The 6 Best Payroll Software Providers for Small Businesses in 2025

In contrast, ADP, which outsources its insurance integrations, charges an extra fee on top of the premium. Ditto Paychex, which does have an in-house insurance team but still charges extra for insurance add-ons. We spend an average of hours researching and updating each one of our lists, making sure the providers included meet our internal standards for quality and reputation. The biggest benefit of Square Payroll’s pricing is that there are no hidden fees, no sneaky terms and conditions, and no contracts with Square, so you can cancel your plan anytime. Custom pricing is based on your business’s specific needs, so you’ll need to contact Paycor directly for a no-obligation quote.

Best Payroll Software for Small Business 2023

In other screens, I was prompted to buy more products from Wave Payroll. I would have preferred to be contacted some other way to be asked to buy more products from Wave or its partners. Wave Payroll customers posting reviews on product rating sites like that the software is extremely easy to use and set up, is affordable and has free features such as invoicing. Wave doesn’t offer benefits administration, a major drawback, but its recent purchases of companies across the financial sector and its 2019 acquisition by H&R Block promise more capabilities and features to come. Paycor payroll software is ideal for businesses of all sizes that are looking for payroll flexibility. Genevieve has more than 13 years of writing experience, working with different clients in various industries.

• Luckily, the few brands that do offer employer-facing payroll apps have put in the time, energy, and labor to make absolutely stellar products.
• Several business owners told us that they used Wave in their business’s early stages but pivoted to another program (usually QuickBooks) when their needs increased.
• It offers automated pay processing, tax filing services, and a user-friendly interface.
• QuickBooks payroll software is ideal for businesses that are already using QuickBooks Online or Desktop and want to add payroll functionality.

How much does payroll software cost?

It’s essential to rigorously test out the new HR software prior to its full-scale launch in order to identify any problems early on and rectify them promptly. After rollout, keep soliciting feedback from users continually in order to refine and enhance the functionality of this digital infrastructure over time. You get all these features, plus a simple, intuitive, drag-and-drop schedule builder that can create complex schedules in minutes. And employees can self-serve via the Rippling app, where they can view their own schedules, provide their availability and shift preferences, swap shifts, and bookkeeping more. For service based businesses with shifting demand, you can’t afford to keep the same schedule year-round. With the right tool, employee scheduling can be automated so you’re no longer slogging through spreadsheets or emailing endless updates.

Wave

The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. These are great options for small business owners who need to outsource or upgrade their HR departments. Sandra Habiger is a Chartered Professional Accountant with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington. Sandra’s areas of focus include advising real estate agents, brokers, and investors. She supports small businesses in growing to their first six figures and beyond. Alongside her accounting practice, Sandra is a Money and Life Coach for women in business.

• Mobile sites are slightly less convenient than a full-fledged payroll app, but they’re still a completely worthwhile option for on-the-go payroll.
• Some emphasize stellar payroll capabilities, while others rely on a bevy of customizable features.
• This means that when you use Paychex, you can purchase your Essentials payroll setup and then customize the add-on features that you need for your business.
• The differences between the functionalities of Fingercheck’s mobile app and online software are very minimal.
• Whether you’re managing 500 or 50,000 employees, enterprise payroll software grows with your business and adapts to your needs.

HR technology trends are reshaping the competitive landscape, and small business owners who keep up with these advancements can gain a significant advantage. Automating HR processes speeds up workflows and reduces monotonous tasks. As a result, businesses experience lower costs and are positioned for faster growth. If payroll is a concern, consider Gusto for its straightforward processing and support. For talent acquisition, Workable’s recruiting features are beneficial.

• NerdWallet has an engagement with Atomic Invest, LLC (“Atomic Invest”), an SEC-registered investment adviser, to bring you the opportunity to open an investment advisory account (“Atomic Treasury account”).
• Patriot Software provides a straightforward payroll solution tailored for large enterprises seeking simplicity and efficiency.
• That said, although Rippling is positioned as a full-service payroll platform, it doesn’t have expense management or HRIS features like time and attendance tracking and benefits administration built-in by default.
• So there you have it, payroll software can range anywhere from $19 to $150 per month — with the per employee cost averaging around $5.50.
• The cost of small business payroll depends on several factors, including payroll frequency, total number of employees and the specific services that are needed.

How do I choose the best bookkeeping tool for my business?

Whether you need automation, integrations, or global capabilities, we’ve compiled the best enterprise payroll software in 2025. BambooHR is the complete HR platform that brings all your employee, payroll, time, and benefit information together in one place, giving you the data accuracy, security, and coordination you need to sleep soundly. Investopedia’s “micro-business” pick is Xero, which offers an affordable “Early” subscription plan for firms with few monthly invoices and expenses. Harnessing data insights from advanced HR tools offers in-depth knowledge regarding employee engagement and performance, which is essential for building an encouraging and effective workplace atmosphere. Tools like those offered by BambooHR have been instrumental for firms such as Gravy Analytics and Valuize in refining their HR strategies while cultivating a supportive corporate culture.

Rachael Schau Chief of Staff at Rockford Silk Screen Process

• All Paychex payroll programs include new-hire state reporting, payroll tax filing, and an employee financial wellness program.
• I was also asked if I wanted a reminder of when payroll should be run again.
• Deel focuses primarily on international HR and payroll, but it also provides employee scheduling features that can help a global team.
• Paycom offers a comprehensive human capital management (HCM) system that integrates payroll, HR, and talent management features.
• These activities improved business operations and culture, leading to a successful $25 million capital raise.
• One notable feature of this app is that it integrates completely with Paychex Flex.

You simply choose a schedule—Gusto automatically suggests one for you—and confirm state tax details based on where employees are located. We looked at reviews on third-party sites, such as G2 and Capterra, from real users to gauge opinion of each software. Specifically, we looked at the number of ratings of 3.5 or higher out of 5 that each payroll app had on each site.

How can small businesses ensure a successful implementation of HR software?

PAPAYA Global Accounting For Architects offers a comprehensive platform for global workforce management, including its payments platform. Rippling offers a unified platform that combines payroll, HR, and IT management, streamlining workforce operations. It integrates with over 500 apps, automating tasks like onboarding and offboarding. The best solutions connect with HR, accounting, and time-tracking tools to streamline workflows and centralize data.