Wave Payroll vs Workday Recruiting
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.
Workday Recruiting
Workday Recruiting is an enterprise-grade applicant tracking system built into the broader Workday HCM suite. It offers end-to-end recruiting from sourcing to offer management within a unified platform.
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
- ✓Seamlessly integrated with Workday HR and Payroll
- ✓Strong reporting and analytics
- ✓Excellent for large enterprises
- ✓Unified candidate and employee data
- ✓Configurable workflows
Cons
- ✗Very expensive for small businesses
- ✗Complex implementation process
- ✗Requires dedicated admin
- ✗Overkill for teams under 500 employees
Wave Payroll vs Workday Recruiting: Side by Side
| Factor | Wave Payroll | Workday Recruiting |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Payroll Software | Applicant Tracking |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $20/mo + $6/person | Contact for pricing |
| Best For | Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll | Large enterprises already using Workday HCM wanting unified recruiting and HR data |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Wave Payroll Features
- ✓Payroll processing
- ✓direct deposit
- ✓tax payments and filings
- ✓W-2 and 1099 preparation
- ✓Wave accounting integration
- ✓employee self-service
Workday Recruiting Features
- ✓Applicant tracking
- ✓interview management
- ✓candidate sourcing
- ✓onboarding
- ✓analytics
- ✓compliance
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Wave Payroll if micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll. Choose Workday Recruiting if large enterprises already using workday hcm wanting unified recruiting and hr data.
Best For
Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll
Best For
Large enterprises already using Workday HCM wanting unified recruiting and HR data
Also Consider
If neither Wave Payroll nor Workday Recruiting 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 Workday Recruiting?
Wave Payroll is best for micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll. Workday Recruiting is best for large enterprises already using workday hcm wanting unified recruiting and hr data.
Which is better, Wave Payroll or Workday Recruiting?
Choose Wave Payroll if micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll. Choose Workday Recruiting if large enterprises already using workday hcm wanting unified recruiting and hr data.
How much does Wave Payroll cost?
Wave Payroll starts at $20/mo + $6/person. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Workday Recruiting cost?
Visit Workday Recruiting website for current pricing.
Who should use Wave Payroll?
Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll
Who should use Workday Recruiting?
Large enterprises already using Workday HCM wanting unified recruiting and HR data