ADP Workforce Now vs Wave Payroll
A detailed comparison of ADP Workforce Now and Wave Payroll. See how they stack up on features, pricing, and user ratings.
At a Glance
| ADP Workforce Now | Wave Payroll | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.1/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Starting Price | N/A | $40/mo |
| Free Trial | No | Yes |
| Free Plan | No | No |
| Features | 9 | 7 |
| Best For | Enterprise | SMB |
Key Differences
ADP Workforce Now and Wave Payroll share 7 features. ADP Workforce Now has 2+ unique features.
Only in ADP Workforce Now
- Slack Integration
- Zapier Integration
ADP Workforce Now
Enterprise-grade HCM and payroll platform offering payroll, tax filing, benefits, talent management, and workforce analytics for businesses from mid-market to enterprise scale.
Wave Payroll
Affordable payroll solution from Wave, designed for small businesses and freelancers already using Wave's free accounting software.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ADP Workforce Now | Wave Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Workflow Automation | ||
| Reporting Dashboard | ||
| EEO/OFCCP Compliance | ||
| GDPR Compliance | ||
| API Access | ||
| HRIS Integration | ||
| Slack Integration | ||
| Zapier Integration | ||
| Mobile App |
Pricing Comparison
ADP Workforce Now
Wave Payroll
Integrations
Both tools integrate with
Only ADP Workforce Now
Only Wave Payroll
Pros & Cons
ADP Workforce Now
Pros
- +Enterprise-grade payroll and HR platform
- +Excellent compliance and tax management
- +Massive integration marketplace
- +Strong for companies with complex payroll needs
Cons
- -Complex and expensive to implement
- -Interface feels outdated compared to modern HRIS
- -Customer support quality inconsistent
- -Long contract commitments typical
Wave Payroll
Pros
- +Seamless integration with Wave's free accounting and invoicing
- +Affordable pricing for very small teams
- +Direct deposit and automatic payroll tax calculations
- +Simple interface designed for non-accountants
Cons
- -Full tax-service payroll limited to certain US states
- -No HR features — purely payroll
- -Fewer features than competitors like Gusto at a similar price point
- -No benefits administration
Which Should You Choose?
Choose ADP Workforce Now if:
- • Your company is Enterprise size
- • You need a more feature-rich solution (9 vs 7 features)
- • Enterprise-grade payroll and HR platform
Choose Wave Payroll if:
- • Your company is SMB size
- • You want to try before committing (free trial available)
- • Seamless integration with Wave's free accounting and invoicing
How we evaluate tools
Our ratings combine verified user reviews from G2 and Capterra with hands-on feature analysis. Pricing is checked against official sources. We may earn a commission through affiliate links, but this never influences our rankings or recommendations. Read our full methodology.