PayNugget vs Wave
The honest take on PayNugget vs Wave
Wave was free, then started charging $19/month. PayNugget keeps the part you actually need — invoicing and getting paid — at $0/month, with low-cost ACH and real human support.
$0/month · low-cost ACH · own your data · US-only for now
Invoice #1042
$1,000
- Paid by
- Bank transfer (ACH)
- Processing fee
- $4
- You keep
- $996
The short answer
If you mainly need to send invoices and get paid, PayNugget is the lower-cost, no-subscription choice: $0/month, low-cost ACH bank payments, and you own your data. Wave can still be the better fit when you need its broader feature set, so the honest answer depends on whether you want a focused invoicing-and-payments tool or Wave's wider toolkit.
no overclaiming, promiseWhere this comparison comes from
A fair look at both tools
For years, Wave was the go-to free invoicing tool for small businesses. That changed when Wave moved its core features behind a $19/month plan, leaving a lot of solo owners and small teams looking for an honest alternative.
PayNugget was built for exactly this moment. You can send invoices and get paid with no monthly subscription — you pay only when you actually get paid. Bank (ACH) payments cost a fraction of card fees, your data is always exportable, and you can reach a real person when you need help.
A side-by-side look — no hidden asterisks.
At a glance
PayNugget vs Wave, side by side
Price, fees, data ownership, ACH, and support — the things that actually move the needle.
| Feature | PayNugget | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly subscription | $0 — invoice and get paid free | $19/month for core features |
| When you pay | Only when a client pays you | Every month, whether or not you invoice |
| ACH bank payments | Yes — low cost (~$4 on a $1,000 invoice) | Supported, but behind the paid plan |
| Card payments | Yes (standard ~2.9% network rate) | Yes (standard ~2.9% network rate) |
| Data ownership / export | One-click export, no lock-in | Export available, but plan-gated features |
| Human support | Real human support included | Limited; a long-standing user complaint |
| Optional Pro tier | $12/month for power features (optional) | $19/month required for core features |
The verdict: For pure invoicing-and-payments, PayNugget wins on price and ACH; reach for Wave when you genuinely need its wider toolkit.
Why people switch
Reasons people leave Wave
The most common reasons we hear from people moving to PayNugget from Wave.
Reason 01
Stop paying a monthly bill
PayNugget is $0/month to invoice and get paid. You only pay a small fee when money actually lands.
Reason 02
Lead with low-cost ACH
Encourage clients to pay by bank transfer and save dramatically versus card fees — about $4 instead of ~$29 on a $1,000 invoice.
Reason 03
Keep your data
Export your customers and invoices in one click. No features held hostage behind a plan upgrade.
Reason 04
Talk to a real person
Support has long been Wave's biggest weakness. With PayNugget you reach a human who can help.
The fee math
Where the savings actually come from
PayNugget doesn't claim to beat the standard ~2.9% card network rate. The savings come from leading with ACH: on a $1,000 invoice, a bank transfer costs about $4 versus roughly $29 by card.
Add a $0 subscription and data you own, and the gap over Wave adds up on every invoice you send.
Fees on a $1,000 invoice
Lead with bank payments and keep more of every invoice.
~25× cheaper!PayNugget vs Wave: FAQ
- Is PayNugget really free, unlike Wave?
- Yes. There is no monthly subscription to invoice and get paid. You only pay a small processing fee when a client pays you. ACH bank payments are far cheaper than cards.
- Can I switch from Wave to PayNugget easily?
- Yes. You can export your data from Wave and recreate your customers and invoices in PayNugget. Because PayNugget has no lock-in, you can always export again later.
- Does PayNugget beat card processing fees?
- We don't claim to beat the standard ~2.9% card network rate. Our savings come from leading with low-cost ACH bank payments, the $0 subscription, data ownership, and real support.
- Is PayNugget available outside the US?
- Not yet. PayNugget is US-only for now and requires a US bank account to receive payments.
Keep exploring
Dig into the details
The features and guides behind the comparison above.
Ready to switch from Wave?
Start free in minutes. No subscription, low-cost ACH, and you keep your data.