Wave Payroll vs Square Payroll
This comparison is for 10 employees, no contractors, and one state. It counts only plans that file payroll taxes. Square Payroll is cheaper at $95 a month on its cheapest matching plan.
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
Square Payroll
Full-service payroll is $35 a month plus $6 per person paid. Contractor-only payroll is $6 per person paid, with no base fee. Tax filing for employees is included on the full-service plan.
$95
Full-service payroll · $1,140 / year at list price
- Full-service payroll · $35 + $6/employee
- Contractor-only payroll · $0 + $0/employee
Wave Payroll pricing 2026Square Payroll pricing 2026Recalculate for a different headcount
Questions
- Which is cheaper for 10 employees, Wave Payroll or Square Payroll?
- Square Payroll Full-service payroll is $95 a month. Wave Payroll U.S. full-access payroll is $100 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.