Wave vs Insightly
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.
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.
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
- ✓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
Wave vs Insightly: Side by Side
| Factor | Wave | Insightly |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Growing businesses that need CRM and project management in one platform |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Wave Features
- ✓Free accounting
- ✓invoicing
- ✓receipt scanning
- ✓bank connections
- ✓financial reporting
- ✓payments processing
- ✓payroll add-on
- ✓mobile app
Insightly Features
- ✓Contact and lead management
- ✓pipeline management
- ✓project management
- ✓workflow automation
- ✓email marketing
- ✓reporting
- ✓integrations
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software. Choose Insightly if growing businesses that need crm and project management in one platform.
Best For
Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software
Best For
Growing businesses that need CRM and project management in one platform
Also Consider
If neither Wave nor Insightly 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 Insightly?
Wave is best for solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software. Insightly is best for growing businesses that need crm and project management in one platform.
Which is better, Wave or Insightly?
Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software. Choose Insightly if growing businesses that need crm and project management in one platform.
How much does Wave cost?
Wave starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Insightly cost?
Insightly starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Wave?
Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software
Who should use Insightly?
Growing businesses that need CRM and project management in one platform