Both Wave and Square Payroll are leading payroll software solutions, but which one is better for you and your business?
Below we compare Wave and Square Payroll across nearly 50 different data points to help you make find the right one.
Wave vs Square Payroll Reviews
 |  |
| Wave | Square Payroll | ||
| Trustpilot Rating | 1.6 | 4.2 | |
| Number of Trustpilot Reviews | 126 | 4049 | |
| iPhone App Rating | 4.5 | 4.8 | |
| Number of iPhone App Reviews | 5700 | 5 | |
| Android App Rating | 3.7 | 3.8 | |
| Number of Android App Reviews | 22900 | 2660 |
Wave vs Square Payroll Pricing
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| Wave | Square Payroll | |
| Free Trial | Yes | n/a |
| Free Trial Length | 1 month | n/a |
| Cheapest Plan Name | Self service states | Pay Contractors Only |
| 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 | Pay Employees & Contractors |
| Top Plan Cost Per Month | $40 | $41 |
Wave vs Square Payroll Features
|  |
| Features | Wave | Square Payroll |
| Target Business Size | Small 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 | ✘ | ✔ |
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.
Square Payroll Pay Contractors Only Features
- We mail all 1099-NEC forms
- M–F 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT support
- Pay by check, direct deposit, or Cash App
- Free seasonal inactivity
- All features included, with no hidden fees
- No commitment, cancel anytime
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).
Square Payroll Pay Employees & Contractors Features
- No additional fees
- Full-service payroll
- Payroll for employees and contractors
- Automatic payroll tax calculations
- All tax filings and payments
- Multistate payroll
- Live support for account setup
- Timecards and employee app
- Track and import tips and commissions
- We mail W-2s and 1099-NEC forms
- Pay by check, direct deposit, or Cash App
- M–F 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT support
- No commitment, cancel anytime
- Unlimited pay runs per month
- Free seasonal inactivity
Wave vs Square Payroll Pro & Cons
| Wave | Square Payroll | |
| Pros |
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