Compare Gusto and Wave Payroll 
Featured Products
At a Glance
Market Segments
Small-Business (84.0% of reviews)
Small-Business (93.3% of reviews)
Entry-Level Pricing
Starting at $49.00 Per Month
Free Trial 0 NA NA
Gusto
Star Rating
(9,656)4.6 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (84.0% of reviews)
Pros & Cons
Entry-Level Pricing
Starting at $49.00 Per Month
Free Trial is available
Browse all 3 pricing plansWave Payroll
Star Rating
(31)4.1 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (93.3% of reviews)
Pros & Cons
Not enough data
Entry-Level Pricing
Free Trial 0 NA NA
Browse all 2 pricing plansSummary
AI Generated Summary
AI-generated. Powered by real user reviews.
- G2 reviewers report that Gusto excels in user experience, with many praising its intuitive interface and ease of use. Users appreciate how Gusto simplifies payroll processing and HR tasks, stating, "I like Gusto because it’s simple in the best way: it’s easy to use without feeling stripped down."
- According to verified reviews, Gusto's implementation process is notably quick and efficient. Recent users highlight the organized pathway for onboarding and offboarding employees, making it a seamless experience for small businesses looking to manage their HR systems effectively.
- Users say that Gusto provides robust support, with a quality rating that significantly outshines Wave Payroll. Reviewers mention the responsive customer service, noting that Gusto is "always fast with updates/emails," which is crucial for businesses needing timely assistance.
- Reviewers mention that while Wave Payroll offers flexibility, especially for freelancers, it lacks the comprehensive features that Gusto provides. Users have noted that Wave is a good starting point for those new to payroll but may not meet the needs of growing businesses that require more advanced functionalities.
- G2 reviewers highlight that Gusto's pricing is perceived as reasonable given the extensive features it offers, such as tax compliance and benefits management. In contrast, while Wave Payroll has a free trial, users have expressed concerns about its limitations in features as their business needs evolve.
- According to recent feedback, Gusto's overall satisfaction ratings are significantly higher than Wave Payroll's, indicating that users feel more confident in Gusto as a long-term partner for their payroll and HR needs. Many users appreciate the comprehensive nature of Gusto's services, stating it supports them in avoiding compliance issues.
Pricing
Entry-Level Pricing
Gusto
Simple Plan
Starting at $49.00
Per Month
For small businesses or s-corps needing basic payroll.
- Full-service single-state payroll including W-2s and 1099s
- Basic support
- Employee profiles and self-service
Wave Payroll
Receipt scanning
Free Trial
0 NA NA
No set-up fees, no hidden charges, no monthly fee
- Unlimited receipt scanning with our free mobile app Integrate seamlessly with the accounting software by Wave Capture receipts even when you’re offline Say goodbye to paper receipts and spreadsheets Snap a photo of your receipt, we'll automatically fill in the rest Available on Android and iOS Incorporate receipts into your accounting reports Scan multiple receipts all at once No setup fees, monthly fees, or hidden fees
Free Trial
Gusto
Free Trial is available
Wave Payroll
No trial information availableRatings
Meets Requirements
9.4
7,021
8.7
24
Ease of Use
9.5
7,243
9.0
24
Ease of Setup
9.3
5,846
9.2
14
Ease of Admin
9.3
2,370
8.8
14
Quality of Support
9.0
5,839
8.0
23
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
9.1
2,367
8.5
14
Product Direction (% positive)
9.2
7,060
7.9
22
Features by Category
Core HR
8.8
907
Not enough data
9.0
943
Not enough data
8.1
798
Not enough data
8.6
848
Not enough data
8.8
874
Not enough data
8.7
881
Not enough data
Generative AI
7.2
474
Not enough data
Platform
8.2
2249
Not enough data
8.0
2050
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
8.9
2298
Not enough data
9.2
2293
Not enough data
8.9
2204
Not enough data
8.8
2261
Not enough data
9.1
2277
Not enough data
Employee Self Service
9.5
5351
|
Verified
8.3
18
|
Verified
8.9
4758
|
Verified
8.1
13
|
Verified
9.0
4813
|
Verified
Feature Not Available
Administration
9.4
5181
|
Verified
8.4
18
|
Verified
9.1
4726
|
Verified
8.2
12
|
Verified
9.6
5158
|
Verified
8.8
19
|
Verified
8.9
4479
|
Verified
7.9
15
|
Verified
9.2
4690
|
Verified
8.2
13
|
Verified
8.8
4170
|
Verified
7.4
9
|
Verified
9.1
4382
|
Verified
8.2
13
|
Verified
9.2
4564
|
Verified
8.0
10
|
Verified
9.2
4555
|
Verified
7.4
9
|
Verified
Taxes
9.3
4968
|
Verified
8.4
15
|
Verified
9.2
4808
|
Verified
7.9
12
|
Verified
Feature Not Available
7.9
11
|
Verified
Integration
8.6
4158
|
Verified
8.1
9
|
Verified
8.8
4136
|
Verified
7.7
11
|
Verified
8.8
4179
|
Verified
8.8
16
|
Verified
8.6
3903
|
Verified
8.1
9
|
Verified
Platform
9.0
4664
|
Verified
8.4
19
|
Verified
9.2
4603
|
Verified
8.9
19
|
Verified
9.3
5019
|
Verified
8.9
19
|
Verified
9.2
4509
|
Verified
8.1
18
|
Verified
Benefits Administration Platform Features
9.0
1361
Not enough data
8.9
1315
Not enough data
8.4
1221
Not enough data
9.0
1337
Not enough data
9.1
1309
Not enough data
9.2
1351
Not enough data
9.0
1277
Not enough data
8.8
1254
Not enough data
Benefits Administration Platform Features
9.0
1361
Not enough data
8.9
1315
Not enough data
8.4
1221
Not enough data
9.0
1337
Not enough data
9.1
1309
Not enough data
9.2
1351
Not enough data
9.0
1277
Not enough data
9.1
931
Not enough data
8.8
1254
Not enough data
8.5
1060
Not enough data
8.3
977
Not enough data
8.9
1043
Not enough data
Generative AI
7.2
840
Not enough data
7.2
837
Not enough data
7.1
832
Not enough data
Platform
8.2
2249
Not enough data
8.0
2050
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
8.9
2298
Not enough data
9.2
2293
Not enough data
8.9
2204
Not enough data
8.8
2261
Not enough data
9.1
2277
Not enough data
Automation
8.6
7
Not enough data
Logistics
Not enough data
Not enough data
9.4
6
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Management
Not enough data
Not enough data
9.5
10
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
9.3
5
Not enough data
9.4
6
Not enough data
10.0
10
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Monitoring
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Platform Basics
8.5
185
Not enough data
9.2
193
Not enough data
8.9
185
Not enough data
Platform Performance
8.8
191
Not enough data
8.5
178
Not enough data
Platform Functionality
9.0
187
Not enough data
8.5
181
Not enough data
8.8
179
Not enough data
Platform Additional Functionality
8.9
182
Not enough data
8.4
175
Not enough data
8.1
172
Not enough data
Generative AI
7.3
158
Not enough data
Performance reviews
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Goals
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Feedback
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Agentic AI - Performance Management
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Platform Basics
9.2
773
Not enough data
9.2
778
Not enough data
Platform Administration
8.6
711
Not enough data
9.1
757
Not enough data
9.0
763
Not enough data
Platform Payment Content
9.0
760
Not enough data
8.4
652
Not enough data
9.1
737
Not enough data
Generative AI
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Generative AI
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Generative AI
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Generative AI
Not enough data
Not enough data
Agentic AI - Onboarding
7.7
243
Not enough data
7.9
243
Not enough data
7.8
245
Not enough data
7.9
247
Not enough data
8.0
247
Not enough data
Platform Content
8.7
1153
Not enough data
9.1
1178
Not enough data
9.2
1179
Not enough data
8.4
1091
Not enough data
8.8
1102
Not enough data
8.6
1095
Not enough data
Platform Additional Functionality
9.2
1156
Not enough data
8.7
1093
Not enough data
8.5
1067
Not enough data
8.9
1113
Not enough data
9.1
1137
Not enough data
Platform Data
8.4
1019
Not enough data
8.7
1059
Not enough data
8.8
1042
Not enough data
Platform
8.2
2249
Not enough data
8.0
2050
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
8.9
2298
Not enough data
9.2
2293
Not enough data
8.9
2204
Not enough data
8.8
2261
Not enough data
9.1
2277
Not enough data
Recruiting and Onboarding
8.0
993
Not enough data
9.0
1109
Not enough data
Categories
Categories
Shared Categories
Gusto and Wave Payroll are categorized as Payroll
Unique Categories
Gusto is categorized as Contractor Payments, Contractor Management, Time & Attendance, Onboarding, Benefits Administration, Core HR, HCM Software, and Performance Management
Wave Payroll has no unique categories
Reviews
Reviewers' Company Size
Gusto
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
Wave Payroll
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
Small-Business
(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market
(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise
(> 1000 emp.)
Reviewers' Industry
Non-Profit Organization Management
5.8%
Computer Software
5.0%
Accounting
5.0%
Health, Wellness and Fitness
4.8%
Hospital & Health Care
4.6%
Other
74.8%
Computer Software
10.0%
Marketing and Advertising
10.0%
Education Management
10.0%
Financial Services
10.0%
Information Technology and Services
10.0%
Other
50.0%
Discussions
Is there an app for Gusto payroll?
4 Comments
TC
No, only for employees. You can only run payroll using a browser.Read more
Wave Payroll has no more discussions with answers
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