Which financial wellbeing platform provider is best for your business: PayWise+ vs Stream

For earned wage access, both PayWise+ and Stream charge a small withdrawal fee to employees per transaction. 

Both financial wellbeing platforms are priced based on a subscription fee to the employer depending on the number of employees. 

Stream has built-in integrations with 100+ payroll providers, however do not disclose any integration costs. PayWise+ integrates seamlessly with the Access ecosystem with no additional IT costs. 

Both Stream and Access PayWise+ offer a maximum withdrawal of 50% of the accrued salary for earned wage access, which can be amended by the employer if they should choose to do so.

Both Stream and Access PayWise+ offers instant access to up to 50% of earned wages, accessed via a mobile app. 

In addition to on-demand pay, PayWise+ offers the following additional financial wellbeing features:

• Real-time earnings tracking
• Savings on everyday purchases and discounts with major retailers
• High interest savings options
• AI powered, personalised financial insights 

Stream offers the following financial wellness features:

• Financial education
• Savings accounts
• Workplace loans
• Budgeting tools
• Rewards and discounts 

Both PayWise+ and Stream provide earned wage access solutions with key similarities and some distinctions. In terms of funding, PayWise+ finances drawdowns using advanced risk management, whereas Stream also funds advances but may have a different internal process. Both platforms automate post-payroll reconciliation, but PayWise+ offers real-time tracking, while Stream uses dedicated accounts to reconcile before transferring funds to employees. Settlement speed is comparable, with instant access for employees and next-day reconciliation for both, depending on the payment method chosen.

Regarding credit and cash flow, PayWise+ advances have no impact on employees’ credit since they are not loans, while Stream’s earned wage access is also credit-neutral, though it additionally offers separate workplace loans that require credit checks. For employers, both solutions maintain zero impact on cash flow, allowing seamless integration without affecting payroll budgets. 

Funding Advantage

Overall, both PayWise+ and Stream fund employee advances without impacting employer cash flow. PayWise+’s advantage lies in its sophisticated AI-driven risk management and seamless integration with the Access ecosystem emphasizing operational efficiency and risk-managed funding, while Stream offers flexibility with optional credit products.

For Employers

Business Performance

• 25% lower turnover - PayWise+ addresses the #1 cause of employee stress
• 40% reduction in admin burden - Automated processes reduce payroll team workload
• 60% improvement in recruitment - Stand out with meaningful benefits

Operational Benefits

• Seamless Integration - Works with existing Access systems
• Zero IT Complexity - No additional infrastructure required
• Compliance Ready - Built-in regulatory compliance

For Employees

Financial Wellness

• 23% more savings - AI helps optimise spending patterns
• 40% less financial stress - Proactive guidance and emergency protection
• 60% faster goal achievement - Personalised financial roadmaps

Source: EarlyPay User survey data. PayWise+ is the evolution of Access EarlyPay—taking our proven earned wage access solution and expanding it into a complete financial wellbeing platform.

Real-World Impact

• Most Valuable Benefit - 54% of users rate it as their most important workplace benefit
• Increased Loyalty - 80% feel increased loyalty to their employer
• Daily Financial Control - Access earned wages without debt or loans

Both Stream and PayWise+ have evolved beyond simple earned wage access into comprehensive financial wellness platforms. PayWise+ distinguishes itself through AI-powered personalisation, proven business outcomes (25% staff turnover reduction), and seamless integration within the Access ecosystem, while Stream boast a larger user base over 1 million users across multiple markets. 

While there are many similarities, ultimately, the choice between the two services will depend on the needs of the employee and the employer. However, both services provide a valuable benefit that can help employees manage their finances and improve their financial stability – offering the next generation of employee financial wellness benefits that actively guides employees toward better financial decisions. 

For Access customers especially, PayWise+ represents the natural evolution of employee benefits into strategic competitive advantages.