Head to head

QuickBooks Payroll vs Wave Payroll

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

QuickBooks Payroll

$88/mo + $6.50/employee Free trial

US payroll inside QuickBooks. Workforce Payroll plus Simple Start is $88/mo plus $6.50 per employee.

Where QuickBooks Payroll fits

  • US SMBs already on QuickBooks Online
  • Owners who want ADP-style tax filing without leaving Intuit
  • Teams adding 401(k) and health benefits later
  • Companies that will pay $6.50 per employee on top of $88

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

DetailQuickBooks PayrollWave Payroll
Starting price$88/mo + $6.50/employee$40/mo + $6/employee
Free tier–No–No
Free trialYesNot on record
MCP server–No–No
Public API–No–No
Listed underPayrollPayroll

Where they pull apart

QuickBooks Payroll

Stands out: Full-service tax filing next to the books you already keep in QuickBooks, with optional Payroll AI prep.

Watch out: The $88 figure is the regular bundle, not the 50 percent intro. Per-employee fees stack on top. Background checks via Checkr start at $29.99 per report.

Not the right fit for

  • Employers outside the US
  • Teams that skip Intuit as the system of record

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

QuickBooks Payroll

  • $88/mo plus $6.50 per employee
  • Full-service US tax filing
  • Lives next to QuickBooks books
  • Intro 50% off is temporary
  • Per-employee fees on every plan
  • US-only payroll

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

QuickBooks Payroll

$88/mo + $6.50/employee

Workforce Payroll + Simple Start is $88/mo + $6.50/employee (intro 50% off for 3 months is $44). Essentials bundle $125 + $6.50. Premium $203 + $10/employee. The starting price is the regular rate, not the intro. Try-free is offered without a printed day count. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 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 QuickBooks Payroll cheaper than Wave Payroll?
Wave Payroll starts lower, at $40/mo + $6/employee against $88/mo + $6.50/employee for QuickBooks Payroll. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.
Can you try QuickBooks Payroll or Wave Payroll for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing. QuickBooks Payroll offers a free trial.

Not the pair you wanted?

All QuickBooks Payroll alternatives All Wave Payroll alternatives Every Payroll tool

Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 19 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?