Which one is right for you?
Tallymark vs Wave.
Key takeaways.
- 01Tallymark focuses on getting you paid and leaves the bookkeeping to your accountant. Wave puts bookkeeping, invoicing, and payroll in one app.
- 02Tallymark connects to your own Stripe account. Wave only works with its own processor (Wave Payments), which is US and Canada only.
- 03Tallymark includes multiple users and support for free. Wave charges $19/month for extra users, and support is a paid add-on.
Why choose Tallymark over Wave.
Bring your own Stripe account.Get paid into a Stripe account you own: your payouts, your dashboard, your customer data. Wave only works with its own processor.
Free team access and support.Invite your whole team and get real support, free. Wave charges $19/month for extra users, and support is a paid add-on.
Lower card fees.Stripe's standard 2.9% + 30¢ on US cards, Amex included. Wave charges 2.9% + 60¢, or 3.4% + 60¢ on Amex.
Sell, not just bill.Share a link and let anyone buy your services, packages, or digital downloads. Wave has no sales pages or digital downloads.
Not just US and Canada.Tallymark works in every country Stripe supports, with invoices in 8 languages. Wave Payments is US and Canada only.
Invoicing without the bookkeeping.No ledgers or chart of accounts to wade through. Tallymark handles invoices, subscriptions, and payments, with a spreadsheet export for your accountant.
| Feature | Tallymark | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free or $19/mo |
| Card fee (US) | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2.9% + 60¢ |
| Amex fee (US) | 2.9% + 30¢ | 3.4% + 60¢ |
| Connect your own Stripe account | Yes | No |
| Unlimited invoices | Yes | Yes |
| Recurring invoices | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic card payments | Yes | Yes |
| Custom logo and colors | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple users | Yes | $19/mo |
| Customer support | Yes | Paid add-on |
| Sales pages and digital downloads | Yes | No |
| Accept payments outside the US and Canada | Yes | No |
| Expense tracking | No | Yes |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Tallymark if...
- You already use Stripe, or want to.
- You want to charge cards on file and stop chasing late payments.
- You sell packages, products, or digital downloads, not just hours.
- You do business outside the US and Canada.
- You want team access and real support without a monthly fee.
- Your accountant handles the books, or you already use accounting software.
Choose Wave if...
- You want bookkeeping, invoicing, and payroll in a single app.
- You need bank feeds and receipt scanning.
- You're in the US or Canada and don't mind using Wave's payment processor.
The bottom line.
Frequently asked questions.
What is Stripe?
Stripe is a payment processor used by millions of businesses. It charges your client's card, runs security and fraud checks, and sends the money to your bank account.
How does payment processing work?
When a client pays an invoice by card, a payment processor charges the card and deposits the money in your bank account, minus a fee. Tallymark uses your own Stripe account, which you can also connect to other apps and keep if you ever switch. Wave uses Wave Payments, which only works inside Wave.
Do I need a Stripe account to use Tallymark?
You don't need a Stripe account to create and send invoices. You only need one to accept card or online payments, and it's free to create.
Is Tallymark really free?
Yes. Tallymark has no monthly fees and no percentage fees. You only pay Stripe's standard processing fees on your own account.
Does Tallymark do bookkeeping?
No. Tallymark handles invoices, subscriptions, sales pages, and payments. At tax time, export your data as a spreadsheet and send it to your accountant.
Can I use Tallymark outside the US and Canada?
Yes. Tallymark works in every country Stripe supports, with invoices in 8 languages. Wave Payments is only available in the US and Canada.
No monthly fees. No percentage fees. Unlimited everything.
Create a free account