NextMe or Waitwhile?
For SMBs, choosing the right waitlist and appointment software can be intimidating. We’ve compiled some helpful pros and cons to help you decide between NextMe and Waitwhile, two of the most popular queue management solutions on the market.
Key considerations
When comparing waitlist software, it’s important to evaluate their features, usability, pricing, and support to determine which might be the best fit for your particular business. Our team at NextMe has been helping SMBs make these decisions for years, and we’re constantly adapting to the latest advancements in waitlist technology. While we believe our waitlist solution is a great fit for many businesses, our goal is to provide an honest and balanced view of your options. We hope this article is helpful in making your decision.
Overview
| NextMe | Waitwhile |
| NextMe is a modern virtual waiting room that makes it simple for businesses to manage their waitlist and serve more customers. Eliminate long lines and create amazing first impressions, all while saving money on outdated technology. | Waitwhile is a sleek Queue Management platform that helps you manage your queues, wait times and appointment scheduling – all in one place. |
Features
Both tools offer a comparable feature set. Some notable differences are that NextMe does not currently have an Android app and Waitwhile does not offer a robust Virtual Waiting Room to engage with guests while they wait.
| Feature | NextMe | Waitwhile |
| Industry Agnostic | ✅ | ✅ |
| Enterprise Friendly | ✅ | ✅ |
| SMS Messaging | ✅ | ✅ |
| Customizable Notifications | ✅ | ✅ |
| Customizable Queues and Fields | ✅ | ✅ |
| Appointment Scheduling | ✅ | ✅ |
| Self Check-in | ✅ | ✅ |
| Public Waitlist | ✅ | ✅ |
| Privacy Options | ✅ | ✅ |
| Repeat Guest Lookup | ✅ | ✅ |
| Team Management | ✅ | ✅ |
| Estimated Wait Times | ✅ | ✅ |
| Web App | ✅ | ✅ |
| iOS App | ✅ | ✅ |
| Android App | ❌ | ✅ |
| Virtual Waiting Room | ✅ | ❌ |
| Table Management | ❌ | ❌ |
Usability
Ranks 4.9 out of 5 for ease of use based on Capterra reviews. NextMe is easy to use and train and this is a common source of praise relative to other competing tools. Usability is a frequent theme in NextMe’s positive reviews.
Ranks 4.6 out of 5 for ease of use based on Capterra reviews. Waitwhile is sleek and usability is a core principle in the company’s values. Usability is commonly praised in reviews, with the exception of their iOS and Android apps which have received more critical feedback.
Pricing
Both NextMe and Waitwhile offer a hassle-free two week free trial. NextMe offers a more generous free plan. Waitwhile is cheaper at the starter tier but more expensive in the business tier, with less transparency on how the pricing might increase from the “starting at” price. Waitwhile has more variables that go into their pricing, which gives you the added benefit of being able to customize your plan. The downside of this is that the baseline price can go up very quickly depending on your business needs. Both platforms offer enterprise and event pricing that require chatting with a sales representative.
Waitwhile increased their pricing in 2022 for Starter and Business customers. These changes lowered the price for the Starter but greatly limited the number of locations that qualify for that the plan level. The result was many businesses were forced to upgrade to the more expensive Business plan or seek alternative waitlist solutions. NextMe has never retroactively increased pricing for it’s existing customers, and is dedicated to honoring existing rates.
| Plan | NextMe | Waitwhile |
| 14-Day Free Trial | ✅ | ✅ |
| Free | Up to 170 visits per month | Up to 50 visits per month |
| Starter | $49.99 per month when billed annually. This the the rate per location. There is no limit on number of locations under this plan. | *Starting at $23 per month when billed annually. This is the rate per location. Limited to 4 locations. Businesses with over 4 locations are required to upgrade to the next plan level. |
| Business | $79.99/mo when billed annually This is the rate per location. There is no limit on number of locations under this plan. | *Starting at $156 when billed annually This is the rate per location. There is no limit on number of locations under this plan. |
| Enterprise | Varies | Varies |
Support
While support options are comparable between the two platforms, the size and values of each company can create notable differences in the level and quality of support you receive. NextMe has a smaller team, but fewer customers than Waitwhile. Given these differences, NextMe can typically offer more personalized support for SMBs. Businesses that migrate from Waitwhile to NextMe often cite a lack of human support as a core reason for the switch.
| Support | NextMe | Waitwhile |
| Help Center | ✅ | ✅ |
| Chat Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| Phone Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| Personal Demos | ✅ | ✅ |
Conclusion
Both NextMe and Waitwhile are excellent waitlist management solutions, each with its own strengths. NextMe is ideal for businesses that need an easy to use, feature-rich solution at an affordable price with reliable human support. It’s great for SMBs who are looking to ramp up a solution quickly and/or anticipate scaling up in the future. Waitwhile is a strong contender for enterprise companies that need a feature-rich solution with high levels of customization while retaining simplicity.
Ultimately, the choice will depend on your specific business needs, budget, and the complexity of the queuing system required. We hope this was comparison was a helpful tool in informing your decision!