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HR3 Payroll vs WavePayroll Comparison

Last updated:

HR3 Payroll

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

HR3 Payroll is payroll software that allows HR professionals, accounting professionals and business owners to create and manage paychecks in a simple step-by-step process with the greatest level of accuracy. Users can pr…

WavePayroll

4.0(19 reviews)

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…

WavePayroll leads on user satisfaction with a 4.0-star rating across 19 reviews.

HR3 Payroll vs WavePayroll — at a glance

FeatureHR3 PayrollWavePayroll
Rating—4.0 / 5
Reviews—19
Starting priceContact for pricingContact for pricing
Free trial No No
Free version No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryPayroll SoftwarePayroll Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/Cloud
APIAvailableAvailable
Support modesOnline24/7 (Live rep), Online
CertificationsSOC 2GDPR
Data residency—US

Key differences between HR3 Payroll and WavePayroll

  • Deployment: HR3 Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; WavePayroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

HR3 Payroll vs WavePayroll — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

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.

HR3 Payroll
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WavePayroll - Payroll Software
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HR3 Payroll vs WavePayroll: Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

HR3 Payroll

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business

WavePayroll

Best for small businesses needing simple, integrated payroll and invoicing.

Choose if
  • 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
Consider alternatives if
  • Your business requires complex payroll features like emergency payroll or contractor workflows
  • You operate outside the US/Canada or need extensive international payroll support

HR3 Payroll typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. WavePayroll tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

HR3 Payroll is payroll software that allows HR professionals, accounting professionals and business owners to create and manage paychecks in a simple step-by-step process with the greatest ... Read More about HR3 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

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial
  • No free trial

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

8.1/10

8.7/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.05

(19)

Best Company Size

—
1-20 employeesSmall to medium businesses
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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.

Strengths

Key strengths

WavePayroll

  • 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

Best fit

WavePayroll

  • 1–20 employees
  • Freelancers, consultants, small retail, creative services, and home-based businesses
  • Small Business Owners, Freelancers, Bookkeepers, Office Managers, and Accountants
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

WavePayroll

  • 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 HR3 Payroll and WavePayroll Compare on Features?

Total Features

8 Features

7 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

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Compare HR3 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

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      Pricing information not available

      WavePayroll pricing

      HR3 Payroll vs WavePayroll: Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Available
      • Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      HR3 Payroll vs WavePayroll Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      SOC 2

      ✓ Yes
      —

      HIPAA

      ✗ No
      ✗ No

      GDPR

      —
      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      —
      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      —
      🇺🇸 US

      HR3 Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      No reviews available for the product

      Rating Distribution

      No reviews available for this product

      20

      4

      3

      1

      2

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      What buyers like

      • The step-by-step process allows even non-experts to manage payroll confidently and efficiently.
      • Whether you're processing payroll for one or thousands of employees, the software handles it with ease.
      • Functions like a virtual HR department by combining payroll with essential HR management capabilities.

      Common complaints

      • While basic operations are simple, advanced features may require training.
      • The user interface could benefit from a modern refresh to match today's design standards.
      • Some users may experience delays in support response during peak periods.

      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

      • Ease of use
      • Integration with Wave apps
      • Automation of payroll and invoicing

      Common complaints

      • Customer service responsiveness
      • Limited payroll flexibility

      Pros and Cons

      • Step-by-step guidance ensures accuracy in payroll.

      • Integrated HR features streamline management tasks.

      • Scalable solution grows with your business.

      • Initial training may be necessary for effective use.

      • Costs can increase with additional features.

      • Intuitive and user-friendly interface suitable for non-accountants

      • Seamless integration with Wave accounting and invoicing apps

      • Automation of recurring invoices, payroll processing, and tax form generation

      • Slow and frequently unresponsive customer service

      • Limited customization for non-US/Canada financial regulations

      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

      Used HR3 Payroll or WavePayroll? Tell buyers what actually differs.

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      No screenshots available.

      Run Payroll

      2 Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      1 Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      Top Alternatives to HR3 Payroll and WavePayroll in 2026

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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, HR3 Payroll or WavePayroll?
      WavePayroll edges out the other on user ratings (4.0 vs -1.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case, so use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do HR3 Payroll and WavePayroll offer a free trial?
      Neither HR3 Payroll nor WavePayroll currently lists a free trial.
      What is the starting price of HR3 Payroll vs WavePayroll?
      HR3 Payroll starts at Contact for pricing. WavePayroll starts at Contact for pricing.
      What are the top alternatives to HR3 Payroll?
      Top alternatives to HR3 Payroll include JustLogin, Microkeeper, Paybooks, Wagepoint, Square Payroll.
      What are the top alternatives to WavePayroll?
      Top alternatives to WavePayroll include EPAY HCM, APS Payroll, Pilot, OnPay, Fingercheck.