Heartland Payroll vs WavePayroll Comparison
Heartland Payroll
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Medium Business
- Small Business
Heartland Payroll is a payroll management software for small and medium sized companies. It handles all your payroll processing requirements such as bi-weekly, monthly or yearly paychecks, cost accounting and tracking of…
WavePayroll
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
WavePayroll is a payroll and invoicing platform that lets businesses send professional invoices, collect credit card payments, and set up automatic billing for recurring clients. It syncs invoicing, payment records, and…
Heartland Payroll leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 118 reviews.
Heartland Payroll vs WavePayroll — at a glance
| Feature | Heartland Payroll | WavePayroll |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Reviews | 118 | 19 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Payroll Software | Payroll Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud |
| API | — | Available |
| Support modes | 24/7 (Live rep) | 24/7 (Live rep), Online |
| Certifications | — | GDPR |
| Data residency | US | US |
Key differences between Heartland Payroll and WavePayroll
- Target audience: Heartland Payroll is built for Medium Business and Small Business, while WavePayroll targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
- User satisfaction: Heartland Payroll scores higher with a 4.6-star average.
- Deployment: Heartland Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; WavePayroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
Heartland Payroll vs WavePayroll — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Payroll Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert | Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
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Heartland Payroll vs WavePayroll: Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for small to mid-sized businesses needing streamlined payroll with strong support.
- You run a retail, hospitality, or healthcare business with 20-500 employees.
- You want automated tax filings and integrated payment processing to reduce manual work.
- You value responsive, knowledgeable payroll specialists for personalized customer support.
- Your company is a large enterprise with complex payroll needs requiring high customization.
- You need a highly customizable payroll entry and reporting system beyond standard options.
Best for small businesses needing simple, integrated payroll and invoicing.
- You run a small business with 1-20 employees seeking easy payroll management
- You want seamless integration with Wave’s free accounting and invoicing apps
- You need automation for recurring invoices, payroll processing, and tax filings
- Your business requires complex payroll features like emergency payroll or contractor workflows
- You operate outside the US/Canada or need extensive international payroll support
Heartland Payroll: Best for small to mid-sized businesses needing streamlined payroll with strong support. WavePayroll: Best for small businesses needing simple, integrated payroll and invoicing.
Description | Heartland Payroll is a payroll management software for small and medium sized companies. It handles all your payroll processing requirements such as bi-weekly, monthly or yearly paychecks, ... Read More about Heartland Payroll | WavePayroll is a payroll and invoicing platform that lets businesses send professional invoices, collect credit card payments, and set up automatic billing for recurring clients. It syncs ... Read More about WavePayroll |
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Free Trial Availability |
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SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.7/10 | 8.7/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 20-50 employees51-500 employees | 1-20 employeesSmall to medium businesses |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Where each option fits best
See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.
Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.
Key strengths
- Integrated Payments & Payroll: Combines payroll with Heartland's payment processing, simplifying employee compensation and business transactions.
- Compliance & Tax Filing: Automates federal, state, and local tax filings, helping reduce compliance risks and administrative workload.
- User-Friendly Platform: Designed to simplify payroll with easy-to-use dashboards, direct deposit options, and responsive customer support.
- Built for Small Businesses: Simple, intuitive, and ideal for business owners without payroll expertise.
- Tax Filing in Select Regions: Automatically handles federal and state tax filing in supported U.S. states, reducing administrative burden.
- Smooth Integration with Wave Accounting: Easily connects to Wave's free accounting software for simplified financial management.
Best fit
- 20–500 employees
- Retail, hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, and small to mid-sized businesses
- Payroll Managers, HR Directors, Finance Officers, Business Owners, and Operations Managers
- 1–20 employees
- Freelancers, consultants, small retail, creative services, and home-based businesses
- Small Business Owners, Freelancers, Bookkeepers, Office Managers, and Accountants
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- Businesses seeking deeper integration between payment processing and payroll may explore other all-in-one providers.
- Companies requiring advanced HR management, benefits administration, or time tracking may consider broader HCM platforms.
- Firms with multi-state or complex compliance needs might look for payroll solutions specializing in regulatory support.
- Businesses outside the U.S. and Canada may seek platforms with broader international payroll support.
- Companies needing robust HR management features or benefits administration might opt for more comprehensive solutions.
- Firms requiring advanced time tracking, PTO management, or performance reviews may consider full-service HR platforms.
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do Heartland Payroll and WavePayroll Compare on Features?
Total Features | 12 Features | 7 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Heartland Payroll and WavePayroll on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
Pricing Option | ||
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Pricing Plans |
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Pricing Page | Pricing information not available |  |
Heartland Payroll vs WavePayroll: Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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Modes of support |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Heartland Payroll vs WavePayroll Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
|---|---|---|
GDPR | — | ✓ Yes |
Data Encryption | — | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🇺🇸 US |
Heartland Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Users appreciate the user-friendly platform and strong customer service but note onboarding challenges and portal access issues. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Users appreciate WavePayroll’s ease of use and integration with accounting tools but express frustration with customer support and limited payroll flexibility. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
| Negative Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
Media and Screenshots
Screenshots | No screenshots available. |  2 Screenshots |
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Videos |  2 Videos |  3 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Heartland Payroll and WavePayroll in 2026
Alternatives |
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Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, Heartland Payroll or WavePayroll?
- Heartland Payroll edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 vs 4.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Heartland Payroll and WavePayroll offer a free trial?
- Neither Heartland Payroll nor WavePayroll currently lists a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Heartland Payroll vs WavePayroll?
- Heartland Payroll starts at Contact for pricing. WavePayroll starts at Contact for pricing.
- What are the top alternatives to Heartland Payroll?
- Top alternatives to Heartland Payroll include QuickBooks Payroll, OnPay, Square Payroll, Patriot Payroll, SurePayroll.
- What are the top alternatives to WavePayroll?
- Top alternatives to WavePayroll include EPAY HCM, APS Payroll, Pilot, OnPay, Fingercheck.