Breezy HR vs Wave Payroll
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: September 14, 2026
Breezy HR is our recommended pick for most teams — small businesses and startups needing simple recruiting.
Try Breezy HR →Read our full Breezy HR review →Breezy HR
Breezy HR is a visual recruiting and applicant tracking platform with a drag-and-drop pipeline interface. It makes it easy for small businesses to manage candidates, schedule interviews, and collaborate with hiring teams. Breezy HR offers a free plan and affordable paid tiers, making it accessible for startups and growing companies.
Wave Payroll
Wave Payroll is a simple payroll solution built into the Wave accounting ecosystem. It is designed for very small businesses that already use Wave for accounting and want an integrated payroll solution. Wave Payroll handles direct deposit, tax payments, and W-2s, making it a natural choice for businesses already in the Wave ecosystem.
Pros
- ✓Intuitive drag-and-drop pipeline that is easy for non-HR users
- ✓Generous free plan available for companies with basic needs
- ✓Good candidate sourcing tools with job board integrations
- ✓Easy interview scheduling with calendar sync
Cons
- ✗Limited integrations compared to enterprise ATS platforms
- ✗Reporting is basic on lower pricing tiers
- ✗Not suitable for high-volume or complex enterprise hiring
Pros
- ✓Seamlessly integrates with Wave accounting — no manual data transfer needed
- ✓Very affordable pricing for micro-businesses
- ✓Simple interface with minimal setup required
- ✓Free Wave accounting included with subscription
Cons
- ✗Limited features compared to dedicated payroll platforms
- ✗Tax filing is only automatic in select states — manual filing required in others
- ✗No mobile payroll app
- ✗Not suitable for businesses with complex payroll needs
Breezy HR vs Wave Payroll: Side by Side
| Factor | Breezy HR | Wave Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.3/5 ★ | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | Payroll Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $9/user/mo | $20/mo + $6/person |
| Best For | Small businesses and startups needing simple recruiting | Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll |
| Our Pick | 🏆 Recommended | — |
Breezy HR Features
- ✓Visual recruiting pipeline
- ✓job board integrations
- ✓interview scheduling
- ✓candidate scorecards
- ✓team collaboration
- ✓free plan available
Wave Payroll Features
- ✓Payroll processing
- ✓direct deposit
- ✓tax payments and filings
- ✓W-2 and 1099 preparation
- ✓Wave accounting integration
- ✓employee self-service
Pricing Comparison
Breezy HR
PaidStarts at $9/user/mo
Starter: Free · Grow: $9/user/mo · Pro: $15/user/mo
See full pricing →Best Use Cases
Breezy HR
- →Small businesses hiring for the first time
- →Startups building out their recruiting process
- →Companies wanting a visual pipeline for candidate tracking
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
Breezy HR is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Large enterprises with high-volume hiring
- ✗Companies needing advanced analytics
- ✗Teams requiring complex approval workflows
Integrations
Breezy HR
Slack, Gmail, Outlook, LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, Google Calendar, Zoom
Our Take
Choose Breezy HR if small businesses and startups needing simple recruiting. Choose Wave Payroll if micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll.
Best For
Small businesses and startups needing simple recruiting
Best For
Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll
Also Consider
If neither Breezy HR nor Wave Payroll is the right fit, Justworks is worth evaluating.
Justworks
Small businesses wanting Fortune 500 benefits
From $59/employee/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Breezy HR and Wave Payroll?
Breezy HR is best for small businesses and startups needing simple recruiting. Wave Payroll is best for micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll.
Which is better, Breezy HR or Wave Payroll?
Choose Breezy HR if small businesses and startups needing simple recruiting. Choose Wave Payroll if micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll.
How much does Breezy HR cost?
Breezy HR starts at $9/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Wave Payroll cost?
Wave Payroll starts at $20/mo + $6/person. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Breezy HR?
Small businesses and startups needing simple recruiting
Who should use Wave Payroll?
Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll