Methods and systems for waveguide delay based equalization summing at single-ended to differential converters in optical communication are disclosed and may include: in an photonic circuit including a directional coupler, photodetectors, and a gain stage, receiving an input optical signal; splitting the input optical signal into first and second optical signals using the directional coupler; generating a first current from the first optical signal using a first photodetector; communicating the first voltage to a first input of the gain stage; generating a second current from the second optical signal using a second photodetector; communicating the second voltage to a second input of the gain stage; and generating a differential output voltage based on the first and second currents using the gain stage.