TriNet vs Wave Payroll
A detailed comparison of TriNet and Wave Payroll. See how they stack up on features, pricing, and user ratings.
At a Glance
| TriNet | Wave Payroll | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.0/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Starting Price | N/A | $40/mo |
| Free Trial | No | Yes |
| Free Plan | No | No |
| Features | 9 | 7 |
| Best For | SMB | SMB |
Key Differences
TriNet and Wave Payroll share 7 features. TriNet has 2+ unique features.
Only in TriNet
- Slack Integration
- Zapier Integration
TriNet
Full-service PEO providing HR, payroll, benefits, risk management, and compliance for SMBs, with industry-specific expertise.
Wave Payroll
Affordable payroll solution from Wave, designed for small businesses and freelancers already using Wave's free accounting software.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | TriNet | Wave Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Workflow Automation | ||
| Reporting Dashboard | ||
| EEO/OFCCP Compliance | ||
| GDPR Compliance | ||
| API Access | ||
| HRIS Integration | ||
| Slack Integration | ||
| Zapier Integration | ||
| Mobile App |
Pricing Comparison
TriNet
Wave Payroll
Integrations
Both tools integrate with
Only TriNet
Only Wave Payroll
Pros & Cons
TriNet
Pros
- +Full-service HR outsourcing — payroll, benefits, compliance, risk management
- +Industry-specific packages (tech, finance, life sciences)
- +Access to Fortune 500-level benefits for small companies
- +Dedicated HR representative for ongoing support
Cons
- -Expensive compared to DIY HR software ($80-150/employee/month)
- -Less control over HR processes — you are outsourcing to TriNet
- -Contract terms can be inflexible
- -User interface is functional but not modern
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 TriNet if:
- • Your company is SMB size
- • You need a more feature-rich solution (9 vs 7 features)
- • Full-service HR outsourcing — payroll, benefits, compliance, risk management
Choose Wave Payroll if:
- • Your company is SMB size
- • You want to try before committing (free trial available)
- • Higher user ratings matter to you (4.1 vs 4.0)
- • 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.