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Wave Payroll description
Wave Payroll is a payroll software designed for small and micro-businesses in the USA and Canada. It simplifies paying employees and contractors, offers automatic tax filing and payments in select US states, and integrates with other Wave financial products. It features direct deposit, employee self-service portals, and reporting functionalities. Wave Payroll operates on a monthly subscription fee plus a per-employee/contractor charge, with no setup fees or hidden costs.
Who is Wave Payroll best for
Wave Payroll is an affordable and easy-to-use payroll software ideal for small and micro-businesses in the US and Canada. Users appreciate its intuitive interface and seamless integration with other Wave financial products. However, some users have noted slower direct deposit times. It offers automated tax filing and payments in select US states, direct deposit, and an employee self-service portal.
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Best for small businesses (1-100 employees), suitable for medium businesses (101-1000 employees).
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Designed for businesses across various industries, especially those seeking an integrated financial solution.
Wave Payroll features
Supported Supports payments for both employees and contractors, and generates necessary tax forms (W2, 1099). |
Supported Offers automatic tax filing and payments in select US states. |
Supported Integrates with Wave accounting software to automate payroll journal entries. |
Supported Provides employees with access to pay stubs, tax forms (W2s), and the ability to update their contact and banking details. |
Supported Offers direct deposit as a payment method. |
Supported Allows unlimited pay runs at no extra cost. |
Supported Calculates federal and state income taxes, Social Security, and Medicare taxes. |
Wave Payroll reviews
We've summarised 31 Wave Payroll reviews (Wave Payroll G2 reviews) and summarised the main points below.
- Affordable and often free for basic features
- Easy to use and intuitive interface (especially for non-accountants)
- Seamless integration with other Wave financial products
- Automated invoicing and recurring billing
- Employee self-service portal for paystubs and tax documents
- Good customer support (though sometimes slow)
- Slow direct deposit times (up to 3-4 days)
- Limited mobile app functionality and stability
- Lacks calendar/scheduling features
- Difficult refunds
- Limited international support (e.g., India)
- Occasional software glitches and sync issues
- Inflexible payroll runs (difficult to select individual employees or run emergency payroll)
- Limited reporting features (e.g., departmental allocation)
Wave Payroll pricing
The commentary is based on 6 reviews from Wave Payroll G2 reviews.
Wave Payroll is praised for its affordability, especially by freelancers and small businesses. Users appreciate its low commission and free features, finding it cost-effective compared to other payroll services. However, some mention higher rates for specific tax services, even if those services aren't applicable to their situation.
See the Wave Payroll pricing page.
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Wave Payroll has a free plan.
Create unlimited estimates, invoices, bills, and bookkeeping records. Option to accept online payments. Invoice on-the-go via the Wave app. Manage cash flow and customers in one dashboard.
Everything in Starter, plus…. Option to accept online payments at a discounted rate. Auto-import bank transactions. Auto-merge and categorize bank transactions. Digitally capture unlimited receipts and track expenses. Automate late payment reminders. And more!
Wave Payroll alternatives
Wave Payroll FAQ
Wave Payroll is a cloud-based payroll software designed for small businesses in the US and Canada. It automates payroll processing, tax calculations and filings, and offers direct deposit and employee self-service features. It's known for its affordability and ease of use, making it ideal for businesses with limited payroll expertise.
What is Wave Payroll and what does Wave Payroll do?
Wave Payroll is a cloud-based payroll software designed for small businesses in the US and Canada. It automates payroll processing, tax calculations and filings, and offers direct deposit and employee self-service features. It's known for its affordability and ease of use, making it ideal for businesses with limited payroll expertise.
Wave Payroll seamlessly integrates with other Wave products, like accounting and invoicing, streamlining financial management. It also offers direct deposit and an employee self-service portal for pay stubs and tax forms.
How does Wave Payroll integrate with other tools?
Wave Payroll seamlessly integrates with other Wave products, like accounting and invoicing, streamlining financial management. It also offers direct deposit and an employee self-service portal for pay stubs and tax forms.
Top Wave Payroll alternatives include Gusto, OnPay, and QuickBooks Payroll. These competitors offer similar features like automated tax filing and direct deposit, often with additional functionalities like HR tools and broader integrations. They cater to various business sizes, potentially addressing some limitations users have noted with Wave, such as limited reporting.
What the main competitors of Wave Payroll?
Top Wave Payroll alternatives include Gusto, OnPay, and QuickBooks Payroll. These competitors offer similar features like automated tax filing and direct deposit, often with additional functionalities like HR tools and broader integrations. They cater to various business sizes, potentially addressing some limitations users have noted with Wave, such as limited reporting.
Yes, Wave Payroll is a legitimate payroll software offered by Wave Financial, a reputable company. It's a safe and affordable option for small businesses in the US and Canada, offering features like direct deposit and automated tax filing. However, be aware of some user-reported issues like slower direct deposit times.
Is Wave Payroll legit?
Yes, Wave Payroll is a legitimate payroll software offered by Wave Financial, a reputable company. It's a safe and affordable option for small businesses in the US and Canada, offering features like direct deposit and automated tax filing. However, be aware of some user-reported issues like slower direct deposit times.
Wave Payroll pricing is not readily available. Wave Financial offers a free Starter plan and a Pro plan for $170/year. Several add-ons are available, possibly including payroll, but their individual pricing isn't listed.
How much does Wave Payroll cost?
Wave Payroll pricing is not readily available. Wave Financial offers a free Starter plan and a Pro plan for $170/year. Several add-ons are available, possibly including payroll, but their individual pricing isn't listed.
Wave Payroll's customer service receives mixed reviews. While some users mention good support, many report slow response times, often taking weeks to resolve issues. This delay can be problematic, especially with time-sensitive payroll matters.
Is Wave Payroll customer service good?
Wave Payroll's customer service receives mixed reviews. While some users mention good support, many report slow response times, often taking weeks to resolve issues. This delay can be problematic, especially with time-sensitive payroll matters.
Reviewed by
Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.
Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.