Wave Payroll vs Breezy HR
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 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 →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.
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.
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
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
Wave Payroll vs Breezy HR: Side by Side
| Factor | Wave Payroll | Breezy HR |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | 4.3/5 ★ |
| Category | Payroll Software | HR Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $20/mo + $6/person | $9/user/mo |
| Best For | Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll | Small businesses and startups needing simple recruiting |
| Our Pick | — | 🏆 Recommended |
Wave Payroll Features
- ✓Payroll processing
- ✓direct deposit
- ✓tax payments and filings
- ✓W-2 and 1099 preparation
- ✓Wave accounting integration
- ✓employee self-service
Breezy HR Features
- ✓Visual recruiting pipeline
- ✓job board integrations
- ✓interview scheduling
- ✓candidate scorecards
- ✓team collaboration
- ✓free plan available
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 Wave Payroll if micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll. Choose Breezy HR if small businesses and startups needing simple recruiting.
Best For
Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll
Best For
Small businesses and startups needing simple recruiting
Also Consider
If neither Wave Payroll nor Breezy HR is the right fit, Multiplier is worth evaluating.
Multiplier
Startups and SMBs hiring internationally on a budget
From $40/contractor/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Wave Payroll and Breezy HR?
Wave Payroll is best for micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll. Breezy HR is best for small businesses and startups needing simple recruiting.
Which is better, Wave Payroll or Breezy HR?
Choose Wave Payroll if micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll. Choose Breezy HR if small businesses and startups needing simple recruiting.
How much does Wave Payroll cost?
Wave Payroll starts at $20/mo + $6/person. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Breezy HR cost?
Breezy HR starts at $9/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Wave Payroll?
Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll
Who should use Breezy HR?
Small businesses and startups needing simple recruiting