The verdict for drag designers: Wave is solid software, but at $16/month it costs $644 over 3 years. Nexa does most of what Wave does for $279 once. For solo drag designers and small teams, Nexa is the better deal.
Nexa: $279. Once. You keep $365. And you own it — no more "we're updating our pricing" emails.
| Feature | Wave | Nexa |
|---|---|---|
| Invoicing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scheduling | ✗ | ✓ |
| CRM | ✗ | ✓ |
| Time Tracking | ✗ | ✓ |
| Full Accounting | ✗ | ✓ (SIMPL) |
| Task Management | ✗ | ✓ |
| Price | $16/mo | $279 once or 3 × $99 |
| 3-Year Total | $644 | $279 |
| You own it? | No — stop paying, lose access | Yes — forever |
Wave plus whatever else you're paying for:
Email yourself this comparison?
The math doesn't lie.
Drag Designers deal with unique challenges that generic software was not built for: Rush orders for performances and pageants with tight deadlines. Material costs on rhinestoned gowns can be $200-500 in stones alone. Clients want red-carpet quality on DIY budgets. Multiple fittings needed with performers who have irregular schedules. Wave charges $16/month on top of these daily realities. The median drag designer earns $30,000/year — $192/year in software subscriptions is a significant percentage of that income, paid every year, forever.
Nexa is $279 once. Invoicing, scheduling, CRM, time tracking, accounting — all connected, built for drag designers. You own it like you own your Industrial sewing machine.
You're stoning a pageant gown — 2,000 rhinestones at $0.08 each ($160 in stones alone). Fabric was $120. You've been working 6 hours and you're halfway through stoning. The performer needs it in 4 days for a show. You quoted $800 and you're now realizing you'll have 20+ hours in this gown. Another queen wants a custom reveal outfit for a gig next weekend. Your fitting schedule is a text thread.
Real drag designers near you who run their business on Nexa — book directly, no platform fee. Are you a drag designer? Post your business and get found in your area — $2.99 one-time. Or browse every drag designer on Nexa →
For solo drag designers and small teams, yes. invoicing, scheduling, CRM, time tracking, task management, and full accounting — all for $279 once. Wave may be better if you have a large team (10+) or need enterprise-specific features.
Wave has features like Free accounting software and Unlimited invoicing that some businesses rely on. For most solo drag designers, these aren't dealbreakers.
At $16/month, Nexa pays for itself in 17.4 months. After that: $192 saved every year.
Yes. Nexa is $279 as a one-time payment, or 3 payments of $99 ($297 total). Either way it's a one-time purchase — no subscription, no recurring fees ever.
Own your tools. Stop renting your software.
Get Nexa — $279 Once