What people like about Wave
- Free to start for basic accounting & invoicing
- Simple and quick to set up
- Access from any browser
- Good enough for very simple US/Canada businesses
Wave alternative
A Malaysia-ready alternative to Wave
Yes. Orbit Finance can be a good Wave alternative for solo owners and small SMEs that want simpler bookkeeping, local files, offline work and a one-time licence. Stay with Wave when your accountant, team workflow or specialist requirements already depend on it.
How does Orbit Finance differ from Wave?
Wave is a free, browser-based accounting tool aimed mainly at the US and Canada. It is a fine starting point, but it is not built for Malaysia: no MyInvois e-Invoice, no SST, and it is dollar-first and cloud-hosted. Orbit Finance is a native app made for Malaysian businesses, with RM, SST, e-Invoice and a bilingual EN/BM interface, owned once and run offline.
Both sides of an honest comparison
The incumbent's strengths still matter. The difference is which business and working style each tool serves best.
Where Orbit Finance differs
- Built for Malaysia: RM, SST, MyInvois e-Invoice, DuitNow
- Bilingual English / Malay interface
- Local-first and fully offline, not a US cloud tool
- Native macOS, Windows, iPhone, iPad, Android & Chromebook app you own for RM249
How does Orbit Finance compare with Wave?
Use this table as a starting point, then verify the competitor's current product details before deciding.
| Criteria | Orbit Finance | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | RM249 one-time, owned for life | Monthly / yearly subscription |
| Runs natively on your own device | Native macOS, Windows, iPhone, iPad, Android & Chromebook app | Browser-based (any OS, needs a browser) |
| Works fully offline | Yes | Needs an internet connection |
| Where your data lives | Your device (local-first) | The vendor's cloud servers |
| e-Invoice / MyInvois ready | Yes | Not built for MyInvois / Malaysia |
| Built for Malaysia (RM, SST, BM) | Yes, Malaysia-first | Global product, limited MY specifics |
| If you stop paying | App keeps working, forever | Access to your books can be locked |
An honest, high-level comparison. Wave changes over time, so confirm current details directly with its vendor. Product names are trademarks of their respective owners.
Switching from Wave
Treat the move as a reviewable migration, not a sudden cutover.
Export the old records
Keep exports from Wave and a copy of your closing reports before you start.
Preview the CSV imports
Import contacts, products, opening balances, unpaid invoices and sales history. Orbit checks the data before saving it.
Verify opening balances
Compare the trial balance and balance sheet with the old system, then resolve differences before continuing.
Continue day to day
Carry on your numbering and enter new activity in Orbit after the starting position is confirmed.
When to stay with Wave
Staying with the incumbent deserves equal consideration.
1. You operate in the US or Canada, not Malaysia
This situation favours Wave; move only if your priorities change.
2. You do not need SST or MyInvois e-Invoice
This situation favours Wave; move only if your priorities change.
3. You want a free cloud tool and nothing more
This situation favours Wave; move only if your priorities change.
Common switching worries
Will I lose my old data?
Not if you keep the original exports and backups. Orbit previews imported data first, so you can review it before anything is saved.
What if the balances do not match?
Compare opening balances with the old closing reports and resolve missing figures before daily work begins.
Do I need to switch now?
No. If Wave already fits your accountant, team or established process, staying with it is a reasonable choice.
Can I try it first?
Yes. Every new set of books gets 3 months free with no key or card. When it ends, the app locks, your data stays on the device, and a licence unlocks it in place.
Frequently asked questions
Does Wave work for Malaysian e-Invoice (MyInvois)?
Wave is built for North America and is not designed around Malaysia's MyInvois e-Invoice or SST. Orbit Finance is built to be MyInvois e-Invoice ready for Malaysian businesses.
Orbit Finance is not free. Is it still worth it over Wave?
If you are in Malaysia, the RM, SST, e-Invoice and BM support are usually worth the one-time RM249 versus a free tool that does not fit Malaysian requirements.
Can I use Orbit Finance offline?
Yes. Orbit Finance is local-first and works fully offline, with your books stored on your own device.
Try it with your own books
Download the full app, use a new set of books free for 3 months, then buy a licence when you want to continue.
An honest, high-level comparison. Wave changes over time, so confirm current details directly with its vendor. Product names are trademarks of their respective owners.