Insightly vs Wave: Side-by-Side Feature & Pricing Comparison
Insightly (crm & sales) and Wave (accounting & finance) serve different purposes but often sit side by side in modern tech stacks. See how they compare and whether you need one or both.
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature ratings for Insightly and Wave.
| Feature | Insightly | Wave | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact management | In terms of contact management, Insightly and Wave perform at a similar level, which is common for mature platforms in this space. | ||
| Pipeline management | Insightly and Wave are evenly matched on pipeline management, so your choice here comes down to preference and workflow fit. | ||
| Email automation | In terms of email automation, Insightly and Wave perform at a similar level, which is common for mature platforms in this space. | ||
| Reporting and analytics | In terms of reporting and analytics, Insightly and Wave perform at a similar level, which is common for mature platforms in this space. | ||
| Integration ecosystem | Wave has a notable advantage in integration ecosystem. | ||
| Mobile app | Insightly and Wave are evenly matched on mobile app, so your choice here comes down to preference and workflow fit. | ||
| Invoicing | Insightly significantly outperforms Wave on invoicing, making it the stronger choice for businesses that prioritise this area. | ||
| Expense tracking | In terms of expense tracking, Insightly and Wave perform at a similar level, which is common for mature platforms in this space. | ||
| Bank reconciliation | Insightly and Wave are evenly matched on bank reconciliation, so your choice here comes down to preference and workflow fit. | ||
| Payroll | In terms of payroll, Insightly and Wave perform at a similar level, which is common for mature platforms in this space. | ||
| Tax reporting and BAS | Both Insightly and Wave offer comparable tax reporting and bas capabilities. | ||
| Multi-currency support | Both Insightly and Wave offer comparable multi-currency support capabilities. |
Contact management
Insightly
Wave
In terms of contact management, Insightly and Wave perform at a similar level, which is common for mature platforms in this space.
Pipeline management
Insightly
Wave
Insightly and Wave are evenly matched on pipeline management, so your choice here comes down to preference and workflow fit.
Email automation
Insightly
Wave
In terms of email automation, Insightly and Wave perform at a similar level, which is common for mature platforms in this space.
Reporting and analytics
Insightly
Wave
In terms of reporting and analytics, Insightly and Wave perform at a similar level, which is common for mature platforms in this space.
Integration ecosystem
Insightly
Wave
Wave has a notable advantage in integration ecosystem.
Mobile app
Insightly
Wave
Insightly and Wave are evenly matched on mobile app, so your choice here comes down to preference and workflow fit.
Invoicing
Insightly
Wave
Insightly significantly outperforms Wave on invoicing, making it the stronger choice for businesses that prioritise this area.
Expense tracking
Insightly
Wave
In terms of expense tracking, Insightly and Wave perform at a similar level, which is common for mature platforms in this space.
Bank reconciliation
Insightly
Wave
Insightly and Wave are evenly matched on bank reconciliation, so your choice here comes down to preference and workflow fit.
Payroll
Insightly
Wave
In terms of payroll, Insightly and Wave perform at a similar level, which is common for mature platforms in this space.
Tax reporting and BAS
Insightly
Wave
Both Insightly and Wave offer comparable tax reporting and bas capabilities.
Multi-currency support
Insightly
Wave
Both Insightly and Wave offer comparable multi-currency support capabilities.
Pricing Comparison
General pricing information for each platform.
Insightly
Free tier available; paid from ~$29/user/month
Pricing may vary based on team size, features, and region. Contact the vendor for the latest Australian pricing.
Wave
Free for invoicing and accounting
Prices shown are approximate and may differ based on your plan, team size, and billing cycle. Verify directly with the vendor for current AUD rates.
Pros & Cons
An honest look at the strengths and limitations of each platform.
Insightly
Pros
- Cloud-based with reliable uptime
- Well-documented REST API for custom integrations
- Active user community and resources
- Well-established platform with strong market presence
- Centralised customer data for better sales outcomes
Cons
- Complex data model may require expert configuration
- Can require significant setup and customisation
- May not suit every workflow without customisation
- Data migration from other CRMs can be tricky
Wave
Pros
- Regular platform updates and improvements
- Solid feature set for its price point
- Mobile-friendly interface
- Australian tax compliance built in
- Extensive integration ecosystem with 30+ connectors
Cons
- May require accounting knowledge to configure properly
- Add-on costs for advanced features
- Bank feed reliability varies by institution
- Onboarding documentation could be more comprehensive
Best For
Which tool suits which use case.
Choose Insightly if you need
- ✓ Teams needing extensive third-party integrations
- ✓ Professional Services businesses
- ✓ Managing customer relationships
- ✓ Complex data models (contacts, organisations, opportunities and more)
- ✓ Manufacturing organisations
Choose Wave if you need
- ✓ Teams needing extensive third-party integrations
- ✓ Education organisations
- ✓ Financial reporting
- ✓ Professional Services businesses
- ✓ Complex data models (invoices, customers, payments and more)
Expert Verdict
Our Harvard-educated consultants' take on this comparison.
Clever Ops Recommendation
Insightly has a significantly broader integration ecosystem than Wave, which can be a decisive factor if you rely on connecting multiple tools. That said, Wave may still be the better choice if its core features align more closely with your needs. Clever Ops evaluates the full picture — not just integration counts — when advising mid-market Australian businesses.
Migration Notes
What to know about switching between Insightly and Wave.
Migrating Between Insightly and Wave
Clever Ops takes a low-risk approach to migrating between Insightly and Wave. We run both systems in parallel during the transition, transferring your core data in stages and verifying data at each step. Your team continues working in the existing system until the new one is fully validated. The process typically takes 4-8 weeks, followed by 3 months of hands-on support.
Insightly vs Wave FAQ
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