How to Switch from Wave to InvoiceQuickly

Wave was the go-to free invoicing tool for years. Then it got acquired, and the pricing changed. What was once completely free now requires a paid subscription for most features, with invoicing locked behind Wave's per-transaction payment processing fees or a monthly plan. If you liked Wave because it was free, it's time to look at what's still actually free.

InvoiceQuickly offers free invoice generation with no payment processing requirements — AI-powered, 200+ templates, multi-currency, up to 5 invoices and 5 clients on the free plan, unlimited on paid plans. Here's how to switch.

Why People Leave Wave

It's no longer truly free. Wave's business model shifted to monetize through payment processing. Free invoice creation still exists in limited form, but core features now require paid plans or per-transaction fees that add up quickly.

Limited template selection. Wave offers a small set of invoice templates. Customization is minimal compared to purpose-built invoicing tools.

US and Canada focus. Wave's payment processing and bank connections primarily serve US and Canadian businesses. If you're outside North America, the platform's best features don't apply to you, yet you're still working within its constraints.

Step 1: Export Your Data from Wave

1. Log in to Wave and go to Settings → Data Export
2. Request a full data export — Wave sends a ZIP file to your email containing CSVs of customers, invoices, payments, and transactions
3. Alternatively, go to Sales → Customers and manually export your customer list
4. Download PDF copies of important invoices from Sales → Invoices by opening each and selecting Print/PDF
5. Note any recurring invoice schedules — client name, amount, frequency, next send date

The export can take a few hours to arrive by email, so start this step early.

Step 2: Set Up InvoiceQuickly

1. Visit InvoiceQuickly and create your free account
2. Enter your business details: name, address, logo, tax information
3. Explore the template library — if you're a freelancer, filter by "freelance" or "creative" for clean, modern layouts
4. Create your first invoice with AI: describe your services naturally, like "logo design for Smith & Co, $1,200 flat fee, due in 14 days" and get a professional PDF in seconds

If you were a Wave user, you'll appreciate that InvoiceQuickly stays focused on invoicing without trying to be a full accounting tool.

Step 3: Import Your Client List

Open your Wave customer CSV export and add clients to InvoiceQuickly — transfer names, email addresses, and billing details. This ensures your first invoices go to the right places with correct information.

Step 4: Recreate Recurring Invoices

Wave offered basic recurring invoices. InvoiceQuickly's recurring invoice feature is coming soon. For now, save your common invoices and duplicate them each billing cycle. For freelancers with a handful of retainer clients, this adds minimal overhead.

Step 5: Update Payment Methods

Wave processed payments through its built-in system (credit card and bank payments, with per-transaction fees). InvoiceQuickly's payment integration is coming soon. In the meantime, add your preferred payment method directly to your invoices — bank transfer details, PayPal link, Venmo handle, or Wise account. Check the payment terms guide for formatting best practices.

Step 6: Inform Your Clients

A simple heads-up prevents confusion:

"Quick update: we're switching to a new invoicing system. Your next invoice will look a bit different, coming from InvoiceQuickly, but all payment details and terms remain the same."

What You Gain vs. What You Lose

The honest tradeoff: if you used Wave's built-in payment processing and basic accounting heavily, you'll need separate solutions for those. But for invoice creation — the core task — InvoiceQuickly gives you better templates, AI generation, and a free tier (5 invoices and clients), with unlimited invoicing on paid plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is InvoiceQuickly actually free, or will it change like Wave did?

The free tier includes up to 5 invoices and 5 clients; paid plans unlock unlimited invoicing. The business model is also built around Autopilot (AP automation for incoming invoices), which is a paid product for businesses processing vendor invoices.

I used Wave's receipt scanning. Does InvoiceQuickly have that?

InvoiceQuickly's Autopilot handles incoming invoice/bill processing with AI OCR, but it's designed for AP automation rather than personal receipt scanning. For expense receipts, you'd need a separate tool.

Can InvoiceQuickly handle sales tax?

Yes. Add tax rates to line items, include your tax registration number, and configure tax calculations per invoice. The what to include on an invoice guide covers tax requirements by region.

Does it work outside the US and Canada?

Yes — InvoiceQuickly is built for global use from day one. Templates support country-specific formats, 25+ currencies, and tax structures for VAT jurisdictions worldwide.

Make the Switch

Wave moved the goalposts on free invoicing. InvoiceQuickly hasn't.

Get early access →

See how the tools compare: InvoiceQuickly vs Wave.