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HR software can be used in a number of ways. With so many organizations choosing to implement this technology, does it have the potential to disrupt HR? What type of features are needed for HR professionals and clients today, is there room for improvement in payroll software?
The “top payroll software” is a program that helps businesses and organizations with the process of managing their employees. The “top payroll software” is one of the best programs for human resources in 2022.
HR Software for Payroll integrates HR and payroll functions into a single platform. You may save time and improve accuracy by exchanging information between the two services. The top human resource and Software for Payroll not only has well-integrated solutions, but also offers competitively priced plans and simple to learn and use online features.
In this article, we looked into and evaluated 13 popular alternatives before narrowing it down to our top eight picks.
- Gusto: The best overall Software for Payroll for human resources.
- Payroll in QuickBooks is the best Software for Payroll for QuickBooks accounting customers.
- Paychex is the best option for solopreneurs and small businesses.
- Rippling: HR, payroll, and IT solutions are best for tech-heavy businesses.
- Zenefits is ideal for companies operating in highly regulated sectors.
- Square Payroll is a payroll service that allows you to pay is ideal for small businesses and restaurants that use Square POS.
- ADP is the best option for growing companies searching for scalable programs.
- OnPay is the best option for agricultural businesses in need of HR and Software for Payroll.
Software for Payroll for Human Resources: A Comparison
*We based our pricing on a quotation we got.
**Additional costs may be required.
***Higher levels include this.
Gusto: Best Software for Payroll for Human Resources
Gusto
4.44 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE
CRITERIA FOR RATING | User-Friendliness | 4.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
HR Benefits | 4.13 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Features of Payroll | 4.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Pricing | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Popularity | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Reporting | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
What We Enjoy
- All options include full-service payroll, including tax payments and filings.
- Provides a cost-effective contractor-only solution.
- Pay advances are one of the employee perks possibilities.
- Pay runs are unlimited and automated.
What Isn’t There
- Only 39 states have health insurance coverage.
- There is no mobile app for payroll.
- There is no designated payroll expert.
- In higher stages, time tracking and performance reports are provided.
- Advanced HR tools are scarce.
Pricing by Gusto
- $39 per month for the core + $6 per employee each month
- Complete: $39 per month plus $12 per month per employee
- Concierge: $149/month + $12/month each employee
- Contractor-only plan: $6 per month per person
Gusto is a well-liked small company Software for Payroll that includes basic HR Benefits in its higher-tier plans (such as time tracking, recruiting and onboarding, new hire reports, and performance evaluations). It can manage employee and contractor payroll, as well as payroll taxes and year-end W-2/1099 forms. It can even handle tip credits. Health-benefit alternatives are also available, albeit coverage is currently restricted to 39 states.
Gusto received the highest overall rating of 4.44 out of 5 in our review owing to its user-friendly design, robust Features of Payroll, affordable plans, and reporting capabilities. Many customers also like its user-friendly platform, which makes it simple to execute employee payments. Gusto, on the other hand, lost points for not offering health insurance in all 50 states or a comprehensive HR solution suite like ADP, Paychex, and Rippling.
Features of Gusto
- Gusto’s key product is payroll, and the company provides its online capabilities at an affordable price, with monthly costs starting at $39 + $6 per employee. Unlike Rippling and Zenefits, who charge extra for their payment processing services. Gusto features a contractor payroll plan that costs just $6 per contractor per month for individuals that need to pay contract workers. It doesn’t, however, compare to Square Payroll is a payroll service that allows you to pay’s low-cost, contractor-only alternative, which costs $5 per contractor each month.
- Unlike Paychex or ADP, Gusto allows you to run payroll as many times as you want and need without incurring additional fees. It also features a “AutoPilot” option that automatically handles your paycheck.
- Salaries are deposited into workers’ accounts through pay cards or direct payments in a variety of ways. Gusto’s basic direct deposit timetable is two or four days, but if you subscribe to one of its premium plans, you may have it the following day. You may pay with paper checks as well, but you must print them yourself. If this isn’t a possibility, ADP and Paychex both provide paper checks with signing services.
- Employee financial assistance: Employees facing financial crises may use the “Gusto Cashout” option to acquire money in between paydays. This function, which is available via the free “Gusto Wallet” app, allows your employees to take up to 40% or $500 ($200 only for the first transaction) of their typical wage, whichever is smaller. Although this is a loan, Gusto does not charge interest since the requested amount is withdrawn from the employee’s next paycheck automatically. Aside from Square Payroll is a payroll service that allows you to pay and Paychex, which allow early access to earned pay, none of the other companies on this list do.
- Employee benefits: For a charge ($6 per eligible employee monthly), Gusto will administer your benefits programs or link your current broker and qualified health insurance into its system. Commuter benefits, HSA/FSA, 529 college savings accounts, and retirement plans are among the many alternatives available. Gusto’s health insurance coverage, on the other hand, is restricted to Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Consider any of the Software for Payroll for Human Resources in this article for health benefits that cover all 50 states, with the exception of Zenefits (whose health plans aren’t accessible in Hawaii). It’s worth noting that you’ll have to pay extra for Rippling’s perks modules.
- HR tools: In comparison to ADP, Rippling, and Paychex, which all provide feature-rich HR solution suites, Gusto only offers a few HR products that the typical small company owner would need. Online offer letters, state new hire reporting, paid time off (PTO) and time tracking, performance evaluations, new hire software provisioning, employee engagement surveys, and a self-onboarding portal are among them.
- Access to HR professionals: Having HR specialists available to address your compliance and HR questions is advantageous. If you subscribe to Gusto’s highest plan, you may contact SHRM- and HRCI-certified HR specialists.
Check out our Gusto Review.
Payroll in QuickBooks is the best Software for Payroll for QuickBooks users.
Payroll in QuickBooks
4.34 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE
CRITERIA FOR RATING | User-Friendliness | 4.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
HR Benefits | 4.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Features of Payroll | 4.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Pricing | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Popularity | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Reporting | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
What We Enjoy
- Provides same-day and next-day direct deposits.
- Payroll is unlimited and automated.
- Only if you submitted QuickBooks the proper information on time and have adequate cash in your account to pay taxes does the tax accuracy guarantee cover late filing and payment penalties.
- Has its own tax penalty protection scheme; QuickBooks will reimburse tax fines (up to $25,000 per year) regardless of who is at fault.
What Isn’t There
- Premium levels include time monitoring and local tax filings.
- Only the top plan offers tax penalty protection.
- It primarily integrates with QuickBooks products; to use third-party software connections, you’ll need to use its accounting platform.
- Basic HR Benefits
Payroll in QuickBooks Pricing
- $45 per month for the core + $4 each employee per month
- Premium: $75 per month plus $8 per month each employee
- Elite: $125/month Plus $10/month each employee
If you use QuickBooks accounting and want a simple payroll solution with basic HR functions, Payroll in QuickBooks may be right for you. It allows There are no limits to how much money you can make. with automated payroll tax payments and filings, including year-end tax reporting. It works with SimplyInsured to provide health benefits and Mineral for HR support. What sets Payroll in QuickBooks apart from the other human resources and Software for Payroll in this guide is its fast direct deposits, wherein its standard processing timeline is a next-day option. Other providers may offer a similar service but will require you to either subscribe to its higher tiers (such as Gusto) or use its online payment solution (like Square Payroll is a payroll service that allows you to pay with its Square Payments tool).
Payroll in QuickBooks earned 4.34 out of 5 in our evaluation with high ratings (4 and above) in reporting, payroll functionalities, pricing, and User-Friendliness. While it also received a score above 4 for HR Benefits, it doesn’t offer advanced HR tools like Zenefits’s compensation planning module, Rippling’s and Paychex’s learning management solutions, or ADP’s job postings to 25,000+ job sites. However, users still appreciate its efficient pay processing tools and fast payment options.
QuickBooks Features of Payroll
- Automated payroll and tax services: Payroll in QuickBooks offers full-service payroll with There are no limits to how much money you can make., year-end W-2/1099 reporting, and tax filing services. However, if you don’t want to manually input local tax rates into its system and file the applicable local tax forms yourself, then you have to subscribe to its highest plan. Note that the other Software for Payroll for Human Resources we reviewed offer tax filing services that cover all levels (federal, state, and local)—regardless of the plan selected.
- Fast direct deposits: Payroll in QuickBooks processes direct deposits faster than the other providers on our list. It has same-day direct deposits included in its higher tiers and a next-day option as its standard processing timeline. Note that most of the providers in this guide have a standard two-day processing timeline. Square Payroll is a payroll service that allows you to pay may also offer next-day direct deposits and even instant payouts, but you need to have an active Square Payments account.
- Employee benefits: Payroll in QuickBooks’s health insurance plans are available in all US states as opposed to those of Gusto and Zenefits, which both have limited coverage (39 and 49 states, respectively). However, it doesn’t have Gusto’s college savings accounts and ADP’s employee discount perks.
- Tax penalty protection: Payroll in QuickBooks offers a tax accuracy guarantee and a tax penalty protection program. The first one covers penalties for late tax payments, provided you gave the accurate information to QuickBooks and have available funds in your account to pay applicable payroll taxes. The second option is only for its Elite plan subscribers, wherein QuickBooks will shoulder tax penalties (up to $25,000/year), regardless of who made the mistake. None of the providers on our list have a tax penalty protection program as robust.
- HR tools: Payroll in QuickBooks’s HR Benefits aren’t as advanced compared to ADP, Paychex, Rippling, and Zenefits. It only offers basic tools that small businesses would need such as employee onboarding, new hire reporting, customizable job descriptions, and time tracking through its QuickBooks Time solution.
- Access to HR experts: Get answers to your compliance and HR questions through Payroll in QuickBooks’s HR advisory services (provided through Mineral). Available for Elite plan subscribers, you can consult with certified HR professionals on critical HR issues either via phone or online. Its services also include helping you create company policies and an employee handbook.
Read our Payroll in QuickBooks Review
Paychex: Best for Solopreneurs & Startups
Paychex
4.16 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE
CRITERIA FOR RATING | User-Friendliness | 3.50 | OUT OF | 5 |
HR Benefits | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Features of Payroll | 3.88 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Pricing | 2.88 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Popularity | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Reporting | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
What We Enjoy
- Payroll, incorporation assistance, and access to a 401(k) plan are all included in a special package for solopreneurs.
- Has a variety of HR and payroll options.
- Provides a dedicated payroll expert.
- Payroll and payroll tax filings are both automated.
What Isn’t There
- Pricing isn’t always straightforward.
- Payroll tax administration and year-end tax reports are not included in the price.
- Higher levels include learning management tools and access to a personal payroll consultant.
- Time tracking is an add-on that costs money.
Paychex Charges
- Flex Essentials from Paychex costs $39 per month plus $5 per employee.
- Paychex Flex Select: Priced on a case-by-case basis
- Paychex Flex Pro: Priced on a case-by-case basis
Paychex offers a plan for solopreneurs and self-employed people.
- Paychex Solo: Priced on a case-by-case basis
Paychex is a human resource and Software for Payroll with a lot of features. It offers a variety of tools and services to assist you in managing the whole employee lifecycle, from recruitment to retirement. Paychex is unique in that, in addition to offering 24/7 customer service, it allocates a dedicated payroll consultant to each of its customers. It also provides small company levels that are ideal for startups, as well as a solopreneur-specific plan. The other companies in this guide do not provide specialist payroll help or solutions for solopreneurs.
In our evaluation, Paychex earned a 4.16 out of 5 with perfect marks in HR Benefits, reporting, and Popularity among users. Many like its efficient payroll, onboarding, and employee self-service tools. However, it scored the lowest in pricing because most of its products and plans are custom-priced (except for the starter tier of its Paychex Flex solution).
Paychex Advantages
- Paychex offers a variety of programs to cater to companies of all sizes, including those managed by a single person. Paychex Solo, which combines payroll, a retirement plan, and company formation services, is a good place to start for solopreneurs. If their operations grow to the point where they need to recruit people, they may upgrade to the Paychex Flex package (which comes in three levels) which includes greater compliance assistance and sophisticated HR capabilities for managing personnel. While ADP provides customizable plans to meet your business’s expanding HR and payroll demands, it does not offer a self-employed-specific package.
- Payroll and payroll tax processing: Paychex’s payroll tools can handle both employee and contractor payments, although it lacks the separate contractor-only payroll plans that Gusto and Square Payroll is a payroll service that allows you to pay offer. Tax calculations, payments, and filings to federal, state, and local agencies (including W-2/1099 tax reporting) will be managed by Paychex, but some of these payroll administration services require add-on fees. For a payroll solution that doesn’t charge extra for filing tax forms, consider any of the providers in this guide except ADP. Payroll in QuickBooks is also a good choice but you have to subscribe to its Elite plan if you want local tax filings.
- Employee benefits: Paychex provides financial wellness features in addition to retirement, health insurance, FSA/HSA, dental, and vision plans—the other Software for Payroll for Human Resources assessed does not. It does not, however, provide the employee discounts offered by ADP or the college savings programs offered by Gusto.
- HR tools: Paychex’s HR solution suite is similar to that of ADP and more robust than those of Square Payroll is a payroll service that allows you to pay, OnPay, Payroll in QuickBooks, and Gusto. These four mainly offer onboarding, online document management, and new hire reporting functionalities, although Gusto also provides performance review tools. Paychex has all these functionalities and more, including learning management, employee attendance tracking, background screening, and hiring services. However, if you require a wide job posting reach, consider ADP as it can advertise your job listings to over 25,000 sites. Zenefits is also a good choice if you’re looking for a compensation planning solution, while Rippling is great for those wanting basic IT tools to streamline computer and software provisioning and deprovisioning processes (Paychex doesn’t have these features).
- Strong support: Paychex sends a highly qualified payroll consultant to each of its customers to operate as their single point of contact for all payroll and tax-related issues. It also offers customer service representatives that are all located in the United States 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Check out our Paychex Review.
Rippling: Best for Tech-heavy Businesses Needing HR, Payroll & IT Tools
Rippling
AVERAGE RATING: 4.14 OUT OF 5
CRITERIA FOR RATING | User-Friendliness | 2.75 | OUT OF | 5 |
HR Benefits | 4.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Features of Payroll | 4.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Pricing | 3.63 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Popularity | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Reporting | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
What We Enjoy
- Provides modular HR, payroll, benefits, and IT systems that connect smoothly; you may choose just the elements you need.
- Provisioning and deprovisioning of computers and apps is made easier using IT technologies.
- Over 400 third-party applications and apps are supported.
- Payroll is unlimited and fully automated.
What Isn’t There
- Before you can access its additional modules, you must first buy its fundamental “Rippling Unity” workforce management platform.
- As you add additional solutions/modules, it might get costly.
- The HR help desk option, which includes phone and email assistance, is an added expense.
Pricing that Shifts*
- Workforce management software “Rippling Unity” costs $10 per employee every month.
- Monthly full-service payroll: $8 per employee
- Administration of benefits: $6 per employee each month
- Commuter perks and flex HSA/FSA: $6 per employee per month
- $100 per month for HR help desk
- App management costs $8 per month per employee.
- Monthly device management costs $8 per employee.
*Pricing is based on a quotation from a vendor.
Rippling is a human resource payroll program that is very customizable. Onboarding/offboarding tools, document management, system rights, process automations, and a single database are all part of the company’s core platform. If you require full-service payroll, benefits, time and attendance, application tracking, and learning management functionality, you may add more modules to its platform based on your HR needs. It even provides IT solutions for managing the company’s corporate software and PCs. Rippling is ideal for tech-heavy companies since it can automate and simplify HR, payroll, and fundamental IT procedures.
Scoring 4.14 out of 5, Ripping earned top marks for reporting, HR functions, and Features of Payroll. It lost points because Pricing isn’t always straightforward., live phone support with an HR expert costs extra, and it doesn’t provide a dedicated payroll specialist like Paychex does. Nonetheless, many users left positive reviews on third-party sites like G2 and Capterra, wherein they complimented its intuitive platform, robust HR functions, and seamless third-party software integrations
Rippling Characteristics
- Rippling allows you to pick and choose the HR and IT tools you need, unlike the other providers in this list that provide packaged plans with a predetermined set of capabilities, some of which you may not require. While you have the option of selecting which features to purchase, you must first acquire the company’s basic workforce management platform before you can purchase additional modules. As you add additional features to the system, it might get costly. If you’re on a tight budget and simply require payroll, benefits, and basic HR, we suggest OnPay, which provides a single, low-cost plan ($36 + $4 per employee monthly) that includes all of the functions.
- Rippling’s payroll processing solution is a paid add-on to its main platform, similar to Zenefits’. There are no limits to how much money you can make., direct deposit payments, payroll tax filings, and year-end reporting are all included. Rippling (like ADP) can assist you handle your worldwide payroll demands if you have foreign employees.
- Rippling gives you access to a variety of perks, including health insurance, retirement programs, FSA/HSA, and commuting benefits. Rippling allows you to add your chosen broker as a user in its system if you currently deal with a broker who administers your plans (this costs extra with Zenefits and Gusto). This feature is not available in the other five Software for Payroll for Human Resources we tested.
- Rippling provides app and device management solutions to ease IT provisioning and deprovisioning operations, unlike the other tools on this list, which either don’t have IT functions or solely handle software setup for new recruits (like Gusto). It can also set up app accounts for new recruits and install needed business applications on company-issued laptops, in addition to helping manage computer inventory. Rippling automatically disables system access for quitting employees on their final day of work. It can even lock and delete data from PCs from afar.
- Rippling is the only supplier in our roundup with over 400 third-party app connectors. It’s quite probable that the company software you’re using is included in its integration choices, thanks to its large network of partner systems.
- Rippling delivers the recruiting tools you need to locate and filter quality people, from job posts through application monitoring. It also provides solutions for onboarding, new employee reporting, and learning management. Its time and attendance section also allows you to keep track of staff attendance. It lacks ADP’s broad job advertising reach as well as Paychex’s and Zenefits’ compensation management solutions.
- Rippling’s customer care staff may be reached by email and chat, but if you want one-on-one HR phone help, you’ll have to pay a monthly fee. It also lacks a specialized payroll consultant (Paychex does), who can assist you with pay and tax difficulties.
Take a look at our Rippling Review.
Zenefits is the best option for businesses that are heavily regulated.
Zenefits
4.06 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE
CRITERIA FOR RATING | User-Friendliness | 3.25 | OUT OF | 5 |
HR Benefits | 4.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Features of Payroll | 4.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Pricing | 4.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Popularity | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Reporting | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
What We Enjoy
- Plans with a variety of features at a reasonable price
- HR advice services and strong compliance tools
- All options include time monitoring and staff scheduling.
- There are no limits to how much money you can make.
What Isn’t There
- Payroll and advising services are optional extras that must be paid for.
- In Hawaii, medical, vision, and dental policies are not offered.
- A minimum of five employees is required for all plans and add-ons.
*Pricing for Zenefits
- Essentials: $10 per month per employee
- Monthly growth of $18 per employee
- Zen: $27 per month per employee
Tools and services that aren’t included in the base package*
- Payroll: $6 per month per employee
- Advisory services are $10 per month per employee.
- Benefits management via a personal broker costs $5 per employee each month.
*At least five staff are required.
Annual plans with somewhat cheaper pricing are also available.
Zenefits is an HR application that may be supplemented with payroll and HR advice services; even the most basic plan includes recruiting, onboarding, PTO and time tracking, and document management. It collaborates with insurance brokers to provide health plans in 49 states, except Hawaii. Because of its excellent tools that not only manage HR and benefits compliance but also monitor your compliance status, we found Zenefits to be ideal for organizations in highly regulated sectors.
Given its excellent HR, payroll, and reporting functions, Zenefits received an overall grade of 4.06 out of 5 and scored well (4 and higher) in practically all of our categories. Users also praise the company’s user-friendly interface and how effectively its products work together. It didn’t make our top 10 since it doesn’t provide dedicated assistance, health insurance coverage in all 50 states, or check printing/signing services, which both ADP and Paychex provide.
Features of Zenefits
- HR solution suite with a large range of key features: Zenefits offers an HR solution suite with a wide range of essential features. It can help you onboard new workers, manage compensation plans, track performance evaluations, and even conduct employee surveys, in addition to processing payroll. However, it lacks Rippling, ADP, and Paychex’s applicant tracking and job advertising features.
- While Zenefits, like Rippling, needs you to buy its payroll module separately, it includes all of the tools you’ll need to manage employee and contractor payments. It also provides free payroll tax filing and W-2/1099 reporting at the end of the year (Paychex and ADP charge additional fees).
- Time and attendance tools in every plan: Time and attendance tools are included in all Zenefits plans, making it easy for you to capture actual employee time data for pay processing. Note that OnPay doesn’t have this feature, while Gusto and Payroll in QuickBooks offer this in their higher tiers. Rippling, ADP, and Paychex also have time tracking functionalities, but as a paid add-on.
- Employee benefits: In addition to providing access to employee benefits (such as medical, dental, vision, FSA/HSA, and retirement plans), Zenefits also offers online solutions to make benefit administration easier. You may manage your plans via one of its partner brokers or pay a monthly charge ($5 per employee) to have your own broker handle your benefits.
- Zenefits offers a staff of HR and payroll specialists that can give expert compliance, HR, and employee management advice, unlike OnPay and Square Payroll is a payroll service that allows you to pay, which don’t have HR consulting services. This service, however, is not free ($8 per employee each month).
Take a look at our Zenefits review.
Square Payroll is a payroll service that allows you to pay: Best for Small Retail & Restaurant Businesses Using Square POS
Square Payroll is a payroll service that allows you to pay
3.96 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE
CRITERIA FOR RATING | User-Friendliness | 3.25 | OUT OF | 5 |
HR Benefits | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Features of Payroll | 4.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Pricing | 4.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Popularity | 2.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Reporting | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
What We Enjoy
- There is a low-cost contractor-only plan available.
- It’s compatible with Square’s point-of-sale system.
- Fast direct deposits are available, as well as an immediate payment option.
- Payroll that is both automatic and limitless
What Isn’t There
- The processing period for standard direct deposit is four days.
- For next-day direct transfers and fast payments, you’ll need a Square Payments account.
- A client code is required for phone help.
Square Payroll is a payroll service that allows you to pay Pricing
- Employees and contractors are paid at a rate of $35 per month plus $5 per employee each month.
- Contractors are only paid $5 per worker every month.
Most people know Square for its POS and payment processing, but it also handles payroll and basic HR functions through its Square Payroll is a payroll service that allows you to pay solution. It sets itself apart from most other human resource and Software for Payroll on our list in that it has a low-cost plan for contractors, offers an instant payment option, and connects seamlessly with Square POS.
With an overall score of 3.96 out of 5, Square Payroll is a payroll service that allows you to pay didn’t rank high on our list because it lacks expert HR advisers on staff and has limited HR functions. However, its Features of Payroll are strong with tools that include multiple payment options, automatic and There are no limits to how much money you can make., year-end W-2/1099 reporting, and automatic payroll tax filings. Users who left reviews on third-party sites like G2 and Capterra also rated it positively for User-Friendliness, affordability, and payroll functionalities.
Square Features of Payroll
- Low-cost contractor-only plan: Priced at only $5 per contractor monthly, Square Payroll is a payroll service that allows you to pay has the most budget-friendly contractor-only plan in this guide. Gusto has a similar option but charges a slightly higher monthly fee ($6 per contractor), while the other six Software for Payroll for Human Resources we reviewed don’t have a special contractor plan.
- Employee salary payments may be paid by direct transfers, paychecks, or the company’s “Cash App.” While the usual processing period for direct deposits is four days, if you have a Square Payments account, you may get next-day or even immediate payments. It also features an on-demand pay option, similar to Gusto and Paychex, that allows workers to take a part of their earned income in the event of a financial emergency.
- Payroll tax filing and reporting: Square Payroll is a payroll service that allows you to pay offers automatic payroll tax filings for all levels (federal, state, and local) at no extra cost. This is unlike Paychex, which charges fees for some of its tax services, and Payroll in QuickBooks, which requires you to upgrade to its highest tier if you want local tax filings. Square Payroll is a payroll service that allows you to pay will also prepare and file W-2 and 1099 tax forms at year-end—a service that costs extra with ADP.
- Square POS integration: Given the seamless connection between Square Payroll is a payroll service that allows you to pay and Square POS, you can easily import tips, commissions, and even employee time data for pay processing.
- Employee benefits: Some of Square Payroll is a payroll service that allows you to pay’s employee benefits options include health insurance, retirement plans, and workers’ compensation. If you prefer a wider selection, consider Gusto (offerings include a college savings plan), Paychex (has financial wellness tools), and ADP (provides employee discounts).
- HR tools: Square Payroll is a payroll service that allows you to pay’s HR functionalities are limited to new hire reporting, employee onboarding, and PTO tracking. It can capture employee clock-ins/outs but through the Square POS and its Square Team app. If you’re looking for advanced HR Benefits, Rippling, ADP, Paychex, and Zenefits are great options.
Read our Square Payroll is a payroll service that allows you to pay Review
ADP is the best option for growing businesses looking for scalable plans.
ADP
3.96 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE
CRITERIA FOR RATING | User-Friendliness | 4.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
HR Benefits | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Features of Payroll | 4.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Pricing | 0.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Popularity | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Reporting | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
What We Enjoy
- Job posting, background checks, new recruit onboarding, payroll, benefits, and training options are all included in one feature-rich platform.
- Has a variety of goods and programs to suit various company sizes.
- Secure paychecks with sophisticated fraud prevention are available.
- Payroll and tax filings are also automated.
What Isn’t There
- Pricing that is not transparent
- Year-end tax reporting and form distribution are not included in the price.
- Add-on items include time tracking, workers’ compensation, and benefit programs.
Pricing for ADP
- Custom-priced is a must-have.
- Enhanced: Priced on a case-by-case basis
- Complete: Priced on a case-by-case basis
- HR Pro: Priced on a case-by-case basis
ADP is ideal for businesses that need human resource and Software for Payroll to manage a variety of tasks. It offers a complete solution suite with adjustable options that can manage anything from basic to advanced HR and payroll procedures. As a result, ADP is an excellent fit for expanding organizations that don’t want to deal with the inconvenience of switching providers since they’ve outgrown their current one.
Scoring 3.96 out of 5 in our evaluation, ADP’s robust solution suite that includes payroll, employee benefits, onboarding, online training, and hiring tools contributed to its high scores. Users also appreciate its User-Friendliness and how its payroll solution helps them save time and simplify processes. However, it lost points due to its Pricing that is not transparent.
Features of ADP
- Plans for companies of all sizes: ADP and Paychex are extremely similar in that they both provide plans and solutions for businesses of all sizes. ADP is missing a price plan for solopreneurs and the self-employed, which Paychex provides. However, as compared to Paychex’s plans, ADP’s plans provide significantly more extensive services, such as job posts to over 25,000 job sites, employee discounts, and legal aid (such as contract review and debt collection consultations) via Upnetic Legal Services. Paychex’s recruiting services are a paid add-on, and the company does not provide employee discounts or legal advice.
- Payroll processing: ADP makes processing payroll easy given its cloud-based system that automatically calculates earnings, deductions, and tax withholdings—it can even handle international payroll for global employees. It remits payroll tax payments and files the applicable tax forms to federal, state, and local agencies at no cost (Paychex charges extra for this). The creation, delivery, and filing of W-2/1099 tax forms at year-end are also included in ADP’s services, but this requires add-on fees (similar to OnPay). For year-end reporting and tax filings that come with no extra cost, consider Square Payroll is a payroll service that allows you to pay, and Gusto. Rippling and Zenefits are good options but their payroll and tax filing modules are paid add-ons to its core platforms. Payroll in QuickBooks also offers robust payroll tax administration services, but you need to get the highest plan for local tax filings.
- Salaries are deposited into employee accounts through direct deposits and Wisely Direct debit cards. In ADP’s higher levels, secure paychecks with check signing and stuffing services are also offered. The other suppliers in this guide, with the exception of Paychex, do not provide equivalent Services for Payroll.
- Employee benefits: ADP stands out from the other Software for Payroll for Human Resources we looked at because of its employee discount program, which enables your employees to save money at ADP’s partner brands and retail stores. It also gives you access to standard benefits like retirement plans and health insurance that are accessible throughout the United States (Gusto’s coverage is restricted to 39 states, while Zenefits’ health plans don’t cover Hawaii).
- ADP offers complete HR solutions for recruiting, training, performance evaluations, and employee attendance, among other things. It also allows you to list available positions on over 25,000 job sites, making it simple to identify eligible individuals and recruit personnel. While Paychex provides recruiting services and solutions, it does not have the same job posting reach as ADP. Rippling offers a comparable service, but its recruitment capabilities are an add-on to the company’s primary personnel management module.
Check out our ADP Review.
OnPay is the best option for agribusinesses.
OnPay
3.81 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE
CRITERIA FOR RATING | User-Friendliness | 4.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
HR Benefits | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Features of Payroll | 3.25 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Pricing | 4.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Popularity | 2.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Reporting | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
What We Enjoy
- Has a plan that is reasonably priced
- Full-service payroll with automated tax filings is available.
- Fills out Form 943.
- There are no limits to how much money you can make.
What Isn’t There
- There aren’t enough levels to accommodate to different payroll and HR demands.
- OnPay’s risk assessment determines whether you are eligible for two-day or four-day direct payments.
- Integrations with third-party applications are limited.
- Basic HR Benefits
Pricing for OnPay
- $36 per month + $4 per month each employee
OnPay offers Services for Payroll and payroll tax filings that cover unique industries such as farm and agricultural businesses. It can handle Form 943 (Annual Federal Tax Return for Agricultural Employees) filings and tax processing for workers on H-2A visas. Aside from benefits that are available across the US, it can help manage PTO policies and requests. It also offers a single plan with affordable pricing ($36 + $4 per employee monthly). Its HR Benefits, however, are not as robust as those of Rippling, ADP, Zenefits, and Paychex—it only provides essential tools for onboarding, new hire reporting, and online document management.
Scoring 3.81 out of 5 in our evaluation, OnPay received high ratings (4 and up) in reporting, User-Friendliness, and pricing. Its direct deposits that take longer than two days, lack of expert advisers on staff, and limited advanced HR functionalities (such as learning management and performance reviews) contributed to its low scores. However, users still like its affordability and intuitive interface that’s easy to navigate.
Features of OnPay
- OnPay allows limitless monthly pay runs and can manage different payment schedules for both W-2 and 1099 employees, as well as automatic tax filings. It pays your payroll taxes and submits the necessary tax documents on your behalf (Paychex charges extra for this). OnPay can submit Form 943 and handle taxes for H-2A visa employees for individuals with special payroll and tax filing requirements, such as farms and agricultural company owners. It also provides downloadable W-2 and 1099 tax forms at the end of the year, but there is a cost if you want OnPay to print and deliver the forms to workers and contractors directly.
- Multiple employee payment options: OnPay can pay employees through debit cards, paychecks, and direct deposits. However, it doesn’t have Payroll in QuickBooks’s next-day option and Square Payroll is a payroll service that allows you to pay’s instant payments. And while it offers two- and four-day direct deposits, you can’t select the option you want—OnPay will identify this for you based on the results of its risk assessment.
- Employee benefits: With alternatives accessible in every state in the United States, you may be confident that your workers will have adequate health insurance coverage. The health advantages of Gusto and Zenefits, on the other hand, are only available in 39 and 49 states, respectively.
- HR tools: Aside from online offer letters and new hire reporting, it offers onboarding solutions that include digital I-9 and W-4 forms, customizable checklists, and an e-signature tool. HR documents and templates are also available, but it lacks HR advisory services. If you prefer having easy access to HR experts you can contact for compliance issues, we recommend Gusto, Payroll in QuickBooks, ADP, and Paychex. Rippling and Zenefits also provide HR advisory services but you have to pay extra for them.
- Straightforward and affordable pricing: OnPay may not have multiple plans like the other human resources payroll in this guide (except Square Payroll is a payroll service that allows you to pay), but it offers an affordably priced package that costs $36 plus $4 per employee, per month. Providers like Square Payroll is a payroll service that allows you to pay, Zenefits, and Rippling may appear to charge slightly lower monthly fees but you actually end up having to pay more in a year.
Check out our OnPay Review.
What’s the Difference Between HR and Software for Payroll?
While some of the systems we considered have basic HR Benefits along with payroll, others have core HR products that are pretty robust and allow you to add on payroll. To help you find the right solution for your business, it’s useful to see the differences in the software types and when each might be your best fit.
Types of HR and Software for Payroll Software for Payroll for Human ResourcesSoftware for Payroll for Human ResourcesServices for Payroll
Software for Payroll for Human Resources
This combines the greatest features of both worlds. Integrated HR Software for Payroll connects payroll and HR processes so that changes in one, such as adding a new employee, are reflected in the other, such as entering the new employee’s information into the payroll system. It can make HR analysis, benefit management, and employee data error prevention simpler.
Software for Payroll
Straight Software for Payroll handles the tasks of organizing and executing paying employees and filing taxes. It lets you track employee hours, wages, taxes, and deductions. Some print paychecks, while others remit salaries to pay cards or via direct deposits. It may have little to no HR support.
Services for Payroll
Services for Payroll handle all your payroll needs. You provide the information, and they run your payroll, ensure compliances, and get your people paid. Naturally, it’s more expensive than purchasing software, but you have the work done for you by payroll experts, and it may pay for itself in time with savings in HR labor costs. It might also be limited in HR support.
How We Chose the Best Human Resources Software for Payroll
We selected Software for Payroll for Human Resources that processed paychecks for hourly, salaried, and contract workers and can handle direct deposits and checks. We also looked for solutions that can calculate deductions and tax withholdings, file tax reports, and provide basic payroll reports. Lastly, all the companies we reviewed either include HR tools in its payroll system or have HR products that work with its payroll module.
For a more complete overview of our assessment criteria, go through the tabs below.
35% of the overall score
Online onboarding, state new hire reporting, self-service portals, and a team of experienced advisers were among the HR services and tasks we searched for. Software suppliers who provide health insurance in all 50 states and complex HR solutions including recruiting, remuneration, learning, and performance management received bonus points. Because both ADP and Paychex offer sophisticated HR solution suites, they received the best marks in this category.
20% of the overall score
We gave the most credit to solutions that process direct deposits in two days or less, have multiple payment options, handle year-end tax reporting, manage tax payments and filings (federal, state, and local taxes), and offer a penalty-free guarantee. Many of the HR Software for Payroll we reviewed scored 4 and above here, except OnPay and Paychex, since both charge additional fees for some of its payroll tax administration services, and Zenefits because it has limited employee payment options.
20% of the overall score
We looked for features that make the software easy to use, such as having an interface that’s intuitive and customizable. Extra points were given to providers that offer integration options, set-up assistance, live phone support, and a dedicated representative. Among the eight software we reviewed, only OnPay, ADP, Paychex, Gusto, and Payroll in QuickBooks received high scores here (4 out 5).
15% of the overall score
We checked to see if the provider has transparent pricing, zero setup fees, and multiple plan options with There are no limits to how much money you can make.. We also gave additional points to those with plans that cost $1,200 or less per year for 10 employees. Although Gusto and Payroll in QuickBooks earned perfect scores in this criterion, having met all of our requirements, OnPay offers the lowest fees for 10 employees among all the providers we reviewed—costing only $912 per year (as of this writing).
5% of the overall score
Preference was given to software with built-in basic payroll reports and customization options. All of the human resource and Software for Payroll that we reviewed earned perfect scores here.
5% of the overall score
On a 5-star scale, any choice with an average of 4+ stars is optimal. We looked at internet user evaluations, including those from rivals like G2 and Capterra. Additionally, software with 1,000 or more third-party evaluations is recommended. Only Gusto and Paychex received flawless scores out of the eight HR payroll systems reviewed in this article. The remaining six received lower ratings due to the little amount of online user evaluations (under 500) available at the time of writing.
*Percentages based on total score
Conclusion
A platform that combines HR and payroll services improves procedures while also providing a centralized database for storing employee data. Because you don’t have to utilize different systems to conduct HR activities, it may make processes like onboarding, benefits administration, and performance evaluations simpler to handle.
We found that Gusto offers the essential human resource and Features of Payroll that small businesses need. While its health insurance is not available in all states, businesses located in areas where it does offer health plans can take advantage of its affordable pricing and intuitive interface with solid payroll and HR tools. Sign up for a Gusto plan today.
Gusto is a great place to visit.
Stand alone payroll software is a type of software that is used to manage the payroll process. The best stand alone payroll software for 2022 are those that are easy to use and have all of the features needed by employers.
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