Proofline vs TrustMRR: features, pricing and which is better in 2026
Updated Oct 2, 2026 · Pricing checked against public sources; confirm on TrustMRR’s site.
TrustMRR, built by Marc Lou, is a database of startup revenue verified directly through payment providers, with a marketplace for buying and selling small startups. It isn't an idea tool, and it pairs well with one.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Proofline | TrustMRR |
|---|---|---|
| Core job | Instant AI validation of your own idea, plus a daily scored idea and a revenue board | Payment-verified startup revenue database plus an acquisition marketplace |
| Validates your own idea | Yes: 10 free Lab runs a day with a free account | No |
| Pricing | Free; Pro $19/mo; one-time deep reports $19 | Free to browse |
| Free option | Yes, including 10 Validation Lab runs a day | Yes |
| Speed | About 20–60 seconds per scored report | Revenue data refreshed frequently |
| How scores or data are backed | Weighted 0–100 score plus a separate Evidence score that caps thinly supported ideas. AI estimate, not live market data | Revenue read from payment providers through read-only keys, the strongest verification tier |
| Ease of use | Paste an idea, get a report. No setup | Simple leaderboard and listings |
| Best for | Founders who already have an idea and want a fast, honest first filter | Founders benchmarking revenue, and buyers or sellers of small startups |
Pros and cons
Proofline
Strengths
- Evaluates ideas, not just revenue
- Turns comparables into a verdict and next steps
- Daily scored idea
Weaknesses
- Our revenue board is demo data and not payment-verified
- No marketplace
- Far fewer companies
TrustMRR
Strengths
- Payment-verified numbers, no screenshots
- Free
- Built-in acquisition marketplace
Weaknesses
- Not an idea or validation tool
- Only covers startups that connect a payment provider
- Revenue alone doesn't tell you what to build
The verdict
TrustMRR is the standard for verified revenue, and Proofline isn't trying to replace it. Use TrustMRR to benchmark or buy a business; use Proofline to judge an idea.
Frequently asked questions
Is Proofline a good TrustMRR alternative?
It depends on the job. Proofline is a good TrustMRR alternative if you want to validate your own idea quickly and for free: paste it into the Validation Lab and get a weighted score, an evidence score and three experiments in under a minute. TrustMRR is the better choice when you need what it specializes in: payment-verified startup revenue database plus an acquisition marketplace.
TrustMRR vs Proofline: which is better?
TrustMRR is the standard for verified revenue, and Proofline isn't trying to replace it. Use TrustMRR to benchmark or buy a business; use Proofline to judge an idea.
How much does TrustMRR cost?
Free to browse. Free option: Yes. Prices change, so confirm on TrustMRR’s own site before you buy. Proofline is free; Pro is $19 a month and one-time deep reports are $19.
What are the best TrustMRR alternatives in 2026?
Common alternatives include IdeaWave, IdeaBrowser, BigIdeasDB, Exploding Topics and Proofline. Pick based on the job: discovering ideas, researching raw demand, tracking trends, benchmarking revenue, or validating an idea you already have.
Can I use TrustMRR and Proofline together?
Yes. A common workflow is to use TrustMRR for what it does best (founders benchmarking revenue, and buyers or sellers of small startups) and Proofline to score the ideas you are seriously considering before you commit time to them.
More comparisons
Builders who want to start from proven revenue and have a v1 built for them
Proofline vs IdeaBrowserPeople who don't have an idea yet and want deep, curated research
Proofline vs BigIdeasDBResearchers who want raw demand evidence rather than a verdict
Proofline vs Exploding TopicsMarketers, investors and founders scanning for timing signals
Proofline vs ValidatorAIFirst-time founders who want quick, friendly feedback
Proofline vs Starter StoryFounders who learn from stories and want a curriculum and community