HubSpot CRM (Free) vs Wave: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of HubSpot CRM (Free) and Wave — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: HubSpot CRM (Free) wins on our scorecard (7.9/10 vs 7.8/10).
| Scored on | HubSpot CRM (Free) | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 8 | 8 |
| Ease of use | 9 | 9 |
| Fees & pricing | 10 | 9 |
| Customer support | 4 | 5 |
| Features | 7 | 7 |
| Monthly Subscription | $0 | — |
| User Seat Limit | Unlimited | — |
| Contact Limit | Up to 1,000,000 | — |
| Payment Processing | Varies (Stripe standard rates apply) | — |
| Starter Plan | — | $0/mo |
| Pro Plan | — | $16/mo |
| CC Processing (Visa/MC) | — | 2.9% + $0.60 |
| CC Processing (Amex) | — | 3.4% + $0.60 |
| ACH Processing | — | 1% ($1 min) |
| Payroll (Tax Service) | — | $40 + $6/employee |
HubSpot CRM (Free) in one paragraph
The best 'zero-dollar' database for small teams, provided you can live with their logo on your emails.
Skip it if: You need automated multi-step email sequences or want to remove vendor branding without spending hundreds per month.
Wave in one paragraph
Wave remains the gold standard for free invoicing and simple bookkeeping for solo service providers, provided you don't mind limited support.
Skip it if: Skip it if you sell physical inventory or plan to scale to a 10+ person team within the next year.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, HubSpot CRM (Free) or Wave?
On our five-axis scorecard, HubSpot CRM (Free) scores higher (7.9/10 vs 7.8/10). The best 'zero-dollar' database for small teams, provided you can live with their logo on your emails.
Who should skip HubSpot CRM (Free)?
You need automated multi-step email sequences or want to remove vendor branding without spending hundreds per month.
Who should skip Wave?
Skip it if you sell physical inventory or plan to scale to a 10+ person team within the next year.