Accounting Software

DATEV vs Wave

Both are accounting software. The short answer: choose DATEV if you are german businesses working with a tax adviser; choose Wave if you are very small businesses in the US and Canada on a tight budget.

Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Our rankings are not for sale; sponsored placements are always labelled.

DATEV logo DATEVWave logo Wave
Best forGerman businesses working with a tax adviserVery small businesses in the US and Canada on a tight budget
Free planNo (trial may exist)Yes
PricingSee providerSee provider
Built for IndiaGlobalGlobal
CategoriesAccounting SoftwareBilling & Invoicing Software, Accounting Software
Strengths
  • The standard for German tax advisers
  • Deep compliance with German law
  • Secure data exchange
  • Free core invoicing and accounting
  • Simple to learn
Watch out for
  • Complex and German-language
  • Usually used through a tax adviser
  • Best suited to US/Canada
  • Fewer integrations
Visit DATEVVisit Wave

Which should you choose?

DATEV: German cooperative whose accounting, payroll and tax software is used by most tax advisers in Germany.

Wave: Free-to-start invoicing and accounting for small businesses, with paid payments and payroll add-ons.

The best way to decide is to run the same week of real work through both — most offer a free plan or trial — and compare how long tasks take, what your team prefers, and the total cost for your number of users including renewal pricing.

Not sure either fits? See all accounting software compared.