Patriot Payroll vs Wave Payroll
This comparison is for 10 employees, no contractors, and one state. It counts only plans that file payroll taxes. Patriot Payroll is cheaper at $87 a month on its cheapest matching plan.
Patriot Payroll
Basic Payroll is $17 plus $4 per worker paid and does not file taxes. Full Service Payroll is $37 plus $5 per worker paid and does. Each additional state on Full Service is $12 a month.
$87
Full Service Payroll · $1,044 / year at list price
- Basic Payroll · $17 + $4/employee
- Full Service Payroll · $37 + $5/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
Patriot Payroll pricing 2026Wave Payroll pricing 2026Recalculate for a different headcount
Questions
- Which is cheaper for 10 employees, Patriot Payroll or Wave Payroll?
- Patriot Payroll Full Service Payroll is $87 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.
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