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ADP RUN vs Wave Payroll (2024 Comparison)

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Author

Martin Lunendonk

Last Update

Nov 07, 2024

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Excellent Value For Price
4.3

0

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ADP RUN

ADP RUN offers a comprehensive payroll solution with robust features and scalability. It's ideal for businesses seeking advanced payroll management and reliable customer support.

  • Comprehensive payroll features
  • Robust customer support
  • Scalable for growing businesses
  • Higher learning curve
  • More expensive than competitors

Free plan?

No

Starting price

Contact sales
Good Value For Price
4.1

0

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Wave Payroll

Wave Payroll provides an affordable and user-friendly payroll solution, perfect for small businesses and freelancers looking for seamless integration with accounting software.

  • User-friendly interface
  • Affordable pricing
  • Seamless integration with Wave accounting
  • Limited scalability
  • Basic reporting features

Free plan?

Yes

Starting price

$20 per month

What is ADP RUN?

ADP RUN is a comprehensive payroll solution designed to streamline payroll processing for small to medium-sized businesses. It offers features like automated tax filing, direct deposit, and employee self-service portals, making payroll management efficient and hassle-free. With ADP RUN, you can focus on growing your business while ensuring compliance with payroll regulations. Its user-friendly interface and robust support make it a reliable choice for businesses looking to simplify their payroll operations.

What is Wave Payroll?

Wave Payroll is a user-friendly payroll software tailored for small businesses and freelancers. It simplifies payroll processing by automating tax calculations, direct deposits, and employee record management. Wave Payroll integrates seamlessly with Wave's accounting software, providing a cohesive financial management experience. It's an ideal choice for businesses seeking an affordable and straightforward payroll solution that doesn't compromise on essential features.

Pros and Cons of ADP RUN vs Wave Payroll

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Pros & Cons of ADP RUN

Comprehensive payroll features
  • ADP RUN offers a wide range of payroll features, including automated tax filing, direct deposit, and employee self-service portals, making it a comprehensive solution for businesses.
Robust customer support
  • ADP RUN provides reliable customer support, ensuring users receive assistance when needed, which is crucial for businesses managing complex payroll tasks.
Scalable for growing businesses
  • ADP RUN is designed to scale with your business, accommodating growth and increasing payroll demands, making it a suitable choice for expanding companies.
Higher learning curve
  • ADP RUN's comprehensive features may require a learning curve, which can be challenging for new users or small businesses with limited resources.
More expensive than competitors
  • ADP RUN's pricing may be higher than some competitors, which could be a consideration for budget-conscious businesses seeking affordable payroll solutions.
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Pros & Cons of Wave Payroll

User-friendly interface
  • Wave Payroll's user-friendly interface makes it easy for small business owners to navigate and manage payroll tasks without extensive training or experience.
Affordable pricing
  • Wave Payroll offers competitive pricing, making it an attractive option for small businesses and freelancers seeking cost-effective payroll solutions.
Seamless integration with Wave accounting
  • Wave Payroll integrates seamlessly with Wave's accounting software, providing a cohesive financial management experience for businesses using both tools.
Limited scalability
  • Wave Payroll is best suited for small businesses and may not offer the same scalability as other solutions, which could be a limitation for growing companies.
Basic reporting features
  • Wave Payroll provides basic reporting features, which may not meet the needs of businesses seeking in-depth payroll insights and customizable reports.

ADP RUN vs Wave Payroll: At A Glance

Decision FactorADP RUNWave Payroll
Value to Price
Good4.2
Good4.0
Ease of Use
Good4.1
Excellent4.3
Functionality
Excellent4.4
Good4.2
Scalability
Excellent4.5
Good4.1
Integrations
Excellent4.3
Good4.0
Customer Support
Good4.2
Good4.1
Security
Excellent4.4
Good4.2
Overall Rating
Excellent4.3
Good4.1

ADP RUN vs Wave Payroll: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features

FeaturesADP RUNWave Payroll
Automated Tax Filing
Excellent4.5
Good4.2
Direct Deposit
Excellent4.4
Excellent4.3
Employee Self-Service
Excellent4.3
Good4.1
Integration with Accounting Software
Good4.2
Excellent4.4
Mobile Access
Excellent4.3
Good4.2
Customizable Reports
Excellent4.4
Good4.1

Automated Tax Filing

ADP RUN offers a robust automated tax filing feature, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. This feature saves time and reduces errors, making it a valuable asset for businesses. Wave Payroll also provides automated tax filing, but ADP RUN's comprehensive approach makes it the better choice for businesses with complex tax needs.

Direct Deposit

Both ADP RUN and Wave Payroll offer direct deposit capabilities, allowing employees to receive their paychecks directly into their bank accounts. ADP RUN provides a more seamless experience with additional options for customization, making it the preferred choice for businesses seeking flexibility in payroll processing.

Employee Self-Service

ADP RUN's employee self-service portal empowers employees to access their payroll information, update personal details, and view pay stubs. Wave Payroll offers similar functionality, but ADP RUN's portal is more comprehensive, making it the better option for businesses looking to enhance employee engagement.

Integration with Accounting Software

Wave Payroll integrates seamlessly with Wave's accounting software, providing a cohesive financial management experience. ADP RUN offers a wide range of integrations with various accounting software, making it the superior choice for businesses seeking extensive connectivity options.

Mobile Access

ADP RUN provides mobile access, allowing users to manage payroll tasks on the go. Wave Payroll also offers mobile access, but ADP RUN's mobile app is more feature-rich, making it the better choice for businesses that require flexibility and mobility in payroll management.

Customizable Reports

ADP RUN offers customizable reporting options, enabling businesses to generate detailed payroll reports tailored to their needs. Wave Payroll provides basic reporting features, but ADP RUN's advanced customization options make it the preferred choice for businesses seeking in-depth payroll insights.

Pricing Comparison of ADP RUN and Wave Payroll

To assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve outlined the pricing plans and essential features of ADP RUN and Wave Payroll. This comparison will highlight the best option for managing your payroll needs.

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ADP RUN Pricing Plans

Essential Payroll
For small businesses
Contact sales
Request Pricingright_arrow
Essential Payroll includes:
  • Direct deposit for quick employee payments on payday.
  • Robust reporting for payroll and HR data access.
  • General ledger interface for seamless data export.
  • New-hire reporting to comply with federal requirements.
Enhanced Payroll
For growing businesses
Contact sales
Request Pricingright_arrow
Includes Essential Payroll, plus:
  • State unemployment insurance management included.
  • Job costing to track and report labor costs.
  • Labor law poster compliance for updated regulations.
  • ZipRecruiter integration for job postings.
Complete Payroll & HR Plus
For comprehensive HR needs
Contact sales
Request Pricingright_arrow
Includes Enhanced Payroll, plus:
  • Employee handbook wizard for professional handbooks.
  • HR tracking for employee information management.
  • HR forms and documents for efficient HR tasks.
  • HR training and toolkits for everyday HR tasks.
HR Pro Payroll & HR
For advanced HR solutions
Contact sales
Request Pricingright_arrow
Includes Complete Payroll & HR, plus:
  • Applicant tracking system for streamlined hiring.
  • Learning management system for employee training.
  • Sexual harassment prevention training included.
  • Legal assistance from Upnetic Legal Services.
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Wave Payroll Pricing Plans

Self-Service States Plan
For Small Businesses
$20

per month

Try For Freeright_arrow
Self-Service States Plan includes:
  • Generate W2 and 1099 forms for tax season.
  • Access to employee portal for pay stubs and tax forms.
  • Seamless integration with Wave Accounting software.
  • Track leave time and accruals for payroll processing.
Tax Service States Plan
For Small Businesses
$40

per month

Try For Freeright_arrow
Includes Self-Service States Plan, plus:
  • Unlimited free direct deposits for employees.
  • Priority customer support via live chat.
  • Automatic payroll journal entries for bookkeeping.
  • Workers' comp integration for small business owners.

Our Rating Methodology

We thoroughly evaluate each payroll software, assessing key features like functionality, scalability, and customer support. User reviews are analyzed to ensure our recommendations fit your needs. Each factor is weighted by importance to provide an accurate final rating, helping you make informed decisions.

Decision FactorScoring Weight
Value to Price
20%
20%
Ease of Use
20%
15%
Functionality
20%
25%
Scalability
20%
15%
Integrations
20%
10%
Customer Support
20%
10%
Security
20%
5%

ADP RUN or Wave Payroll: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?

Choose ADP RUN If You Need ...

  • Comprehensive payroll management

    If you need a comprehensive payroll solution with advanced features, ADP RUN is the ideal choice. Its robust functionalities and scalability make it suitable for businesses with complex payroll needs.

  • Scalable for growth

    If your business is growing and requires a scalable payroll solution, ADP RUN is the better option. It can accommodate increasing payroll demands and support expanding teams effectively.

Choose Wave Payroll If You Need ...

  • User-friendly and affordable

    If you are a small business owner or freelancer seeking an affordable and user-friendly payroll solution, Wave Payroll is the perfect fit. Its intuitive interface and competitive pricing make it an attractive choice.

  • Seamless accounting integration

    If you use Wave's accounting software and want seamless integration, Wave Payroll is the ideal option. It provides a cohesive financial management experience for businesses using both tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Author

Martin Lunendonk

Martin Lunendonk is a senior tech writer specializing in website builders, web hosting, and ecommerce platforms. With a background in finance, accounting, and philosophy, he has founded multiple tech startups and worked in medium to large tech companies and investment banking, bringing deep expertise and reliable insights to his software reviews.