Keap vs Wave: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of Keap and Wave — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: Wave wins on our scorecard (7.8/10 vs 7.2/10).
| Scored on | Keap | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 8 | 8 |
| Ease of use | 6 | 9 |
| Fees & pricing | 6 | 9 |
| Customer support | 7 | 5 |
| Features | 9 | 7 |
| Pro Tier (Monthly) | $249 | — |
| Max Tier (Monthly) | $399 | — |
| Expert Onboarding (One-time) | Varies (often $499-$999) | — |
| Additional Users | $29/mo | — |
| Starter Plan | — | $0/mo |
| Pro Plan | — | $16/mo |
| CC Processing (Visa/MC) | — | 2.9% + $0.60 |
| CC Processing (Amex) | — | 3.4% + $0.60 |
| ACH Processing | — | 1% ($1 min) |
| Payroll (Tax Service) | — | $40 + $6/employee |
Keap in one paragraph
A powerhouse automation tool that is worth the high price only if you have enough lead volume to justify replacing a part-time assistant.
Skip it if: You are a brand-new freelancer with no steady lead flow or you have a limited budget under $100/month.
Wave in one paragraph
Wave remains the gold standard for free invoicing and simple bookkeeping for solo service providers, provided you don't mind limited support.
Skip it if: Skip it if you sell physical inventory or plan to scale to a 10+ person team within the next year.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Keap or Wave?
On our five-axis scorecard, Wave scores higher (7.8/10 vs 7.2/10). Wave remains the gold standard for free invoicing and simple bookkeeping for solo service providers, provided you don't mind limited support.
Who should skip Keap?
You are a brand-new freelancer with no steady lead flow or you have a limited budget under $100/month.
Who should skip Wave?
Skip it if you sell physical inventory or plan to scale to a 10+ person team within the next year.