MakerWave
Free accounting for very small businesses
Free core; paid payroll/receipts
- Solo sellers on a budget
- Invoicing
How to chase unpaid invoices (without awkward follow-ups)
Chase unpaid invoices with a simple 5-step email schedule for solo trades and Etsy sellers with custom invoices. Free guide — works with Wave, QuickBooks, or any invoicing tool.
Late payers are usually a systems problem, not a people problem. A fixed reminder schedule (before due, due day, +3, +7, +14) beats one-off texts at 9pm. This page targets "chase unpaid invoices" and "chase invoice" with a practical schedule you can copy today.
Full accounting tools guide — video walkthrough, workflow tips, and extended FAQs.
Etsy accounting software?
Wave is the best free starting point for most Etsy sellers — bank sync, categories, and simple reports. QuickBooks fits when revenue grows or a CPA needs cleaner exports (~$30/mo). Start Wave free; switch when quarterly taxes outgrow a spreadsheet.
2026 verdict · updated July 2026
What should you do about late invoices?
Start with a schedule: Five touchpoints max — polite, predictable, stops when paid.
Keep your accounting tool: Wave or QuickBooks for the invoice; reminders are a separate layer.
Free guide: Step-by-step chase schedule with email timing.
Done-for-you: PaidPulse sends reminders automatically ($49 intro setup).
PaidPulse — reminders → Try Wave free → Wave vs QuickBooks
Independent comparison — we may earn a commission if you sign up via these links.
Video walkthrough
Wave vs QuickBooks for Etsy (2026) — Which Should You Buy? on YouTube
More videos
| Tool | Pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Wave | Free core; paid payroll/receipts | Solo sellers on a budget, Invoicing |
| QuickBooks | From ~$30/mo | Growing shops, Accountant handoff |
| PaidPulse | Intro setup $49 · works with Wave, QuickBooks, or any invoicing tool | Custom & wholesale orders off Etsy, Chasing overdue client payments |
Related comparisons
Full tool profiles
QuickBooks
Full bookkeeping with strong tax support
From ~$30/mo
- Growing shops
- Accountant handoff
PaidPulse
Automatic payment reminders for open invoices
Intro setup $49 · works with Wave, QuickBooks, or any invoicing tool
- Custom & wholesale orders off Etsy
- Chasing overdue client payments
Common questions
Do Etsy sellers need accounting software?
If you treat your shop as a business, yes — even a free tool like Wave helps you track income, expenses, and sales tax. QuickBooks and Hurdlr make sense as revenue grows or your accountant asks for cleaner books.
What if I invoice clients outside Etsy?
Many makers send custom or wholesale invoices in Wave or QuickBooks. After you send the invoice, use a reminder tool like PaidPulse so follow-ups happen on schedule — 3 days before due, due day, then overdue nudges.
Etsy accounting software?
Wave is the best free Etsy accounting software for most sellers — income, expenses, and tax categories without a monthly fee. Move to QuickBooks (~\/mo) when a CPA needs cleaner exports or revenue grows. Start Wave free before you pay.
Can I switch from QuickBooks for my Etsy shop?
Yes — many sellers move from QuickBooks to Wave (free) or Hurdlr as revenue shifts. Export your chart of accounts, reconnect bank feeds, and run both in parallel for one month before you cut over.
Accounting software for etsy sellers?
See the tools compared in this guide — start with one free tier before paying for overlapping features.
Starting your shop?
Get the Seller Launch Checklist — setup checklist, pricing sheet, and weekly review template.
Get the kit — $12