SoftwareDuel

Wave vs Manatal

A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool

Wave

Wave is a free accounting and invoicing platform designed for small businesses, freelancers, and solopreneurs. It offers genuinely free accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning with no subscription fee. Wave makes money through payment processing and payroll add-ons. It is one of the best free accounting tools available for very small businesses with simple needs.

Freemium pricing · Get Pricing →

Manatal

Manatal is an AI-powered applicant tracking system designed for recruitment agencies and corporate HR teams. It offers one of the most affordable price points in the ATS market while including advanced AI features like candidate scoring, enrichment from LinkedIn and social profiles, and automated recommendations. Manatal is popular in Southeast Asia and with global recruiting agencies.

Paid pricing · Get Pricing →

Pros

  • Genuinely free accounting and invoicing — no subscription required
  • Clean and easy to use interface
  • Good enough for most very small businesses and freelancers
  • Receipt scanning and bank connections included free

Cons

  • Limited features compared to paid alternatives
  • Customer support is minimal on the free plan
  • Not suitable for growing businesses with complex needs
  • Payroll and payment processing add-ons can add up in cost

Pros

  • One of the most affordable ATS tools with genuine AI features
  • AI candidate scoring and profile enrichment save significant research time
  • Simple to set up and use
  • Good for recruitment agencies managing multiple clients

Cons

  • Less established in Western markets compared to Greenhouse or Lever
  • Some advanced features limited to higher tiers
  • Customer support response times can vary
  • Limited employer branding customization

Our Take

Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software. Choose Manatal if recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting ai-powered ats at an affordable price.

Best For

Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software

Best For

Recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting AI-powered ATS at an affordable price