Wave Payroll vs HiBob
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.
Paid pricing · Get Pricing →
HiBob
HiBob is a modern HRIS designed for mid-market companies that want to build strong company culture alongside HR operations. It offers employee records, onboarding, performance management, and compensation tools with a modern interface. HiBob is popular among tech-forward companies with 50-500 employees.
Paid pricing · Get Pricing →
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
- ✓Modern, intuitive UI that employees actually enjoy using
- ✓Strong culture and engagement tools including clubs and shoutouts
- ✓Excellent compensation management and benchmarking
- ✓Robust integrations with popular tools like Slack and Greenhouse
Cons
- ✗No built-in payroll — requires integration with a payroll provider
- ✗Pricing is not transparent and requires a sales call
- ✗Implementation can take longer than simpler HRIS tools
Our Take
Choose Wave Payroll if micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll. Choose HiBob if mid-market companies with 50-500 employees.
Best For
Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll
Best For
Mid-market companies with 50-500 employees