Wave vs Pinpoint
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
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.
Pinpoint
Pinpoint is an applicant tracking system designed with a focus on candidate experience and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion). It offers powerful employer branding tools, structured hiring workflows, and anonymous screening features to help companies build more diverse and inclusive hiring processes. Pinpoint is popular with mission-driven companies and those with strong DEI commitments.
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
Pros
- ✓Excellent candidate experience — one of the best career page builders in the market
- ✓Strong DEI and anonymous screening features
- ✓Clean and modern interface
- ✓Good structured hiring tools to reduce bias
Cons
- ✗Less well known than larger ATS platforms
- ✗Pricing requires custom quote
- ✗Limited analytics compared to Ashby or Greenhouse
- ✗Smaller integration ecosystem than established players
Wave vs Pinpoint: Side by Side
| Factor | Wave | Pinpoint |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Accounting Software | Applicant Tracking |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | Custom pricing |
| Best For | Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software | Companies prioritizing candidate experience and DEI in their hiring process |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Wave Features
- ✓Free accounting
- ✓invoicing
- ✓receipt scanning
- ✓bank connections
- ✓financial reporting
- ✓payments processing
- ✓payroll add-on
- ✓mobile app
Pinpoint Features
- ✓Candidate experience tools
- ✓employer branding
- ✓DEI features
- ✓anonymous screening
- ✓structured interviews
- ✓job posting
- ✓pipeline management
- ✓analytics
- ✓integrations
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software. Choose Pinpoint if companies prioritizing candidate experience and dei in their hiring process.
Best For
Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software
Best For
Companies prioritizing candidate experience and DEI in their hiring process
Also Consider
If neither Wave nor Pinpoint is the right fit, Dext is worth evaluating.
Dext
Bookkeepers, accountants, and businesses with high receipt volumes wanting to eliminate manual data entry
From $15/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Wave and Pinpoint?
Wave is best for solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software. Pinpoint is best for companies prioritizing candidate experience and dei in their hiring process.
Which is better, Wave or Pinpoint?
Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software. Choose Pinpoint if companies prioritizing candidate experience and dei in their hiring process.
How much does Wave cost?
Wave starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Pinpoint cost?
Pinpoint starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Wave?
Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software
Who should use Pinpoint?
Companies prioritizing candidate experience and DEI in their hiring process