Gusto
Gusto is an all-in-one HR platform that automates payroll, manages employee benefits, and streamlines hiring and onboarding processes for small to medium-sized businesses looking to simplify their people operations.
Wave
Wave is a comprehensive financial management software providing small business owners with integrated tools for accounting, invoicing, payroll, and payment processing to simplify bookkeeping and improve cash flow management.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Gusto | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Website | gusto.com | waveapps.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $40/month | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2011 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Toronto, Canada |
Overview
Gusto
Gusto simplifies how you manage your team by bringing payroll, benefits, and HR into one intuitive platform. You can run payroll in just a few clicks, with all local, state, and federal tax filings handled automatically. Beyond just payments, the platform helps you support your team with health insurance, 401(k) plans, and workers' compensation, all integrated directly into your payroll workflow to ensure compliance and accuracy.
You can also streamline your entire employee lifecycle from recruitment to offboarding. Use the platform to send offer letters, conduct digital onboarding, and track time and attendance without switching between different tools. Whether you are hiring your first employee or managing a growing team across multiple states, you get the tools you need to stay organized and compliant while focusing on growing your business.
Wave
Wave is a specialized financial platform designed to help you manage your small business money without the complexity of traditional accounting suites. You can track your income and expenses, create professional invoices, and scan receipts directly from your phone. It solves the headache of manual bookkeeping by automatically syncing your bank transactions and categorizing them for tax season.
The platform is built specifically for freelancers, consultants, and businesses with only a few employees who need a clear view of their profitability. You can manage multiple businesses under one account and invite your accountant to collaborate on your books. While the core accounting features are free, you can add paid services like payroll or credit card processing as your business grows.
Overview
Gusto Features
- Automated Payroll Run payroll in minutes with automatic tax calculations and filings for all 50 U.S. states.
- Benefits Administration Sync medical, dental, and vision plans directly with your payroll for seamless premium deductions and enrollment.
- Digital Onboarding Send offer letters and collect signed documents electronically so your new hires are ready on day one.
- Time Tracking Track employee hours and PTO requests that automatically sync with your payroll to eliminate manual data entry.
- Compliance Alerts Stay ahead of changing labor laws with automated notifications and access to certified HR experts for guidance.
- Employee Self-Service Give your team their own portal to download paystubs, view tax forms, and manage their personal information.
Wave Features
- Unlimited Invoicing. Create and send professional, customized invoices to your clients in seconds and track their payment status in real-time.
- Automated Bookkeeping. Connect your bank accounts to automatically import transactions and keep your books up to date without manual entry.
- Receipt Scanning. Snap photos of your receipts with the mobile app to automatically capture expense details and stay organized for tax time.
- Online Payments. Accept credit cards and bank transfers directly through your invoices so your customers can pay you with one click.
- Financial Reporting. Generate instant profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports to understand your business health.
- Payroll Integration. Pay your employees and contractors easily while Wave handles the tax filings and payments in supported regions.
Pricing Comparison
Gusto Pricing
- Full-service payroll for one state
- Employee self-service profiles
- Basic hiring and onboarding tools
- Gusto wallet mobile app
- Standard payroll reports
- Workers' comp administration
- Everything in Simple, plus:
- Multi-state payroll capabilities
- Next-day direct deposit
- Time tracking and PTO management
- Advanced hiring and onboarding
- Performance management tools
Wave Pricing
- Unlimited invoicing
- Unlimited bookkeeping
- Bank connection sync
- Unlimited receipt scanning
- Exportable accounting reports
- Everything in Starter, plus:
- Auto-merge and categorize receipts
- Automated bank transaction imports
- Unlimited additional users
- Discounted payment processing rates
Pros & Cons
Gusto
Pros
- Extremely intuitive interface that requires almost no training
- Automated tax filings save hours of manual work
- Seamless integration between payroll and employee benefits
- Helpful automated reminders for important compliance deadlines
Cons
- Customer support response times can be slow during peak seasons
- State tax registration assistance is limited for new businesses
- Advanced HR features require the most expensive plan
Wave
Pros
- Core accounting and invoicing features are completely free
- User interface is clean and easy to navigate
- Mobile app makes receipt scanning very convenient
- Setup process is quick for non-accountants
Cons
- Customer support is limited for free users
- Payroll features are only available in specific regions
- Lacks advanced inventory management for product sellers