Paddle vs Wave: Pricing Comparison (2026)
Paddle starts at Free. Wave starts at $19/mo. Paddle is $19/mo cheaper on the entry tier than Wave.
Merchant of Record (MoR) billing platform for SaaS, valued $1.4B private. Positioned as the alternative to Stripe for SaaS companies that don't want to handle global sales tax/VAT compliance themselves. Distinctive: Paddle becomes the seller of record, absorbing tax complexity. Priced 5% + 50¢ per transaction (higher than Stripe's 2.9% + 30¢), but includes tax handling and dunning. Popular with indie SaaS and European SaaS selling globally.
Free accounting software from Canada, acquired by H&R Block for $537M in 2019. Positioned as the alternative to QuickBooks for freelancers and micro-businesses that can't justify a paid accounting subscription. Distinctive for its genuine forever-free accounting/invoicing (competitors moved everything to paid). Monetizes through payments (2.9% + 60¢), payroll ($20-$40/mo), and advisor services. Popular with side hustlers, freelancers, and micro-businesses under $50K annual revenue.
All plans compared
| # | Plan | Paddle monthly | Paddle annual | Wave monthly | Wave annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Standard / Starter | 5% + 50¢ per transaction | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Enterprise / Pro | custom | — | 19 | 15.83 |
What each is best for
Merchant of Record (MoR) billing platform for SaaS, valued $1.4B private. Positioned as the alternative to Stripe for SaaS companies that don't want to handle global sales tax/VAT compliance themselves. Distinctive: Paddle becomes the seller of record, absorbing tax complexity. Priced 5% + 50¢ per transaction (higher than Stripe's 2.9% + 30¢), but includes tax handling and dunning. Popular with indie SaaS and European SaaS selling globally.
Free accounting software from Canada, acquired by H&R Block for $537M in 2019. Positioned as the alternative to QuickBooks for freelancers and micro-businesses that can't justify a paid accounting subscription. Distinctive for its genuine forever-free accounting/invoicing (competitors moved everything to paid). Monetizes through payments (2.9% + 60¢), payroll ($20-$40/mo), and advisor services. Popular with side hustlers, freelancers, and micro-businesses under $50K annual revenue.
At a glance
| Paddle | Wave | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Entry price | Free | $19/mo |
| Enterprise available | Yes | — |
| Pricing model | Per Usage | Freemium |
| Last verified | July 25, 2026 | July 27, 2026 |
| Full pricing | View full pricing | View full pricing |
Pricing last verified July 27, 2026. Tracked daily.