Trello vs Wave
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Trello
Trello is a visual project management tool based on the Kanban board methodology. It uses cards, lists, and boards to help teams organize tasks and workflows in a simple, visual way. Owned by Atlassian, Trello is one of the most widely used project management tools in the world, known for its simplicity and ease of use.
Wave
Wave is a free accounting and invoicing platform designed for small businesses, freelancers, and solopreneurs. It offers genuinely free accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning with no subscription fee. Wave makes money through payment processing and payroll add-ons. It is one of the best free accounting tools available for very small businesses with simple needs.
Pros
- ✓Extremely easy to learn and use — teams are productive within minutes
- ✓Generous free plan with unlimited cards
- ✓Familiar Kanban interface that most people already understand
- ✓Large library of power-ups and integrations
Cons
- ✗Limited project management features beyond Kanban boards
- ✗Not suitable for complex projects with dependencies
- ✗Reporting and analytics are basic
- ✗Timeline and calendar views require paid plan
Pros
- ✓Genuinely free accounting and invoicing — no subscription required
- ✓Clean and easy to use interface
- ✓Good enough for most very small businesses and freelancers
- ✓Receipt scanning and bank connections included free
Cons
- ✗Limited features compared to paid alternatives
- ✗Customer support is minimal on the free plan
- ✗Not suitable for growing businesses with complex needs
- ✗Payroll and payment processing add-ons can add up in cost
Trello vs Wave: Side by Side
| Factor | Trello | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Project Management | Accounting Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Best For | Small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual Kanban-based task management | Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Trello Features
- ✓Kanban boards
- ✓cards and checklists
- ✓power-ups and integrations
- ✓automation
- ✓timeline view
- ✓calendar view
- ✓mobile app
- ✓templates
Wave Features
- ✓Free accounting
- ✓invoicing
- ✓receipt scanning
- ✓bank connections
- ✓financial reporting
- ✓payments processing
- ✓payroll add-on
- ✓mobile app
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Trello if small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual kanban-based task management. Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software.
Best For
Small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual Kanban-based task management
Best For
Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software
Also Consider
If neither Trello nor Wave is the right fit, Wrike is worth evaluating.
Wrike
Marketing and creative teams needing enterprise project management with approvals and proofing
From Free
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Trello and Wave?
Trello is best for small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual kanban-based task management. Wave is best for solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software.
Which is better, Trello or Wave?
Choose Trello if small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual kanban-based task management. Choose Wave if solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software.
How much does Trello cost?
Trello starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Wave cost?
Wave starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Trello?
Small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual Kanban-based task management
Who should use Wave?
Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software