OnPay vs Wave Payroll (2024 Comparison)
OnPay offers comprehensive payroll features, including automated tax filing and seamless accounting integrations, making it a versatile choice for businesses with diverse payroll needs.
- Comprehensive payroll features
- Automated tax filing
- Seamless accounting integrations
- Learning curve for new users
- Higher cost for small businesses
Free plan?
NoStarting price
$46 per month
Wave Payroll provides an affordable and user-friendly payroll solution, ideal for small businesses seeking a straightforward and efficient way to manage payroll.
- User-friendly interface
- Affordable for small businesses
- Part of Wave suite
- Limited benefits management
- Basic customer support
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$20 per monthWhat is OnPay?
OnPay is a comprehensive payroll software designed to simplify payroll processing for small to medium-sized businesses. It offers features like automated tax filing, employee self-service, and benefits management. OnPay helps businesses streamline their payroll operations, ensuring accuracy and compliance with tax regulations. With its user-friendly interface, OnPay makes it easy for business owners to manage payroll without needing extensive accounting knowledge. It also integrates with popular accounting software, making it a versatile choice for businesses looking to enhance their payroll processes.
What is Wave Payroll?
Wave Payroll is a user-friendly payroll software tailored for small businesses. It offers features like direct deposit, tax filing, and employee self-service, making payroll management straightforward and efficient. Wave Payroll is part of the Wave suite, which includes accounting and invoicing tools, providing a seamless experience for managing business finances. Its intuitive interface and affordability make it an attractive option for small business owners who need a reliable payroll solution without breaking the bank.
Pros and Cons of OnPay vs Wave Payroll
Pros & Cons of OnPay
- OnPay offers a wide range of payroll features, including automated tax filing, employee self-service, and benefits management, making it a versatile choice for businesses with diverse payroll needs.
- OnPay's automated tax filing ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, reducing the risk of errors and penalties, which is crucial for businesses looking to streamline their payroll processes.
- OnPay integrates seamlessly with popular accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero, providing a cohesive experience for managing payroll and accounting, which is beneficial for businesses using various financial tools.
- OnPay's advanced features may require a learning curve for new users, which can be a challenge for businesses without dedicated payroll staff or those new to payroll software.
- OnPay's pricing may be higher for small businesses with limited payroll needs, making it less cost-effective for startups or very small businesses compared to more affordable options.
Pros & Cons of Wave Payroll
- Wave Payroll's intuitive interface makes it easy for small business owners to manage payroll without extensive experience, providing a straightforward and efficient payroll solution.
- Wave Payroll offers an affordable pricing structure, making it an attractive option for small businesses or startups looking for a cost-effective payroll solution without compromising on essential features.
- Wave Payroll is part of the Wave suite, which includes accounting and invoicing tools, providing a seamless experience for managing business finances and enhancing overall efficiency.
- Wave Payroll offers basic benefits management features, which may not be sufficient for businesses with extensive benefits offerings, making it less suitable for companies with complex benefits needs.
- Wave Payroll's customer support may be limited compared to more comprehensive options, which can be a drawback for businesses that require extensive support or have complex payroll queries.
OnPay vs Wave Payroll: At A Glance
Value to Price
OnPay offers a robust set of features at a competitive price, making it a great value for small to medium-sized businesses. Its comprehensive payroll and benefits management tools provide excellent value for the cost. Wave Payroll, while slightly more affordable, offers fewer features, making it a better choice for very small businesses or startups with limited payroll needs.
Ease of Use
Wave Payroll shines in ease of use with its intuitive interface, making it ideal for small business owners who may not have extensive payroll experience. OnPay, while user-friendly, offers more advanced features that may require a bit of a learning curve, making it better suited for businesses with more complex payroll needs.
Functionality
OnPay provides a wide range of functionalities, including automated tax filing and benefits management, which are essential for businesses looking for a comprehensive payroll solution. Wave Payroll, while functional, offers a more basic set of features, making it suitable for businesses with simpler payroll requirements.
Scalability
OnPay is designed to scale with your business, offering features that can accommodate growing payroll needs. This makes it a great choice for businesses planning to expand. Wave Payroll, while scalable, is more suited for smaller businesses that do not anticipate significant growth in the near future.
Integrations
Wave Payroll integrates seamlessly with the Wave suite of financial tools, providing a cohesive experience for managing business finances. OnPay offers integrations with popular accounting software, making it a versatile choice for businesses using various financial tools.
Customer Support
OnPay offers reliable customer support, ensuring that users can get assistance when needed. Wave Payroll also provides support, but it may not be as comprehensive as OnPay's, making OnPay a better choice for businesses that prioritize customer service.
Security
Both OnPay and Wave Payroll prioritize security, ensuring that sensitive payroll data is protected. OnPay offers slightly more advanced security features, making it a better choice for businesses with stringent security requirements.
Overall Rating
OnPay scores higher overall due to its comprehensive features and scalability, making it ideal for growing businesses. Wave Payroll, while slightly lower in overall rating, is a solid choice for small businesses seeking an affordable and easy-to-use payroll solution.
OnPay vs Wave Payroll: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features
Automated Tax Filing
OnPay excels in automated tax filing, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. This feature is particularly beneficial for businesses that want to avoid the hassle of manual tax calculations. Wave Payroll also offers automated tax filing, but OnPay's system is more comprehensive, making it a better choice for businesses with complex tax needs.
Employee Self-Service
Both OnPay and Wave Payroll offer employee self-service portals, allowing employees to access their pay stubs and tax forms easily. OnPay's portal is slightly more advanced, offering additional features like benefits enrollment, which can be a significant advantage for businesses offering employee benefits.
Direct Deposit
Wave Payroll provides a seamless direct deposit feature, making it easy for employees to receive their paychecks directly into their bank accounts. OnPay also offers direct deposit, but Wave Payroll's system is slightly more user-friendly, making it a better choice for businesses prioritizing ease of use.
Benefits Management
OnPay stands out with its comprehensive benefits management tools, allowing businesses to manage health insurance, retirement plans, and more. Wave Payroll offers basic benefits management, but OnPay's advanced features make it a better choice for businesses with extensive benefits offerings.
Integration with Accounting Software
OnPay integrates seamlessly with popular accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero, providing a cohesive experience for managing payroll and accounting. Wave Payroll also offers integrations, but OnPay's broader range of compatible software makes it a more versatile choice for businesses using various accounting tools.
User Interface
Wave Payroll's user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it ideal for small business owners with limited payroll experience. OnPay's interface is also user-friendly, but Wave Payroll's simplicity gives it a slight edge for businesses seeking a straightforward payroll solution.
Pricing Comparison of OnPay and Wave Payroll
To assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve outlined the pricing plans and essential features of OnPay and Wave Payroll. This comparison will highlight the best option for managing your payroll needs.
OnPay Pricing Plans
- Unlimited pay runs and schedules for flexible payroll management.
- Federal, state, and local tax filings are included for compliance.
- Pay workers in multiple states without additional charges.
- Expert support available via phone, chat, and email for assistance.
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 hands-on testing, we ensure our recommendations fit your needs. Each factor is weighted by importance to provide an accurate final rating, helping you make informed decisions.
OnPay or Wave Payroll: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?
Choose OnPay If You Need ...
- Comprehensive payroll solution
If you are a business with diverse payroll needs, OnPay's comprehensive features, including automated tax filing and benefits management, make it an ideal choice for ensuring accuracy and compliance.
- Growing business needs
If your business is planning to expand, OnPay's scalability and advanced features can accommodate growing payroll demands, making it a reliable choice for long-term use.
Choose Wave Payroll If You Need ...
- Simple payroll management
If you are a small business owner seeking a straightforward payroll solution, Wave Payroll's user-friendly interface and affordable pricing make it an excellent choice for managing payroll efficiently.
- Cost-effective solution
If budget is a primary concern, Wave Payroll offers an affordable pricing structure, making it a suitable option for startups or small businesses looking for a cost-effective payroll solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tool is better for small businesses?
Does OnPay offer more features than Wave Payroll?
Which tool provides better customer support?
Is Wave Payroll part of a larger suite of tools?
Can OnPay handle complex payroll needs?
Which tool is more scalable?
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.
