Gusto
Best all-in-one Wave alternative for small business
Overview
Gusto is a full-service payroll and HR platform designed to simplify admin work for small teams. Unlike Wave’s limited features, Gusto includes automatic tax filing, benefits management, and self-service tools in all 50 states. It also supports international contractor payments and EOR services in select countries. With user-friendly design, transparent pricing, and strong customer support, Gusto delivers more value than Wave at every tier. It's the top choice for growing businesses that want streamlined payroll with built-in compliance and people management tools.
Key Features
Full-service payroll with tax filing in all 50 states
Contractor payments in 120+ countries
Integrated hiring, onboarding, and benefits tools
Automated compliance and labor law tracking
Time tracking included on Plus and Premium plans
Unlimited payroll runs and pay schedules
Payroll on AutoPilot and next-day direct deposit
Lifetime employee access to pay history and documents
300+ software integrations
Employee self-service via desktop and mobile
Pros and Cons
Pros
All-in-one HR, benefits, and payroll
Strong compliance automation
Transparent, flat-rate pricing
Unlimited pay schedules and direct deposit
Excellent support and onboarding
Cons
Time tracking only on higher plans
Multi-state payroll starts at Plus
Benefits only available in 38 states
Mobile app has limited admin functions
Pricing
Simple starts at $49/mo + $6/person/mo. Plus starts at $80/mo + $12/person/mo and includes time tracking, multi-state payroll, and next-day deposits.
Premium starts at $180/mo + $22/person/mo.
Free until your first payroll.
No free version.
Transform your payroll processes with Gusto, a platform that’s already the choice of over 500,000 businesses.
OnPay
Best value Wave alternative for small business
Overview
OnPay offers small businesses a streamlined payroll solution with transparent, all-inclusive pricing. Unlike Wave, which limits its tax filing to 14 states, OnPay supports full-service payroll and benefits in all 50. One plan includes payroll, tax filings, compliance, and basic HR—no need to manage tiers or add-ons. It’s an ideal choice for stable, U.S.-based teams that don’t need advanced tools like international payroll or workforce analytics but want reliability and simplicity at a great price.
Key Features
Federal, state, and local tax filings included
Multi-state payroll and multiple pay schedules
Unlimited payroll runs and 2–4 day deposit options
Integrated benefits administration
Basic HR tools with onboarding and document storage
Self-service portal with lifetime access
1099 and W-2 generation
Runs on desktop and mobile-friendly site
Pros and Cons
Pros
All features included in one price
Strong U.S. compliance and onboarding
No benefits admin fees
Clear pricing with no surprise charges
Cons
No global payroll or contractor support
Few integrations (11 total)
Charges to print and mail forms
Limited customer support hours
Pricing
Flat-rate pricing: $40/month + $6/person.
Includes all payroll, HR, and tax services.
Optional W‑2/1099 mailing incurs additional fees.
One-month free trial available.
Remote
Best Waveapps alternative for global payroll
Overview
Remote is ideal for small businesses expanding internationally. Unlike Wave, which doesn’t support global payments, Remote offers full-service international payroll, contractor payments, and EOR services in over 80 countries. It also provides country-specific contracts, compliance support, and localized benefits. With in-house entities (no third-party outsourcing), Remote ensures better control and faster issue resolution. While EOR pricing is higher, it’s a strong value for small teams needing compliant, hassle-free global hiring.
Key Features
Contractor payments in 180+ countries
Global payroll and EOR in 80+ countries
Localized contracts, compliance, and benefits
100+ currencies supported with no FX fees
Owned in-country entities (not outsourced)
Risk assessments to avoid misclassification
Self-service onboarding and portals
Country-specific law and policy guides
Pros and Cons
Pros
Unified platform for global teams
Easy onboarding and contractor setup
Transparent contractor pricing
Strong compliance and in-house support
Cons
EOR is costly for growing teams
No support for PayPal or Payoneer
Email-only customer service
No flat-rate global payroll pricing
Pricing
Contractor-only: $29/month per contractor.
EOR: $599/month (annual) or $699/month (monthly).
Global payroll with your own entity: contact sales.
30-day free trial for contractor features.
No free plan.
QuickBooks
Best Wave alternative for native accounting software
Overview
QuickBooks is a natural fit for Wave users who want bundled accounting and payroll software from a single provider. It offers robust payroll tools, 50-state tax filing, next-day direct deposit, and built-in benefits. Unlike Wave, QuickBooks doesn’t have a free version, and payroll is only available as a paid add-on. It’s best for small businesses already using QuickBooks for bookkeeping or those looking for a seamless payroll + accounting solution in one place.
Key Features
Integrated payroll and accounting platform
Next-day and same-day direct deposit
Federal/state tax filing (local taxes on higher plans)
Automated payroll for salaried workers
Employee self-service portal
New hire compliance in all 50 states
Benefits and 401(k) options on all plans
Time tracking and HR support (Premium and Elite only)
Pros and Cons
Pros
Seamless accounting + payroll bundle
User-friendly interface
Year-end tax filing and penalty protection
All plans include benefits administration
Cons
Multi-state payroll only on Elite plan
Local tax filing not on basic plan
Time tracking limited to Premium/Elite
No integration with other accounting tools
Pricing
Payroll-only plans start at $45/month + $6/employee.
Premium: $80/month + $8/employee.
Elite: $125/month + $10/employee.
Payroll + accounting bundles range from $75 to $170/month.
30-day free trial or 50% off for 3 months.
No free plan.
Patriot Payroll
Best Wave alternative for DIY taxes
Overview
Patriot Payroll is a low-cost payroll platform that stands out for its DIY tax filing option. You can access unlimited payroll runs, multi-state payments, and direct deposit—at a fraction of Wave’s cost. It’s ideal for business owners comfortable handling tax payments themselves. While the interface is simple and mobile-friendly, advanced features like benefits, time tracking, and full tax service all cost extra. Still, for price-conscious businesses, Patriot offers serious value.
Key Features
DIY tax option for lower monthly cost
Unlimited payroll runs
Multiple pay rates and schedules
Multi-state payroll (extra fee per state)
Self-service portal for employees
Time tracking and HR modules (add-ons)
401(k) and workers’ comp integrations
Pros and Cons
Pros
Very low-cost basic plan
DIY tax option available
Time-off tracking included
Modular pricing keeps base low
Cons
Tax filing only on full-service plan
Integrates only with QuickBooks
No health benefits available
Costs climb with each add-on
Pricing
Basic: $17/month + $4/employee (no tax filing).
Full-service: $37/month + $4/employee (taxes included).
Add-ons: Time tracking and HR tools start at $6/month + $2/employee.
60-day free trial.
No free plan.
Square Payroll
Best Wave alternative for POS integration
Overview
Square Payroll is built for restaurants and retail businesses already using Square POS. It automatically pulls timesheets and tip data into payroll, making it easy to manage hourly workers. Unlike Wave, Square offers shift scheduling, tip pooling, and strong workforce management tools. Time tracking is free for up to five team members. While support is limited and HR features are minimal, Square Payroll is an excellent fit for POS-based teams seeking all-in-one simplicity.
Key Features
Full-service multi-state payroll
Tip pooling and splitting tools
Built-in time tracking and shift scheduling
Unlimited payroll runs and off-cycle payments
Contractor-only plan available
Pay via check, direct deposit, or Square Cash App
Instant payments through Square app
Employee self-service
Pros and Cons
Pros
Great for restaurants and retailers
Seamless integration with Square POS
Flat-rate, affordable pricing
Strong time and scheduling features
Cons
Limited HR capabilities
No custom reports
Four-day standard deposit
Support not always responsive
Pricing
$35/month + $6/employee.
Time tracking is free for up to five team members; additional users start at $4/person.
No free trial.
No free plan.
Payroll4Free
Best free Wave payroll alternative
Overview
Payroll4Free isn’t flashy, but for very small teams on a tight budget, it’s a free way to run payroll. It supports employee and contractor pay, PTO tracking, and tax form generation—but you’ll have to file and pay taxes yourself unless you upgrade. Unlike Wave, which charges for even basic payroll, Payroll4Free offers core features with no cost for up to 10 employees. It only works on Windows and has no mobile access, but it’s a good starter option.
Key Features
Free for ≤10 employees
W-2/1099 support for employees and contractors
Direct deposit and check printing
PTO tracking and basic reporting
Tax calculation (filing costs extra)
Employee self-service portal
Limited QuickBooks integration
Pros and Cons
Pros
Completely free for up to 10 users
Covers core payroll functions
Includes PTO tracking and year-end forms
Basic reporting and employee access
Cons
No automated tax filing (costs extra)
Windows only; no mobile or Mac access
Embedded ads in the software
Limited support and features
Pricing
Free for ≤10 employees.
Tax filing service: ~$25/month.
Direct deposit via their bank also incurs a fee.
No trial needed.
Free plan included.
Compare All
| Pricing | Free Trial | Free Plan | Best Use Case | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Simple $49/mo + $6/user/mo; Plus $80/mo + $12/user/mo; Premium custom pricing | Growing small businesses that want an all-in-one upgrade from Wave with payroll, HR, benefits, and compliance | ||
 | $49/mo + $6/employee | (1 month) | Budget-minded U.S. businesses that want simple, reliable payroll with no tiers or hidden fees | |
 | $29/mo contractors; $599/mo EOR | (30 days) | (contractors) | Businesses hiring or paying international contractors or employees |
 | $45–$125/mo + per employee | Not listed | Teams that want payroll tightly integrated with QuickBooks accounting | |
 | $17–$37/mo + per employee | (30 days) | Cost-conscious businesses comfortable handling taxes themselves | |
 | $35/mo + $6/employee | Restaurants and retailers using Square POS for time, tips, and payroll | ||
 | Free core; add‑ons $10–$35 | Very small teams that need a free payroll stopgap with basic features |
| Pricing | Free Trial | |
|---|---|---|
| Simple $49/mo + $6/user/mo; Plus $80/mo + $12/user/mo; Premium custom pricing | |
| $49/mo + $6/employee | (1 month) |
| $29/mo contractors; $599/mo EOR | (30 days) |
| $45–$125/mo + per employee | Not listed |
| $17–$37/mo + per employee | (30 days) |
| $35/mo + $6/employee | |
| Free core; add‑ons $10–$35 |
FAQ
Is Wave or FreshBooks better?
Wave is better for very small teams that need free accounting tools, while FreshBooks suits service-based businesses needing invoicing and client management. FreshBooks offers more robust features, but it comes at a higher cost.
What’s better, Wave or QuickBooks?
QuickBooks is better for most small businesses needing advanced accounting, payroll, and tax tools. Wave is free but limited. QuickBooks integrates payroll and bookkeeping in one platform, while Wave requires using separate tools or third-party add-ons.
Is there a free version of Wave?
Yes, Wave’s core accounting software is free. However, payroll, payment processing, and advanced support are paid features. If you’re only doing basic bookkeeping, the free plan may be sufficient.
What is the best accounting software for small business?
QuickBooks is the most widely used accounting software for small businesses, thanks to its depth and integration options. But Wave, Xero, and FreshBooks are solid alternatives depending on your needs and budget.
What are the drawbacks of Wave Accounting?
Wave lacks advanced features like inventory management, project tracking, and scalable payroll. It also doesn’t offer phone support or integrations with many third-party payroll tools. It’s best for freelancers or very small teams with simple needs.
