Both Patriot Software and Wave are leading payroll software solutions, but which one is better for you and your business?
Below we compare Patriot Software and Wave across nearly 50 different data points to help you make find the right one.
Patriot Software vs Wave Reviews
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| Patriot Software | Wave | ||
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.9 | 1.6 | |
| Number of Trustpilot Reviews | 2126 | 126 | |
| iPhone App Rating | not available | 4.5 | |
| Number of iPhone App Reviews | not available | 5700 | |
| Android App Rating | not available | 3.7 | |
| Number of Android App Reviews | not available | 22900 |
Patriot Software vs Wave Pricing
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| Patriot Software | Wave | |
| Free Trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free Trial Length | 1 month | 1 month |
| Cheapest Plan Name | Basic Payroll | Self service states |
| Cheapest Plan Cost Per Month | $n/a | $n/a |
| Mid Priced Plan Name | n/a | n/a |
| Mid Priced Plan Cost Per Month | $n/a | $n/a |
| Top Plan Name | Full Service Payroll | Tax service states |
| Top Plan Cost Per Month | $37 | $40 |
Patriot Software vs Wave Features
 | |
| Features | Patriot Software | Wave |
| Target Business Size | Mid size business | Small business |
| Unlimited Payrolls | ✔ | ✘ |
| Automated Tax Filing & Payments | ✔ | ✔ |
| E-sign I-9 & W-4 | ✘ | ✘ |
| Live Customer Support | ✘ | ✔ |
| Third-Party Integrations | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ability To Manage Employee Benefits | ✔ | ✔ |
| Employee Access To Platform | ✔ | ✔ |
| Direct Deposit | ✔ | ✔ |
| Expense Reimbursement | ✔ | ✔ |
| Time Off Accrual | ✔ | ✔ |
| Pre-Tax Deductions | ✔ | ✔ |
| Wage Garnishment | ✔ | ✔ |
| Background Checks | ✘ | ✘ |
| Check Printing | ✔ | ✔ |
| Check Delivery | ✘ | ✘ |
| API | ✘ | ✘ |
Patriot Software Basic Payroll Features
- Free expert support
- Free payroll setup
- Free 2-day direct deposit for qualified customers
- Free employee portal
- Free workers’ comp integration
- Unlimited payrolls
- On-the-fly pay rate changes
- All pay frequencies
- Multiple locations
- Customizable hours, money, deductions
- Mobile friendly
- Accounting Software integration
- Electronic or printable W-2s
- Time-off accruals
- Multiple pay rates
- Repeating, additional money types
- Pay contractors in payroll
- Departments
- Add unlimited users with permissions
- Time and Attendance integration
- HR integration
- Optional 1099 e-Filing
- Net to Gross Payroll tool
- Free 401(k) integration
Wave Self service states Features
- Wave makes filing your own payroll taxes easy
- 36 states are self-serve, which means you’ll have to pay and file the paperwork yourself. Wave makes it easy by showing you what information and how much money you’ll need per payroll.
Patriot Software Full Service Payroll Features
- Free expert support
- Free payroll setup
- Free 2-day direct deposit for qualified customers
- Free employee portal
- Free workers’ comp integration
- Unlimited payrolls
- On-the-fly pay rate changes
- All pay frequencies
- Multiple locations
- Customizable hours, money, deductions
- Mobile friendly
- Accounting Software integration
- Electronic or printable W-2s
- Time-off accruals
- Multiple pay rates
- Repeating, additional money types
- Pay contractors in payroll
- Departments
- Add unlimited users with permissions
- Time and Attendance integration
- HR integration
- Optional 1099 e-Filing
- Net to Gross Payroll tool
- Free 401(k) integration
- We’ll file and deposit federal payroll taxes
- We’ll file and deposit state payroll taxes
- We’ll file and deposit local payroll taxes
- We’ll file year-end payroll tax filings (no additional fees)
- Tax filing accuracy guaranteed
Wave Tax service states Features
- Wave handles your payroll taxes
- 14 states include tax services with the option to automatically transfer tax payments and file the paperwork with your state tax office and the IRS (this excludes 1099 Filings).
Patriot Software vs Wave Pro & Cons
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