Argo Books vs Wave
Both free to start, but built for different businesses.
Built for product businesses, not just service providers
Wave is great for freelancers and service businesses. Argo Books is built for small businesses that sell products and need inventory management, offline access, and predictive analytics.
Inventory management
Wave has no inventory features at all. Argo Books Premium includes full inventory management, so you can track stock levels alongside your finances.
Works offline
Wave is cloud-only: no internet, no access. Argo Books is a desktop app that works offline, so you're never locked out of your own data.
Made in Canada
Built by a Canadian startup that understands Canadian small businesses. Our pricing is in CAD, and our team is based in Saskatchewan.
Side by side
| Feature | Argo Free$0 forever | Argo Premium$15 CAD/month | WavePro: $25 CAD/month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense & revenue tracking | |||
| Financial reports | |||
| Invoicing & payments | |||
| Desktop app (offline-capable) | |||
| No accounting knowledge required | |||
| Unlimited products | |||
| Inventory management | |||
| AI receipt scanning | |||
| AI spreadsheet import | |||
| Predictive analytics | |||
| Biometric login security | |||
| Auto bank transaction import | |||
| Mobile app | |||
| Payroll |
Both are free to start. Here's how they compare
Wave's Starter plan is free, but their Pro plan costs $25 for features like auto bank imports, and receipt scanning costs another $11/month or $96/year on the free Starter plan (it's included on Pro). Argo Books Premium is $15 CAD/month with inventory, AI receipt scanning included, and more.
- All core features
- Real-time analytics
- Receipt management
- Invoices & payments (25/month)
- AI receipt scanning (10/month)
- AI spreadsheet import (100/month)
- AI bank statement import (25/month)
- Invoices & payments (Unlimited)
- AI receipt scanning (500/month)
- AI spreadsheet import (500/month)
- AI bank statement import (500/month)
- Predictive analytics
- Biometric login security
- Priority support
An honest take
Wave is an excellent free option for freelancers and service-based businesses that need invoicing, basic accounting, and bank transaction imports. If those are your core needs, Wave is a solid choice.
But if you sell physical products and need inventory management, offline access, predictive analytics, or biometric security (features Wave doesn't offer), Argo Books is built for you.
Get Started NowFrequently Asked Questions
Is Argo Books really free?
Yes. Argo Books has a free tier you can use forever, with no credit card, no trial period, and no strings attached. The Free plan includes all core features, 25 invoices per month, and AI receipt scanning.
Wave also offers a free Starter plan, but features like auto bank import require the Pro plan at $25 CAD/month, and receipt scanning costs another $11/month or $96/year on the free Starter plan (it's included on Pro).
Does Argo Books work offline?
Yes. Argo Books is a desktop application that runs natively on your computer, so it works even without an internet connection. Your data is stored locally with AES-256 encryption, giving you full control and privacy.
Wave is cloud-only and requires a constant internet connection to access your data.
Does Argo Books support bank transaction imports?
Not yet. Wave's Pro plan includes automatic bank transaction imports, which is convenient for matching transactions against your books. If automatic bank feeds are critical for your workflow, Wave may be a better fit for now.
We're always adding new features based on user feedback.
How does Argo Books pricing compare to Wave?
Both offer free plans. Wave's Starter is free with manual transaction entry, and the Pro plan is $25 CAD/month for auto bank imports. Receipt scanning costs another $11/month or $96/year on Wave's free Starter plan (it's included on Pro).
Argo Books Premium is just $15 CAD/month with unlimited invoicing, AI receipt scanning included, and predictive analytics, less than half of Wave's Pro plan.
What platforms does Argo Books run on?
Argo Books runs natively on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Because it's a desktop app, it's fast and responsive, with no browser tabs and no loading spinners.
Wave is web-based and also has a mobile app for iOS and Android.