Gusto vs Wave Payroll
This comparison is for 10 employees, no contractors, and one state. It counts only plans that file payroll taxes. Wave Payroll is cheaper at $100 a month on its cheapest matching plan.
Gusto
Three published payroll plans. Simple is one state. Plus and Premium add multi-state payroll and faster pay. Contractors are billed at the plan's per-person rate only in months they are paid.
$109
Simple · $1,308 / year at list price
- Simple · $49 + $6/employee
- Plus · $80 + $12/employee
- Premium · $180 + $22/employee
Wave Payroll
U.S. full-access payroll is $40 a month plus $6 per active employee and $6 per independent contractor paid. The employee fee applies even in a month the person is not paid, as long as they are active and not on leave.
$100
U.S. full-access payroll · $1,200 / year at list price
- U.S. full-access payroll · $40 + $6/employee
Gusto pricing 2026Wave Payroll pricing 2026Recalculate for a different headcount
Questions
- Which is cheaper for 10 employees, Gusto or Wave Payroll?
- Wave Payroll U.S. full-access payroll is $100 a month. Gusto Simple is $109 a month.
- What do these totals include?
- The totals are list prices for 10 employees, no contractors, and one state, on plans that file payroll taxes. Introductory discounts are not applied.
Prices verified Nov 10, 2026 from vendor sites. Written by PayrollPriceWatch.
We may earn a commission if you sign up through a link on this site. That does not change the prices we show. Prices are checked weekly from each vendor's site.