1. Gusto
Key Features
Mobile App
Workflow
HR Dashboard
$6 to $12 per employee per month • Trial: Yes • Free Plan: No.
Pros
User-Friendly Interface: Known for its clean and intuitive design, making payroll and HR management simple, even for small business owners without an HR background.
Affordable for Small Businesses: Gusto is cost-effective, particularly for startups and small businesses, offering transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
Comprehensive Payroll and Benefits: Covers both payroll and benefits management in a single platform, reducing the need for multiple systems.
Automated Compliance: Automates tax filings and compliance updates, ensuring that businesses stay up-to-date with federal and state regulations.
Great Customer Support: Offers responsive customer service and detailed guides to help users with setup and ongoing management.
Scalability: Gusto can grow with your business, supporting both W-2 employees and 1099 contractors.
Employee Self-Service: Employees can manage their own data, reducing the burden on HR departments.
Paperless Onboarding: Simplifies onboarding for new employees with digital documents, forms, and direct deposit setup.
Free Health Benefits Setup: Provides free benefits setup, helping businesses offer health insurance and other perks to their employees.
Cons
Limited for Larger Businesses: While perfect for small and mid-sized businesses, it may lack the advanced HR features and customization options required by larger enterprises.
State-Specific Limitations: Certain features, like health insurance and workers’ comp, are only available in specific states, limiting options for businesses in other regions.
Pricing Increases with Features: Gusto’s pricing can become expensive as you add more features, particularly if you require advanced HR tools or support for a larger number of employees.
Limited Customization: Some users report that while Gusto is easy to use, it lacks in-depth customization for more complex payroll and HR needs.
No Mobile App for Employers: Gusto does not offer a dedicated mobile app for employers to run payroll or access other features on the go, although employees can access the platform through their mobile browsers.
Payroll Only Available in the U.S.: Gusto only supports payroll and tax filings within the U.S., so it’s not suitable for businesses with global payroll needs.
2. ADP Workforce Now
Key Features
Mobile App
Workflow
HR Dashboard
$20 to $25 per employee per month • Trial: Yes • Free Plan: No.
Pros
Comprehensive HR Solution: Covers a wide range of HR tasks, from payroll to benefits, in one platform.
Scalability: Suitable for businesses of various sizes, with customizable features for growing companies.
User-Friendly: Offers a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy for HR professionals and employees to use.
Compliance Assistance: Automated updates help businesses stay compliant with changing regulations.
Advanced Analytics: Provides in-depth reporting and analytics to assist in data-driven decision-making.
Mobile Accessibility: The mobile app offers flexibility for users to access features on the go.
Integration Capabilities: Can integrate with other software solutions like accounting and ERP systems.
Employee Self-Service: Empowers employees to manage their own payroll, benefits, and HR-related tasks.
Cons
Cost: Can be expensive, especially for small businesses, with additional fees for extra features.
Complex Implementation: The initial setup and implementation process can be time-consuming and complicated.
Customer Support: Some users report slow response times and inconsistent support experiences.
Learning Curve: Due to the vast array of features, there can be a steep learning curve for new users.
Customization Limitations: While scalable, customization options might not meet the needs of all organizations.
Frequent Updates: Regular system updates may disrupt workflows or require users to adapt to new changes quickly.
3. QuickBooks Online
Key Features
Reports
Integrations
$30 to $200 Per month • Trial: Yes • Free Plan: No.
Pros
Ease of Use: User-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, even for non-accountants, with helpful tutorials and support.
Accessibility: Being cloud-based, it offers flexibility with access from any device, anytime.
Automation: Automates many tasks like invoicing, recurring payments, and bank reconciliation, saving time and effort.
Scalability: Offers different pricing tiers to suit businesses of varying sizes, making it flexible for growth.
Customizable Reports: Provides useful financial insights through standard and customizable reporting tools.
Wide Range of Integrations: Connects with hundreds of third-party applications, such as PayPal, Shopify, and Stripe, to extend functionality.
Mobile App: Offers a mobile app that allows users to manage key features like invoicing, expenses, and bank reconciliation on the go.
Real-Time Collaboration: Allows multiple users to access the system simultaneously, improving collaboration between business owners and accountants.
Cons
Limited Features for Advanced Accounting: While great for small to mid-sized businesses, it may lack the advanced features needed by larger enterprises.
Costly Add-Ons: Adding features like payroll, advanced reporting, or third-party app integrations can increase the overall cost.
Customer Support: Some users report inconsistent or slow customer service response times, especially for complex issues.
Transaction Limits: For larger businesses with high transaction volumes, QuickBooks may run into limitations with data processing or performance.
Learning Curve for Advanced Features: While basic tasks are simple, some advanced accounting features may have a steeper learning curve.
Mobile App Limitations: The mobile app, while convenient, has limited functionality compared to the desktop version.
Occasional Syncing Issues: Users have reported occasional syncing issues with bank accounts and third-party integrations, requiring manual corrections.
4. Paychex Flex
Key Features
Workflow
Automation
Reports
$39 per month • Trial: Yes • Free Plan: No.
Pros
Comprehensive Payroll and HR Solution: Covers a wide range of payroll, benefits, and HR needs in a single platform.
Scalability: Suitable for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises, offering scalable plans and services.
Good Customer Support: Provides 24/7 customer service with dedicated support reps, as well as access to compliance experts.
Mobile Functionality: Strong mobile app capabilities for both employees and employers, enabling access to key information on the go.
Compliance and Tax Expertise: Paychex Flex’s focus on payroll tax and legal compliance helps reduce the risk of errors and fines.
Integration Options: Integrates with various third-party tools, including accounting, time tracking, and business software like QuickBooks.
Employee Benefits Integration: Offers seamless integration between benefits administration and payroll, simplifying the management of employee benefits.
Cons
Complexity for Smaller Businesses: The platform’s vast features may be overwhelming for very small businesses or those with limited HR needs.
Higher Pricing: Paychex Flex can be more expensive compared to smaller, more budget-friendly payroll solutions, especially when adding advanced features.
Steep Learning Curve: While feature-rich, Paychex Flex may require more training and onboarding time for new users to fully understand and use all features effectively.
Add-Ons Increase Costs: Many features, such as HR support or benefits administration, come as additional costs or higher-tier plans, making the total price higher.
Occasional Mobile App Limitations: Although generally well-received, some users have noted limitations or bugs with the mobile app, particularly for employers managing multiple employees.
5. OnPay
Key Features
Integrations
Reports
Self-Service
$40 per month • Trial: Yes • Free Plan: No.
Pros
Affordable Pricing: OnPay offers a flat pricing model that is competitive, especially for small businesses, with a base fee and a per-employee cost.
Easy to Use: Simple and intuitive user interface, making payroll and benefits management straightforward, even for those without prior experience.
Comprehensive Payroll Features: Covers all payroll needs, including tax filing, direct deposit, and compliance across all 50 U.S. states.
Great for Small Businesses: Its features are well-suited to small and medium-sized businesses, offering flexibility and scalability without overwhelming users with complexity.
Customer Support: Highly rated customer support with personalized help available, including live chat, phone, and email support.
No Extra Fees for Tax Filing: Unlike some competitors, OnPay includes tax filing services at no extra charge, even for complex filings.
Integration with Popular Tools: Easily integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, and time-tracking tools, allowing for smooth workflow management.
Cons
Limited Advanced HR Features: While it offers basic HR tools, it lacks more advanced HR features like performance reviews and advanced employee management found in more comprehensive HR software.
No Mobile App: Although OnPay can be accessed via mobile browser, it does not have a dedicated mobile app, which may be inconvenient for some users.
Not Ideal for Large Enterprises: OnPay is designed with small and medium businesses in mind, so it may not have the advanced features required by larger companies.
No International Payroll Support: OnPay focuses exclusively on U.S. payroll and does not support international payroll, limiting its usefulness for global businesses.
Limited Customization: Customization options are more limited compared to some larger payroll systems, especially when it comes to reporting or specific industry needs.
6. Rippling
Key Features
Mobile App
Workflow
HR Dashboard
$8 per employee per month • Trial: No • Free Plan: No.
Pros
All-in-One Platform: Combines HR, IT, and payroll in one integrated platform, making it easy to manage employees and their tools from a single system.
Scalable for Any Size Business: Rippling works well for small businesses and scales to handle the needs of larger enterprises, making it versatile.
Seamless Onboarding: Automates the entire employee lifecycle, from onboarding (payroll, benefits, and software access) to offboarding, saving time and ensuring compliance.
Strong App Integration: Integrates with a wide range of third-party applications, allowing businesses to connect their existing tools with Rippling for streamlined management.
IT and Device Management: Offers unique IT management features that are uncommon in other HR platforms, allowing businesses to manage devices and software accounts directly through Rippling.
Employee Self-Service: Empowers employees to manage their own payroll, benefits, and personal data through an easy-to-use interface.
Global Capabilities: Handles payroll and compliance for international employees, making it suitable for businesses with a global workforce.
Mobile-Friendly: Provides mobile accessibility for employees and managers to handle tasks on the go, such as approving time-off requests or managing payroll.
Cons
Cost: Rippling can be more expensive than other payroll or HR platforms, especially for small businesses, as costs increase with added features and integrations.
Complex Setup: Although Rippling offers powerful customization, the setup process can be complex and time-consuming, especially for companies with specific needs or extensive integrations.
Learning Curve: The platform’s wide range of features can present a learning curve for new users, particularly smaller businesses that don’t need the full suite of tools.
Customer Support: Some users report slow customer support response times and challenges when dealing with technical issues or billing questions.
Additional Costs for IT Features: While the basic HR and payroll functions are competitively priced, the IT management features (such as device and app management) come with additional fees.
Limited Reporting Customization: While Rippling offers reporting tools, some users find that the custom reporting options are not as flexible or robust as they would like.
7. Zenefits
Key Features
Mobile App
Integrations
Automation
$10 to $27 per employee per month • Trial: No • Free Plan: No.
Pros
All-in-One HR Solution: Zenefits combines payroll, benefits, and HR management in a single platform, making it convenient for small and medium-sized businesses.
Employee Self-Service: Empowering employees to manage their own information reduces the burden on HR staff and improves transparency.
Easy Integration: Integrates seamlessly with other software such as accounting tools, time tracking systems, and business management software.
Comprehensive Benefits Management: Manages a wide range of employee benefits, including health insurance and retirement plans, with easy integration into payroll.
Mobile-Friendly: The mobile app allows businesses to manage HR tasks from anywhere, which is a big plus for remote teams.
Affordable for HR Features: Compared to some other full-service HR platforms, Zenefits offers a relatively affordable option for small to mid-sized businesses.
Compliance Support: Zenefits helps businesses stay compliant with federal, state, and local labor laws, including ACA reporting and tax compliance.
Cons
Payroll as an Add-On: Payroll services are not included in the base plan and require an additional fee, which may increase costs for businesses needing integrated payroll.
Limited Customer Support: Some users report that customer support can be slow or not as helpful as they would expect, especially during critical issues.
Learning Curve: While feature-rich, the platform may have a steeper learning curve for businesses new to HR software, especially when managing multiple features.
Not Ideal for Larger Enterprises: Zenefits is best suited for small to mid-sized businesses and may lack some advanced features or scalability for larger enterprises.
Pricing Increases with Advanced Features: While affordable for basic HR needs, costs can rise quickly when opting for more advanced features like payroll and compliance add-ons.
8. Square Payroll
Key Features
Mobile App
Reports
Automation
$35 per month • Trial: Yes • Free Plan: No.
Pros
Simple and User-Friendly: The interface is intuitive and easy to use, even for business owners with no prior payroll experience, making payroll processing fast and straightforward.
Affordable for Small Businesses: Square Payroll is competitively priced, making it a good option for small businesses, especially those already using Square’s POS system.
Contractor Support: Ideal for businesses that employ a mix of employees and contractors, as it handles both W-2 and 1099 payments efficiently.
Time Tracking Integration: Integrates seamlessly with Square’s time-tracking tools, ensuring payroll accuracy without manual data entry.
Mobile-Friendly: The mobile app allows for payroll management on the go, a great benefit for business owners who need flexibility.
Automatic Tax Filing: Square Payroll handles all payroll tax calculations and filings, reducing the burden on small business owners and ensuring compliance.
No Extra Fees for Tax Filings: Unlike some other payroll services, Square Payroll does not charge extra for tax filings and year-end W-2 or 1099 forms, making it a cost-effective solution.
Cons
Limited to the U.S.: Square Payroll is only available in the U.S., making it unsuitable for businesses with international payroll needs.
Limited Advanced HR Features: While it handles payroll and benefits, Square Payroll lacks more advanced HR tools such as performance management, recruiting, or onboarding.
Not Ideal for Larger Businesses: Best suited for small to medium-sized businesses, especially those using Square’s POS system. Larger companies with more complex payroll or HR needs may find it lacking in advanced features.
Integration Limitations: While it integrates well with Square’s ecosystem, it may not integrate as easily with third-party accounting or HR systems, limiting flexibility for businesses not using Square’s other tools.
No Comprehensive Benefits Management: While it offers some benefits administration, the options are more limited compared to other dedicated HR and payroll platforms.
9. Patriot Payroll
Key Features
Mobile App
Integartion
Reports
Automation
$17 to $37 per month • Trial: Yes • Free Plan: No.
Pros
Affordable Pricing: Patriot Payroll offers very competitive pricing, making it one of the most cost-effective payroll solutions for small businesses.
Simple and User-Friendly: The platform has an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, allowing users to set up and run payroll without prior experience.
Tax Filing Options: Businesses can choose between the Basic Payroll (self-service) or Full-Service Payroll (automatic tax filing) options depending on their needs and budget.
Comprehensive Payroll Features: Handles all payroll needs, including automatic deductions, wage calculations, and employee compensation management.
Customizable Pay Runs: Allows flexibility in scheduling payrolls, making it easy to run weekly, biweekly, or monthly payrolls.
Free Setup and Support: Offers free setup for new users and ongoing customer support, making it easier for businesses to switch to the platform.
Scalability: Works well for small to medium-sized businesses and can easily scale as the business grows.
Cons
Limited HR Features: While it offers HR add-ons, the platform’s HR capabilities are more basic compared to full-service HR and payroll platforms.
No Mobile App: While accessible via mobile browser, Patriot Payroll does not have a dedicated mobile app, which could limit convenience for some users.
Limited Integrations: The platform has fewer integrations with third-party tools compared to some competitors, which may be a drawback for businesses with more complex needs.
Payroll Only Available in the U.S.: Patriot Payroll is only available to businesses operating within the United States, limiting its usefulness for global businesses.
No Advanced Employee Benefits Management: While it offers basic benefits management, it lacks the more advanced options for benefits administration found in higher-tier payroll solutions.
10. Xero
Key Features
Mobile App
Workflow
$13 to $70 per month • Trial: Yes • Free Plan: No.
Pros
User-Friendly Interface: Simple and intuitive dashboard for easy navigation, even for non-accountants.
Scalability: Suitable for both small and medium-sized businesses, with features that grow alongside your business needs.
Automation: Automates many manual tasks like invoicing and reconciliation, saving time.
Collaboration: Multiple users can access the platform simultaneously, making it easy for teams and accountants to collaborate.
Security: Uses strong encryption and multi-factor authentication for secure access.
Multi-Currency Capabilities: Great for businesses dealing with international clients or suppliers.
Regular Updates: Xero frequently updates and improves its platform with new features.
Extensive Integration Options: Seamless integration with numerous third-party applications to enhance functionality.
Cons
Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Features: While the basics are simple, more advanced features might require a learning curve for new users.
Limited Customer Support: No phone support is available, and customer support is primarily through email or online chat, which can be slow at times.
Cost: Can become expensive, especially when using multiple add-ons or premium features.
Payroll Limitations: Payroll is limited to certain countries, requiring additional third-party apps for global payroll management.
No Native Project Management: Lacks built-in project management tools, requiring integration with other apps for this functionality.
Custom Reporting: While the reports are useful, custom reporting features are limited compared to other platforms.