Pipedrive vs Wave: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of Pipedrive and Wave — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: Wave wins on our scorecard (7.5/10 vs 7.3/10).
| Scored on | Pipedrive | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 8 | 8 |
| Ease of use | 7 | 9 |
| Fees & pricing | 7 | 8 |
| Customer support | 6 | 5 |
| Features | 8 | 7 |
| Essential Plan (Monthly) | $21/user | — |
| Advanced Plan (Monthly) | $40/user | — |
| Professional Plan (Monthly) | $59/user | — |
| Leadbooster Add-on | $32.50/mo | — |
| Starter Plan | — | $0/mo |
| Pro Plan | — | $16/mo |
| Credit Card Processing | — | 2.9% + $0.60 |
| ACH Processing | — | 1% ($1 min) |
| Payroll (Base Fee) | — | $40/mo |
Pipedrive in one paragraph
A powerhouse for sales-focused teams that need a visual push, though price-creeping 'deal limits' require careful management.
Skip it if: Skip it if you need a full project management suite or have a high volume of low-value leads that will quickly trigger plan caps.
Wave in one paragraph
Wave remains the top choice for freelancers and startups who need clean, professional invoicing without the burden of a monthly subscription, provided they can handle the slightly higher payment processing rates.
Skip it if: Skip it if you process more than $10,000/month in credit card sales, as cheaper merchant processing will save you more than Wave's software costs.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Pipedrive or Wave?
On our five-axis scorecard, Wave scores higher (7.5/10 vs 7.3/10). Wave remains the top choice for freelancers and startups who need clean, professional invoicing without the burden of a monthly subscription, provided they can handle the slightly higher payment processing rates.
Who should skip Pipedrive?
Skip it if you need a full project management suite or have a high volume of low-value leads that will quickly trigger plan caps.
Who should skip Wave?
Skip it if you process more than $10,000/month in credit card sales, as cheaper merchant processing will save you more than Wave's software costs.