Gusto vs Wave Payroll (2024 Comparison)
Gusto offers a comprehensive payroll solution with excellent customer support and a user-friendly interface. It's ideal for businesses seeking robust features and reliable assistance.
- Comprehensive payroll features
- Excellent customer support
- User-friendly interface
- Higher cost for small businesses
- Limited free plan
Free plan?
NoStarting price
$40 per month
Wave Payroll provides an affordable and user-friendly payroll solution, seamlessly integrating with Wave's accounting software. It's perfect for small businesses with basic payroll needs.
- Affordable for small businesses
- Seamless integration with Wave
- User-friendly interface
- Limited advanced features
- Longer support response times
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$20 per monthWhat is Gusto?
Gusto is a comprehensive payroll and HR software designed to simplify the complexities of managing employee payments and benefits. It offers a user-friendly interface that automates payroll processing, tax filing, and benefits administration, making it an ideal choice for small to medium-sized businesses. With Gusto, you can ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, while also providing your employees with a seamless experience. The platform's intuitive design and robust features help businesses save time and reduce errors, allowing you to focus on growing your business.
What is Wave Payroll?
Wave Payroll is a user-friendly payroll software that caters to small businesses, offering a straightforward solution for managing employee payments. It integrates seamlessly with Wave's accounting software, providing a cohesive financial management experience. With Wave Payroll, you can automate payroll calculations, tax filings, and direct deposits, ensuring accuracy and compliance. The platform is designed to be accessible and affordable, making it an excellent choice for startups and small businesses looking to streamline their payroll processes without breaking the bank.
Pros and Cons of Gusto vs Wave Payroll
Pros & Cons of Gusto
- Gusto offers a wide range of payroll features, including automated processing, tax filing, and benefits administration. These features make it an ideal choice for businesses seeking a robust payroll solution.
- Gusto provides top-notch customer support, with multiple channels available for assistance. This ensures that users receive timely and reliable help whenever they need it.
- Gusto's interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it accessible for users of all experience levels. This user-friendly design enhances the overall experience and reduces the learning curve.
- Gusto's pricing may be higher for small businesses with limited budgets. While the features justify the cost, it may not be the most affordable option for startups.
- Gusto offers limited features on its free plan, which may not be sufficient for businesses with more complex payroll needs. Users may need to upgrade to access the full range of features.
Pros & Cons of Wave Payroll
- Wave Payroll is an affordable option for small businesses, offering essential payroll features at a lower cost. This makes it an attractive choice for startups and businesses with limited budgets.
- Wave Payroll integrates seamlessly with Wave's accounting software, providing a cohesive financial management experience. This integration simplifies the process of managing payroll and accounting in one place.
- Wave Payroll's interface is designed to be user-friendly, making it accessible for users with varying levels of experience. This ease of use enhances the overall experience and reduces the learning curve.
- Wave Payroll lacks some of the advanced features found in other payroll solutions, making it more suitable for businesses with basic payroll needs. Users seeking more comprehensive features may need to look elsewhere.
- Wave Payroll users have reported longer response times for customer support, which may be a drawback for businesses that require quick and reliable assistance.
Gusto vs Wave Payroll: At A Glance
Value to Price
Gusto offers a comprehensive suite of features that justify its pricing, making it a great value for businesses seeking robust payroll and HR solutions. Wave Payroll, while more affordable, offers fewer features, making it a better choice for small businesses with simpler needs.
Ease of Use
Both Gusto and Wave Payroll are designed with user-friendliness in mind. Gusto's interface is intuitive, but Wave Payroll edges out slightly with its seamless integration with Wave's accounting software, making it easier for users already familiar with the platform.
Functionality
Gusto excels in functionality, offering a wide range of features including benefits administration and compliance management. Wave Payroll, while functional, lacks some of the advanced features found in Gusto, making it more suitable for businesses with basic payroll needs.
Scalability
Gusto is designed to scale with your business, offering features that support growth and expansion. Wave Payroll, while scalable, is more suited for small businesses and may require additional tools as your business grows.
Integrations
Gusto offers a wide range of integrations with popular business tools, enhancing its functionality. Wave Payroll also offers integrations, but its options are more limited, making Gusto a better choice for businesses seeking extensive connectivity.
Customer Support
Gusto provides excellent customer support, with multiple channels available for assistance. Wave Payroll offers support as well, but users have reported longer response times, making Gusto the preferred choice for those who prioritize quick and reliable support.
Security
Both Gusto and Wave Payroll prioritize security, with robust measures in place to protect user data. However, Gusto's additional compliance features provide an extra layer of security, making it a more secure option for businesses handling sensitive information.
Overall Rating
Gusto's comprehensive features, excellent support, and scalability make it a top choice for businesses seeking a robust payroll solution. Wave Payroll, while a solid option for small businesses, lacks some of the advanced features and support found in Gusto.
Gusto vs Wave Payroll: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features
Automated Payroll
Gusto's automated payroll feature is a game-changer, allowing you to set up and forget about payroll processing. It handles everything from calculations to payments, ensuring accuracy and compliance. Wave Payroll also offers automation, but Gusto's advanced features and customization options make it the superior choice for businesses with complex payroll needs.
Tax Filing
Gusto simplifies tax filing with its automated system, ensuring timely and accurate submissions. It handles federal, state, and local taxes, reducing the risk of errors. Wave Payroll offers similar functionality, but Gusto's comprehensive coverage and ease of use make it the preferred option for businesses seeking hassle-free tax management.
Direct Deposit
Both Gusto and Wave Payroll offer direct deposit, providing convenience for employees and employers alike. Gusto's system is seamless and reliable, with faster processing times and more flexibility in scheduling payments. Wave Payroll is a solid option, but Gusto's superior performance makes it the better choice for businesses prioritizing efficiency.
Employee Self-Service
Gusto's employee self-service portal empowers employees to manage their information, view pay stubs, and access benefits. This feature reduces administrative workload and enhances employee satisfaction. Wave Payroll offers a similar portal, but Gusto's user-friendly interface and additional features make it the standout choice for businesses seeking to improve employee engagement.
Benefits Administration
Gusto excels in benefits administration, offering a wide range of options and seamless integration with payroll. It simplifies the process of managing employee benefits, ensuring compliance and accuracy. Wave Payroll lacks some of the advanced features found in Gusto, making it more suitable for businesses with basic benefits needs.
Compliance Management
Gusto's compliance management features are robust, helping businesses stay up-to-date with changing regulations. It offers automated alerts and updates, reducing the risk of non-compliance. Wave Payroll provides basic compliance support, but Gusto's comprehensive features make it the better choice for businesses seeking peace of mind in regulatory matters.
Pricing Comparison of Gusto and Wave Payroll
To assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve outlined the pricing plans and essential features of Gusto and Wave Payroll. This comparison will highlight the best option for managing your payroll needs.
Gusto Pricing Plans
- Basic support for payroll and HR queries.
- Employee profiles and self-service options available.
- Basic hiring and onboarding tools for new employees.
- Gusto-brokered health insurance administration.
- Next-day direct deposit for faster payroll processing.
- Advanced hiring and onboarding tools for efficient recruitment.
- PTO management and policies for employee leave.
- Time tracking and project tracking for better management.
- HR resource center for comprehensive HR management.
- Compliance alerts to stay updated with regulations.
- Access to certified HR experts for expert advice.
- Full-service payroll migration and account setup.
- Efficient management of contractor payments.
- No monthly base fee for the first 6 months.
- Simple and straightforward contractor payment processing.
- Easy integration with existing systems.
Wave Payroll Pricing Plans
- 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.
- 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, focusing on key factors like functionality, ease of use, and customer support. By analyzing user reviews and conducting in-depth testing, we ensure our recommendations meet your needs. Each factor is weighted by importance to provide an accurate final rating, helping you make informed decisions.
Gusto or Wave Payroll: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?
Choose Gusto If You Need ...
- Comprehensive payroll solution
If you are a business seeking a comprehensive payroll solution with robust features and excellent customer support, Gusto is the ideal choice. Its wide range of features and reliable assistance make it a top choice for businesses with complex payroll needs.
- User-friendly interface
If you are looking for a payroll solution with a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, Gusto is the perfect option. Its intuitive design makes it accessible for users of all experience levels, enhancing the overall experience.
Choose Wave Payroll If You Need ...
- Affordable payroll solution
If you are a small business with a limited budget seeking an affordable payroll solution, Wave Payroll is the best choice. Its lower cost and essential features make it an attractive option for startups and businesses with basic payroll needs.
- Seamless integration with Wave
If you are already using Wave's accounting software and want a payroll solution that integrates seamlessly, Wave Payroll is the ideal choice. Its integration with Wave provides a cohesive financial management experience, simplifying the process of managing payroll and accounting in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key differences between Gusto and Wave Payroll?
Which tool is better for small businesses?
How do Gusto and Wave Payroll handle tax filing?
What level of customer support do Gusto and Wave Payroll offer?
Can Gusto and Wave Payroll scale with my business?
How do Gusto and Wave Payroll ensure data security?
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.
