SurePayroll vs Wave

SurePayroll

SurePayroll is an online payroll service designed specifically for small businesses. It is owned by Paychex and offers full-service payroll processing, automatic tax filing, and employee self-service tools. SurePayroll is known for its simple setup and affordable pricing, making it a top choice for small business owners running payroll for the first time.

Paid pricing · Get Pricing →

Wave

Wave is a free accounting and invoicing platform designed for small businesses, freelancers, and solopreneurs. It offers genuinely free accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning with no subscription fee. Wave makes money through payment processing and payroll add-ons. It is one of the best free accounting tools available for very small businesses with simple needs.

Freemium pricing · Get Pricing →

Pros

• ✓Very easy to set up and use — ideal for first-time payroll users
• ✓Automatic federal, state, and local tax filing included
• ✓Affordable flat-rate pricing for small teams
• ✓Strong mobile app for running payroll on the go

Cons

• ✗Limited features for larger or more complex businesses
• ✗Customer support can be slow during peak periods
• ✗Less customizable than enterprise payroll solutions

Pros

• ✓Genuinely free accounting and invoicing — no subscription required
• ✓Clean and easy to use interface
• ✓Good enough for most very small businesses and freelancers
• ✓Receipt scanning and bank connections included free

Cons

• ✗Limited features compared to paid alternatives
• ✗Customer support is minimal on the free plan
• ✗Not suitable for growing businesses with complex needs
• ✗Payroll and payment processing add-ons can add up in cost

Best For

Small businesses with under 100 employees looking for simple, affordable full-service payroll

Best For

Solopreneurs and very small businesses wanting free accounting and invoicing software