Erin vs Wave
Wave is powerful accounting software — and it's free. But is it right for Nigerian small businesses? Let's compare.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Wave is a legitimate accounting tool used by millions worldwide. It's free, capable, and it works.
But it's built for accountants who understand debits and credits. And it has zero Nigerian tax support — you'd calculate PAYE, VAT, and CIT yourself.
Erin is simpler, Nigerian-first, and built for business owners, not accountants.
| Feature | Wave | Erin |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | From ₦49,000/year |
| Learning curve | Steep | Minimal |
| Accounting knowledge | Required | Not needed |
| Nigerian tax support | ✗ | ✓ |
| Nigerian payroll | ✗ | ✓ |
| Invoicing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Financial reports | ✓ | ✓ |
| Personal finance | ✗ | ✓ |
| Safe to Spend | ✗ | ✓ |
| Mobile experience | Basic | Mobile-first |
| Local support | ✗ | ✓ |
Where Wave Wins
Let's be fair:
Completely free
No subscription fees for core features. Hard to beat free.
Full accounting capability
Double-entry, journal entries, chart of accounts. Real accounting power.
Established platform
Been around since 2010. Trusted by 4M+ businesses globally.
Where Erin Wins
No accounting knowledge needed
Erin speaks human, not accounting jargon.
Nigerian tax built in
PAYE, VAT, CIT — all calculated automatically. Wave has none of this.
Nigerian payroll
Wave's payroll is US/Canada only. Erin does PAYE, pension, NHF — the Nigerian way.
Mobile-first
Erin is built for your phone. Wave's mobile app is an afterthought.
Which is Right for You?
Choose Wave if:
- • You have accounting knowledge
- • You need full double-entry accounting
- • Budget is absolute zero
Choose Erin if:
- You want simplicity over accounting power
- You need Nigerian tax built in
- You want Nigerian payroll
- You value mobile experience and local support