Wave Payroll vs Monday.com CRM
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Monday.com CRM is our recommended pick for most teams — teams that want crm and project management combined in one visual platform.
Try Monday.com CRM →Read our full Monday.com CRM review →Wave Payroll
Wave Payroll is a simple payroll solution built into the Wave accounting ecosystem. It is designed for very small businesses that already use Wave for accounting and want an integrated payroll solution. Wave Payroll handles direct deposit, tax payments, and W-2s, making it a natural choice for businesses already in the Wave ecosystem.
Monday.com CRM
Monday.com CRM is a flexible customer relationship management tool built on the Monday.com work operating system. It combines CRM functionality with project management so sales teams can manage deals and collaborate on work in one place. Monday CRM is ideal for teams that want a highly visual and customizable CRM experience.
Pros
- ✓Seamlessly integrates with Wave accounting — no manual data transfer needed
- ✓Very affordable pricing for micro-businesses
- ✓Simple interface with minimal setup required
- ✓Free Wave accounting included with subscription
Cons
- ✗Limited features compared to dedicated payroll platforms
- ✗Tax filing is only automatic in select states — manual filing required in others
- ✗No mobile payroll app
- ✗Not suitable for businesses with complex payroll needs
Pros
- ✓Highly visual and intuitive interface that teams love
- ✓Flexible and customizable to fit any sales process
- ✓Strong collaboration tools for cross-functional teams
- ✓Good automation capabilities
Cons
- ✗Not a traditional CRM — lacks some advanced sales features
- ✗Can get expensive with larger teams
- ✗Reporting is less advanced than dedicated CRM tools
Wave Payroll vs Monday.com CRM: Side by Side
| Factor | Wave Payroll | Monday.com CRM |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | 4.4/5 ★ |
| Category | Payroll Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $20/mo + $6/person | $12/user/mo |
| Best For | Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll | Teams that want CRM and project management combined in one visual platform |
| Our Pick | — | 🏆 Recommended |
Wave Payroll Features
- ✓Payroll processing
- ✓direct deposit
- ✓tax payments and filings
- ✓W-2 and 1099 preparation
- ✓Wave accounting integration
- ✓employee self-service
Monday.com CRM Features
- ✓Contact and lead management
- ✓deal tracking
- ✓email integration
- ✓automation
- ✓dashboards
- ✓project management
- ✓collaboration tools
- ✓integrations
Pricing Comparison
Monday.com CRM
PaidStarts at $12/user/mo
Basic: $12/user/mo · Standard: $14/user/mo · Pro: $24/user/mo · Enterprise: custom
See full pricing →Best Use Cases
Monday.com CRM
- →Sales teams wanting a visual and flexible CRM
- →Companies already using Monday.com for project management
- →Teams wanting to customize their CRM without coding
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
Monday.com CRM is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Teams needing a dedicated sales-focused CRM with advanced features
- ✗Companies requiring complex deal scoring
- ✗Businesses needing built-in calling and email sequences
Integrations
Monday.com CRM
Gmail, Outlook, Slack, Zoom, Salesforce, HubSpot, Zapier, Stripe, LinkedIn
Our Take
Choose Wave Payroll if micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll. Choose Monday.com CRM if teams that want crm and project management combined in one visual platform.
Best For
Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll
Best For
Teams that want CRM and project management combined in one visual platform
Also Consider
If neither Wave Payroll nor Monday.com CRM is the right fit, Multiplier is worth evaluating.
Multiplier
Startups and SMBs hiring internationally on a budget
From $40/contractor/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Wave Payroll and Monday.com CRM?
Wave Payroll is best for micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll. Monday.com CRM is best for teams that want crm and project management combined in one visual platform.
Which is better, Wave Payroll or Monday.com CRM?
Choose Wave Payroll if micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll. Choose Monday.com CRM if teams that want crm and project management combined in one visual platform.
How much does Wave Payroll cost?
Wave Payroll starts at $20/mo + $6/person. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Monday.com CRM cost?
Monday.com CRM starts at $12/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Wave Payroll?
Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll
Who should use Monday.com CRM?
Teams that want CRM and project management combined in one visual platform