Lumière Ledger vs Wave
Wave is free accounting with a classic books screen. Lumière Ledger is freemium and profile-shaped: fewer menus, and a clearer sense of what fits your work.
Lumière Ledger sits between a basic expense tracker and full accounting software. Pick a profile — Photographer, Freelancer, or Small Business — and only the tools for that work stay in front of you. Bank sync is optional. Hand entry works. It is not a replacement for a CPA.
| Lumière Ledger | Wave | |
|---|---|---|
| Start cost | Free to start. Bank sync $4.99/mo. Core $9/mo, Studio $19/mo. | Free core |
| Profiles | Yes | No |
| Invoicing | Yes | Yes |
| Accounting depth | Light | Deeper |
| Mileage and gear | Built in | Not the focus |
| Best for | One-person freelancers who want less UI | People who want free traditional books |
Wave wins for free full double-entry accounting. Lumière Ledger wins if free accounting still feels like too much software.
Built in Las Vegas for a photography business, then opened to other kinds of work. Prices above are Lumière Ledger’s own plans as shown on lumiereledger.com: Free, Sync at $4.99/mo for live bank sync, Core at $9/mo, and Studio at $19/mo. This page does not quote Wave’s current price.
Open Lumière Ledger and pick a profile first — Photographer, Freelancer, or Small Business. You only see the tools that fit. No credit card to start.
Start free