8.7
Spot Score

WavePayroll Review: Is It The Right Payroll Software For Your Team?
Best for SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise
Free Plan Available
Overview
Pricing
Features
Buyer feedback
Alternatives
Media
Security & Compliance
Support
FAQ
Blogs
SpotSaaS Analysis for WavePayroll
WavePayroll is a payroll management solution primarily used by small business owners, bookkeepers, and office managers. With a rating of 4.2 out of 5 from 103 reviews, it is broadly validated as a reliable choice for those seeking an affordable and user-friendly payroll system.
WavePayroll's top strengths include its affordability for small to medium-sized businesses and its intuitive interface, which is particularly beneficial for non-accountants and beginners. Additionally, it integrates smooth with other Wave apps, enhancing its value for users already utilizing Wave's invoicing and accounting tools. However, a significant watch-out is the slow and often unresponsive customer service, which can lead to delays in resolving issues.
Quick facts about WavePayroll
What is WavePayroll?
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 accounting data in one dashboard with client history tracking.
Best For
Suited for solo users, small teams, SMBs, and enterprise
Security & Compliance
Data residency:🇺🇸
WavePayroll Software Demo
WavePayroll was reviewed internally using user feedback, in-house testing, and market research to assess its performance, reliability, and user experience. Learn how we review products and our evaluation process.
Who should consider WavePayroll
- Use cases
- Small retail businesses, Freelancers and consultants, Creative services and home-based businesses
- Team types
- Small business owners, Bookkeepers
- Company size
- 1-20 employees, Small to medium businesses
- Workflow style
- Simple and streamlined
- Setup complexity
- Low
Why teams choose WavePayroll
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
Is WavePayroll right for you?
Best for small businesses needing simple, integrated payroll and invoicing.
Choose WavePayroll 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
What buyers should know before shortlisting WavePayroll
Wave Payroll is a strong contender for small to mid-sized businesses looking for affordable and intuitive payroll management software. Its standout features include ease of use, seamless integration with Wave’s accounting and invoicing tools, and the ability to automate key processes like recurring invoices, tax form generation, and direct deposit.
The platform shines in creating an end-to-end financial management suite, enabling business owners to handle payroll, expenses, and reporting in one place. Employers also appreciate features like allowing employees direct access to paystubs and tax forms, as well as robust automation that simplifies tax compliance.
However, some drawbacks do emerge, particularly for businesses with more complex or niche needs. Customer support response times can be slow, and the software lacks certain advanced features such as granular reporting or benefits management tools.
Additionally, users in regions outside the U. S.
or Canada may find the platform less tailored to local financial regulations. Lastly, delays in payment transfers and limited flexibility in customization are minor hiccups.
Overall, Wave Payroll excels as an affordable solution for businesses prioritizing simplicity and integration but may not fully suit larger organizations or those with specialized requirements.
WavePayroll pros and cons
- WavePayroll pros
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
- WavePayroll cons
Slow and frequently unresponsive customer service
Limited customization for non-US/Canada financial regulations
Ready to try it?
Get started with WavePayroll
Try the free plan and upgrade when ready.
Still comparing?
See how it stacks up
Compare WavePayroll side-by-side with top Payroll Software alternatives.
What is the pricing of WavePayroll?
WavePayroll Pricing Plans
Accounting software
Unlimited income and expense tracking
Track sales tax on income and expenses
Add unlimited partners, collaborators or accountants
Fully functional double entry system. Generate financial statements for year-end
Powerful reports on Overdue Invoices & Bills, Cash Flow, Profit & Loss and more
Show more +
Receipt scanning
Unlimited receipt scanning with our free mobile app
Integrate seamlessly with the accounting software by Wave
Capture receipts even when you’re offline
Say goodbye to paper receipts and spreadsheets
Snap a photo of your receipt, we'll automatically fill in the rest
Show more +
WavePayroll reviews and ratings
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
What users are saying
EI
Ed I
11/08/22
"Customer service takes weeks to respond"
What do you like best about Wave Payroll? It's so simple that it's almost not worth using. Need to pay overtime? Not well supported. Need to resolve ...
Read more
MS
Mrinmai S
10/12/22
"Best Budget Enterprise Accounting Software"
What do you like best about Wave Payroll? Wave payroll is one of the best payroll and finance management software that I have used so far. It has a ...
Read more
MS
Mrinmai S
10/12/22
"Best Budget Enterprise Accounting Software"
What do you like best about Wave Payroll? Wave payroll is one of the best payroll and finance management software that I have used so far. It has a ...
Read more
KM
Kojenwa M
09/29/22
"I really enjoy the simplicity and how easily o can fond everything I am looking for."
What do you like best about Wave Payroll? The upsides include not having to purchase an extra software like fresh books or quick books to manage ...
Read more
AU
Anonymous User
04/26/22
"If you are not a payroll expert Wave is your ally."
What do you like best about Wave Payroll? How you can set up invoices to go out on a particular day and not worry about having to remember them later. ...
Read more
AU
Anonymous User
04/26/22
"If you are not a payroll expert Wave is your ally."
What do you like best about Wave Payroll? How you can set up invoices to go out on a particular day and not worry about having to remember them later. ...
Read more

- See if WavePayroll fits your business
- Real pricing — no sales pressure
- A demo or quick answers, your call
Step 1 of 4
How big is your team?
We tailor recommendations to companies your size.
What are the features of WavePayroll?
Benefits management includes defining, preparing, analyzing, and monitoring benefits from starting a program or project investment until the…
Check writing used to be done by hand in the old days. Today, there is a digital solution for everything, and check printing software is tha…
WavePayroll Direct Deposit lets employers deposit wages directly into employees' bank accounts, removing the need for paper checks and manua…
WavePayroll Multi-country support is currently limited, as it primarily serves businesses within the U.S. and Canada. However, it provides b…
A self-service portal is a website or app that enables workers (or external clients for externally visible support providers) to help themse…
WavePayroll Tax Management automates the calculation, withholding, and remittance of payroll taxes at both federal and state levels. It veri…
WavePayroll W-2 Preparation speeds up end-of-year tax filing by automatically generating W-2 forms for employees based on payroll records. T…
WavePayroll security and data handling
Key compliance certifications and security features for IT and security teams evaluating WavePayroll.
Certifications
Security features
Developer & data
Alternatives to WavePayroll
Why buyers keep looking beyond 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.
Organizations handling complex payroll scenarios like union rules or job costing might look to specialized systems.
Employers with larger teams may prefer scalable payroll platforms with enterprise-level controls and reporting.
Businesses desiring built-in applicant tracking or onboarding tools may explore integrated HCM suites.
WavePayroll Support Options
Frequently Asked Questions About WavePayroll
Common questions buyers ask before choosing WavePayroll.
WavePayroll is a Payroll Software. WavePayroll offers W-2 Preparation, Self Service Portal, Multi-country, Direct Deposit, Check Printing and many more functionalities.
WavePayroll is a strong fit 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. 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.
Buyers commonly note the following limitations of WavePayroll: Slow and frequently unresponsive customer service; Limited customization for non-US/Canada financial regulations; Lack of flexibility in payroll processing such as emergency payroll or contractor workflows.
Some top alternatives to WavePayroll includes Patriot Payroll, Paychex Flex, Paycor, Freshbooks and Roll by ADP.
WavePayroll offers Freemium pricing model
The starting price is not disclosed by WavePayroll. You can visit WavePayroll pricing page to get the latest pricing.
Free buyer scorecard
Evaluate WavePayroll with the payroll software buyer scorecard
A weighted payroll software scorecard to assess WavePayroll objectively and compare it against the alternatives.
- Weighted criteria you can edit
- Score vendors side-by-side
- Shareable with your buying committee
No file downloads on screen — we email it to you. One-click unsubscribe anytime.
Ready to try it?
Get started with WavePayroll
Get started with the free plan — no credit card required.
About the reviewer
Rajat Gupta is the founder of Spotsaas. Over the past two years, he has reviewed 2,000+ tools across CRM, HR, AI, and finance — applying hands-on product research and a background in commerce and the CFA program to evaluate software through a business and ROI lens. His goal: help teams make software decisions they won't regret.
Payroll Software by Country
Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].


























