Connecteam vs Wave Payroll
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: September 14, 2026
Connecteam is our recommended pick for most teams — smbs with deskless or frontline workers.
Try Connecteam →Read our full Connecteam review →Connecteam
Connecteam is an all-in-one employee management app built specifically for deskless and frontline workers. It combines scheduling, time tracking, team communication, training, and HR tools in a mobile-first platform. Connecteam is widely used in industries like retail, hospitality, construction, and healthcare.
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
- ✓Purpose-built for deskless workers with an excellent mobile experience
- ✓Combines scheduling, communication, and HR in one affordable platform
- ✓Easy to set up with minimal IT support required
- ✓Affordable pricing with a generous free plan for small teams
Cons
- ✗Payroll features are limited and require integration with a payroll provider
- ✗Less suitable for office-based or knowledge worker teams
- ✗Advanced reporting requires higher-tier plans
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
Connecteam vs Wave Payroll: Side by Side
| Factor | Connecteam | Wave Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.5/5 ★ | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | Payroll Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | $29/mo | $20/mo + $6/person |
| Best For | SMBs with deskless or frontline workers | Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll |
| Our Pick | 🏆 Recommended | — |
Connecteam Features
- ✓Scheduling
- ✓time tracking
- ✓communication
- ✓training
- ✓task management
- ✓HR
Wave Payroll Features
- ✓Payroll processing
- ✓direct deposit
- ✓tax payments and filings
- ✓W-2 and 1099 preparation
- ✓Wave accounting integration
- ✓employee self-service
Pricing Comparison
Connecteam
FreemiumStarts at $29/mo
Free: $0 (up to 10 users) · Basic: $29/mo · Advanced: $49/mo · Expert: $99/mo
See full pricing →Best Use Cases
Connecteam
- →Retail and hospitality businesses managing deskless workers
- →Construction companies scheduling field teams
- →Small businesses with frontline employees needing mobile HR tools
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
Connecteam is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Office-based knowledge worker teams
- ✗Companies needing full HRIS functionality
- ✗Businesses requiring advanced payroll processing
Integrations
Connecteam
Gusto, Paychex, QuickBooks, ADP, Xero, Zapier
Our Take
Choose Connecteam if smbs with deskless or frontline workers. Choose Wave Payroll if micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll.
Best For
SMBs with deskless or frontline workers
Best For
Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll
Also Consider
If neither Connecteam 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 Connecteam and Wave Payroll?
Connecteam is best for smbs with deskless or frontline workers. Wave Payroll is best for micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll.
Which is better, Connecteam or Wave Payroll?
Choose Connecteam if smbs with deskless or frontline workers. Choose Wave Payroll if micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll.
How much does Connecteam cost?
Connecteam starts at $29/mo. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Wave Payroll cost?
Wave Payroll starts at $20/mo + $6/person. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Connecteam?
SMBs with deskless or frontline workers
Who should use Wave Payroll?
Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll