SurePayroll vs Wave Payroll

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Our analysts compared SurePayroll vs Wave Payroll based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Payroll Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

SurePayroll Software Tool
Wave Payroll Software Tool

Product Basics

SurePayroll is a web-based solution suitable for small businesses with less than 100 employees. Users can choose from two versions of the software — one for smaller operations. The other serves the needs of individual households that employ a nanny or other caretakers. The full-service solution assists with managing benefits and workers’ compensation. It can also help with processing pay, employee screening and more. Overall, it’s run over 10 million payrolls and supports more than 6,000 different taxes.
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Wave Payroll is a cloud-based solution designed to provide simplified payroll management solutions. The product allows users to sync data, monitor employee activity, track leave, comply with tax reforms, view journal transactions, generate payslips and process payments.

It uses 256-bit encryption to protect bank data connections and handles credit card and bank account information with PCI Level-1 certification. Other functionalities include income and expense tracking, accounting, monthly receipt uploads, regular reminders, consolidated dashboards and transaction updates.
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$29.99 Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
$46 Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
Small
Medium
Large
Small
Medium
Large
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Time and Money Saver: Customize the payroll package by adding only necessary features. Cut down on tedious data entry and human error by bringing the process online, streamlining and standardizing it.
  • More Convenient: Calculate employee pay from any internet-connected device within minutes. Let users access their personal information and use the self-service options to take control of their finances. Run payroll on the same or the next day after scheduling.
  • Expedited Payroll: Withdraw funds and process payroll from the business in half the time of many other options. Keep payments in account longer with the two-day debit period.
  • Fix Errors Quickly: Cancel the entire process within a specific window and the payroll won’t run. Suitable for fixing issues that come up unexpectedly.
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  • Centralized Payroll: Add new employees, manage payments, track salaries, record time offs, manage tax deductions and oversee the overall workforce system with integrated solutions and efficient tools. 
  • Automated Compliance: Stay updated with ever-changing tax laws and compute state, federal and local taxes automatically. Conform to regulatory changes and access accurate calculations with an effective tax engine. 
  • Journal Transactions: Instantly access expenses, money owed to employees and tax authorities, liabilities, total costs and more on a single screen. 
  • Self-Service: Allow employees to access personal details, view pay stubs, edit bank-related information, tax forms and more. 
  • Dashboard: Edit, review, edit and manage payrolls on a consolidated dashboard. Set up schedules, approve runs, view bank account balance, export reminders to the calendar and update timesheets. 
  • Reports: Access comprehensive reports to get in-depth insights into total sales, cash flow, profit and loss statement, transaction volumes and other crucial business metrics. Gauge performance and improve services with comparative reporting. 
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  • Multiple Pay Options: Process multiple pay rates as well as bonuses. Pay for various types of workers, such as 1099 contractors or W-2 workers. Use physical paychecks, direct deposit and deposit checks into different bank accounts to pay employees.
  • Auto Payroll: Set up the system to run payroll automatically with unlimited runs. Run both same-day and next-day payroll.
  • Tax Filing: File and pay taxes automatically at both the state and federal levels. File taxes in all states, including a tax service unique to Pennsylvania. Get peace of mind with a no tax penalty guarantee where SurePayroll promises to resolve issues with the IRS and pay if they are at fault.
  • HR Services: Helps with HR benefits and tasks such as 401(K), workers’ compensation, health insurance, employment screenings and more through the Payroll Plus option.
  • Employee Self-Service: Let employees access pay stubs, W-2’s, 1099-MISC forms and more through the mobile app. Receive email notifications when documents are ready to view.
  • Employee Self-Service: Let employees access pay stubs, W-2’s, 1099-MISC forms and more through the mobile app. Receive email notifications when documents are ready to view.
  • Employee Profiles: Receive alerts about important dates, such as employee birthdays or anniversaries. Organize employee information to streamline reporting processes.
  • Integrations: Link various programs to expand functionality with apps for attendance, time, Intuit Quickbooks, Less Accounting and Xero.
  • Nanny Payments: Pay nannies as a small business and pay Social Security and Medicare. Follow a guide through the specific tax requirements for those employing domestic childcare workers.
  • Time Tracking: Allow employees to clock-in and clock-out through the platform. Track and approve these submissions.
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  • Centralized Payroll: Add new employees, manage payments, track salaries, record time offs, manage tax deductions and oversee the overall workforce system with integrated solutions and efficient tools. 
  • Automated Compliance: Stay updated with ever-changing tax laws and compute state, federal and local taxes automatically. Conform to regulatory changes and access accurate calculations with an effective tax engine. 
  • Journal Transactions: Instantly access expenses, money owed to employees and tax authorities, liabilities, total costs and more on a single screen. 
  • Self-Service: Allow employees to access personal details, view pay stubs, edit bank-related information, tax forms and more. 
  • Dashboard: Edit, review, edit and manage payrolls on a consolidated dashboard. Set up schedules, approve runs, view bank account balance, export reminders to the calendar and update timesheets. 
  • Reports: Access comprehensive reports to get in-depth insights into total sales, cash flow, profit and loss statement, transaction volumes and other crucial business metrics. Gauge performance and improve services with comparative reporting. 
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Product Ranking

#15

among all
Payroll Software

#31

among all
Payroll Software

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User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 611 reviews
Great User Sentiment 116 reviews
88%
of users recommend this product

SurePayroll has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 88% when considering 611 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

82%
of users recommend this product

Wave Payroll has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 82% when considering 116 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

5.0 (14)
n/a
4.4 (376)
n/a
n/a
4.14 (58)
4.3 (198)
4.1 (58)
4.7 (23)
n/a

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Easy to Use: Over 80% of users who talked about usability found the system simple to adopt and navigate.
Excellent Functionality: Reviewers who discussed features were pleased in over 70% of comments.
Expedient Payroll Processing: Just under 70% of users who talked about the payroll functions felt they were quick and easy to use.
Printable Checks: Users liked the ability to print checks in just under 70% of reviews that discussed it.
Knowledgeable Customer Service: Over 60% of users who talked about the support felt they were knowledgeable, responsive and helpful.
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Intuitive Design: Users praise Wave Payroll's easy-to-use interface, finding it simple to navigate and complete tasks like setting up payroll and running reports.
Automated Tax Filing: Wave Payroll automatically calculates, files, and pays payroll taxes, saving users time and reducing the risk of errors.
Affordable Pricing: Many users appreciate Wave Payroll's transparent and competitive pricing, especially its free plan for contractors and freelancers.
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Implementation Issues: Over 80% of reviewers who talked about the setup process said they ran into issues.
Too Pricey for Some: While 56% of commenters said the price was appropriate for small businesses, a significant minority of 44% found it too expensive.
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Customer Support Issues: Users have reported experiencing difficulties reaching customer support and receiving timely assistance when encountering problems.
Inaccurate Calculations: Some users have reported instances of Wave Payroll making incorrect calculations, leading to payroll errors and discrepancies.
Limited Features: Wave Payroll may lack certain advanced features that some businesses require, such as comprehensive reporting options or integrations with specific HR systems.
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SurePayroll is an online payment management system. Many reviewers were pleased with its performance. They said it was easy to use and learn and were happy with its features, especially the tax calculation and filing abilities. Commenters who required physical checks were delighted that it was easy to print and customize them. Most learners liked the helpful customer service and said that the payroll processing was quick and painless. Setup issues were a recurring complaint, with a couple of commenters saying they had problems with integrations. Last, reviewers were extremely mixed on the price. Some felt it was too pricey for small businesses; some thought it was right in their budget. SurePayroll may be a good option for small and medium-sized organizations.

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Are you riding the wave of payroll success, or are you drowning in paperwork? Recent user reviews of Wave Payroll suggest it's a lifesaver for entrepreneurs and small businesses, but it might not be smooth sailing for everyone. Users rave about Wave Payroll's affordability and ease of use, especially compared to rivals like Gusto or QuickBooks Payroll. They appreciate the intuitive interface, automated tax calculations, and direct deposit features. One user even described hitting the "approve payroll" button as "fun" because it's so simple and stress-free. However, some users have voiced concerns about limited customer support and occasional glitches in the software. A few users also wished for more advanced features, such as HR tools and time tracking integration. Wave Payroll's key differentiator is its price point. Starting at $25 per month, it's significantly cheaper than many competitors, making it a godsend for budget-conscious startups and freelancers. However, this affordability comes with a trade-off: Wave Payroll's automatic tax filing service is only available in a limited number of states. If you're outside those states, you'll need to manually file taxes, which can be a headache. Overall, Wave Payroll is a great fit for entrepreneurs and small businesses looking for a user-friendly and affordable payroll solution. However, if you require robust customer support or advanced features, you might need to explore other options.

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