Wave Payroll
What is Wave Payroll?
Wave Payroll is a payroll add-on for Wave's free accounting and invoicing platform, built for small business owners in the United States and Canada who need to pay employees and independent contractors without complex HR software. It handles direct deposit, automatic payroll tax calculations, and generates year-end tax forms (W-2/1099 in the US, T4/T4A in Canada). Payroll runs are recorded automatically as journal entries in Wave's accounting books, so bookkeeping stays reconciled without manual entry.
In the US, Wave offers full-service payroll with automatic tax payments and filings in all 50 states. In Canada, tax filings must be completed manually by the business owner, as Wave does not yet offer full-service tax remittance there. Employees get a self-service portal for pay stubs, tax forms, and banking details. Pricing is a flat monthly base fee plus a per-worker fee, with no long-term contracts.
Key Features of Wave Payroll
Here are the powerful features that make Wave Payroll stand out from the competition. Packed with innovative tools and advanced functionalities, this software offers a range of benefits.
- One-click payroll processing for employees and contractors
- Unlimited free direct deposit to employee bank accounts
- Automatic payroll tax calculations
- Full-service automatic tax payments and filings in all 50 US states
- Automatic generation of W-2 and 1099 forms (US) and T4/T4A slips (Canada)
- Employee self-service portal for pay stubs, tax forms, and banking updates
- Automatic payroll journal entries synced with Wave accounting
- Employee self-onboarding
- Leave and time-off tracking
- Payroll expense breakdown by employee and expense type
Wave Payroll Pricing
Here are the pricing plans for Wave Payroll. Choose the plan that best fits your requirements and budget.
Full-Access Payroll (US)
$40/month + $6 per active employee + $6 per contractor
Per active employee/contractor paid per month
Includes automatic payroll tax payments and filings in all 50 US states, direct deposit, W-2/1099 generation, and employee self-service portal. 30-day free trial available.
Full-Access Payroll (Canada)
CA$25/month + CA$6 per active employee + CA$6 per contractor
Per active employee/contractor paid per month
Includes direct deposit, T4/T4A generation, and employee self-service portal. Payroll tax remittance to CRA is manual. 30-day free trial available.
Limited-Access Payroll (US)
$17/month
For businesses pausing payroll
Retains customer support, payroll reporting, past pay stub/tax form access, and W-2s, but cannot process new payrolls or edit timesheets.
Limited-Access Payroll (Canada)
CA$10/month
For businesses pausing payroll
Retains customer support, payroll reporting, past pay stub/tax form access, and year-end tax slips, but cannot process new payrolls or edit timesheets.
Wave Payroll Specifications
Get a closer look at the technical specifications and system requirements for Wave Payroll. Find out if it's compatible with your operating system and other software.
- cloud based
- web app
- freelancers
- startups
- smes
- live support
Wave Payroll Screenshots
Alternatives of Wave Payroll
AlternativesExplore alternative software options that can fulfill similar requirements as Wave Payroll. Evaluate their features, pricing, and user feedback to find the perfect fit for your needs.
Cloud payroll software that automates pay runs, tax filing, and compliance for US businesses
Affordable in-house and online payroll software for small businesses and accountants
Cloud-based Canadian payroll and HR software with self-service, partial, and full-service processing options
All-in-one payroll, time tracking, and HR platform built for hourly and deskless workforces
Wave Payroll Comparisons
Compare Wave Payroll with other similar options available. Explore the key differences to see why it's the top choice for businesses and individuals.
Overall Wave Payroll Reviews
Here's our unbiased review of Wave Payroll. Discover how our team of experts rates its features, ease of use, customer support, and other aspects that contribute to its overall appeal.