Wave Payroll’s simple, low-cost features may be basic but they’re well-suited for small businesses needing an affordable all-in-one accounting and payroll solution. You don’t have to wait for a new quarter or year to start using payroll software—you can start running payroll at any time! And if you’re switching providers, you can make the transition easily by importing all the necessary forms and information in just a few minutes. Check out our handy support article to learn how you can switch to using Wave’s payroll feature. Payroll software saves you time so you can focus on the best parts of running your business.

Wave Payroll

1. Wave is an excellent option for payroll and accounting software for small businesses.
2. In addition to offering a free 30-day trial, Wave Payroll’s subscription-based pricing model is transparent, with no setup fees or hidden charges.
3. You don’t have to wait for a new quarter or year to start using payroll software—you can start running payroll at any time!
4. TriNet Zenefits is also more affordable than Wave Payroll, with a monthly price of $10.00 +$6.00 per employee per month.

We’ve also crafted a guide to small business payroll to help you navigate the process. At Business.org, our research is meant to offer general product and service recommendations. We don’t guarantee that our suggestions will work best for each individual or business, so consider your unique needs when choosing products and services. You can’t call Wave for help, which is frustrating.

Regardless of the type of payee, the cost per person is an extra $6 per month on top of your monthly base fee. Finally, if you use Wave Payroll, you can only access customer service via live chat on weekdays or via email. Wave doesn’t have any over-the-phone support, so if you run into technical problems on a weekend, expect to deal with them on your own. We research, evaluate, and test each payroll software app that we review at Merchant Maverick, placing special emphasis on key characteristics to generate granular ratings. Wave Payroll doesn’t offer much for benefits administration; you won’t be able to handle anything beyond worker’s compensation benefits through Next Insurance within the platform.

Additional Wave Payroll features

By providing feedback on how we can improve, you can earn gift cards and get early access to new features. Refer to our Advertising Disclosure to learn more about how we earn compensation from affiliate partnerships and how we maintain our independent editorial preparing a budgeted income statement integrity. Wave Payroll doesn’t publish a list of its integrations but does integrate with Google Sheets and Zapier, which functions as a bridge to over 1,000 applications. It also has an open API and, of course, integration with native Wave software. Wave Payroll earned a solid 4.1/5 stars in the review category, as users generally approve of the software.

Wave Payroll’s key features

(Neither does Wave Accounting, which you can use via a browser only.) Honestly, few payroll companies have solid employer-facing payroll apps — it’s just a shame Wave Payroll isn’t one of them. Additionally, Wave Payroll integrates with xero review: features and pricing fewer third-party accounting software than solutions like Gusto and OnPay. Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity.

Compared to other payroll solutions, Wave Payroll’s pricing is on the lower end — as is the number of features it supports. Employees can use self-service accounts to view pay stubs, updated information and access tax forms. We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. Create beautiful invoices, accept online payments, and make accounting easy—all in one place. We totally get it—running payroll for your small business can seem like a daunting task, especially when you’ve got so much on your plate.

On the contrary, it’s a great payroll software for businesses with basic payroll needs. Additionally, Wave is perfect for small businesses already using Wave products or businesses looking to integrate simple accounting software with payroll software. While the software provides just enough features to run payroll, there are so many basic features missing that you’d expect from payroll processing software. What you may gain in affordability, you lose in functionality.

You can add deductions for benefits through Wave but will need to purchase and understanding deferred revenue vs accrued expense manage benefits separately. “Wave invoicing makes your life a whole lot easier and takes that worry off you. I’ve tried Quickbooks—it’s a bit more complicated and technical, and takes more time to set up.” Only pay for what you use and simplify annual audits with workers’ comp built for small business owners.

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