Insightly vs Wave
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Insightly
Insightly is a CRM and project management platform designed for growing businesses. It uniquely combines sales pipeline management with post-sale project delivery so teams can manage the full customer lifecycle in one place. Insightly is popular with professional services firms and companies that need to track complex projects alongside their sales pipeline.
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.
Pros
- ✓Unique combination of CRM and project management in one tool
- ✓Good free plan for up to 2 users
- ✓Strong workflow automation on paid plans
- ✓Good fit for professional services businesses
Cons
- ✗Interface feels dated compared to modern CRM tools
- ✗Customer support can be slow on lower tiers
- ✗Mobile app is less polished than competitors
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
Insightly vs Wave: Side by Side
| Factor | Insightly | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | CRM Software | Accounting Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Best For | Growing businesses that need CRM and project management in one platform | Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Insightly Features
- ✓Contact and lead management
- ✓pipeline management
- ✓project management
- ✓workflow automation
- ✓email marketing
- ✓reporting
- ✓integrations
Wave Features
- ✓Free accounting
- ✓invoicing
- ✓receipt scanning
- ✓bank connections
- ✓financial reporting
- ✓payments processing
- ✓payroll add-on
- ✓mobile app
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Insightly if growing businesses that need crm and project management in one platform. Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software.
Best For
Growing businesses that need CRM and project management in one platform
Best For
Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software
Also Consider
If neither Insightly nor Wave is the right fit, Monday.com CRM is worth evaluating.
Monday.com CRM
Teams that want CRM and project management combined in one visual platform
From $12/user/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Insightly and Wave?
Insightly is best for growing businesses that need crm and project management in one platform. Wave is best for solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software.
Which is better, Insightly or Wave?
Choose Insightly if growing businesses that need crm and project management in one platform. Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software.
How much does Insightly cost?
Insightly starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Wave cost?
Wave starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Insightly?
Growing businesses that need CRM and project management in one platform
Who should use Wave?
Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software