TaxSlayer Self-Employed vs Wave
Side-by-side from the Top 11 rankings of The 11 Best Tax Software for Small Businesses (2026) and QuickBooks vs Xero vs FreshBooks: 11 Best Small Business Accounting Software 2026. Last verified June 16, 2026.
The short answer
Wave ranks higher on Top 11 (#4 vs #5) for Small business owners and freelancers filing taxes / 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
| TaxSlayer Self-Employed | Wave | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #5 / The 11 Best Tax Software for Small Businesses (2026) | #4 / QuickBooks vs Xero vs FreshBooks: 11 Best Small Business Accounting Software 2026 |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 8.4 | 8.6 |
| Best for | Freelancers wanting expert help | Best free accounting software |
| Pricing | $ ($68 to $110) | $ (Free, with paid add-ons) |
| HQ | Augusta, USA | Toronto, Canada |
| Founded | 1965 | 2010 |
TaxSlayer Self-Employed
A great value option for freelancers that bundles expert tax advice without a high price tag.
www.taxslayer.com/products/taxslayer-self-employedSee full entry in The 11 Best Tax Software for Small Businesses (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.