Wave vs Capsule CRM
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Capsule CRM is our recommended pick for most teams — small businesses wanting a simple, clean crm that is easy to adopt.
Try Capsule CRM →Read our full Capsule CRM review →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.
Capsule CRM
Capsule CRM is a simple and clean CRM designed for small businesses that want to manage contacts, track sales opportunities, and stay organized without complexity. It is known for its intuitive interface and quick setup time. Capsule integrates well with Google Workspace, Mailchimp, and other popular small business tools. Capsule also offers Transpond, a dedicated marketing automation add-on with email marketing and robust automation features available on separate plans.
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
- ✓Extremely clean and easy to use interface
- ✓Quick to set up with no training required
- ✓Good free plan for up to 2 users
- ✓Strong Google Workspace integration
- ✓Transpond add-on provides robust marketing automation for businesses that need it
Cons
- ✗Marketing automation requires separate Transpond add-on
- ✗Reporting is basic compared to larger CRMs
- ✗Not suitable for large or complex sales teams
Wave vs Capsule CRM: Side by Side
| Factor | Wave | Capsule CRM |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | 4.5/5 ★ |
| Category | Accounting Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Best For | Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software | Small businesses wanting a simple, clean CRM that is easy to adopt |
| Our Pick | — | 🏆 Recommended |
Wave Features
- ✓Free accounting
- ✓invoicing
- ✓receipt scanning
- ✓bank connections
- ✓financial reporting
- ✓payments processing
- ✓payroll add-on
- ✓mobile app
Capsule CRM Features
- ✓Contact management
- ✓sales pipeline
- ✓task management
- ✓email integration
- ✓reporting
- ✓Google Workspace integration
- ✓API access
Pricing Comparison
Capsule CRM
FreemiumFree to start
Free: $0 · Starter: $18/user/mo · Growth: $36/user/mo · Advanced: $54/user/mo
See full pricing →Best Use Cases
Capsule CRM
- →Small businesses needing a simple contact management system
- →Service businesses tracking client relationships
- →Teams wanting a clean and uncluttered CRM
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
Capsule CRM is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Large sales teams needing advanced pipeline management
- ✗Companies requiring built-in marketing automation
- ✗Teams needing complex reporting
Integrations
Capsule CRM
Gmail, Outlook, Xero, QuickBooks, Zapier, Mailchimp, FreshBooks, G Suite
Our Take
Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software. Choose Capsule CRM if small businesses wanting a simple, clean crm that is easy to adopt.
Best For
Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software
Best For
Small businesses wanting a simple, clean CRM that is easy to adopt
Also Consider
If neither Wave nor Capsule CRM is the right fit, Dext is worth evaluating.
Dext
Bookkeepers, accountants, and businesses with high receipt volumes wanting to eliminate manual data entry
From $15/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Wave and Capsule CRM?
Wave is best for solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software. Capsule CRM is best for small businesses wanting a simple, clean crm that is easy to adopt.
Which is better, Wave or Capsule CRM?
Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software. Choose Capsule CRM if small businesses wanting a simple, clean crm that is easy to adopt.
How much does Wave cost?
Wave starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Capsule CRM cost?
Capsule CRM starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Wave?
Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software
Who should use Capsule CRM?
Small businesses wanting a simple, clean CRM that is easy to adopt