Justworks vs Wave Payroll (2024 Comparison)
Justworks offers a comprehensive HR solution with excellent customer support and a wide range of benefits, making it ideal for businesses seeking to streamline their HR processes.
- Comprehensive HR features
- Excellent customer support
- Wide range of benefits
- Higher learning curve
- More expensive than competitors
Free plan?
NoStarting price
$8 per month per person
Wave Payroll provides an affordable and user-friendly payroll solution with seamless accounting integration, perfect for small businesses looking for simplicity and efficiency.
- User-friendly interface
- Affordable pricing
- Seamless accounting integration
- Limited benefits options
- Basic time tracking features
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$20 per monthWhat is Justworks?
Justworks is a comprehensive HR platform designed to simplify payroll, benefits, compliance, and HR for small to medium-sized businesses. It offers a user-friendly interface that helps businesses manage their teams efficiently. With Justworks, you can automate payroll, access affordable benefits, and ensure compliance with labor laws, making it a valuable tool for business owners who want to focus on growth rather than administrative tasks.
What is Wave Payroll?
Wave Payroll is a user-friendly payroll software tailored for small businesses. It simplifies payroll processing by automating tax calculations, direct deposits, and employee management. Wave Payroll integrates seamlessly with Wave's accounting software, providing a cohesive financial management solution. It's ideal for entrepreneurs and small business owners who need an affordable and efficient way to handle payroll without the complexity of larger systems.
Pros and Cons of Justworks vs Wave Payroll
Pros & Cons of Justworks
- Justworks offers a wide array of HR features, including payroll, benefits, and compliance, making it a one-stop solution for businesses looking to streamline their HR processes.
- Justworks is known for its responsive and helpful customer support, ensuring that users receive the assistance they need promptly and effectively.
- Justworks provides access to a variety of employee benefits, including health insurance and retirement plans, which can help attract and retain top talent.
- Due to its extensive features, Justworks may require more time to learn and navigate, especially for users new to HR software.
- Justworks' pricing may be higher than other payroll solutions, which could be a consideration for budget-conscious businesses.
Pros & Cons of Wave Payroll
- Wave Payroll's intuitive interface makes it easy for users to navigate and manage payroll tasks without extensive training or technical knowledge.
- Wave Payroll offers competitive pricing, making it an attractive option for small businesses looking to manage payroll without breaking the bank.
- Wave Payroll integrates seamlessly with Wave's accounting software, providing a cohesive financial management solution for small businesses.
- Wave Payroll offers fewer employee benefits options compared to other HR solutions, which may not meet the needs of businesses with diverse requirements.
- Wave Payroll's time tracking features are basic and may not provide the level of detail needed for businesses with complex time management needs.
Justworks vs Wave Payroll: At A Glance
Value to Price
Justworks offers a robust set of features for its price, making it a great value for businesses looking for comprehensive HR solutions. Wave Payroll, while more affordable, offers fewer features, making it ideal for small businesses with simpler needs. If you need a full HR suite, Justworks is the better choice.
Ease of Use
Wave Payroll shines in ease of use with its intuitive interface, making it accessible for users with little technical knowledge. Justworks, while user-friendly, has a steeper learning curve due to its extensive features. If simplicity is your priority, Wave Payroll is the way to go.
Functionality
Justworks excels in functionality, offering a wide range of HR and payroll features that cater to growing businesses. Wave Payroll, while functional, is more limited in scope, focusing primarily on payroll. For businesses needing comprehensive HR tools, Justworks is the superior option.
Scalability
Justworks is designed to scale with your business, offering features that grow with your needs. Wave Payroll is more suited for small businesses with limited growth plans. If you anticipate significant growth, Justworks is the better choice.
Integrations
Wave Payroll offers seamless integration with Wave's accounting software, providing a cohesive financial management solution. Justworks, while offering integrations, may require more setup. If you need easy integration with accounting, Wave Payroll is preferable.
Customer Support
Justworks provides excellent customer support, with responsive service and helpful resources. Wave Payroll's support is adequate but not as comprehensive. If customer support is crucial, Justworks is the better option.
Security
Both Justworks and Wave Payroll offer solid security features to protect your data. Justworks has a slight edge with more advanced security protocols. If security is a top concern, Justworks is the safer choice.
Overall Rating
Justworks scores higher overall due to its comprehensive features and excellent support, making it ideal for businesses seeking a full HR solution. Wave Payroll is a strong contender for small businesses focused on payroll simplicity.
Justworks vs Wave Payroll: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features
Automated Payroll
Justworks offers a highly efficient automated payroll system that handles complex calculations and ensures timely payments. Wave Payroll also provides automation but is more suited for straightforward payroll needs. If you require advanced payroll features, Justworks is the better choice.
Tax Filing
Justworks simplifies tax filing with comprehensive support for federal, state, and local taxes. Wave Payroll offers basic tax filing but may require additional manual input. For businesses needing extensive tax support, Justworks is preferable.
Employee Benefits
Justworks excels in offering a wide range of employee benefits, including health insurance and retirement plans. Wave Payroll has limited benefits options, making it less suitable for businesses with diverse needs. If benefits are a priority, Justworks is the superior choice.
Time Tracking
Justworks provides integrated time tracking features that streamline employee management. Wave Payroll offers basic time tracking but lacks advanced features. For businesses needing detailed time management, Justworks is the better option.
Direct Deposit
Both Justworks and Wave Payroll offer reliable direct deposit services. Wave Payroll has a slight edge with faster processing times. If speed is crucial, Wave Payroll is the better choice.
Mobile Access
Wave Payroll offers excellent mobile access, allowing users to manage payroll on the go. Justworks also provides mobile access but with fewer features. If mobile management is important, Wave Payroll is preferable.
Pricing Comparison of Justworks and Wave Payroll
To assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve outlined the pricing plans and essential features of Justworks and Wave Payroll. This comparison will highlight the best option for managing your payroll and HR needs.
Justworks Pricing Plans
- Access to essential HR tools for efficient management.
- Expert support available for any payroll-related queries.
- Time tracking feature to monitor employee hours accurately.
- Multi-state payroll capabilities for businesses operating in various locations.
- HR consulting services to optimize workforce management.
- 24/7 support for immediate assistance and guidance.
- Commuter benefits to enhance employee satisfaction.
- Access to time tracking for accurate payroll processing.
- HSA/FSA accounts for flexible health spending.
- Health advocacy services for personalized health support.
- Access to One Medical for convenient healthcare services.
- Advanced HR tools and benefits for complete solutions.
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 value to price, ease of use, and functionality. By analyzing user reviews and conducting in-depth testing, we ensure our recommendations meet diverse business needs. Each factor is weighted to provide an accurate final rating, helping you choose the best payroll solution.
Justworks or Wave Payroll: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?
Choose Justworks If You Need ...
- Comprehensive HR solution
If you need a comprehensive HR solution that includes payroll, benefits, and compliance, Justworks is the ideal choice. Its extensive features make it perfect for businesses looking to streamline their HR processes.
- Excellent customer support
If you value excellent customer support and need responsive assistance, Justworks is the better option. Its support team is known for being helpful and available to address any issues you may encounter.
Choose Wave Payroll If You Need ...
- Affordable payroll solution
If you are a small business owner looking for an affordable payroll solution, Wave Payroll is the perfect choice. Its competitive pricing makes it accessible for businesses with limited budgets.
- Seamless accounting integration
If you need seamless integration with accounting software, Wave Payroll is the better option. Its integration with Wave's accounting tools provides a cohesive financial management solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tool is better for small businesses?
Does Justworks offer more HR features than Wave Payroll?
Is Wave Payroll easier to use than Justworks?
Which tool provides better customer support?
Can Justworks handle complex payroll needs?
Does Wave Payroll integrate with other accounting software?
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.
