Head to head

Gusto vs Wave Payroll

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

Gusto

$49/mo

US small-business payroll, benefits and onboarding in one stack, from around $49/mo plus a per-seat charge.

Where Gusto fits

  • US small companies running payroll in-house
  • HR teams that want benefits next to pay
  • Desks that want MCP on payroll data
  • A first HRIS after spreadsheets

Wave Payroll

$40/mo + $6/employee

US payroll inside Wave. $40/mo plus $6 per active employee and $6 per contractor paid.

Where Wave Payroll fits

  • US freelancers and SMBs already invoicing in Wave
  • Owners paying a mix of employees and 1099s
  • Teams that want a printed $40 plus $6 grid
  • Simple US payday without a full HCM

At a glance

DetailGustoWave Payroll
Starting price$49/mo$40/mo + $6/employee
Free tier–No–No
MCP server✓Yes–No
Public API✓Yes–No
Listed underBenefits administration, HR compliance, HRIS, Onboarding, Payroll, Time & attendancePayroll
Capterra4.6 from 4,225 reviewsNot enough reviews

Where they pull apart

Gusto

Stands out: Payroll sitting next to HR for US small companies, with a first-party MCP.

Watch out: It is US-only, so it is not a route to hiring people in other countries.

Not the right fit for

  • Global employer-of-record buyers
  • Enterprise HRIS selection processes

Wave Payroll

Stands out: Payroll that sits next to Wave invoicing, with a printed US rate of $40 plus $6 heads.

Watch out: Canada is a different CAD price. Contractors also cost $6 each when paid. There is no numbered payroll trial.

Not the right fit for

  • Canadian payroll buyers (that is a CAD SKU)
  • Companies that need benefits admin and talent modules

Pros and cons

Gusto

  • Payroll, benefits and onboarding in one US stack
  • MCP and API available
  • Fits small-business HR and finance buyers
  • US-only
  • Per-seat charges on top of the base
  • Not built for hiring pipelines

Wave Payroll

  • US $40/mo plus $6 per employee
  • Same $6 for contractors paid
  • Lives next to Wave invoicing
  • No numbered trial
  • Canada is a different CAD price
  • Not a benefits-heavy HCM

What each one costs

Gusto

$49/mo

From ~$49/mo +/seat. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 7 Sep 2026

Wave Payroll

$40/mo + $6/employee

US payroll is $40/mo + $6 per active employee + $6 per independent contractor paid. Canada is $25 CAD + $6 per employee + $6 per contractor. USD figures are the US product. No numbered trial. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is Gusto cheaper than Wave Payroll?
Wave Payroll starts lower, at $40/mo + $6/employee against $49/mo for Gusto. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.
Can you try Gusto or Wave Payroll for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing.
Does Gusto or Wave Payroll have an MCP server?
Gusto ships a first party MCP server, so an AI assistant can work the product directly.

Not the pair you wanted?

All Gusto alternatives All Wave Payroll alternatives Every Benefits administration tool

Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 7 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?