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Software · head to head

Tipalti vs Wave

Tipalti logo

Tipalti

Software

Global payables automation for modern finance teams

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Wave logo

Wave

Software

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: Tipalti complex implementation process requiring workflow restructuring around platform limitations; Wave automatic bank transaction import and receipt scanning require the Pro plan at $19 a month
  • They diverge on capability: Tipalti covers Supplier onboarding, Wave covers Double-entry accounting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Tipalti and Wave actually diverge.

Attributes where Tipalti and Wave differ
AttributeTipaltiWave
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, APIWeb, Ios, Android

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2010).

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 Tipalti

  • Supplier onboarding
  • Invoice processing
  • Global payments
  • Tax compliance
  • Payment reconciliation
  • NetSuite
  • Sage Intacct
  • QuickBooks

Only in Wave

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

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Tipalti

  • Payables automationnot Wave
  • Global paymentsnot Wave
  • Supplier managementnot Wave

Wave

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

Where each one falls short

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

Tipalti

  • Complex implementation process requiring workflow restructuring around platform limitations
  • Reported payment processing issues including delays, failures, and poor customer service
  • Slow user interface performance when processing large payment volumes or moving between modules
  • Limited customization options and missing features like multi-bill selection and advanced reporting
  • Customer support response times slower than expected for larger teams without express membership upgrade

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

Tipalti

On request
  • Custom$null/month
    • Base platform fee
    • Transaction-based pricing
    • Payment volume scaling

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 Tipalti if

  • You need supplier onboarding.
  • You work on Web, API.
  • You also want invoice processing.
Tipalti 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 Tipalti or Wave better?
Neither clearly leads. Tipalti 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, Tipalti or Wave?
Wave has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Tipalti and Free for Wave.
Does Tipalti or Wave run on more platforms?
Tipalti runs on Web, API. 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. Tipalti starts at On request.
What is Tipalti best used for?
Tipalti is most often used for payables automation, global payments, supplier management. Of those, payables automation and global payments are not what Wave is typically brought in for.
What can Tipalti do that Wave cannot?
Tipalti covers Supplier onboarding, Invoice processing, Global payments, Tax compliance. Wave covers Double-entry accounting, Invoicing, Expense tracking, Financial reporting. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Tipalti: What is Tipalti's pricing model?

Tipalti uses subscription-based pricing with a base platform fee plus transaction-based charges determined by payment volume, number of entities, and enabled modules. Custom pricing requires sales contact. Some users report monthly costs starting around $299.

Source
Tipalti: How long is Tipalti's implementation timeline?

Technical implementation typically takes days, though due diligence and customization usually require several weeks. Full setup is faster than enterprise solutions requiring months.

Source
Tipalti: What payment methods does Tipalti support?

Tipalti supports ACH, wire transfers, eChecks, PayPal, paper checks, and prepaid debit cards. Payees can select their preferred payment method.

Source
Tipalti: Does Tipalti handle international payment compliance?

Yes, Tipalti tracks over 26,000 rules and conditions for international payment execution across 200+ countries and territories. All payees are screened against international blacklists to prevent payments to sanctioned entities.

Source
Tipalti: What security certifications does Tipalti maintain?

Tipalti maintains AICPA SSAE 16 SOC and ISAE 3402 Type II certifications. The platform uses SSL encryption, two-factor authentication, and role-based access controls.

Source
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