Employment Hero vs Wave Payroll
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Employment Hero
Employment Hero is an all-in-one HR, payroll, and benefits platform with a strong presence in Australia and New Zealand. It offers a free HR plan alongside paid payroll and benefits modules, making it accessible for businesses at any stage. Employment Hero also operates a job marketplace called Swag for employees.
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
- ✓Free HR plan available with core employee management features
- ✓Strong compliance tools for Australian and NZ employment law
- ✓All-in-one platform covering HR, payroll, and benefits
- ✓Employee benefits marketplace with discounts and perks
Cons
- ✗Payroll module costs extra and is best suited for AU/NZ companies
- ✗Limited support and compliance coverage outside Australia and New Zealand
- ✗Some users report the platform can feel complex to navigate
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
Employment Hero vs Wave Payroll: Side by Side
| Factor | Employment Hero | Wave Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | Payroll Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | $20/mo + $6/person |
| Best For | Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite | Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Employment Hero Features
- ✓HR management
- ✓payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓recruitment
- ✓learning
- ✓employee engagement
Wave Payroll Features
- ✓Payroll processing
- ✓direct deposit
- ✓tax payments and filings
- ✓W-2 and 1099 preparation
- ✓Wave accounting integration
- ✓employee self-service
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose Wave Payroll if micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll.
Best For
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Best For
Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll
Also Consider
If neither Employment Hero 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 Employment Hero and Wave Payroll?
Employment Hero is best for australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Wave Payroll is best for micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll.
Which is better, Employment Hero or Wave Payroll?
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose Wave Payroll if micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll.
How much does Employment Hero cost?
Employment Hero starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Wave Payroll cost?
Wave Payroll starts at $20/mo + $6/person. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Employment Hero?
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Who should use Wave Payroll?
Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll