Harpoon vs Wave
Wave is a free accounting and invoicing platform. Harpoon is a paid toolkit focused on revenue goal tracking, time tracking, and dynamic financial forecasting for agencies and freelancers.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Harpoon | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Goal Tracking | Yes | No |
| Dynamic Revenue Forecasting | Yes | No |
| Time Tracking | Yes | No |
| Invoicing | Yes | Yes |
| Expense Management | Yes | Yes |
| Project Management | Yes | No |
| Analytics & Reporting | Yes | Yes |
| Online Payments | Yes | Yes |
| Peppol E-Invoicing | Yes | No |
| Double-Entry Accounting | No | Yes |
| Receipt Scanning | No | Yes |
| Payroll | No | Yes |
Key Differentiators
Revenue Goal Tracking
Set yearly financial targets and track progress. Wave tracks past income but doesn't help you plan future revenue.
Built-In Time Tracking
Track billable hours with timers and manual entry. Wave doesn't include time tracking.
Dynamic Revenue Forecasting
Know whether your project pipeline will meet your goals. Wave focuses on recording transactions, not forecasting.
Project Management & Profitability
Manage projects and track profitability per project. Wave is organized around accounting, not projects.
Pricing Comparison
Wave
- Invoicing
- Accounting
- Receipt scanning
- Online payments (paid)
- Payroll (paid)
Harpoon
- Financial planning & forecasting
- Time tracking
- Invoicing
- Expense management
- Project management
- Analytics & reporting
- Online payments
Which Tool Is Right for You?
Choose Wave if you...
- Want free invoicing and accounting
- Need double-entry accounting and receipt scanning
- Don't need time tracking or revenue forecasting
- Prefer a no-cost solution for basic bookkeeping
Choose Harpoon if you...
- Want revenue goal tracking and financial forecasting
- Need time tracking alongside invoicing
- Run an agency with multiple projects
- Want to plan and predict your financial future
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Wave or Harpoon better for freelancers?
- Wave is free and great for basic invoicing and accounting. Harpoon is paid but adds revenue goal tracking, time tracking, and forecasting. If you bill by the hour and want financial planning, Harpoon is the better fit.
- Does Wave have time tracking?
- No. Wave focuses on accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning. For time tracking alongside financial planning, you need Harpoon or a separate tool.
- Is Wave really free?
- Wave's invoicing and accounting are free. Online payments and payroll are paid features. Harpoon starts at $9/month with all features included.
- Can I use Harpoon and Wave together?
- Yes. Some freelancers use Wave for accounting and tax prep, and Harpoon for revenue goal tracking, time tracking, and forecasting.
- What does Harpoon do that Wave doesn't?
- Harpoon lets you set revenue goals, track time, forecast whether your pipeline will hit your targets, and analyze project profitability. Wave doesn't offer any of these — it focuses on accounting and invoicing.
"Harpoon is the unicorn of software for freelancers. It brings my time-tracking, taxes, and invoicing all into the same place which is truly magical. (Plus it's easy on the eyes.)"
Bethany DiLello, Freelance Graphic & Web Designer
Compare Harpoon with Other Tools
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Ready for more than free accounting?
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