Patriot Payroll vs Wave: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of Patriot Payroll and Wave — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: Patriot Payroll wins on our scorecard (8/10 vs 7/10).
| Scored on | Patriot Payroll | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 9 | 7 |
| Ease of use | 8 | 8 |
| Fees & pricing | 9 | 9 |
| Customer support | 7 | 4 |
| Features | 7 | 6 |
| Basic Payroll Base Fee | $17 / month | — |
| Full Service Base Fee | $37 / month | — |
| Per Employee Fee | $4 / month | — |
| Accounting Starter | — | $0/mo |
| Accounting Pro | — | $16/mo |
| Credit Card Processing | — | 2.9% + $0.60 |
| ACH Processing | — | 1% ($1 min) |
| Payroll Base Fee | — | $40/mo |
Patriot Payroll in one paragraph
Patriot Payroll is the best 'bang-for-your-buck' option for small teams who want simple compliance without the high-overhead costs of big-box payroll providers.
Skip it if: You need next-day direct deposit or integrated health insurance administration within the same dashboard.
Wave in one paragraph
The best free accounting software for solo owners who don't mind self-serving their own tech support.
Skip it if: You have more than 5 employees or need to track physical inventory across multiple locations.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Patriot Payroll or Wave?
On our five-axis scorecard, Patriot Payroll scores higher (8/10 vs 7/10). Patriot Payroll is the best 'bang-for-your-buck' option for small teams who want simple compliance without the high-overhead costs of big-box payroll providers.
Who should skip Patriot Payroll?
You need next-day direct deposit or integrated health insurance administration within the same dashboard.
Who should skip Wave?
You have more than 5 employees or need to track physical inventory across multiple locations.