Zoho Projects vs Wave Payroll
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Zoho Projects
Zoho Projects is a full-featured project management tool offering task management, Gantt charts, time tracking, and budget management at a very competitive price point within the Zoho ecosystem.
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
- ✓Very affordable pricing
- ✓Strong Gantt chart features
- ✓Built-in time tracking and budgeting
- ✓Good Zoho ecosystem integration
- ✓Solid feature set for the price
Cons
- ✗Interface less polished than competitors
- ✗Best value within Zoho ecosystem
- ✗Mobile app could be improved
- ✗Support can be slow
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
Zoho Projects vs Wave Payroll: Side by Side
| Factor | Zoho Projects | Wave Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Project Management | Payroll Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | $20/mo + $6/person |
| Best For | Budget-conscious teams already in the Zoho ecosystem wanting a full-featured project management tool | Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Zoho Projects Features
- ✓Project management
- ✓task tracking
- ✓Gantt charts
- ✓time tracking
- ✓team collaboration
- ✓portfolio management
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 Zoho Projects if budget-conscious teams already in the zoho ecosystem wanting a full-featured project management tool. Choose Wave Payroll if micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll.
Best For
Budget-conscious teams already in the Zoho ecosystem wanting a full-featured project management tool
Best For
Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll
Also Consider
If neither Zoho Projects nor Wave Payroll is the right fit, Wrike is worth evaluating.
Wrike
Marketing and creative teams needing enterprise project management with approvals and proofing
From Free
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Zoho Projects and Wave Payroll?
Zoho Projects is best for budget-conscious teams already in the zoho ecosystem wanting a full-featured project management tool. Wave Payroll is best for micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll.
Which is better, Zoho Projects or Wave Payroll?
Choose Zoho Projects if budget-conscious teams already in the zoho ecosystem wanting a full-featured project management tool. Choose Wave Payroll if micro-businesses already using wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll.
How much does Zoho Projects cost?
Visit Zoho Projects website for current pricing.
How much does Wave Payroll cost?
Wave Payroll starts at $20/mo + $6/person. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Zoho Projects?
Budget-conscious teams already in the Zoho ecosystem wanting a full-featured project management tool
Who should use Wave Payroll?
Micro-businesses already using Wave accounting that want simple integrated payroll