Wave vs Nimble
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.
Nimble
Nimble is a relationship-focused CRM that automatically enriches contact records with social media data and works seamlessly inside Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. It is designed for professionals who want to build stronger relationships without manual data entry. Nimble is popular with consultants, agencies, and relationship-driven sales teams.
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
- ✓Automatic contact enrichment from social media saves time on research
- ✓Works inside Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
- ✓Great for relationship-driven sales
- ✓Simple and clean interface
Cons
- ✗Limited automation compared to larger CRM platforms
- ✗Not suitable for high-volume transactional sales teams
- ✗Reporting is basic
Wave vs Nimble: Side by Side
| Factor | Wave | Nimble |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Accounting Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | $24/user/mo |
| Best For | Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software | Consultants and relationship-driven sales teams wanting automatic contact enrichment |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Wave Features
- ✓Free accounting
- ✓invoicing
- ✓receipt scanning
- ✓bank connections
- ✓financial reporting
- ✓payments processing
- ✓payroll add-on
- ✓mobile app
Nimble Features
- ✓Contact enrichment
- ✓social media integration
- ✓pipeline management
- ✓email tracking
- ✓Microsoft 365 and Google integration
- ✓group messaging
- ✓reporting
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software. Choose Nimble if consultants and relationship-driven sales teams wanting automatic contact enrichment.
Best For
Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software
Best For
Consultants and relationship-driven sales teams wanting automatic contact enrichment
Also Consider
If neither Wave nor Nimble 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 Nimble?
Wave is best for solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software. Nimble is best for consultants and relationship-driven sales teams wanting automatic contact enrichment.
Which is better, Wave or Nimble?
Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software. Choose Nimble if consultants and relationship-driven sales teams wanting automatic contact enrichment.
How much does Wave cost?
Wave starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Nimble cost?
Nimble starts at $24/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Wave?
Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software
Who should use Nimble?
Consultants and relationship-driven sales teams wanting automatic contact enrichment