Comparison

A Wave alternative built for UK sole traders

Wave is a popular free invoicing-and-accounting tool — but it is primarily focused on the US and Canada, and you have to create an account before you can send anything.

1nvoic3 is invoicing-first and built for the UK. Create a clean, HMRC-ready invoice in under a minute — free, with no signup and no card. Upgrade to Pro (£9.99/mo) only when you want to drop the watermark and unlock premium templates.

Honest comparison

We have kept this fair: Wave is a capable free invoicing-and-accounting tool. Where a Wave feature varies by region or plan, we say so rather than guess. Always check Wave's current availability and pricing before deciding.

Feature1nvoic3Wave
Primary purposeInvoicing & quotes, first and foremostInvoicing plus accounting/bookkeeping
Permanent free tier for creating invoicesYes — free foreverYes — free invoicing is part of Wave's model
Create an invoice with no signup or accountYes — no signup, no cardAccount required
Built for the UK / HMRC-ready formatYes — UK-firstPrimarily US & Canada focused
Remove provider watermark / brandingNo watermark on Pro (£9.99/mo)Varies by plan
Online payments / payrollNot the focus — invoicing-firstPaid add-ons, availability varies by region
AI Fill — build an invoice by chat, voice or photoYes, on Pro (£9.99/mo)Not a comparable feature
Premium templates & custom brandingYes, on ProVaries by plan
Best fitUK sole traders & freelancers who just need to get paidUS/Canada users who want free invoicing + accounting

Wave is a trademark of its respective owner. 1nvoic3 is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, Wave. Competitor features, regional availability and pricing change over time — check the official site for current details.

1nvoic3 is for you if…

  • You are a UK sole trader or freelancer and invoicing is your main need.
  • You want a professional, HMRC-ready invoice in under a minute.
  • You would rather not create an account just to send one invoice.
  • You want to start free and only pay (£9.99/mo) to remove the watermark.
  • You like the idea of AI Fill drafting an invoice from chat, voice or a photo.

Pick Wave instead if…

  • You are based in the US or Canada where Wave is most fully supported.
  • You want free double-entry accounting, not just invoicing.
  • You want to track income and expenses in one ledger.
  • You plan to use Wave's payments or payroll add-ons.
  • You are happy to create an account to manage everything in one place.

We would rather point you to the right tool than oversell. If free accounting is what you need, Wave is built for it.

Frequently asked questions

Is 1nvoic3 a good Wave alternative?

If you are a UK sole trader or freelancer who mainly needs to send professional invoices, yes. Wave is a free invoicing-and-accounting tool that is primarily focused on the US and Canada. 1nvoic3 is invoicing-first and built for the UK, so its invoices are HMRC-ready and you can create one in under a minute with no signup. If you specifically need free double-entry accounting, Wave or a dedicated accounting suite may suit you better.

Wave is free — why would I pay for 1nvoic3?

You don't have to. 1nvoic3 is free to create and download HMRC-ready invoices, with no signup and no card. Free invoices carry a small 1nvoic3 watermark on the PDF, which the Pro plan (£9.99/mo) removes along with unlocking premium templates and custom branding. Many users stay on the free tier indefinitely.

Does Wave work well in the UK?

Wave is primarily designed for the US and Canada, and some features such as online payments and payroll are region-limited. If you are invoicing in GBP and want a UK-first, HMRC-ready format without worrying about regional gaps, 1nvoic3 is built for exactly that. Always check Wave's official site for current regional availability.

Do I need to create an account to use 1nvoic3?

No. You can create and download an invoice with no signup and no card. You only create a paid plan if you want Pro features like removing the watermark. Wave, by contrast, requires you to create an account first.

Can I move my invoicing from Wave to 1nvoic3 easily?

Yes — there is nothing to migrate to start. Just open the invoice builder, enter your business and client details, and download a professional invoice. If you upgrade to Pro you can save clients and invoice history for faster reuse next time.

Just need to send an invoice? Start free.

Create a professional, HMRC-ready invoice in under 60 seconds. No signup, no card.

Create your free invoice