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Proposals · head to head

Moxie vs Wave

Moxie logo

Moxie

Proposals

Freelance business management with proposals, contracts, time tracking and invoicing in one subscription

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Wave logo

Wave

Professional Services

Financial software for small businesses

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Wave has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Moxie each module is weaker than the specialist product it replaces, so a freelancer with a demanding requirement in any one area will find the bundled version limiting.; Wave automatic bank transaction import and receipt scanning require the Pro plan at $19 a month
  • They diverge on capability: Moxie covers Proposals with e signature, Wave covers Double-entry accounting.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Moxie and Wave actually diverge.

Attributes where Moxie and Wave differ
AttributeMoxieWave
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotefreemium
Free tierNoYes
CategoryProposalsProfessional Services
FoundedUnknown2010

Identical on both: platforms (Web, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Moxie

  • Proposals with e signature
  • Contracts
  • Time tracking
  • Invoicing and payments
  • Client portal
  • Project and task management
  • Scheduling link

Only in Wave

  • Double-entry accounting
  • Invoicing
  • Expense tracking
  • Financial reporting
  • Bank reconciliation
  • Receipt scanning
  • Multi-currency
  • Sales tax tracking

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Moxie

  • A solo consultant replacing four separate subscriptions for proposals, contracts, time and invoicingnot Wave
  • A freelancer who needs a signed contract and a deposit invoice to follow proposal acceptance automaticallynot Wave
  • Retainer work where tracked hours must reconcile against a fixed monthly fee on the same invoicenot Wave
  • A designer who wants one client portal for files, approvals and payment rather than email threadsnot Wave

Wave

  • Invoicing and bookkeeping for very small businesses and freelancersnot Moxie
  • Accepting card payments against issued invoicesnot Moxie

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Moxie

  • Each module is weaker than the specialist product it replaces, so a freelancer with a demanding requirement in any one area will find the bundled version limiting.
  • The shared data model that makes the bundle convenient also makes leaving expensive, because proposals, time entries and invoices come out as one tangled export rather than as separable tools.
  • It is designed around a solo operator, so adding subcontractors, splitting revenue or managing a small team runs into limits quickly.
  • Client payments are processed through a third party gateway, so the card processing fee applies on top of the subscription and should be modelled into the true cost per invoice.
  • A large amount of published review material still refers to the product as Hectic, which makes independent research harder and dates much of what is written about it.

Wave

  • Automatic bank transaction import and receipt scanning require the Pro plan at $19 a month
  • The free plan pays a $0.60 per transaction fee on card payments on top of 2.9%, which Pro waives only for the first 10 transactions a month
  • Beyond 10 transactions a month the Pro plan pays the same per transaction fee as the free one
  • Amex is charged at 3.4% rather than 2.9% on both plans

Pricing, plan by plan

Moxie

On request
  • Moxie$undefined/year
    • Proposals, contracts and electronic signature
    • Time tracking and invoicing
    • Client portal

Wave

Free
  • AccountingFree
    • Unlimited invoicing
    • Expense tracking
    • Financial reports
  • Payments$undefined/transaction
    • 2.9% + $0.60 per transaction
    • Credit card processing
    • Bank payments (1%)
  • Payroll$35/month
    • $35/month base + $6/employee
    • Tax calculations
    • Direct deposit

Which should you pick?

Choose Moxie if

  • You need proposals with e signature.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want contracts.
Moxie review

Choose Wave if

  • You need double-entry accounting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want invoicing.
Wave review

Questions people ask

Is Moxie or Wave better?
Neither clearly leads. Moxie starts at On request and Wave at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Moxie or Wave?
Wave has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Moxie and Free for Wave.
Does Moxie or Wave run on more platforms?
Moxie runs on Web, iOS, Android. Wave runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Wave for free?
Yes. Wave has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Moxie starts at On request.
What is Moxie best used for?
Moxie is most often used for a solo consultant replacing four separate subscriptions for proposals, contracts, time and invoicing, a freelancer who needs a signed contract and a deposit invoice to follow proposal acceptance automatically, retainer work where tracked hours must reconcile against a fixed monthly fee on the same invoice, a designer who wants one client portal for files, approvals and payment rather than email threads. Of those, a solo consultant replacing four separate subscriptions for proposals, contracts, time and invoicing and a freelancer who needs a signed contract and a deposit invoice to follow proposal acceptance automatically are not what Wave is typically brought in for.
What can Moxie do that Wave cannot?
Moxie covers Proposals with e signature, Contracts, Time tracking, Invoicing and payments. Wave covers Double-entry accounting, Invoicing, Expense tracking, Financial reporting.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Moxie: Is Moxie the same product as Hectic?

Yes. It was renamed in 2022. Older reviews under the Hectic name describe the same software at an earlier stage.

Wave: Can I try Wave before committing to a paid plan?

Sign up for the Starter Plan to take the bookkeeping and invoicing basics for a spin. Then, whenever you're ready, upgrade to the Pro Plan to unlock even more money management features.

Source
Moxie: Does it take a percentage of my invoices?

The payment processor takes its standard card fee. Model that separately from the subscription when comparing total cost.

Wave: What happens if I want to cancel my subscription?

Yes, you can unsubscribe at any time. The cancellation of your subscription will take effect at the end of the billing period in which you cancel.

Source
Moxie: Can I use it with a team?

It is built for a solo operator. Subcontractors and multi person billing are handled awkwardly.

Wave: Can I upgrade or downgrade my plan easily?

To upgrade to the Pro Plan, sign into Wave. Visit your dashboard or use your invoicing or accounting features, and click the 'Upgrade now' button.

Source
Moxie: Can I keep my accountant in the loop?

Yes, through the accounting integration, though most freelancers still reconcile manually at year end.

Moxie: What is the exit path?

Exports exist, but the linked proposal, time and invoice data does not map cleanly onto separate replacement tools.

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