- ✓Affordable pricing with a generous free plan for small teams
Cons
- ✗Payroll features are limited and require integration with a payroll provider
- ✗Less suitable for office-based or knowledge worker teams
- ✗Advanced reporting requires higher-tier plans
Pros
- ✓Genuinely free accounting and invoicing — no subscription required
- ✓Clean and easy to use interface
- ✓Good enough for most very small businesses and freelancers
- ✓Receipt scanning and bank connections included free
Cons
- ✗Limited features compared to paid alternatives
- ✗Customer support is minimal on the free plan
- ✗Not suitable for growing businesses with complex needs
- ✗Payroll and payment processing add-ons can add up in cost
Connecteam vs Wave: Side by Side
| Factor | Connecteam | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.5/5 ★ | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | Accounting Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $29/mo | Free |
| Best For | SMBs with deskless or frontline workers | Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software |
| Our Pick | 🏆 Recommended | — |
Connecteam Features
- ✓Scheduling
- ✓time tracking
- ✓communication
- ✓training
- ✓task management
- ✓HR
Wave Features
- ✓Free accounting
- ✓invoicing
- ✓receipt scanning
- ✓bank connections
- ✓financial reporting
- ✓payments processing
- ✓payroll add-on
- ✓mobile app
Pricing Comparison
Connecteam
FreemiumStarts at $29/mo
Free: $0 (up to 10 users) · Basic: $29/mo · Advanced: $49/mo · Expert: $99/mo
See full pricing →Best Use Cases
Connecteam
- →Retail and hospitality businesses managing deskless workers
- →Construction companies scheduling field teams
- →Small businesses with frontline employees needing mobile HR tools
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
Connecteam is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Office-based knowledge worker teams
- ✗Companies needing full HRIS functionality
- ✗Businesses requiring advanced payroll processing
Integrations
Connecteam
Gusto, Paychex, QuickBooks, ADP, Xero, Zapier
Our Take
Choose Connecteam if smbs with deskless or frontline workers. Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software.
Best For
SMBs with deskless or frontline workers
Best For
Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software
Also Consider
If neither Connecteam nor Wave is the right fit, Justworks is worth evaluating.
Justworks
Small businesses wanting Fortune 500 benefits
From $59/employee/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Connecteam and Wave?
Connecteam is best for smbs with deskless or frontline workers. Wave is best for solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software.
Which is better, Connecteam or Wave?
Choose Connecteam if smbs with deskless or frontline workers. Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software.
How much does Connecteam cost?
Connecteam starts at $29/mo. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Wave cost?
Wave starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Connecteam?
SMBs with deskless or frontline workers
Who should use Wave?
Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software