Patriot vs Wave Payroll: Which Budget Payroll Is Safer?

When evaluating patriot vs wave payroll, small business owners must decide whether saving a few dollars a month is worth taking on state tax compliance liabilities. While both platforms offer micro-businesses and freelancer-employers an inexpensive path to processing paychecks, their structural approach to state payroll tax filing creates a stark distinction in operational safety. Selecting between these two budget payroll providers requires looking past the baseline monthly software cost to evaluate where tax filing responsibility ultimately lands.

TL;DR

• Choose Patriot Full Service if you want guaranteed tax filing in all 50 states without paying multi-state upgrade fees.
• Choose Wave Payroll if you already process accounting in Wave's free software and operate entirely within one of the specific states where Wave provides full tax filing.
• Choose Patriot Basic Payroll if you have the internal tax expertise to handle your own federal, state, and local filings to lower software overhead to $17 per month plus $4 per employee.
• Choose Patriot over Wave Payroll if you plan to hire employees across state lines, as Wave lacks full tax filing coverage in every state.
• Avoid Wave Payroll if you operate in a self-service tax state and lack experience calculating and submitting quarterly payroll taxes manually.
• Review alternative providers in our guide to the best payroll software before finalizing your deployment strategy.

Pricing at a glance

Understanding the baseline subscription structure of Patriot and Wave Payroll requires looking at how base rates and per-employee fees scale across different service levels and geographic locations.

For micro-businesses, pricing transparency is just as critical as the total monthly invoice. Patriot maintains explicit published rates across both its tiers: $17 per month plus $4 per employee for Basic, and $37 per month plus $5 per employee for Full Service. Patriot does not charge extra fees when you add employees in additional states under its Full Service tier, making its price structure predictably fixed.

Recommended Tools

Best tools for Payroll Software

B BambooHR HR management system L Lattice Performance management D Deel Global payroll & EOR

View all recommended tools

Wave Payroll operates on estimated base tiers. In states where Wave only offers self-service payroll, the platform costs roughly $20 per month base plus $6 per employee. In states where Wave provides full tax filing, the base subscription rises to around $40 per month. Because Wave Payroll does not offer full tax filing across all 50 states, an employer's true cost must account for potential tax penalty exposure or the administrative labor required to file state taxes manually in uncovered jurisdictions.

Patriot vs Wave Payroll: The core safety and compliance dilemma

The primary operational evaluation when analyzing patriot vs wave payroll is not whether a system can calculate gross-to-net paychecks. Both software products can accept hour inputs, apply standard withholding formulas, generate pay stubs, and issue payments. The real divide centers on operational safety and payroll tax compliance.

For a business owner with 1 to 15 workers, payroll safety means ensuring that federal, state, and local tax authorities receive accurate payroll tax deposits and returns on time. A single missed quarterly state unemployment tax return or late payroll tax deposit can trigger penalties that quickly wipe out any annual software savings.

TAX COMPLIANCE SAFETY MATRIX

+——————————————————-+

| PATRIOT FULL SERVICE |

| – All 50 States Covered |

| – Automated Tax Deposits & Filings |

| – Guaranteed Compliance |

| –> LOW COMPLIANCE RISK |

+——————————————————-+

| WAVE PAYROLL (Full-Service States) |

| – Select States Only |

| – Automated Filing in Covered States |

| –> MEDIUM COMPLIANCE RISK (If expanding) |

+——————————————————-+

| WAVE PAYROLL (Self-Service States) / PATRIOT BASIC |

| – Employer Files All Tax Forms Manually |

| – High Manual Administrative Overhead |

| –> HIGH COMPLIANCE RISK |

+——————————————————-+

Patriot Payroll structures its platform around 50-state tax compliance on its Full Service plan. When an employer uses Patriot Full Service, Patriot assumes responsibility for filing and depositing federal, state, and local payroll taxes regardless of which state the worker resides in. There are no add-on module costs or hidden geographic restrictions. This creates a complete safety net for growing micro-businesses that may hire remote staff across state borders.

Wave Payroll takes a fragmented approach to tax handling. In select states, Wave operates as a full-service payroll processor, filing taxes on behalf of the business for around a $40 base fee. However, in states where Wave does not offer full tax filing, the product shifts to a self-service model priced around $20 per month plus $6 per worker. In these self-service states, Wave calculates tax amounts, but the business owner remains entirely responsible for registering with state agencies, submitting payments, and filing quarterly tax forms. For a micro-business without a dedicated accounting department, using a self-service payroll model in an uncovered state introduces substantial administrative friction and compliance risk.

What is Patriot Payroll?

Patriot Payroll is a dedicated cloud payroll and HR software provider designed specifically for American small businesses, micro-employers, and accounting professionals. The platform is built around two core operating tiers: Patriot Basic Payroll and Patriot Full Service Payroll.

+——————————————————————-+

| PATRIOT PAYROLL ARCHITECTURE |

+——————————————————————-+

| |

| +————————–+ +————————–+ |

| | Patriot Basic Plan | | Patriot Full Service Plan| |

| | $17/mo + $4/employee | | $37/mo + $5/employee | |

+——————————————————————-+

Patriot Basic Payroll targets business owners who want to run payroll software but prefer to handle their own payroll tax filings and tax payments to save money. Priced at $17 per month plus $4 per employee, the Basic tier calculates paychecks, manages employee deductions, generates payroll reports, and supports direct deposit. However, tax filing remains the direct responsibility of the subscriber.

Patriot Full Service Payroll targets employers who want complete payroll automation. At $37 per month plus $5 per employee, this plan adds end-to-end tax filing and tax remittance for federal, state, and local payroll taxes across all 50 US states. If a business hires workers in multiple states, Patriot handles multi-state tax filing without charging extra software add-on fees.

A key operational benefit of Patriot is its customer support model. Every Patriot subscription includes access to free, US-based customer support via phone, email, and chat. This support infrastructure is a primary driver behind Patriot's high user satisfaction rating, including a 4.8 Trustpilot score. Additionally, Patriot provides a native accounting software product that integrates directly with its payroll engine, allowing small business owners to manage ledger entries and payroll expenses within a unified software ecosystem.

What is Wave Payroll?

Wave Payroll is an integrated payroll application designed specifically for micro-businesses, freelancers, sole proprietors, and very small teams. Built to connect natively with Wave's free accounting software, Wave Payroll focuses on providing an accessible, low-friction compensation tool for businesses with basic operational needs.

+——————————————————————-+

| WAVE PAYROLL ARCHITECTURE |

+——————————————————————-+

| |

| +———————————————————–+ |

| | Wave Free Accounting Software | |

+——————————————————————-+

Wave Payroll is simpler and cheaper than complex platforms like QuickBooks Payroll, but it comes with less advanced reporting capabilities. It is best suited for independent operators and micro-employers who do not require advanced HR management features or deep workforce analytics.

The defining operational characteristic of Wave Payroll is its geographic tax split. Wave does not offer full tax filing service in all 50 states. Instead, Wave divides the country into two distinct operating models:

1. Full-Service Tax States: In states where Wave maintains full-service tax capabilities, the software automatically calculates, deducts, remits, and files federal and state payroll taxes. The base price in these states is around $40 per month plus roughly $6 per worker.
2. Self-Service Tax States: In states where full-service filing is unavailable, Wave functions purely as a self-service payroll calculator. It calculates withholding amounts and generates filled paychecks, but the business owner must manually file tax documents and pay tax liabilities directly to state agencies. The base price in self-service states drops to roughly $20 per month plus $6 per worker.

By embedding payroll directly alongside its free accounting platform, Wave enables micro-employers to automatically balance cash accounts and ledger entries whenever a payroll run finishes, eliminating manual journal entry transfers for basic operations.

How pricing really works for both platforms

When reviewing baseline software fees, micro-businesses often struggle to project their actual annual expenditure. Both Patriot and Wave Payroll utilize a base-plus-variable subscription model, but their rate structures diverge in predictability and state-by-state execution.

Patriot Pricing Mechanics

Patriot operates with absolute rate clarity across two tiers:

• Patriot Basic: $17 base fee per month + $4 per employee per month.
• Patriot Full Service: $37 base fee per month + $5 per employee per month.

Patriot does not apply multi-state surcharge penalties. If you run Patriot Full Service with five employees located in five different states, your base software fee remains $37 per month, and your per-worker cost remains $5 per head. The only variable factor is the total number of active workers processed during the billing cycle.

Wave Payroll Pricing Mechanics

Wave Payroll pricing is structured around estimated base rates and regional tax capabilities:

• Self-Service States: Roughly $20 base fee per month + around $6 per employee per month.
• Full-Service States: Roughly $40 base fee per month + around $6 per employee per month.

Because Wave's pricing structure changes based on whether your state qualifies for full tax filing support, your software cost is tied directly to your business location. If a business operates in a self-service state, the monthly subscription invoice appears cheaper on paper (~$20 base vs Patriot's $37 Full Service base). However, that lower software fee comes at the cost of requiring the business owner to manually process state payroll tax filings.

To evaluate broader options across the budget payroll landscape, consult our full guide on the best payroll software.

Total cost analysis: 3 realistic headcount scenarios

To illustrate how software pricing scales in real-world operations, let's analyze three common micro-business headcount scenarios: 1 employee, 5 employees, and 15 employees.

All figures for Patriot are calculated using exact published pricing. Figures for Wave Payroll use the estimated plan rates provided in the fact sheet (roughly $20/mo or $40/mo base plus ~$6/worker).

+——————————————————————–+

| MONTHLY PAYROLL SOFTWARE COST COMPARISON |

+——————————————————————–+

| |

| 1 Employee |

| Patriot Basic [$$21] |

| Patriot Full [$$42] |

| Wave Self-Service [$$26] |

+——————————————————————–+

Scenario 1: Single-Employee Operation (1 Worker / Solopreneur)

For a micro-business owner or freelancer paying a single employee (or paying themselves as an S-Corporation officer):

• Patriot Basic: $17 base + ($4 × 1 employee) = $21.00 per month.
• Patriot Full Service: $37 base + ($5 × 1 employee) = $42.00 per month.
• Wave Self-Service State: ~$20 base + (~$6 × 1 employee) = ~$26.00 per month.
• Wave Full-Service State: ~$40 base + (~$6 × 1 employee) = ~$46.00 per month.

Arithmetic Breakdown: At a 1-person headcount in a full-service tax state, Patriot Full Service ($42/mo) is $4 per month cheaper than Wave Payroll Full-Service (~$46/mo). In a self-service state, Wave (~$26/mo) is $5 per month more expensive than Patriot Basic ($21/mo).

Scenario 2: Small Team (5 Employees)

For a typical micro-business employing a core team of five staff members:

• Patriot Basic: $17 base + ($4 × 5 employees) = $17 + $20 = $37.00 per month.
• Patriot Full Service: $37 base + ($5 × 5 employees) = $37 + $25 = $62.00 per month.
• Wave Self-Service State: ~$20 base + (~$6 × 5 employees) = ~$20 + $30 = ~$50.00 per month.
• Wave Full-Service State: ~$40 base + (~$6 × 5 employees) = ~$40 + $30 = ~$70.00 per month.

Arithmetic Breakdown: At 5 employees, Patriot Full Service ($62/mo) is $8 per month less expensive than Wave Payroll Full-Service (~$70/mo). If operating under self-service rules, Patriot Basic ($37/mo) provides a $13 per month savings over Wave Self-Service (~$50/mo).

Scenario 3: Micro-Enterprise (15 Employees)

For a growing micro-business at the upper threshold of the budget payroll bracket:

• Patriot Basic: $17 base + ($4 × 15 employees) = $17 + $60 = $77.00 per month.
• Patriot Full Service: $37 base + ($5 × 15 employees) = $37 + $75 = $112.00 per month.
• Wave Self-Service State: ~$20 base + (~$6 × 15 employees) = ~$20 + $90 = ~$110.00 per month.
• Wave Full-Service State: ~$40 base + (~$6 × 15 employees) = ~$40 + $90 = ~$130.00 per month.

Arithmetic Breakdown: At 15 employees, Patriot's lower per-employee rate ($5/ee on Full Service vs Wave's ~$6/ee) widens the cost gap. Patriot Full Service ($112/mo) saves $18 per month compared to Wave Full-Service (~$130/mo). Patriot Basic ($77/mo) saves $33 per month over Wave Self-Service (~$110/mo).

Across every headcount tier, Patriot Full Service delivers a lower total monthly cost than Wave Payroll in full-service states due to Patriot's lower base rate ($37 vs ~$40) and lower per-employee rate ($5 vs ~$6).

State tax filing and compliance: Where Wave creates operational risk

The key area of divergence between Patriot and Wave Payroll is state tax handling. Small business owners often view payroll software as a total compliance safety net. However, using Wave Payroll in a self-service state strips away that layer of protection.

STATE TAX COMPLIANCE WORKFLOW COMPARISON

PATRIOT FULL SERVICE (All 50 States)

[Run Payroll] —> [Patriot Automatically Calculates Taxes]

—> [Patriot Withdraws Tax Funds]

—> [Patriot Files State/Federal Returns]

—> [FULL COMPLIANCE ASSURED]

WAVE PAYROLL (Self-Service States)

[Run Payroll] —> [Wave Calculates Tax Withholdings]

—> [Employer Must Track Liabilities]

—> [Employer Must Log into State Portals]

—> [Employer Must Manually Submit Funds & Forms]

—> [RISK OF PENALTIES & LATE FEES]

When an employer operates in one of Wave's self-service states:

1. Wave calculates payroll tax amounts and deducts them from gross pay on paychecks.
2. Wave does not transfer those tax funds to state tax authorities on your behalf.
3. Wave does not generate and submit quarterly state tax returns (such as state unemployment insurance reports or state withholding returns).
4. The business owner must log into state revenue department portals manually, enter payroll figures, and initiate electronic tax payments before state deadlines pass.

This dynamic creates significant operational risk. If a business owner misses a filing deadline, miscalculates a state unemployment tax rate, or fails to submit quarterly wage detail reports, state tax authorities issue compliance notices, monetary fines, and late interest penalties.

Furthermore, if a business expands by hiring a remote employee located in a state where Wave does not offer full tax filing services, the employer is forced into a hybrid administrative workflow. They must manage automated filings in one state while performing manual tax submissions in another.

Patriot Full Service eliminates this structural vulnerability. Because Patriot provides full-service filing across all 50 US states, an employer can hire workers in any state without worrying about regional feature restrictions. Patriot manages tax registrations, calculates withholdings, deposits funds with appropriate agencies, and files all required quarterly and annual tax reports regardless of jurisdiction.

Where Patriot Payroll wins for budget-conscious employers

Patriot Payroll provides several strategic operational advantages for small businesses prioritizing cost control, regulatory compliance, and support access:

• Complete 50-State Full-Service Coverage: Patriot Full Service covers all 50 states within its standard $37 base rate and $5 per-employee monthly fee. Employers do not face geographic restrictions or multi-state upgrade fees when hiring out-of-state workers.
• Lower Per-Worker Scaling Costs: At $5 per employee per month on Full Service ($4 per employee on Basic), Patriot is more cost-effective as headcount grows compared to Wave's estimated $6 per employee rate.
• Free US-Based Customer Support Across All Plans: Patriot provides free, US-based support via phone, email, and live chat to all subscribers, regardless of whether they choose the Basic or Full Service tier. This high level of service support is reflected in Patriot's 4.8 Trustpilot rating.
• Flexible Self-Service Entry Tier: For businesses that choose to file their own taxes to minimize operational overhead, Patriot Basic offers a fixed $17 monthly base fee plus $4 per worker, providing a structured pay-processing system at a low entry price point.
• Integrated Native Accounting: Patriot offers a native accounting platform designed to pair directly with its payroll engine, enabling business owners to keep bookkeeping and payroll within a single software suite.

Where Wave Payroll wins for micro-businesses

While Patriot leads in state tax coverage, Wave Payroll retains distinct operational advantages for specific micro-business workflows:

• Native Connection to Wave Free Accounting: Wave Payroll connects directly to Wave's core accounting platform, which is available for free. For freelancers, sole proprietors, and micro-companies that already use Wave for free bookkeeping and invoicing, adding Wave Payroll creates a single integrated financial system without needing to migrate accounting data.
• Simpler Than Enterprise Competitors: Compared to platforms like QuickBooks Payroll, Wave Payroll maintains a clean, straightforward user interface designed specifically for non-accountants who require simple pay processing without complex setup steps.
• All-in-One Financial Hub for Sole Proprietors: For a freelancer or single-employee business operating in a supported full-service tax state, Wave offers a combined suite covering invoicing, accounting, and basic payroll processing.
• Low Entry Barrier for Micro-Teams in Covered States: For very small teams operating entirely within a Wave full-service state, Wave delivers a functional, easy-to-use payroll engine connected to free accounting tools.

Where both platforms struggle and hit clear limits

While Patriot and Wave Payroll fulfill the requirements of micro-businesses seeking budget-friendly software, both platforms have clear structural limits when evaluated against mid-market and enterprise payroll ecosystems.

+——————————————————————–+

| PAYROLL PLATFORM SPECTRUM |

+——————————————————————–+

| |

| BUDGET / MICRO-BUSINESS MID-MARKET / ENTERPRISE |

| +———————–+ +—————————-+ |

| | Patriot Payroll | | Gusto | |

| | Wave Payroll | | OnPay | |

| +———————–+ | QuickBooks Payroll | |

| | | Rippling | |

| | Lacks Advanced HR, | Paychex Flex | |

| | Global Payroll, | ADP Workforce Now | |

| | & Custom Analytics | Deel / Papaya Global | |

| v +—————————-+ |

| +————————————————————–+ |

| | Feature Ceiling: Basic Pay Processing & Standard Reporting | |

| +————————————————————–+ |

+——————————————————————–+

Advanced HR and Benefits Administration

Neither Patriot nor Wave Payroll offers the deep HRIS workflows found in mid-market software platforms such as Gusto, OnPay, or QuickBooks Payroll. Advanced features like automated benefits administration, 401(k) sync, applicant tracking, and onboarding workflows are minimal or non-existent in Patriot and Wave compared to comprehensive enterprise suites like ADP Workforce Now or Paychex Flex.

Global Payroll and Contractor Management

Neither platform is designed for international workforce management. Businesses expanding internationally or managing global remote teams cannot rely on Patriot or Wave for international compliance, local tax handling, or cross-border payments. Specialized global workforce platforms like Deel or Papaya Global are required for cross-border operations.

Analytics and Compensation Benchmarking

Both platforms offer standard payroll reporting (such as payroll summaries, tax liability reports, and wage stubs), but they lack advanced reporting tools, customizable dashboard analytics, and compensation benchmarking features found in enterprise workforce management platforms or compensation-specific toolkits like Payscale and Pave.

Accounting integrations and software ecosystem comparisons

A primary factor when selecting payroll software is how efficiently payroll transactions sync with general ledger accounting. Both Patriot and Wave approach accounting integration through built-in software pairings, eliminating the need for expensive third-party middleware.

Patriot pairs natively with Patriot's own accounting software. When payroll is completed, wage liabilities, tax withholdings, and cash disbursements flow directly into the Patriot accounting ledger. This keeps financial tracking consistent, though it requires adopting Patriot's accounting software alongside its payroll application.

Wave Payroll relies on its connection to Wave's free accounting software. For micro-businesses and freelancers, this integration is a key selling point. An employer can run invoicing, bank reconciliation, financial reporting, and payroll under a single login without paying software fees for the baseline accounting tool.

However, both ecosystems are less complex than QuickBooks Payroll. QuickBooks provides advanced double-entry accounting features, inventory tracking, and complex job costing integrations, but at a significantly higher subscription price point. For micro-businesses with simple financial structures, the integrated pairing offered by Patriot or Wave provides sufficient functionality without the cost and setup overhead of enterprise-grade accounting suites.

Migration, switching, and implementation operational realities

Transitioning from manual spreadsheets or an legacy payroll vendor to a budget payroll platform requires careful administrative planning to prevent tax filing discrepancies.

PAYROLL IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE

Week 1: Data Gathering

[Collect Employee W-4s, Direct Deposit Forms, Prior Pay Stubs]

|

v

Week 2: System Setup & Authorization

[Enter Tax IDs, Direct Deposit Info, Sign Tax Authorizations]

|

v

Week 3: Historical Data Entry & Verification

[Upload Year-to-Date Earnings, Run Test Payroll Calculation]

|

v

Week 4: Go-Live Execution

[Process Live Payroll, Verify Direct Deposits & Tax Accruals]

Account Setup and Tax Authorization

When setting up Patriot Full Service or Wave Payroll in a full-service state, the employer must complete state tax authorization forms (such as Power of Attorney documents and electronic third-party access agreements). These forms authorize the payroll provider to deposit funds and file returns under the business's state Employer Identification Number (EIN) and state unemployment account numbers.

Year-to-Date (YTD) Historical Data Entry

If switching payroll providers mid-year, historical wage data must be entered accurately into the new system. This includes year-to-date gross wages, federal income tax withheld, Social Security and Medicare taxes, and state/local withholdings for every employee. Misentering YTD figures will cause inaccurate Form W-2 generation at year-end.

Timing the Migration

The cleanest operational window to switch payroll software is at the start of a calendar quarter (January 1, April 1, July 1, or October 1). Switching at the start of a quarter ensures that the previous payroll vendor completes all tax filings for the preceding quarter, allowing the new platform to begin processing with a clean quarterly tax record.

Contract terms, negotiation strategies, and fee safeguards

Both Patriot and Wave Payroll operate primarily on flexible month-to-month subscription models. Unlike enterprise legacy software vendors that require multi-year contracts with annual price escalation clauses, these budget platforms do not lock micro-businesses into long-term commitments.

Contract Realities

• Month-to-Month Flexibility: Neither Patriot nor Wave Payroll requires long-term service agreements. Business owners can cancel or change plans at any time without early termination fees.
• No Multi-State Penalty Surcharges on Patriot: Patriot Full Service includes 50-state tax processing in its baseline $37 per month fee. Employers do not need to negotiate multi-state access or pay separate state filing module fees.
• Transparent Pricing Models: Patriot maintains published rates ($17 + $4/ee for Basic; $37 + $5/ee for Full Service), which prevents unexpected fee adjustments. Wave Payroll uses roughly estimated regional base rates (~$20 or ~$40 base + ~$6/ee), so business owners should verify state availability before signing up.

Strategic Fee Safeguards for Micro-Employers

To prevent unnecessary software expenditures, micro-business owners should follow these operational fee safeguards:

1. Audit Active Employee Records Monthly: Ensure terminated employees are deactivated immediately in the system so you are not billed per-worker monthly fees for inactive staff.
2. Verify State Tax Service Level: Before signing up for Wave Payroll, verify whether your state qualifies for full-service tax filing. If your business resides in a self-service state, factor in the administrative costs of filing state taxes manually.
3. Compare Total Platform Overhead: Look at total software expenses across your entire tech stack. If you use Wave's free accounting product, Wave Payroll may offer convenience. However, if you require full-service tax filing in all 50 states, Patriot Full Service ($37 base + $5/ee) offers lower total costs and complete compliance coverage.

To compare baseline software agreements across alternative budget providers, read our guide on the best payroll software.

Final verdict: Who should pick Patriot and who should pick Wave Payroll?

Choosing between Patriot and Wave Payroll ultimately comes down to your business location, growth plans, and tolerance for manual tax administration.

DECISION MATRIX

+—————————————————————+

| CHOOSE PATRIOT FULL SERVICE IF: |

| – You want guaranteed tax filing across all 50 states. |

| – You have (or plan to hire) out-of-state employees. |

| – You want dedicated, free US-based phone support. |

| – You want lower per-employee scaling fees ($5/ee vs ~$6/ee). |

+—————————————————————+

|

v

+—————————————————————+

| CHOOSE WAVE PAYROLL IF: |

| – You operate entirely in a Wave full-service tax state. |

| – You already use Wave's free accounting software. |

| – You are a sole proprietor or micro-business with 1 worker. |

| – You want a simple payroll tool connected to invoicing. |

+—————————————————————+

Pick Patriot Payroll If:

• You Need Guaranteed 50-State Tax Filing: Patriot Full Service ($37/mo + $5/ee) files federal, state, and local taxes across all 50 US states without regional limitations or extra multi-state fees.
• You Want Reliable, US-Based Phone Support: Patriot provides free US-based customer support across all plans, backed by a 4.8 Trustpilot satisfaction rating.
• You Plan to Scale Your Headcount: Patriot's $5 per-employee monthly fee on Full Service ($4 on Basic) makes it more cost-effective than Wave (~$6/ee) as your team grows.
• You Prefer a Basic Tax-Self-Filing Option: Patriot Basic ($17/mo + $4/ee) provides a cheap pay-calculation engine for business owners with internal tax expertise.

Pick Wave Payroll If:

• You Already Rely on Wave's Free Accounting Software: If your business uses Wave's free accounting and invoicing platform, adding Wave Payroll creates a single integrated system for basic financial tracking.
• You Operate Exclusively in a Full-Service Tax State: If your business is located entirely within one of Wave's full-service states, Wave handles automated tax filings for around $40 per month plus $6 per worker.
• You Are a Freelancer or Sole Proprietor: Wave Payroll provides a simple compensation processing tool for independent operators with basic payroll requirements.

—

Related reading

• OnPay vs Patriot: Which Cheap Full-Service Payroll Wins?
• Patriot vs Gusto: Which Small Business Payroll Costs Less in 2026?
• QuickBooks Payroll vs OnPay: Which Is Better Value for SMBs?
• Gusto vs Paychex Flex: Which Payroll Fits a Growing Business?

Frequently asked questions