Wave Payroll vs Digits
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Wave Payroll
Wave Payroll is a simple payroll solution built into the Wave accounting ecosystem. It is designed for very small businesses that already use Wave for accounting and want an integrated payroll solution. Wave Payroll handles direct deposit, tax payments, and W-2s, making it a natural choice for businesses already in the Wave ecosystem.
Digits
Digits is a modern financial intelligence platform for small businesses that connects to your accounts and uses AI to surface insights, trends, and anomalies in your finances automatically.
Pros
- ✓Seamlessly integrates with Wave accounting — no manual data transfer needed
- ✓Very affordable pricing for micro-businesses
- ✓Simple interface with minimal setup required
- ✓Free Wave accounting included with subscription
Cons
- ✗Limited features compared to dedicated payroll platforms
- ✗Tax filing is only automatic in select states — manual filing required in others
- ✗No mobile payroll app
- ✗Not suitable for businesses with complex payroll needs
Pros
- ✓AI-powered financial insights
- ✓Clean modern interface
- ✓Automatic anomaly detection
- ✓Good cash flow visibility
- ✓Integrates with existing accounting tools
Cons
- ✗Not a full accounting replacement
- ✗US-focused
- ✗Still a newer platform
- ✗Limited tax filing features
- ✗Best as a complement to existing accounting software
Our Take
Choose Wave Payroll if micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll. Choose Digits if small business owners wanting ai-powered financial insights and visibility on top of their existing accounting software.
Best For
Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll
Best For
Small business owners wanting AI-powered financial insights and visibility on top of their existing accounting software