SmartRecruiters vs Wave
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
SmartRecruiters
SmartRecruiters is an enterprise talent acquisition platform that offers a genuinely free plan alongside paid enterprise tiers. Its free plan includes unlimited job postings, candidate tracking, and team collaboration — making it one of the most generous free ATS options available. SmartRecruiters is used by global enterprises including Visa, Bosch, and LinkedIn.
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
- ✓Genuinely useful free plan with unlimited jobs and users
- ✓Enterprise-grade features available as you scale
- ✓Strong AI candidate screening on paid plans
- ✓Used by large global enterprises giving it credibility with candidates
Cons
- ✗Free plan has limited analytics and automation
- ✗Enterprise pricing can be expensive
- ✗Interface can feel complex for small teams
- ✗Implementation requires dedicated time for enterprise features
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
SmartRecruiters vs Wave: Side by Side
| Factor | SmartRecruiters | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Applicant Tracking | Accounting Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Best For | Companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ATS from free to enterprise | Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software |
| Our Pick | — | — |
SmartRecruiters Features
- ✓Unlimited job postings
- ✓candidate tracking
- ✓collaborative hiring
- ✓AI screening
- ✓interview scheduling
- ✓offer management
- ✓analytics
- ✓career page
- ✓mobile app
Wave Features
- ✓Free accounting
- ✓invoicing
- ✓receipt scanning
- ✓bank connections
- ✓financial reporting
- ✓payments processing
- ✓payroll add-on
- ✓mobile app
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose SmartRecruiters if companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ats from free to enterprise. Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software.
Best For
Companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ATS from free to enterprise
Best For
Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software
Also Consider
If neither SmartRecruiters nor Wave is the right fit, Manatal is worth evaluating.
Manatal
Recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting AI-powered ATS at an affordable price
From $15/user/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between SmartRecruiters and Wave?
SmartRecruiters is best for companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ats from free to enterprise. Wave is best for solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software.
Which is better, SmartRecruiters or Wave?
Choose SmartRecruiters if companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ats from free to enterprise. Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software.
How much does SmartRecruiters cost?
SmartRecruiters starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Wave cost?
Wave starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use SmartRecruiters?
Companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ATS from free to enterprise
Who should use Wave?
Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software