Dave vs Wave
Which software is right for your contracting business?
Quick Comparison
The easy-to-use contractor app
when billed annually
Wave
General accounting software
DaveOUR SOLUTION
The easy-to-use contractor app
Dave is built for owner-operators who want to get the job done without faffing around with complicated software. It handles estimates, invoicing, project organization, and scheduling in one dead-simple app.
Dave's key features:
- •Dead-simple setup – no training needed
- •Professional estimates that win jobs
- •Invoicing that gets you paid faster
- •Project organization to keep your crew in check
- •Schedule jobs and your crew with ease
- •Professional client portal for estimates & invoices
- •Send quotes & bills via email and SMS text
- •Job-site photos and notes
- •Collect 5-star Google Reviews automatically
- •Built-in CRM to manage your clients
"Dave helps me actually run the job. Wave just tells me how much money I made after the fact."
Strengths:
- ✓Built for owner-operators, not enterprise
- ✓No steep learning curve
- ✓Syncs with Quickbooks
- ✓Works great on your phone at the job site
- ✓Fair pricing for small businesses
- ✓Helps you look professional to clients
- ✓Client portal makes approvals & payments easy
Limitations:
- •Not for massive companies with 50+ trucks
- •Focused on the essentials, not the bells and whistles
- •Won't make your coffee (yet)
Best for:
Owner-operators and small teams who want to look professional and stay organized without hiring an IT department
Get organized, win jobs, and impress clients.
No credit card required.
Wave
General accounting software
A solid bookkeeping tool for small businesses like graphic designers or consultants. It's great for tracking expenses and sending simple invoices, but it doesn't know a thing about construction.
Wave's key features:
- •Income and expense tracking
- •Basic invoicing
- •Receipt scanning (Pro)
- •Bank connections
- •Financial reports (P&L, Balance Sheet)
- •Payroll (extra cost)
Strengths:
- ✓Great for basic bookkeeping
- ✓Free tier is helpful for startups
- ✓Good for tax time reports
- ✓Simple interface for non-accountants
Limitations:
- •No project scheduling or crew management
- •Estimates are very basic (no material lists, etc.)
- •Doesn't handle job site photos or notes
- •Not built for contractor workflows
Best for:
Freelancers, consultants, and very small businesses who just need to track income and expenses
Key Differences: Dave vs Wave
Focus
Dave: Running a contracting business (Jobs, Crew, Schedule)
Wave: Bookkeeping and accounting (Debits, Credits, Taxes)
Dave helps you do the work. Wave helps you count the money after the work is done.
Estimates vs Invoices
Dave: Professional estimates that win jobs, turning into invoices
Wave: Basic estimates and invoices, mostly for service providers
Wave's estimates are fine for a graphic designer. Dave's estimates are built for contractors who need to look professional to win the bid.
Scheduling & Organization
Dave: Full project scheduling and organization tools
Wave: Zero scheduling or project management features
Wave won't tell you where your crew needs to be on Tuesday. Dave will.
Pricing
Dave: Flat monthly fee for business tools
Wave: Free for basics, pay for Pro features & payroll
Wave is cheaper if you only need accounting. But if you need to run a crew and schedule jobs, you'll need something else anyway.
How to Choose Between Dave and Wave
Think about what you're trying to solve:
Go with Dave if:
- • You need to schedule jobs and manage a crew
- • You want to win more bids with professional estimates
- • You need to keep track of job details and photos
- • You want an all-in-one app for your daily operations
- • You're tired of using 3 different apps to run your business
Go with Wave if:
- • You are a freelancer or consultant (not a contractor)
- • You literally only need to track expenses for taxes
- • You don't have a crew or jobs to schedule
- • You have zero budget for software
- • You just need to send a simple bill once in a while
Ready to give Dave a shot?
Join the other owner-operators who've stopped fighting with software and started getting more work done.
Build a smarter,
stronger
business
Quick Estimates
Send estimates fast, look professional, and stand out from the first impression.
Organized Projects
Stay confident and in control with photos, notes, and files exactly where you need them.
Professional Invoices
Send branded invoices in seconds, track when they're seen, and get paid fast.
Smart Scheduling
Plan your week, assign team members, and keep everyone on time with automated reminders.