SurePayroll vs Wave: Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
SurePayroll
Simple online payroll from Paychex for small businesses under 10 employees. AutoPilot runs payroll automatically every cycle.
Wave
8.0(5,600 reviews)
Free accounting software for small businesses with invoicing, receipts, and financial reporting.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | SurePayroll | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Micro-businesses with 1-10 employees that want set-and-forget payroll | Bootstrapped startups and new businesses |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $19.99/mo | Free |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID | WEB, IOS, ANDROID |
| Rating | 7.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
Pros & Cons
SurePayroll
Pros
- AutoPilot runs payroll automatically every cycle — truly set-it-and-forget-it
- Very competitive pricing for businesses under 10 employees
- Backed by Paychex tax compliance infrastructure — bulletproof tax filing
- Nanny/household payroll option fills a niche most competitors ignore
- Two-day free trial lets you test with real data before committing
Cons
- No benefits brokerage — health insurance must be arranged separately
- No built-in time tracking — need a separate tool or manual entry
- Interface is functional but outdated compared to Gusto and Rippling
- Customer support limited to business hours Eastern time only
- Not built to scale — starts feeling cramped past 10-15 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 |
|---|---|---|
| SurePayroll | subscription | $19.99/mo |
| Wave | freemium | Free0 |
Our Verdict
Choose SurePayroll if...
Micro-businesses with 1-10 employees that want set-and-forget payroll
Choose Wave if...
Bootstrapped startups and new businesses
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.