Both Wave and CheckMark Payroll are leading payroll software solutions, but which one is better for you and your business?
Below we compare Wave and CheckMark Payroll across nearly 50 different data points to help you make find the right one.
Wave vs CheckMark Payroll Reviews
 |  |
| Wave | CheckMark Payroll | ||
| Trustpilot Rating | 1.6 | 3.5 | |
| Number of Trustpilot Reviews | 126 | 0 | |
| iPhone App Rating | 4.5 | not available | |
| Number of iPhone App Reviews | 5700 | not available | |
| Android App Rating | 3.7 | not available | |
| Number of Android App Reviews | 22900 | not available |
Wave vs CheckMark Payroll Pricing
 |  |
| Wave | CheckMark Payroll | |
| Free Trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free Trial Length | 1 month | 2 months |
| Cheapest Plan Name | Self service states | CheckMark Payroll Pro |
| 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 | Tax service states | CheckMark Payroll Pro+ |
| Top Plan Cost Per Month | $40 | $619 |
Wave vs CheckMark Payroll Features
|  |
| Features | Wave | CheckMark Payroll |
| Target Business Size | Small business | Mid size 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 | ✘ | ✘ |
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.
CheckMark Payroll CheckMark Payroll Pro Features
- Self Service Payroll
- Automatic Payroll Calculation
- Unlimited Companies
- Unlimited Salaried & Hourly Employees
- Unlimited Payrolls (Regular, Bonus, Off-Cycle, etc.)
- All Pay Frequencies
- Multiple Pay Rates
- MICR Encoded Check Printing
- ACH Direct Deposit
- Printing & E-Filing of Forms 941, 940, 944, 943, W-2, & W-3
- Employer Payroll Tax Filings
- Access to 40+ Types of Payroll Reports
- Employee Benefits (Health, Retirement, Insurance, etc.)
- Customized Vacation and Sick Leave Policies
- Customized Deductions and Garnishments
- Up to 90 mins within 12 months
- Online access to program fixes
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).
CheckMark Payroll CheckMark Payroll Pro+ Features
- Self Service Payroll
- Automatic Payroll Calculation
- Unlimited Companies
- Unlimited Salaried & Hourly Employees
- Unlimited Payrolls (Regular, Bonus, Off-Cycle, etc.)
- All Pay Frequencies
- Multiple Pay Rates
- MICR Encoded Check Printing
- ACH Direct Deposit
- Printing & E-Filing of Forms 941, 940, 944, 943, W-2, & W-3
- Employer Payroll Tax Filings
- Access to 40+ Types of Payroll Reports
- Employee Benefits (Health, Retirement, Insurance, etc.)
- Customized Vacation and Sick Leave Policies
- Customized Deductions and Garnishments
- Up to 300 mins of support within 12 months
- Exclusive Pro+ toll-free phone number
- Top-of-the-queue priority
- Reduced data recovery rates
- Online access to program fixes
- Exclusive Pro+ Support Live Chat
Wave vs CheckMark Payroll Pro & Cons
| Wave | CheckMark Payroll | |
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|