Overview
Wave Payroll is an affordable payroll service that integrates seamlessly with Wave's free accounting software, making it perfect for micro businesses and solopreneurs. The platform offers self-service or full-service payroll options, automated tax filing, and direct deposit—all at competitive pricing for businesses with just a few employees.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Very affordable pricing for micro businesses
- ✓Seamless integration with free Wave Accounting
- ✓Simple, straightforward payroll processing
- ✓Multiple service level options (self-service or full-service)
- ✓No contracts or long-term commitments
- ✓Good mobile app for on-the-go payroll
Cons
- ✗Limited to US-based businesses only (also available in Canada)
- ✗Minimal HR features beyond basic payroll
- ✗Not scalable for growing businesses
- ✗Limited reporting and analytics
- ✗No time tracking integration
- ✗Customer support can be slow
Who Should Use This?
Best For
- →Micro businesses with 1-10 employees
- →Solopreneurs hiring their first employees
- →Companies already using Wave Accounting
- →Businesses needing basic payroll only
- →Budget-conscious small business owners
Not Ideal For
- →Companies with more than 25 employees
- →Businesses with complex payroll needs
- →Organizations requiring HR features
- →Companies outside US and Canada
- →Growing businesses needing scalable solutions
Key Features
Implementation
Self-service setup in under 1 hour. Connect to Wave Accounting for automatic sync.
Get Pricing for Wave Payroll
Compare quotes, see demos, and get personalized recommendations
Quick Info
Self-service: $20/month + $6 per employee. Full-service (with tax filing): $35/month + $6 per employee.
📋 Implementation Guide
Step-by-step guide to implementing Payroll software
View Guide BelowOpen Full Guide PageImplementing Payroll Software
Critical guide to implementing payroll software without disrupting employee payments.
Implementation Steps
Understand all payroll requirements and plan transition timing.
Key Tips:
- Review all federal, state, and local tax requirements
- Document current payroll process and frequency
- Identify all deductions (benefits, garnishments, etc.)
- Plan go-live date (start of quarter preferred)
- Notify employees of upcoming changes
- Get buy-in from finance/accounting team
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ×Not running parallel processing - too risky to go straight to live
- ×Choosing end-of-year for go-live - tax reporting nightmare
- ×Missing obscure deductions or garnishments
- ×Not verifying bank account numbers - payments go to wrong accounts
- ×Insufficient testing of tax calculations - penalties are severe
- ×Not having a rollback plan - leaves you stranded if issues occur
Best Practices
- Always start at beginning of quarter for clean tax reporting
- Run at least 2 parallel payrolls before going live
- Over-communicate with employees about changes
- Keep old payroll system active for 1 quarter after cutover
- Create detailed audit reports comparing old vs new
- Have your accountant review configuration before go-live
- Build in buffer time - process payroll 2 days early at first
- Document everything for compliance and audit purposes
Frequently Asked Questions About Wave Payroll
Common questions about Wave Payroll, including pricing, features, integrations, and who should use it.