Top 10 Wave Payroll Alternatives 2026

What reviewers like about WavePayroll

• Affordable solution for small to medium-sized businesses offering essential payroll and accounting features.
• Interface is easy enough for non-accountants and beginners.
• Integrates with other Wave apps for invoicing, expense tracking, and accounting.

Where WavePayroll falls short

• Customer service is slow and frequently unresponsive, making issue resolution time-consuming.
• Limited customization for non-US/Canada financial regulations, creating difficulties for international users.
• Slower payment transfer times and limited ability to run emergency or extra payroll.

What reviewers like about ADP Payroll Services

• User-friendly interface, making it accessible even for non-technical users.
• Reliable payroll processing with accurate and timely payment delivery.
• All-in-one platform consolidating payroll, tax filing, and HR-related services.

Where ADP Payroll Services falls short

• Periodic customer service complaints regarding responsiveness and reliability.
• Reported issues with glitches or inaccuracies in the system, especially during tax season.
• The setup process can seem overwhelming without the help of the dedicated support team.

What reviewers like about EPAY HCM

• Exceptional customer support, available 24/7, ensuring quick and effective troubleshooting.
• User-friendly interface with simple navigation, both on the mobile app and website.
• Efficient time tracking features allowing easy access, editing, and management of employee attendance and payroll.

Where EPAY HCM falls short

• Occasional complexity with certain features, like adding mass PTO with different hour allocations for part-time vs. full-time employees, creating additional work.
• Fingerprint mismatches causing errors in payroll, especially with certain employees, despite re-registering fingerprints.
• Issues with login reliability, such as cases where users struggle to access accounts due to password or keyboard settings.

What reviewers like about PrimePay

• Customer service is responsive, with representatives frequently singled out for praise.
• Interface requires minimal technical expertise to use.
• Employee self-service options reduce HR workload.

Where PrimePay falls short

• Lack of dedicated account representatives for some users, leading to inefficiencies and inconsistent problem resolution.
• Issues with updated features such as cloud registration, resulting in errors and frustration.
• Complexity in some functionalities, such as tax reporting and transaction tracking, needs further refinement.

What reviewers like about APS Payroll

• Integration with Sage Intacct simplifies operations and reduces manual work.
• Extremely user-friendly, with clear features for both admins and employees.
• Excellent customer service with responsive, knowledgeable, and dedicated support teams.

Where APS Payroll falls short

• Implementation can be disorganized with some inconsistencies and delays in setup or onboarding.
• Customization is limited in certain features like deduction fields, reporting, and benefits management.
• Reporting features can be challenging for new users until they gain familiarity with the system.

What reviewers like about Pilot

• Extremely easy to set up and onboard, with a user-friendly interface and clear instructions.
• Quick and reliable payment processing, ensuring users receive funds promptly.
• Supports international and cross-currency transactions, offering competitive exchange rates and transparent fees.

Where Pilot falls short

• Occasional issues with local banking systems that may cause delays in receiving international payments.
• Limited advanced features or integrations for businesses seeking more customization and scalability.
• Some users express dissatisfaction with exchange rates, suggesting room for improvement despite competitive pricing.

What reviewers like about OnPay

• OnPay stands out for its intuitive design, making it easy for supervisors, managers, and payroll specialists to navigate and execute payroll tasks efficiently
• It supports both hourly and salaried employees, allowing companies to manage diverse workforce needs under one system.
• By automating key payroll functions, OnPay helps organizations cut down on the time and expenses typically involved in payroll operations.

Where OnPay falls short

• While great for SMBs, larger companies might find customization options less robust for complex payroll needs.
• OnPay focuses on payroll and may require additional tools for functions like recruitment or performance management.
• As a cloud-based solution, internet connectivity is required, which might be a constraint in certain environments.

What reviewers like about SurePayroll

• Payroll setup is quick, easy to use, and simplifies previously cumbersome tasks like tax deductions and filings.
• Easy-to-use platform with a simple interface, making it accessible for non-technical users.
• Exceptional customer support with dedicated representatives offering hands-on assistance and problem resolution.

Where SurePayroll falls short

• Occasional issues with missing payments or discrepancies that require follow-up.
• While customer service is generally positive, isolated instances of less satisfactory support were mentioned.
• Limited flexibility for advanced users or features when compared to some competitors.

What reviewers like about Fingercheck

• Centralizes payroll, time tracking, and attendance in a single platform, making processes more efficient and error-free.
• Easy-to-use interface and mobile app allow employees and administrators to navigate and complete tasks with ease.
• Reporting features generate valuable insights on payroll, labor movement, and cost management.

Where Fingercheck falls short

• User interface for complex features can be challenging for some without customer support guidance.
• Occasional system slowdowns and delays when generating reports or loading locations.
• Limited flexibility in building customizable reports and specific features like benefit administration.

What reviewers like about CheckWriters

• Exceptional and responsive customer service, often noted for its promptness and professionalism.
• User-friendly platform that simplifies payroll, reporting, and HR tasks, making processes efficient for both small and large organizations.
• Accurate payroll and tax compliance, reducing errors and providing peace of mind for users.

Where CheckWriters falls short

• Long wait times when contacting customer service representatives, and potential difficulties in reaching familiar account specialists.
• Steep learning curve for certain report functions or features, with some reports being hard to customize or export properly.
• Frequent account representative turnover, making it challenging to build consistent support relationships.