A free Wave alternative for the trades
Wave is a good tool, but it is not the right fit for everyone. If you want something simpler and cheaper to run your trade business, here is an honest look at how KSV Backoffice compares.
What Wave is good at
Wave is popular free accounting and invoicing software for small businesses, with solid bookkeeping features at no cost.
Where KSV Backoffice is different
Wave is built around accounting, not the trades. KSV Backoffice focuses on the job side, professional quotes and estimates, a job calendar that syncs to your phone, a saved price book, expense tracking and AI help, in an app made for handymen and contractors rather than general small business.
Wave vs KSV Backoffice
| Wave | KSV Backoffice | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Built for the trades | General | Yes, trade-first |
| Quotes & estimates | Basic | Yes, itemized |
| Job scheduling / calendar | No | Built in |
| Saved price book | No | Yes |
| AI pricing & quote help | No | Yes |
Competitor features and pricing change over time, check their site for the latest. This is a general comparison to help you choose.
Which should you pick?
If you want free general-purpose bookkeeping, Wave is great. If you want trade-first quoting, invoicing and scheduling that works from the truck, KSV Backoffice is the better fit, and also free to start.
The easiest way to decide is to try it. Start free in a couple of minutes, or make an invoice right now with no sign-up.