Docyt vs Wave: Which is The Best Accounting Software in 2025?

by | Last updated May 23, 2025

Winner
wave
9.0
  • Account Reconciliation
  • Charts of Accounts
  • Invoices
  • Products & Services
  • Products & Services
  • Free plan available
  • Paid Plans from $16/month
Runner Up
docyt
7.0
  • Accounting Workflows
  • Docyt Copilot
  • GARY
  • Collaboration Tools
  • Integration
  • Free trial available
  • Paid Plans from $299/month
Docyt vs Wave

Are you a small business owner feeling overwhelmed by managing your money? 

Imagine wasting hours every week on manual data entry. 

We’ll break down their features, pricing, and what makes them tick.

This guide dives deep into Docyt vs Wave, two popular accounting software options.

Overview

We’ve spent time thoroughly testing both Docyt and Wave.

Putting their features, ease of use, and overall value through their paces to bring you a straightforward comparison.

Wave cta

Over 4 million small businesses trust Wave to manage their finances. Explore Wave’s plans!

9out of 10

Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plan starts at $16/month.

Key Features:

  • Unlimited Invoicing
  • Expense Tracking
  • Basic Reporting
Docyt

Tired of manual bookkeeping? Docyt AI automates data entry and reconciliation.

7out of 10

Pricing: It has a free trial. The premium plan starts at $299/month.

Key Features:

  • Document Automation
  • Expense Management
  • Bill Pay

What is Wave?

So, what about Wave?

This is a popular choice for many small businesses, especially freelancers and solo entrepreneurs.

It offers a lot of essential accounting features for free.

Also, explore our favorite Wave alternatives…

Wave cta
Wave
9.0

Over 4 million small businesses trust Wave to manage their finances. See why 88% of users report saving an average of 5 hours per month on bookkeeping with Wave. Explore Wave’s plans and find the right fit for your business today!

Key Benefits

Wave stands out with:

  • A 100% free basic accounting plan.
  • Easy to use interface for beginners.
  • Seamless integration with its payroll add-on.
  • Over 2 million small businesses use it.

Pricing

Free: $0
Pro Plan: $16

Wave pricing

Pros

  • Free plan is very attractive.
  • Simple and intuitive design.
  • Good for very small businesses.
  • Integrated payroll is convenient.

Cons

  • The free plan has limitations.
  • Customer support for free users.
  • Transaction fees can add up.
  • Reporting features are basic.

What is Docyt?

So, what exactly is Docyt?

Think of it as your super-smart financial assistant.

It uses artificial intelligence to help you manage your money.

Also, explore our favorite Docyt alternatives…

Docyt
Docyt
7.0

Tired of manual bookkeeping? Docyt AI automates data entry and reconciliation, saving users an average of 40 hours per month.

Key Benefits

Docyt has some really cool things it can do:

  • It can automatically pull data from 10+ different places, like your bank and credit cards.
  • It uses smart technology to understand your documents with 99% accuracy.
  • You can see all your important financial info in 1 easy-to-use spot.
  • It helps you work with your team and share info easily with unlimited users on some plans.

Pricing

Docyt has different ways you can pay, depending on what you need:

  • Impact: $299/month
  • Advanced: $499/month
  • Advanced Plus: $799/month
  • Enterprise: $999/month
Docyt

Pros

  • Automation features save lots of time.
  • Data capture works surprisingly well.
  • Expense management is quite straightforward.
  • Integrates with many popular platforms.

Cons

  • starting price might be a bit high
  • It takes a little while to learn all the different parts of Docyt.
  • Occasional glitches in data extraction occur

Feature Comparison

Let’s examine each software’s features.

We’ve conducted independent research and analyzed a mix of verified reviews to bring you authentic software insights.

This comparison will help you determine which accounting solution best meets your needs.

1. Automation & AI Capabilities

  • Docyt: This platform truly shines with its AI. Docyt provides advanced automation for tasks like receipt capture, transaction categorization, and reconciliation. Its AI agents, like “GARY,” aim to reduce manual data entry by a significant margin, often cited as saving 40 hours monthly. It’s built to learn your business’s unique workflow.
  • Wave: Wave offers some automation, especially with bank feeds and basic categorization. However, it relies more on user input for detailed sorting. It doesn’t have the deep AI-driven features that Docyt boasts for fully automating bookkeeping tasks.

2. Invoicing & Payments

  • Docyt: Docyt includes features for bill pay and managing accounts payable, streamlining the process. It focuses on integrating with your existing systems to handle transactions efficiently. You can manage your receivable processes within the platform.
  • Wave: Wave is well-known for its free and unlimited invoicing. You can create professional invoices, send them to clients, and accept online payments. It’s a strong choice if invoicing is a core part of your daily operations.
Wave personal experience

3. Expense Tracking & Receipt Management

  • Docyt: Docyt excels here with its AI-powered receipt capture and expense management. It automatically extracts data from receipts and invoices, reducing manual input and errors. This helps keep your expenses organized and audit-ready.
  • Wave: Wave offers basic expense tracking and a mobile app for receipt scanning. You can upload receipts and link them to transactions. While functional, it doesn’t have the same level of intelligent automation for data extraction as Docyt.

4. Reporting & Insights

  • Docyt: Docyt provides real-time financial reporting and customizable dashboards. It focuses on delivering immediate insights into your profitability and key performance indicators (KPIs). This makes it easier to understand your business’s financial health at a glance.
  • Wave: Wave offers standard financial reports like Profit & Loss statements and Balance Sheets. These reports give you a good overview, but they might not be as detailed or customizable as what Docyt provides, especially for businesses with complex reporting needs.

5. Scalability & Integrations

  • Docyt: Docyt is designed to scale with growing businesses, particularly those with multiple locations or complex accounting needs. It integrates with various POS systems and accounting software like QuickBooks. While it doesn’t directly replace an ERP system, it can enhance financial workflows for businesses using solutions like NetSuite or looking for alternatives to Freshbooks.
  • Wave: Wave is best suited for freelancers and very small businesses. While it has some integrations (like PayPal and Stripe), it’s not built for extensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. It’s less scalable for larger, more complex operations.

6. Payroll & Time Tracking

  • Docyt: Docyt focuses more on the core accounting workflow and expense automation. While it aids in overall financial management, dedicated payroll and project accounting features might be handled through integrations or external services.
  • Wave: Wave offers an integrated payroll service as an add-on, available in certain regions. This can simplify paying employees and contractors. However, it does not have built-in time tracking features directly within its free accounting solution.
Docyt

7. User Experience & Support

  • Docyt: Docyt aims to streamline the experience through automation, but its advanced features might have a steeper learning curve for new users. 
  • Wave: Wave is praised for its user-friendly interface, making it accessible even for those without a strong accounting background.

What to Look for When Choosing Accounting Software?

  • Your Business Size: Does it fit freelancers or larger teams?
  • Budget: Are free options enough, or do you need paid features?
  • Automation Needs: How much do you want AI to handle?
  • Reporting Depth: Do you need basic reports or detailed insights?
  • Integration with Existing Tools: Will it work with your other software?
  • Ease of Use: Is the interface simple to navigate?
  • Customer Support: How easily can you get help when needed?
  • Scalability: Can it grow as your business grows?
  • Specific Features: Do you need payroll, inventory, or project accounting?
  • Security: Are your financial data safe and protected?

Final Verdict 

After comparing Docyt vs Wave, Wave is our top pick for most small businesses and freelancers.

Our research included analyzing verified user reviews.

Found Wave offers objective, carefully verified tools for free.

Why trust us? We tested both. 

Wave simplifies your finances without a huge cost, which is great for getting started, while Docyt provides amazing automation.

Wave’s free features and ease of use make it a better overall accounting solution for many.

More of Wave

  • Wave vs Puzzle IO: Puzzle IO offers robust project management and time tracking for service businesses.
  • Wave vs Dext: Dext excels at intelligent document and receipt capture for automated data entry.
  • Wave vs Xero: Xero provides comprehensive cloud accounting with extensive integrations for growing businesses.
  • Wave vs Synder: Synder specializes in syncing e-commerce and payment platform data directly into accounting software.
  • Wave vs Easy Month End: Easy Month End streamlines month-end closing processes with automation and reconciliation tools.
  • Wave vs RefreshMe: RefreshMe focuses on simplifying employee expense management and reimbursements for teams.
  • Wave vs Sage: Sage offers scalable accounting solutions for various business sizes, from small to enterprise.
  • Wave vs Zoho Books: Zoho Books provides a complete accounting suite integrated with the broader Zoho ecosystem.
  • Wave vs Quicken: Quicken is primarily for personal finance management, with some small business tracking.
  • Wave vs Hubdoc: Hubdoc automates financial document collection and data extraction for easier bookkeeping.
  • Wave vs Expensify: Expensify is a dedicated platform for automating expense reports and corporate card management.
  • Wave vs QuickBooks: QuickBooks is a widely used, comprehensive accounting solution for businesses of all sizes.
  • Wave vs AutoEntry: AutoEntry specializes in automated data entry from receipts and invoices, reducing manual input.
  • Wave vs FreshBooks: FreshBooks is designed for service-based businesses, focusing on invoicing, time tracking, and projects.
  • Wave vs NetSuite: NetSuite is a full-fledged cloud ERP system for large businesses, covering all business operations.

More of Docyt

  • Docyt vs Puzzle IO: Docyt emphasizes AI-driven bookkeeping; Puzzle IO focuses on comprehensive project management.
  • Docyt vs Dext: Docyt offers full AI accounting automation; Dext specializes in automated document data extraction.
  • Docyt vs Xero: Docyt prioritizes AI-driven insights; Xero provides robust cloud accounting for diverse businesses.
  • Docyt vs Synder: Docyt offers broad AI automation; Synder excels at syncing e-commerce data into accounting.
  • Docyt vs Easy Month End: Docyt automates month-end close with AI; Easy Month End streamlines the closing process.
  • Docyt vs RefreshMe: Docyt focuses on AI bookkeeping; RefreshMe offers personal finance and privacy management.
  • Docyt vs Sage: Docyt provides AI automation for accounting; Sage offers scalable accounting for various business sizes.
  • Docyt vs Zoho Books: Docyt utilizes AI for automation; Zoho Books offers an integrated accounting suite.
  • Docyt vs Quicken: Docyt is an AI-driven business accounting; Quicken is primarily for personal financial management.
  • Docyt vs Hubdoc: Docyt offers comprehensive AI bookkeeping; Hubdoc specializes in automated document collection.
  • Docyt vs Expensify: Docyt provides full expense automation; Expensify focuses on streamlined expense reporting.
  • Docyt vs QuickBooks: Docyt enhances QuickBooks with AI automation; QuickBooks is a comprehensive accounting platform.
  • Docyt vs AutoEntry: Docyt offers full AI bookkeeping; AutoEntry specializes in automated data entry from documents.
  • Docyt vs FreshBooks: Docyt uses AI for deep automation; FreshBooks focuses on invoicing and time tracking for service businesses.
  • Docyt vs NetSuite: Docyt provides AI for accounting workflows; NetSuite is a comprehensive cloud ERP system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Wave vs Docyt, for a brand-new small business?

Wave is generally better for new small businesses due to its free core accounting features. It offers a straightforward approach to invoicing and expense tracking without initial cost.

Can an accountant easily use both Docyt and Wave?

Yes, an accountant can use both. Docyt offers deep automation for complex needs, while Wave provides a user-friendly platform for basic bookkeeping. The choice depends on the client’s business scale.

What makes Docyt different from Wave?

Docyt focuses on AI-powered automation and real-time financial insights, aiming to reduce manual data entry significantly. Wave offers free basic accounting services, emphasizing ease of use for invoicing and simple expense tracking.

How did you conduct your research or methodology for this comparison?

Our research involved hands-on testing of both platforms, examining features, pricing, and user experience. We also analyzed verified user reviews and industry insights to provide a comprehensive and objective comparison.

Where can I get more information or try these software options?

You can visit a provider’s official website directly to learn more about their features, pricing, and to sign up for a free trial or account. This allows you to test them yourself.