Manatal vs Wave
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: September 14, 2026
Manatal is our recommended pick for most teams — recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting ai-powered ats at an affordable price.
Try Manatal →Read our full Manatal review →Manatal
Manatal is an AI-powered applicant tracking system designed for recruitment agencies and corporate HR teams. It offers one of the most affordable price points in the ATS market while including advanced AI features like candidate scoring, enrichment from LinkedIn and social profiles, and automated recommendations. Manatal is popular in Southeast Asia and with global recruiting agencies.
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
- ✓One of the most affordable ATS tools with genuine AI features
- ✓AI candidate scoring and profile enrichment save significant research time
- ✓Simple to set up and use
- ✓Good for recruitment agencies managing multiple clients
Cons
- ✗Less established in Western markets compared to Greenhouse or Lever
- ✗Some advanced features limited to higher tiers
- ✗Customer support response times can vary
- ✗Limited employer branding customization
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
Manatal vs Wave: Side by Side
| Factor | Manatal | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.6/5 ★ | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | Accounting Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $19/user/mo | Free |
| Best For | Recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting AI-powered ATS at an affordable price | Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software |
| Our Pick | 🏆 Recommended | — |
Manatal Features
- ✓AI candidate sourcing
- ✓applicant tracking
- ✓CRM
- ✓onboarding
- ✓analytics
- ✓job board integrations
Wave Features
- ✓Free accounting
- ✓invoicing
- ✓receipt scanning
- ✓bank connections
- ✓financial reporting
- ✓payments processing
- ✓payroll add-on
- ✓mobile app
Pricing Comparison
Best Use Cases
Manatal
- →Recruiting agencies managing multiple client pipelines
- →HR teams wanting AI-powered candidate scoring
- →Companies sourcing candidates from LinkedIn at scale
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
Manatal is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Companies needing full HRIS beyond recruiting
- ✗Small businesses with occasional hiring needs
- ✗Teams wanting a free ATS option
Integrations
Manatal
LinkedIn, Gmail, Outlook, Slack, Zapier, Google Calendar, Zoom, Teams
Our Take
Choose Manatal if recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting ai-powered ats at an affordable price. Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software.
Best For
Recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting AI-powered ATS at an affordable price
Best For
Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software
Also Consider
If neither Manatal 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 Manatal and Wave?
Manatal is best for recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting ai-powered ats at an affordable price. Wave is best for solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software.
Which is better, Manatal or Wave?
Choose Manatal if recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting ai-powered ats at an affordable price. Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software.
How much does Manatal cost?
Manatal starts at $19/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Wave cost?
Wave starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Manatal?
Recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting AI-powered ATS at an affordable price
Who should use Wave?
Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software