# Square Payroll vs Wave Payroll Comparison

| | Square Payroll | Wave Payroll | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.2 out of 5 | 4.1 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 31 | 31 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (80.6% of reviews) | Small-Business (93.3% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | Free Trial 0 NA NA | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Square Payroll

Pros:
- Convenience (1 reviews)
- Ease of Use (1 reviews)

Cons:
- Lack of Knowledge (1 reviews)
- Payment Issues (1 reviews)

### Wave Payroll

Pros:
- Payroll (2 reviews)
- Comprehensive Features (1 reviews)

Cons:
- Feature Absence (1 reviews)
- Not Intuitive (1 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Square Payroll | Wave Payroll | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.1 (25 reviews) | 8.7 (24 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 9.0 (25 reviews) | 9.0 (24 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | Not enough data | 9.2 (14 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | Not enough data | 8.8 (14 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.4 (21 reviews) | 8.0 (23 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | Not enough data | 8.5 (14 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.0 (23 reviews) | 7.9 (22 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Square Payroll

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### Wave Payroll

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Receipt scanning

Price: Free Trial 0 NA NA

Description: No set-up fees, no hidden charges, no monthly fee

Key Features:
- 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

[Browse all 2 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/wave-payroll/pricing)

#### Free Trial

No

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Core HR

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Square Payroll** | N/A | N/A |
| **Wave Payroll** | N/A | N/A |

#### Core HR

| Feature | Square Payroll | Wave Payroll | 
|---|---|---|
| **Organization Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Time, Attendance, and PTO** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Expense Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Salary Structures** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Compliance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Benefits Administration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | Square Payroll | Wave Payroll | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Summarization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Platform

| Feature | Square Payroll | Wave Payroll | 
|---|---|---|
| **Customization ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Integration APIs** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Internationalization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **User, Role, and Access Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Performance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Mobility** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Dashboards** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Payroll

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Square Payroll** | 8.6/10 | 21 |
| **Wave Payroll** | 8.2/10 | 20 |

#### Employee Self Service

| Feature | Square Payroll | Wave Payroll | 
|---|---|---|
| **Web Portal** | 9.0 (16 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.3 (18 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Benefits Manager** | 8.6 (14 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.1 (13 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Mobile** | 8.3 (16 reviews) ✓ Verified | Feature Not Available | 

#### Administration

| Feature | Square Payroll | Wave Payroll | 
|---|---|---|
| **Payroll Entry** | 8.3 (18 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.4 (18 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Time Off Accrual** | 9.4 (13 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.2 (12 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Direct Deposit** | 9.2 (19 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.8 (19 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Expense Reimbursement** | 7.9 (14 reviews) ✓ Verified | 7.9 (15 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Pre-tax Deductions** | 8.4 (15 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.2 (13 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Wage Garnishment** | 7.9 (14 reviews) ✓ Verified | 7.4 (9 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Approvals** | 8.3 (15 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.2 (13 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Check/W-2 Printing** | 9.0 (16 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.0 (10 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Check/W-2 Delivery** | 9.0 (15 reviews) ✓ Verified | 7.4 (9 reviews) ✓ Verified | 

#### Taxes

| Feature | Square Payroll | Wave Payroll | 
|---|---|---|
| **Tax Calculation** | 9.0 (16 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.4 (15 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Tax Filing** | 8.6 (17 reviews) ✓ Verified | 7.9 (12 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Automatic Tax Payment** | 8.8 (16 reviews) ✓ Verified | 7.9 (11 reviews) ✓ Verified | 

#### Integration

| Feature | Square Payroll | Wave Payroll | 
|---|---|---|
| **API / Integration** | 8.2 (16 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.1 (9 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Time Tracking Integration** | 8.0 (17 reviews) ✓ Verified | 7.7 (11 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Accounting Integration** | 7.9 (15 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.8 (16 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Core HR Integration** | 8.8 (11 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.1 (9 reviews) ✓ Verified | 

#### Platform

| Feature | Square Payroll | Wave Payroll | 
|---|---|---|
| **Reporting and Dashboards** | 8.9 (19 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.4 (19 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **User, Role, and Access Management** | 8.6 (18 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.9 (19 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Performance and Reliability** | 8.8 (20 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.9 (19 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Scalability** | 8.0 (19 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.1 (18 reviews) ✓ Verified | 

### Benefits Administration

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Square Payroll** | N/A | N/A |
| **Wave Payroll** | N/A | N/A |

#### Benefits Administration Platform Features

| Feature | Square Payroll | Wave Payroll | 
|---|---|---|
| **Benefits Record Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Enrollment Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Third-Party Carrier Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Document Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Total Compensation Statements** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Self-Service Portal** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Regulatory Compliance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Mobile Benefits Access** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Benefits Administration Platform Features

| Feature | Square Payroll | Wave Payroll | 
|---|---|---|
| **Benefits Record Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Enrollment Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Third-Party Carrier Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Document Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Total Compensation Statements** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Self-Service Portal** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Regulatory Compliance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Benefits Dashboards** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Mobile Benefits Access** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Integrations / APIs** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Internationalization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Mobility** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | Square Payroll | Wave Payroll | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Generation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Text Summarization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Image-to-Text** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Platform

| Feature | Square Payroll | Wave Payroll | 
|---|---|---|
| **Customization ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Integration APIs** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Internationalization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **User, Role, and Access Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Performance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Mobility** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Dashboards** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Contractor Payments

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Square Payroll** | N/A | N/A |
| **Wave Payroll** | N/A | N/A |

#### Platform Basics

| Feature | Square Payroll | Wave Payroll | 
|---|---|---|
| **Performance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Portal** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Platform Administration

| Feature | Square Payroll | Wave Payroll | 
|---|---|---|
| **Integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Compliance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Platform Payment Content

| Feature | Square Payroll | Wave Payroll | 
|---|---|---|
| **Document management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Invoicing Tool** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Wage access** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [Payroll Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/payroll)

**Unique to Square Payroll (3):** [Core HR Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/core-hr), [Benefits Administration Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/benefits-administration), [ Contractor Payment Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/contractor-payments)



---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Square Payroll | Wave Payroll | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 80.6% | 93.3% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 16.1% | 3.3% | 
| **Enterprise** | 3.2% | 3.3% | 

### By Industry

#### Square Payroll

- **Food & Beverages:** 29.0%
- **Retail:** 16.1%
- **Accounting:** 6.5%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 6.5%
- **Luxury Goods & Jewelry:** 3.2%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 3.2%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 3.2%
- **Health, Wellness and Fitness:** 3.2%
- **Financial Services:** 3.2%
- **Farming:** 3.2%
- **Other:** 22.6%

#### Wave Payroll

- **Computer Software:** 10.0%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 10.0%
- **Education Management:** 10.0%
- **Financial Services:** 10.0%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 10.0%
- **Consumer Services:** 6.7%
- **Graphic Design:** 6.7%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 6.7%
- **Accounting:** 3.3%
- **Design:** 3.3%
- **Other:** 23.3%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Square Payroll

- [Gusto](https://www.g2.com/products/gusto/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (11164 reviews)
- [OnPay](https://www.g2.com/products/onpay/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (414 reviews)
- [RUN Powered by ADP](https://www.g2.com/products/run-powered-by-adp/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (5790 reviews)
- [Paychex](https://www.g2.com/products/paychex/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (1716 reviews)
- [Rippling](https://www.g2.com/products/rippling/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (12946 reviews)
- [SurePayroll](https://www.g2.com/products/surepayroll/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (532 reviews)
- [Paycom](https://www.g2.com/products/paycom/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (6540 reviews)
- [Patriot Software](https://www.g2.com/products/patriot-software/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (630 reviews)
- [Paylocity](https://www.g2.com/products/paylocity/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (5551 reviews)
- [ADP Workforce Now](https://www.g2.com/products/adp-workforce-now/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (4232 reviews)

### Alternatives to Wave Payroll

- [SurePayroll](https://www.g2.com/products/surepayroll/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (532 reviews)
- [Gusto](https://www.g2.com/products/gusto/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (11164 reviews)
- [Dayforce](https://www.g2.com/products/dayforce/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (957 reviews)
- [RUN Powered by ADP](https://www.g2.com/products/run-powered-by-adp/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (5790 reviews)
- [OnPay](https://www.g2.com/products/onpay/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (414 reviews)
- [Rippling](https://www.g2.com/products/rippling/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (12946 reviews)
- [Patriot Software](https://www.g2.com/products/patriot-software/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (630 reviews)
- [Workday HCM](https://www.g2.com/products/workday-hcm/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (1687 reviews)
- [QuickBooks Workforce](https://www.g2.com/products/quickbooks-workforce/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (499 reviews)
- [Toast](https://www.g2.com/products/toast/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (370 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Square Payroll

No discussions available for this product.

### Wave Payroll

- Title: [Can you print checks from Wave?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/can-you-print-checks-from-wave) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Send and receive"

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/square-payroll-vs-wave-payroll)