Aplos vs Wave
Side-by-side from the Top 11 rankings of The 11 Best Nonprofit Accounting Software Tools (2026) and QuickBooks vs Xero vs FreshBooks: 11 Best Small Business Accounting Software 2026. Last verified July 1, 2026.
The short answer
Wave ranks higher on Top 11 (#4 vs #4) for Nonprofit finance directors and bookkeepers managing fund accounting, grants, and compliance / Small business owners and bookkeepers choosing accounting software (QuickBooks alternatives). The best free accounting software for solopreneurs and micro-businesses with basic needs.
At a glance
| Aplos | Wave | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #4 / The 11 Best Nonprofit Accounting Software Tools (2026) | #4 / QuickBooks vs Xero vs FreshBooks: 11 Best Small Business Accounting Software 2026 |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 8.6 | 8.6 |
| Best for | All-in-one for small nonprofits | Best free accounting software |
| Pricing | $$ ($79 to $399/mo) | $ (Free, with paid add-ons) |
| HQ | Fresno, USA | Toronto, Canada |
| Founded | 2009 | 2010 |
Aplos
Best value for an accessible, all-in-one accounting and donor management platform.
www.aplos.com/See full entry in The 11 Best Nonprofit Accounting Software Tools (2026)
Wave
The best free accounting software for solopreneurs and micro-businesses with basic needs.
www.waveapps.com/See full entry in QuickBooks vs Xero vs FreshBooks: 11 Best Small Business Accounting Software 2026
Methodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.