Wave Payroll
Payroll bolted onto Wave’s free small-business accounting.
From $40/mo + $6/employee
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Bottom line
US payroll inside Wave. $40/mo plus $6 per active employee and $6 per contractor paid.
Stands out for: Payroll that sits next to Wave invoicing, with a printed US rate of $40 plus $6 heads.
Watch out for: Canada is a different CAD price. Contractors also cost $6 each when paid. There is no numbered payroll trial.
Overview
Wave Payroll runs US payday next to Wave's invoicing and accounting. The US rate is $40 per month plus $6 per active employee plus $6 per independent contractor paid. Canada is $25 CAD plus $6 per active employee and $6 per contractor, which is a separate SKU. There is no numbered payroll trial. This is the Wave Financial payroll product, not a different company's Wave.
Micro-businesses pick Wave to keep invoices and payday in one login. Per-head fees hit both W-2 and 1099 payees. This is not mid-market HCM. If you need 401(k) and a benefits admin, look at Gusto. Buying is self-serve. Use the USD figures if you are a US employer. Canadian payroll is a separate CAD price.
Who it's for
Best for
- 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
Not ideal for
- Canadian payroll buyers (that is a CAD SKU)
- Companies that need benefits admin and talent modules
Key features
US & Canada payroll. Full-access subscription with direct deposit for small teams.
Tax service. Tax calc and filing support in covered jurisdictions.
Wave accounting link. Payroll sits next to Wave invoices and bookkeeping.
Pricing
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. Vendors change prices without notice.
Is Wave Payroll expensive?
Wave Payroll starts at $40/mo + $6/employee. We list 47 payroll tools in total. 2 have a free tier, and those with a public price typically start around $40 a month.
- 28 quote-based
- 2 free tier
- 13 public price
Worked out automatically from every payroll listing, so it updates as the directory changes.
Pros and cons
Pros
- US $40/mo plus $6 per employee
- Same $6 for contractors paid
- Lives next to Wave invoicing
Cons
- No numbered trial
- Canada is a different CAD price
- Not a benefits-heavy HCM
Integrations
Wave
What's new at Wave Payroll
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How Wave Payroll compares
See all Wave Payroll alternatives, with what each one does differently and a head to head for every pairing.
| Tool | Free tier | From | MCP | API | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | – | $40/mo + $6/employee | – | – | |
| | – | $17/mo + $4/worker | – | – | Compare |
| | – | $49/mo | ✓ | ✓ | Compare |
| | – | $88/mo + $6.50/employee | – | – | Compare |
| | – | $29/mo + $7/worker | – | – | Compare |
$17/mo + $4/worker
Lower $17 plus $4 if you skip Wave invoicing.
$49/mo MCP API
Benefits and HR if you have outgrown a $40 payroll add-on.
$88/mo + $6.50/employee
Payroll inside QuickBooks if that is already the books.
$29/mo + $7/worker
Full-service $29 plus $7 if tax filing help is the priority.
Your next step
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