Shoeboxed
Shoeboxed is a specialized document management software that digitizes paper receipts and business cards into audit-ready data to simplify your expense tracking, tax preparation, and bookkeeping processes.
Wave
Wave is a comprehensive financial management software providing small business owners with integrated tools for accounting, invoicing, payroll, and payment processing to simplify bookkeeping and improve cash flow management.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Shoeboxed | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Website | shoeboxed.com | waveapps.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $18/month | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2007 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Durham, USA | Toronto, Canada |
Overview
Shoeboxed
Shoeboxed helps you eliminate the headache of manual data entry by turning your physical piles of receipts into organized digital data. You can simply mail your documents in a pre-paid Magic Envelope or use the mobile app to snap photos on the go. The platform uses a combination of OCR technology and human verification to ensure your data is accurate and categorized for tax season.
Beyond just storing images, you can generate comprehensive expense reports and export data directly to your favorite accounting tools. It is designed specifically for small business owners, freelancers, and frequent travelers who need to stay organized without spending hours on paperwork. You get a centralized, searchable database that makes audits stress-free and keeps your finances in clear view.
Wave
Wave is a specialized financial platform designed to help you manage your small business money without the complexity of traditional accounting suites. You can track your income and expenses, create professional invoices, and scan receipts directly from your phone. It solves the headache of manual bookkeeping by automatically syncing your bank transactions and categorizing them for tax season.
The platform is built specifically for freelancers, consultants, and businesses with only a few employees who need a clear view of their profitability. You can manage multiple businesses under one account and invite your accountant to collaborate on your books. While the core accounting features are free, you can add paid services like payroll or credit card processing as your business grows.
Overview
Shoeboxed Features
- Magic Envelope Service Mail your pile of paper receipts in a pre-paid envelope and let professionals scan and verify everything for you.
- Mobile Receipt Capture Snap photos of receipts with your phone to instantly upload and extract key data like vendor, date, and total.
- Audit-Ready Storage Store high-resolution images of your receipts that are officially accepted by the IRS and Canada Revenue Agency for audits.
- Business Card Digitization Transform physical business cards into a digital contact list that you can export to your CRM or email marketing tools.
- Expense Report Generation Create professional PDF or CSV expense reports with attached receipt images to simplify your reimbursement and tax filing.
- Automatic Gmail Sync Connect your Gmail account to automatically pull digital receipts from your inbox into your Shoeboxed dashboard for central tracking.
Wave Features
- Unlimited Invoicing. Create and send professional, customized invoices to your clients in seconds and track their payment status in real-time.
- Automated Bookkeeping. Connect your bank accounts to automatically import transactions and keep your books up to date without manual entry.
- Receipt Scanning. Snap photos of your receipts with the mobile app to automatically capture expense details and stay organized for tax time.
- Online Payments. Accept credit cards and bank transfers directly through your invoices so your customers can pay you with one click.
- Financial Reporting. Generate instant profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports to understand your business health.
- Payroll Integration. Pay your employees and contractors easily while Wave handles the tax filings and payments in supported regions.
Pricing Comparison
Shoeboxed Pricing
- Up to 25 documents per month
- 1 user included
- Unlimited receipt storage
- Mobile app access
- Email and OCR processing
- Standard integrations
- Everything in Startup, plus:
- Up to 150 documents per month
- Unlimited users
- Magic Envelope mail-in service
- Free shipping both ways
- QuickBooks and Xero integration
Wave Pricing
- Unlimited invoicing
- Unlimited bookkeeping
- Bank connection sync
- Unlimited receipt scanning
- Exportable accounting reports
- Everything in Starter, plus:
- Auto-merge and categorize receipts
- Automated bank transaction imports
- Unlimited additional users
- Discounted payment processing rates
Pros & Cons
Shoeboxed
Pros
- Human-verified data ensures high accuracy levels
- Magic Envelope service saves hours of scanning
- IRS-accepted digital images provide peace of mind
- Simple mobile app for instant receipt capture
Cons
- Mail-in processing can take several days
- Monthly document limits are strictly enforced
- Subscription costs are higher than basic apps
Wave
Pros
- Core accounting and invoicing features are completely free
- User interface is clean and easy to navigate
- Mobile app makes receipt scanning very convenient
- Setup process is quick for non-accountants
Cons
- Customer support is limited for free users
- Payroll features are only available in specific regions
- Lacks advanced inventory management for product sellers