BeltStack

Wave Review (2026)

4.3RatingBest for: micro businesses and solopreneurs who already use Wave's free accounting and want simple payroll add-onStarting price: Free (accounting); payroll add-onPayroll types: W-2 (US); availability varies by region
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Quick verdict

Our take in a nutshell.

Wave is known for free accounting software; its payroll product is an add-on for US-based businesses. You get invoicing, accounting, and payroll in one ecosystem. Payroll pricing is typically a base fee plus per-employee or per-contractor—check Wave's site for current rates. The draw is combining free accounting with affordable payroll.

We like Wave for micro businesses and solopreneurs who already use or want Wave's free accounting. If you're in the Wave ecosystem, adding payroll keeps everything in one place. For more robust payroll features, HR, or integrations, Gusto or QuickBooks Payroll often offer more. Wave fits when simplicity and low cost for accounting plus payroll matter most.

Limitations: Payroll is US-focused and may have limited availability by state. Less HR and benefits depth than Gusto. QuickBooks Payroll offers deeper accounting integration and job costing. Consider Gusto or Wave depending on whether you need more HR or prefer Wave's free accounting.

Rating breakdown

How we scored this product.

  • Features

    4.2

    Solid for micro businesses: payroll plus free accounting. Fewer features than Gusto or QuickBooks Payroll.

  • Pricing

    4.5

    Free accounting; payroll is an add-on with published pricing. Attractive for very small teams.

  • Ease of Use

    4.5

    Simple interface; easy if you're already in Wave for accounting.

  • Support

    4.2

    Support available; adequate for small business. Less hand-holding than full-service providers.

  • Integrations

    4.0

    Ecosystem is Wave-first; fewer third-party integrations than Gusto or QuickBooks.

Pros and cons

What we liked and what to watch for.

Pros

  • Free accounting software
  • Payroll add-on keeps books and pay in one place
  • Simple for micro businesses
  • Published payroll pricing

Cons

  • Less HR and benefits than Gusto
  • Payroll availability may vary by state
  • Fewer integrations than QuickBooks Payroll or Gusto

Who this software is best for

Ideal users and use cases.

Wave is best for micro businesses and solopreneurs who use or want Wave's free accounting and need simple payroll. Ideal when you want to minimize cost for bookkeeping and pay runs in one place.

Who should avoid it

Businesses that need robust HR, benefits administration, or deep job costing may prefer Gusto or QuickBooks Payroll. Wave fits smallest teams and Wave-ecosystem users.

Pricing overview

What to expect to pay.

Wave's accounting is free; payroll is a paid add-on with base and per-person pricing. Check Wave's website for current payroll rates and state availability.

Wave offers free accounting; payroll is a separate paid product with tiered or per-person pricing.

Wave is attractive for free accounting plus low-cost payroll. For payroll-only comparison, Gusto and QuickBooks Payroll offer more features; Wave wins on combined accounting-plus-payroll cost for very small teams.

Starting price: Free (accounting); payroll add-on

Key features

What stands out.

  • Free accounting

    Wave's accounting and invoicing are free; payroll is an add-on so you can keep books and pay in one place.

  • Simple payroll

    Run payroll for employees; tax filing and direct deposit included.

  • Ecosystem fit

    Best for businesses already using Wave for invoicing and books.

Integrations

Plays well with your stack.

Wave is built as an ecosystem; payroll ties into Wave accounting. For integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, or many third-party tools, Gusto or QuickBooks Payroll offer more.

  • Wave ecosystem (invoicing, accounting)
  • Limited third-party integrations

How contractors use this software

Real-world workflows for trade businesses.

  • Micro businesses: Combine free accounting with simple payroll in one place.
  • Solopreneurs with a few employees: Low-cost option for books and pay.

Alternatives

Other options we review.

  • Gusto

    More HR and features; best if you need more than basic payroll.

  • QuickBooks Payroll

    Deeper accounting integration and job costing; Intuit ecosystem.

  • Patriot Payroll

    Budget-friendly payroll; good for simple needs.

Compare with other payroll software

See how Wave stacks up head-to-head.

Best payroll software for different use cases

Find payroll software by scenario.

Wave FAQs

Quick answers.