Wave vs Freshsales
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
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.
Freshsales
Freshsales is an AI-powered CRM platform designed to help sales teams attract, engage, and close deals faster. It offers built-in phone, email, and chat alongside a powerful AI assistant called Freddy. Freshsales is part of the Freshworks ecosystem and is known for its clean interface and strong automation tools.
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
- ✓Built-in phone and email saves money on integrations
- ✓Strong AI features including lead scoring and deal insights
- ✓Clean modern interface with good user adoption
- ✓Generous free plan available
Cons
- ✗Advanced features require higher tier plans
- ✗Reporting could be more customizable
- ✗Less brand recognition than HubSpot or Salesforce
Wave vs Freshsales: Side by Side
| Factor | Wave | Freshsales |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| 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 | SMBs wanting an all-in-one CRM with built-in communication tools |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Wave Features
- ✓Free accounting
- ✓invoicing
- ✓receipt scanning
- ✓bank connections
- ✓financial reporting
- ✓payments processing
- ✓payroll add-on
- ✓mobile app
Freshsales Features
- ✓Contact and lead management
- ✓built-in phone and email
- ✓AI lead scoring
- ✓deal management
- ✓workflow automation
- ✓reporting
- ✓mobile app
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software. Choose Freshsales if smbs wanting an all-in-one crm with built-in communication tools.
Best For
Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software
Best For
SMBs wanting an all-in-one CRM with built-in communication tools
Also Consider
If neither Wave nor Freshsales 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 Freshsales?
Wave is best for solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software. Freshsales is best for smbs wanting an all-in-one crm with built-in communication tools.
Which is better, Wave or Freshsales?
Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software. Choose Freshsales if smbs wanting an all-in-one crm with built-in communication tools.
How much does Wave cost?
Wave starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Freshsales cost?
Freshsales starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Wave?
Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software
Who should use Freshsales?
SMBs wanting an all-in-one CRM with built-in communication tools