Running payroll can be complicated. Your software shouldn't make it harder. Wave Payroll is built for small Canadian businesses who need a simple way to pay their staff and stay compliant—from your first hire to your next.
What are the differences between Wave and QuickBooks Payroll in Canada?
The most significant difference is price. Wave Payroll gives Canadian small business owners the tools to pay employees on time, at a cost that stays predictable. QuickBooks Payroll charges more for access to features that most businesses with fewer than five employees will never use.
Why choose Wave Payroll over QuickBooks Payroll?
- Wave Payroll is built for small Canadian businesses with 1–5 employees, not enterprise teams with dedicated HR departments
- Automatic tax calculations for federal and provincial deductions, including CPP, EI, and income tax
- Direct deposit gets employees paid without manual steps or extra fees per run
- Wave Payroll connects directly to Wave's accounting software, so your books update without a second entry
- For comparable features, Wave costs less than QuickBooks Payroll month over month
Wave Payroll vs. QuickBooks Payroll:
A direct comparison
get paid automatically
*Available in all provinces and territories, except Quebec. Wave Payroll base fee is $25 CAD/month plus $6 per active employee/month, plus applicable tax.
**Base price for Quickbooks Payroll Core plan - Free Trial for 30 days. Pricing comparison based on published monthly rate for QuickBooks Payroll Core (Canada) as of August 2026. Rates and features subject to change.
More than just payroll
Automatic tax calculations
CPP, EI, and federal and provincial income tax are calculated on every pay run. Year-end T4 data is ready to export without manual compilation.
Direct deposit
Employees receive payment directly in their bank accounts. Once payroll is prepared, you simply review and approve.
ROE and year-end filing support
Records of Employment and T4s are generated within the platform. What your accountant needs is already organized and ready.
"It pays me as the employee, while automatically paying the necessary taxes that need to come off that pay period. I sign on there and it covers everything A to Z."
See how Wave Payroll compares to QuickBooks
Payroll that works from day one and keeps working
QuickBooks is built for complexity. Most Canadian small businesses don't need complexity. They need reliable compliance and a clear monthly cost, starting with their first hire, and without needing to switch systems as their team changes.
Wave Payroll delivers all three, connected to the accounting software your books already run on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Wave Payroll handle Canadian tax compliance automatically?
Yes. Wave Payroll calculates CPP, EI, and federal and provincial income tax on every pay run. T4s and Records of Employment are generated within the platform.
Does Wave Payroll connect to Wave's accounting software?
Directly. Payroll entries post automatically to your Wave accounting records. No manual import or export required.
How does Wave Payroll pricing work in Canada?
Wave Payroll is $25 CAD/month base + $6 per active employee, plus applicable tax. There are no additional fees for running payroll or accessing tax features.
Do I need a separate Wave accounting subscription to use Wave Payroll?
Wave's accounting and invoicing features are available on the free Starter Plan. Payroll is an add-on that works within the same platform, with no separate subscription required.
Is Wave Payroll available across all Canadian provinces?
Wave's accounting and invoicing features Wave Payroll is available across all Canadian provinces and territories, except Quebec. Tax rates and provincial calculations are updated automatically within the platform are available on the free Starter Plan. Payroll is an add-on that works within the same platform, with no separate subscription required.
Disclaimer
Wave Payroll is available across Canadian provinces and territories, excluding Quebec. Wave Payroll is available for a trial period of up to 30 days. The trial period begins on the day you approve your first payroll and will end after 30 days. See full terms and conditions: Wave Payroll Terms of Service – Canada.