Heartland Payroll vs Wave Payroll

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Our analysts compared Heartland Payroll vs Wave Payroll based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Payroll Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Heartland Payroll Software Tool
Wave Payroll Software Tool

Product Basics

Heartland Payroll is an online bookkeeping software that handles payment processing, Point of Sale interactions, capital and engagement with customers. It can manage compensation for retail, restaurants and multiple other industries both onsite and offsite. It also handles compensation, recruiting, benefits, time and attendance and more. Users looking for more full-service care can access services such as HR management, guidance with the Affordable Care Act and loans.
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Wave Payroll is a cloud-based solution designed to provide simplified payroll management solutions. The product allows users to sync data, monitor employee activity, track leave, comply with tax reforms, view journal transactions, generate payslips and process payments.

It uses 256-bit encryption to protect bank data connections and handles credit card and bank account information with PCI Level-1 certification. Other functionalities include income and expense tracking, accounting, monthly receipt uploads, regular reminders, consolidated dashboards and transaction updates.
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$89 Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
$46 Monthly
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
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Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
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Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Accurate Payroll: Automate the entire operation to cut down on errors and changes in data made by human error. Handle the complexities of benefits, retirement and more with accurate calculations.
  • Timer Saver: Cut down on paperwork and save time that would otherwise be spent filling out data. It automates payment, benefits, workers’ compensation and other necessary compensation processes, freeing up time to find and analyze issues.
  • More Engaged Customers: Draw in customers with rewards programs and gift cards while monitoring and analyzing their behavior to improve processes and bring up the bottom line. The simplification of POS interactions also makes them more likely to return and reflect positively on the experience. Monitor customer activity, build relationships with customers, analytics the metrics and send custom emails to keep in touch.
  • Better Insights: Analyze data to better understand how campaigns are affecting the bottom line. This includes reporting on customer intelligence, performance, reputation management and benchmarking on competitors.
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  • Centralized Payroll: Add new employees, manage payments, track salaries, record time offs, manage tax deductions and oversee the overall workforce system with integrated solutions and efficient tools. 
  • Automated Compliance: Stay updated with ever-changing tax laws and compute state, federal and local taxes automatically. Conform to regulatory changes and access accurate calculations with an effective tax engine. 
  • Journal Transactions: Instantly access expenses, money owed to employees and tax authorities, liabilities, total costs and more on a single screen. 
  • Self-Service: Allow employees to access personal details, view pay stubs, edit bank-related information, tax forms and more. 
  • Dashboard: Edit, review, edit and manage payrolls on a consolidated dashboard. Set up schedules, approve runs, view bank account balance, export reminders to the calendar and update timesheets. 
  • Reports: Access comprehensive reports to get in-depth insights into total sales, cash flow, profit and loss statement, transaction volumes and other crucial business metrics. Gauge performance and improve services with comparative reporting. 
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  • Payment Processing: Give and receive payments easily through rapid authorization and fast funding. To help customers, the POS systems can accept money from ACH, digital wallets, EMV chips cards and gift cards. This system is supported online, through mobile, by the virtual terminal. Other options include a merchant administrative portal, work orders, invoicing, custom forms, e-commerce and integrates with Plaid, QuickBooks and Zapier.
  • Tax Management: Oversee business withholdings for the year, whether from health benefits, unemployment, social security or workers’ compensation.
  • Recruiting: Execute talent acquisition activities such as posting jobs, scheduling interviews, getting applications, onboarding new hires and keeping their eyes on potential candidates with the applicant tracking system. The system also offers to screen companies for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit.
  • Affordable Care Act: See which employees need health insurance and use the ACA reporting tool to determine the large employer status. It comes with monthly reporting that shows the number of full-time employees and equivalents, shows the total paid and unpaid hours for workers and helps with completing the 1094-C and 1095-C forms.
  • Benefits: The solution integrates with the benefits management system Ease. Administrators can transfer employee updates, new hire information and deductions to the payroll system.
  • Surcharge: The surcharge program charges customers 3.5% for credit card transactions. Deposit the next day and get reports on the amount that’s been regained from the venue.
  • Loans: Apply for loans through the Lendio loan marketplace, which provides access to various partners. Loans range from $5,000 to $5 million. Users can have a credit line of up to $250,000. The approval process generally takes about 15 minutes and the approval process is generally done within 48 hours.
  • HR: Services include coaching for issues in management, compensation, access to hiring documents, alerts for state and federal labor law changes and more.
  • Point of Sale: Accept multiple payment options. It works offline, can integrate with third-party apps and can enable purchases with the system, by a kiosk, in a drive-through and more.
  • Time and Attendance: Register punches, track hours, monitor schedules, handle PTO and create reports for various metrics.
  • Other Integrations: Integrations also include time and attendance, 401(k), general ledger and accounting systems and workers’ compensation.
  • Billing: Process billing in a streamlined manner by cutting down on late payments, paper documentation and tracking expenses through analytics. The solution is PCI level 1 certified to help with compliance purposes and serves as bookkeeping software.
  • Online, Mobile and Devices: Check accounts, send billing and pay online, through a tablet, by mobile or by other devices. It also can operate as a POS. Customers access the e-commerce features for a convenient buying experience.
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  • Centralized Payroll: Add new employees, manage payments, track salaries, record time offs, manage tax deductions and oversee the overall workforce system with integrated solutions and efficient tools. 
  • Automated Compliance: Stay updated with ever-changing tax laws and compute state, federal and local taxes automatically. Conform to regulatory changes and access accurate calculations with an effective tax engine. 
  • Journal Transactions: Instantly access expenses, money owed to employees and tax authorities, liabilities, total costs and more on a single screen. 
  • Self-Service: Allow employees to access personal details, view pay stubs, edit bank-related information, tax forms and more. 
  • Dashboard: Edit, review, edit and manage payrolls on a consolidated dashboard. Set up schedules, approve runs, view bank account balance, export reminders to the calendar and update timesheets. 
  • Reports: Access comprehensive reports to get in-depth insights into total sales, cash flow, profit and loss statement, transaction volumes and other crucial business metrics. Gauge performance and improve services with comparative reporting. 
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Product Ranking

#51

among all
Payroll Software

#31

among all
Payroll Software

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User Sentiment Summary

Poor User Sentiment 10 reviews
Great User Sentiment 116 reviews
56%
of users recommend this product

Heartland Payroll has a 'poor' User Satisfaction Rating of 56% when considering 10 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

82%
of users recommend this product

Wave Payroll has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 82% when considering 116 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

2.8 (5)
4.14 (58)
2.8 (5)
4.1 (58)

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Simple Interface: Users appreciate the clean and straightforward interface, finding it easy to navigate and locate necessary features without unnecessary complexity.
Tax Compliance: Heartland Payroll automatically calculates and files payroll taxes, ensuring businesses remain compliant with federal and state regulations, alleviating concerns about potential penalties or audits.
Direct Deposit: The direct deposit feature streamlines the payment process, allowing employees to receive their wages electronically and eliminating the need for paper checks, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
Employee Self-Service: The employee self-service portal empowers employees to access and manage their personal information, pay stubs, and tax documents independently, reducing administrative burdens on HR and payroll teams.
Reporting Capabilities: Heartland Payroll offers comprehensive reporting tools that provide insights into payroll data, enabling businesses to track expenses, analyze trends, and make informed decisions regarding their workforce.
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Intuitive Design: Users praise Wave Payroll's easy-to-use interface, finding it simple to navigate and complete tasks like setting up payroll and running reports.
Automated Tax Filing: Wave Payroll automatically calculates, files, and pays payroll taxes, saving users time and reducing the risk of errors.
Affordable Pricing: Many users appreciate Wave Payroll's transparent and competitive pricing, especially its free plan for contractors and freelancers.
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Dated Interface: Heartland's user interface appears outdated and clunky, making navigation and task completion cumbersome for users accustomed to modern software design.
Customer Service Issues: Heartland's customer service has received negative feedback, with users reporting long wait times and unhelpful responses. This can be frustrating for users seeking timely assistance with payroll issues.
Limited Integrations: Heartland Payroll may not integrate seamlessly with other business software, such as accounting or HR platforms, leading to manual data entry and potential errors.
Pricing Structure: Heartland's pricing structure can be complex and opaque, making it difficult for businesses to anticipate costs and compare options effectively.
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Customer Support Issues: Users have reported experiencing difficulties reaching customer support and receiving timely assistance when encountering problems.
Inaccurate Calculations: Some users have reported instances of Wave Payroll making incorrect calculations, leading to payroll errors and discrepancies.
Limited Features: Wave Payroll may lack certain advanced features that some businesses require, such as comprehensive reporting options or integrations with specific HR systems.
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Is your payroll process stuck in the dark ages? Heartland Payroll might just be the knight in shining armor your business needs. Heartland Payroll generally receives positive feedback, with users praising its comprehensive features and ease of use. The platform's ability to automate payroll calculations, tax filings, and payments is a major time-saver for businesses. Users also appreciate the self-service portal, which allows employees to access their pay stubs and W-2 forms electronically. Affordability is another plus, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. However, some users have reported occasional glitches and a lack of customization options. Compared to competitors like ADP and Paychex, Heartland Payroll may not have as many bells and whistles, but it offers a solid core feature set at a competitive price point. This makes it an attractive option for businesses that prioritize simplicity and affordability over advanced functionality. Heartland Payroll is best suited for small to medium-sized businesses with straightforward payroll needs. Its user-friendly interface and core features make it easy to manage payroll without a steep learning curve or a hefty price tag. However, larger businesses or those with complex payroll requirements may find the platform's limitations restrictive. It's important to note that software capabilities and user experiences can change over time, so it's always a good idea to check the latest reviews and information before making a decision.

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Are you riding the wave of payroll success, or are you drowning in paperwork? Recent user reviews of Wave Payroll suggest it's a lifesaver for entrepreneurs and small businesses, but it might not be smooth sailing for everyone. Users rave about Wave Payroll's affordability and ease of use, especially compared to rivals like Gusto or QuickBooks Payroll. They appreciate the intuitive interface, automated tax calculations, and direct deposit features. One user even described hitting the "approve payroll" button as "fun" because it's so simple and stress-free. However, some users have voiced concerns about limited customer support and occasional glitches in the software. A few users also wished for more advanced features, such as HR tools and time tracking integration. Wave Payroll's key differentiator is its price point. Starting at $25 per month, it's significantly cheaper than many competitors, making it a godsend for budget-conscious startups and freelancers. However, this affordability comes with a trade-off: Wave Payroll's automatic tax filing service is only available in a limited number of states. If you're outside those states, you'll need to manually file taxes, which can be a headache. Overall, Wave Payroll is a great fit for entrepreneurs and small businesses looking for a user-friendly and affordable payroll solution. However, if you require robust customer support or advanced features, you might need to explore other options.

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