Paycom vs Wave Payroll
A detailed comparison of Paycom and Wave Payroll. See how they stack up on features, pricing, and user ratings.
At a Glance
| Paycom | Wave Payroll | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Starting Price | N/A | $40/mo |
| Free Trial | No | Yes |
| Free Plan | No | No |
| Features | 9 | 7 |
| Best For | Mid-Market | SMB |
Key Differences
Paycom and Wave Payroll share 7 features. Paycom has 2+ unique features.
Only in Paycom
- Slack Integration
- Zapier Integration
Paycom
Single-database HCM platform where employees manage their own payroll data via Beti, reducing errors and administrative burden across the entire payroll lifecycle.
Wave Payroll
Affordable payroll solution from Wave, designed for small businesses and freelancers already using Wave's free accounting software.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Paycom | Wave Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Workflow Automation | ||
| Reporting Dashboard | ||
| EEO/OFCCP Compliance | ||
| GDPR Compliance | ||
| API Access | ||
| HRIS Integration | ||
| Slack Integration | ||
| Zapier Integration | ||
| Mobile App |
Pricing Comparison
Paycom
Wave Payroll
Integrations
Only Paycom
Only Wave Payroll
Pros & Cons
Paycom
Pros
- +Single application for all HR and payroll needs
- +Employee-driven data management reduces admin
- +Strong compliance and reporting tools
- +US-wide payroll tax management
Cons
- -Pricing only available via sales (not transparent)
- -Minimum employee count requirements
- -Implementation can be lengthy
- -Less suited for very small businesses
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 Paycom if:
- • Your company is Mid-Market size
- • Higher user ratings matter to you (4.2 vs 4.1)
- • You need a more feature-rich solution (9 vs 7 features)
- • Single application for all HR and payroll needs
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.