Patriot Payroll vs Wave: Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
Patriot Payroll
Budget-friendly payroll software starting at $17/month. Basic and full-service options for very small businesses under 20 employees.
Wave
8.0(5,600 reviews)
Free accounting software for small businesses with invoicing, receipts, and financial reporting.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Patriot Payroll | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Very small businesses under 20 employees where cost is the top priority | Bootstrapped startups and new businesses |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $17/mo | Free |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB | WEB, IOS, ANDROID |
| Rating | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
Pros & Cons
Patriot Payroll
Pros
- Cheapest payroll on the market — Full Service at $37/month + $4/employee is half the cost of Gusto
- Transparent pricing with no contracts, no setup fees, and no hidden costs
- Free US-based customer support that actually picks up the phone quickly
- Basic Payroll option at $17/month is perfect for businesses comfortable filing their own taxes
- Seamless integration with Patriot Accounting if you use both products
Cons
- Dated interface that looks like it was designed a decade ago
- No benefits brokerage — you need separate insurance and 401(k) providers
- Time tracking is a separate add-on product, not built into payroll
- No native mobile app — the mobile experience is a responsive web version
- Limited scalability — not designed for companies growing past 50-100 employees
Wave
Pros
- Core accounting is genuinely free
- Full double-entry accounting
- No artificial limitations or trials
- Good for cash-strapped startups
Cons
- No inventory management
- Limited integrations
- Basic customer support
- May outgrow it as you scale
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Patriot Payroll | subscription | $17/mo |
| Wave | freemium | Free0 |
Our Verdict
Choose Patriot Payroll if...
Very small businesses under 20 employees where cost is the top priority
Choose Wave if...
Bootstrapped startups and new businesses
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.