Zoho Projects vs Wave
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Zoho Projects
Zoho Projects is a full-featured project management tool offering task management, Gantt charts, time tracking, and budget management at a very competitive price point within the Zoho ecosystem.
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
- ✓Strong Gantt chart features
- ✓Built-in time tracking and budgeting
- ✓Good Zoho ecosystem integration
- ✓Solid feature set for the price
Cons
- ✗Interface less polished than competitors
- ✗Best value within Zoho ecosystem
- ✗Mobile app could be improved
- ✗Support can be slow
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
Zoho Projects vs Wave: Side by Side
| Factor | Zoho Projects | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Project Management | Accounting Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | Free |
| Best For | Budget-conscious teams already in the Zoho ecosystem wanting a full-featured project management tool | Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Zoho Projects Features
- ✓Project management
- ✓task tracking
- ✓Gantt charts
- ✓time tracking
- ✓team collaboration
- ✓portfolio management
Wave Features
- ✓Free accounting
- ✓invoicing
- ✓receipt scanning
- ✓bank connections
- ✓financial reporting
- ✓payments processing
- ✓payroll add-on
- ✓mobile app
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Zoho Projects if budget-conscious teams already in the zoho ecosystem wanting a full-featured project management tool. Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software.
Best For
Budget-conscious teams already in the Zoho ecosystem wanting a full-featured project management tool
Best For
Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software
Also Consider
If neither Zoho Projects nor Wave is the right fit, Wrike is worth evaluating.
Wrike
Marketing and creative teams needing enterprise project management with approvals and proofing
From Free
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Zoho Projects and Wave?
Zoho Projects is best for budget-conscious teams already in the zoho ecosystem wanting a full-featured project management tool. Wave is best for solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software.
Which is better, Zoho Projects or Wave?
Choose Zoho Projects if budget-conscious teams already in the zoho ecosystem wanting a full-featured project management tool. Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software.
How much does Zoho Projects cost?
Visit Zoho Projects website for current pricing.
How much does Wave cost?
Wave starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Zoho Projects?
Budget-conscious teams already in the Zoho ecosystem wanting a full-featured project management tool
Who should use Wave?
Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software