QuickBooks Payroll 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.
QuickBooks Payroll
Sold as QuickBooks Workforce. List prices are Workforce Payroll $50 + $7, Premium $88 + $13, and Elite $134 + $17. New subscribers see 50% off the base fee for 3 months. Comparisons use the list price.
$120
Workforce Payroll · $1,440 / year at list price
- Workforce Payroll · $50 + $7/employee
- Workforce Premium · $88 + $13/employee
- Workforce Elite · $134 + $17/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
QuickBooks Payroll pricing 2026Wave Payroll pricing 2026Recalculate for a different headcount
Questions
- Which is cheaper for 10 employees, QuickBooks Payroll or Wave Payroll?
- Wave Payroll U.S. full-access payroll is $100 a month. QuickBooks Payroll Workforce Payroll is $120 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.