When I Work vs Wave
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
When I Work
When I Work is an employee scheduling and time tracking platform designed for hourly and shift-based teams. It makes it easy for managers to build schedules, communicate with staff, and track attendance. When I Work is one of the most affordable scheduling tools on the market.
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
- ✓Very affordable pricing starting at just a few dollars per user
- ✓Easy-to-use scheduling with drag-and-drop interface
- ✓Good team messaging and shift swap tools
- ✓Simple time clock with GPS tracking
Cons
- ✗Limited features beyond scheduling and time tracking
- ✗No payroll processing or full HR suite
- ✗Reporting is basic compared to more comprehensive workforce tools
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
When I Work vs Wave: Side by Side
| Factor | When I Work | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | Accounting Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $2.50/user/mo | Free |
| Best For | Small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers | Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software |
| Our Pick | — | — |
When I Work Features
- ✓Shift scheduling
- ✓time clock
- ✓team messaging
- ✓attendance tracking
- ✓payroll export
Wave Features
- ✓Free accounting
- ✓invoicing
- ✓receipt scanning
- ✓bank connections
- ✓financial reporting
- ✓payments processing
- ✓payroll add-on
- ✓mobile app
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose When I Work if small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers. Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software.
Best For
Small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers
Best For
Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software
Also Consider
If neither When I Work 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 When I Work and Wave?
When I Work is best for small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers. Wave is best for solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software.
Which is better, When I Work or Wave?
Choose When I Work if small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers. Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software.
How much does When I Work cost?
When I Work starts at $2.50/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Wave cost?
Wave starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use When I Work?
Small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers
Who should use Wave?
Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software