Wave Payroll vs Confluence
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
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.
Confluence
Confluence is Atlassian's team wiki and knowledge management tool, widely used alongside Jira for documentation, project planning, and team collaboration. It is the standard for engineering and product teams.
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
- ✓Excellent documentation and wiki features
- ✓Deep Jira integration
- ✓Strong template library
- ✓Good for async collaboration
- ✓Widely adopted in tech teams
Cons
- ✗Not a true project management tool
- ✗Can become disorganized without governance
- ✗Interface feels dated
- ✗Search can be unreliable
Wave Payroll vs Confluence: Side by Side
| Factor | Wave Payroll | Confluence |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Payroll Software | Project Management |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $20/mo + $6/person | Contact for pricing |
| Best For | Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll | Engineering and product teams using Jira who need a powerful wiki and documentation tool alongside their projects |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Wave Payroll Features
- ✓Payroll processing
- ✓direct deposit
- ✓tax payments and filings
- ✓W-2 and 1099 preparation
- ✓Wave accounting integration
- ✓employee self-service
Confluence Features
- ✓Team wikis
- ✓project pages
- ✓knowledge base
- ✓real-time collaboration
- ✓Jira integration
- ✓templates
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Wave Payroll if micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll. Choose Confluence if engineering and product teams using jira who need a powerful wiki and documentation tool alongside their projects.
Best For
Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll
Best For
Engineering and product teams using Jira who need a powerful wiki and documentation tool alongside their projects
Also Consider
If neither Wave Payroll nor Confluence 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 Confluence?
Wave Payroll is best for micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll. Confluence is best for engineering and product teams using jira who need a powerful wiki and documentation tool alongside their projects.
Which is better, Wave Payroll or Confluence?
Choose Wave Payroll if micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll. Choose Confluence if engineering and product teams using jira who need a powerful wiki and documentation tool alongside their projects.
How much does Wave Payroll cost?
Wave Payroll starts at $20/mo + $6/person. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Confluence cost?
Visit Confluence website for current pricing.
Who should use Wave Payroll?
Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll
Who should use Confluence?
Engineering and product teams using Jira who need a powerful wiki and documentation tool alongside their projects