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Payroll is one of the most important functions of any human resources team, but it doesn’t need to be the most time consuming. The best HR software for payroll will help take a lot of the manual legwork out of the process, automating payment calculations that you can then review and approve in just a few clicks.
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There are many different options out there to explore, from those that specialize specifically in payroll, to those that incorporate payroll as part of a wide HR solution. So, what is the best HR and payroll software for you?
<!-- -->1. What Is Payroll Software?
Payroll software helps companies manage and automate the process of paying employees. Depending on the solution, payroll software can also help HR teams ensure they are in compliance with tax laws and other financial regulations. Using payroll software can make the process of managing payroll much simpler and more efficient for businesses of all sizes. With the right software, you can easily input employee hours, track vacation and sick time, calculate taxes and other deductions, and generate paychecks or direct deposit payments with just a few clicks.
2. Why Should Companies Use HR Software for Payroll?
HR software tools for payroll can take a lot of the manual effort out of remunerating employees. This means fewer staff are needed and can, in turn, lead to cost savings. It also reduces the likelihood of errors being made, with the option to set up reminders so that no tasks or steps are missed. Payroll platforms act as a digital repository for staff information, with some solutions updating your staff on changes to tax and other financial regulations.
3. Top 15 HR Software for Payroll
| Oyster HR | Best HR software for global payroll |
| Papaya Global | Best HR software for secure international payroll and compliance |
| Deel | Best HR software for free global payroll |
| Paycor | Best HR software for payroll with HCM |
| Rippling | Best HR software for payroll as part of a one-stop solution |
| PrimePay | Best HR software for small businesses who want to trial payroll software |
| ADP Workforce Now | Best HR software for payroll for large companies |
| UKG | Best HR software for transparent payroll |
| Paylocity | Best HR software for payroll for condensed payroll and expenses |
| Gusto | Best HR software for payroll for startups |
| TriNet | Best HR software for unified payroll oversight |
| Push Operations | Best HR software for payroll in restaurants |
| OnPay | Best HR software for payroll for small businesses |
| Square Payroll | Best HR software for payroll for mom and pops |
| Justworks | Best HR software for payroll basics |
4. Selection Criteria for the Best HR Software for Payroll
When it comes to selecting the right HR software system for your organization, the process can be overwhelming. To make your task easier, we have identified, compared, and compiled a list of the 15 most popular HR software solutions available in the market. Our selection process focused on five key criteria to ensure that we recommend the best HR software tools:
1. User Interface
The bedrock of any piece of software is its user interface, which should be designed to be intuitive and optimized for common payroll processes. A well-designed UI for payroll software should also provide users with a clear and concise view of the payroll data, such as pay stubs and tax forms. This can help reduce errors and ensure that employees are paid accurately and on time.
2. Usability
In most cases, you want payroll software that is easy to use out of the box, rather than something that takes extensive training to utilize. If the software is too complicated or difficult to use, you may end up making errors or encountering other problems that could cost you even more time and money to fix.
3. Advanced features
Almost all payroll software will help you automate the payment of monthly salaries, but more advanced features you can find include tax calculations, compliance recommendations, and analytics capabilities. Depending on your location and the complexity of your tax situation, you may need software that can automatically calculate taxes and other deductions, such as retirement contributions or insurance premiums.
4. Value for money
Payroll software ranges greatly in cost, so it’s important to make sure you choose one that fits your budget as well as your company’s particular needs. In addition to the upfront cost of the software, you should also consider the ongoing costs associated with using the software, such as maintenance fees or subscription costs.
5. Integration with other apps
Integrations make it easier to link up your payroll solution with the rest of your human resources information system (HRIS) or other common HR apps. When evaluating different payroll software options, be sure to consider which integrations are available and how easy it is to set up and manage those integrations.
5. Overview of the Best HR Software for Payroll List
5.1 Oyster HR - Best HR software for global payroll
Best for: Small, medium, and large businesses
Oyster HR is a comprehensive HR software solution that caters to the needs of HR leaders seeking to locate, recruit, compensate, administer, foster, and support a productive remote workforce. The software offers a range of functionality, including applicant tracking, onboarding, performance management, benefits administration, and payroll processing.
What makes Oyster HR unique?
Oyster HR provides employee hiring and payment services for companies in more than 130 countries across 120 currencies. In addition to taking care of payroll for businesses internationally, it also has the capability to handle reimbursements and bonuses. This can then be linked with accounting programs like QuickBooks or Xero, as well as broader HRIS systems like BambooHR and Workday. This functionality is wrapped in employee of record (EOR) services, meaning Oyster will ensure all contracts are locally compliant. All paperwork is stored in one system, which adheres to privacy frameworks like GDPR.
Key Features:
- Applicant tracking
- Onboarding
- Performance management
- Benefits administration
- Payroll processing
Pricing:
Oyster HR’s employee of record services for full-time employees is $499 per employee per month, including payroll management. For invoice processing and payment of contractors, prices start from $29 per contractor per month.
Pros:
- It has an intuitive user interface, robust security features, and customizable workflows
- The software is also scalable, making it an ideal solution for businesses of all sizes
Cons:
- limited integrations with other software solutions
- A lack of a mobile app
- Occasional glitches or bugs in the system
5.2 Papaya Global – Best HR software for secure international payroll and compliance
Best for: Large businesses that have a global workforce
Papaya Global is a cloud-based HR and payroll management software solution that offers a range of features and functionalities to help businesses manage their global workforce more efficiently. It specializes in helping companies hire, onboard, and pay staff around the world.
What makes Papaya Global unique?
Its basic service covers payroll for directly employed staff, but it can also cover contractors and act as an EOR. The software’s compliance engine guarantees compliance with local labor laws in more than 160 countries. You can build automated approval chains to speed up your payment workflows and to easily scale your business. Papaya’s platform adheres to a range of international privacy and security standards, including those regulated by GDPR, SOC and ISO, so you can feel confident that data is safely stored. There are also broad-ranging reporting capabilities to track payroll data and supply business insights. Integrations include BambooHR, Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, Expensify, and NetSuite.
Key Features:
- Global payroll management and tax filings
- HR management
- Time and attendance management
- employee self-service
- Payroll calculations, compliance requirements
Pricing:
Prices start from $20 per month per employee for global payroll and onboarding.
Pros:
- Its ability to manage payroll and compliance requirements across multiple countries
- Highly customizable software in terms of workflows, design, and reports
- Excellent customer support and ongoing assistance
Cons:
- The interface is a bit overwhelming
- Users might require intensive training to navigate the system
- Relatively high cost
5.3 Deel – Best HR software for free global payroll
Best for: medium to large enterprises
Deel is a cloud-based HR software solution that offers a range of features to help businesses manage their global workforce more efficiently, with a particular focus on free global payroll. Through automated onboarding, payroll, and compliance procedures, businesses can onboard staff from any location in just a matter of minutes.
What makes Deel unique?
You can run payroll in more than 90 countries with Deel’s software, which also monitors headcount, cost, and productivity across regions and teams. Contracts that comply with local regulations can be generated by the solution, taking care of payroll and compliance for full-time employee payments, contractor payments, and EOR services in one place. You can also link up your payroll with accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero using integrations. While payroll is the heart of Deel, it has also recently added core HR features and background checks to support staff documentation further.
Key Features:
- Contractor management
- HR management
- Time tracking
- Compliance reporting
- Analytical reporting
Pricing:
Deel offers HR payroll software free for up to 200 staff. If you want to utilize it as an employer of record (EOR) for international staff, however, plans start from $599.
Pros:
- Its free global payroll feature can result in major cost savings for businesses with a global workforce
- Highly customizable with the ability to configure workflows
Cons:
- Its free payroll feature has some limitations, such as a maximum of 5 employees
- A limited number of payment methods
5.4 Paycor – Best HR software for payroll with HCM
Best for: Small and medium businesses
Paycor is a comprehensive HR and payroll software solution, accessible via the cloud, that is intended to simplify and optimize the HR functions of organizations. It empowers businesses to streamline their HR processes and manage their employees more efficiently.
What makes Paycor unique?
Paycor’s human capital management (HCM) solution includes recruitment, workforce management, and employee experience features, but payroll is its principal specialty. Automate all payroll and benefits processing through a single dashboard, which also allows you to manage cash requirements, tax liability, and reporting functions. The Paycor app allows employees to access all their payment stubs and benefits information via mobile devices. Integrations are available for a number of American-based benefits and workers’ comp software, including Ease and BenefitHub.
Key Features:
- Payroll management
- HR management
- Time & attendance management
- Recruiting and onboarding
- Performance management
Pricing:
Prices are available upon request.
Pros:
- Paycor has an intuitive and easy-to-use interface that allows users to navigate the software without extensive training.
- Paycor offers excellent customer support, including training, onboarding, and ongoing assistance
- provides customizable reporting capabilities, allowing businesses to generate reports on HR metrics, payroll, and compliance
Cons:
- Paycor's pricing can be relatively high, especially for small businesses with a limited budget
- The software is not as customizable as other HR software
- integration capabilities are limited compared to other tools
5.5 Rippling – Best HR software for payroll as part of a one-stop solution
Best for: Small, medium, and large businesses
Rippling’s all-in-one solution includes payroll, applicant tracking, training, and employee feedback on an easy-to-use interface. Build your payroll workflows, then automate monthly pay for employees and contractors in their local currency around the world in just 90 seconds.
What makes Rippling unique?
Rippling offers a comprehensive suite of HR and payroll tools, including payroll processing, employee benefits, time and attendance tracking, and more, all in one platform. Also, the employee management automation feature allows you to automate many of the repetitive HR and employee management tasks, such as onboarding, offboarding, and compliance tracking. The platform will also help you manage tax obligations, as well as benefits and expense reimbursement.
Key Features:
- Payroll management
- Benefits administration
- Time and attendance management
- Streamline onboarding and offboarding
- Compliance with state and federal regulations
Pricing:
Prices start from $8 per month per user.
Pros:
- It offers a complete HR and payroll solution, making it easier for businesses to manage their employee data and HR processes.
- It automates many HR tasks, saving businesses time and reducing the risk of errors.
- The friendly UI makes it easy for businesses to navigate and use the software.
Cons:
- Rippling's pricing may be relatively high for small businesses with a limited budget
- Limited HR features
- Customer support may not be as responsive or helpful
5.6 PrimePay – Best HR software for small businesses who want to trial payroll software
Best for: Small and mid-sized businesses
PrimePay is a cloud-based payroll and HR software solution aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises with managing their payroll, benefits, and HR functions.
What makes PrimePay HR unique?
PrimePay is a great choice for businesses that are just beginning to experiment with the move from Excel sheets to more sophisticated payroll software. If you later want to expand your capabilities, you can then explore the time and attendance, applicant tracking, onboarding, and core HR features the software offers. While the user interface looks slightly dated, it’s a very usable program that allows for rapid payment checks and approvals in just a few short clicks. The software also ensures you remain compliant with US regulations and tax requirements. In addition to the normal monthly running of payroll, you can also utilize the on-demand payment feature to pay staff as required outside the normal cycle at no extra cost.
Key Features:
- Payroll management
- Benefits administration
- HR Compliance
- Time and attendance management
Pricing:
Prices are available upon request.
Pros:
- PrimePay's personalized service can be a major advantage for small businesses looking for customized support.
- The range of payroll options offered by PrimePay allows businesses to choose the level of support they need.
Cons:
- PrimePay may not integrate with as many third-party apps
- In some cases, the software's interface is not as user-friendly or intuitive
5.7 ADP Workforce Now – Best HR software for payroll for large companies
Best for: Mid-sized companies
ADP Workforce Now is a cloud-based human resource management system (HRMS) designed for medium to large businesses. The software automates and streamlines HR tasks such as payroll, benefits administration, time and attendance, talent management, and compliance.
What makes ADP Workforce Now unique?
Human resources software juggernaut ADP offers some of the best HR systems for large companies. Its Workforce Now brand includes everything from hiring and onboarding to employee management and productivity analytics. Combining a single database for all employee data, you can easily view salary and benefits information alongside time tracking. The web-based payroll system automatically performs gross-to-net calculations to simplify the HR team’s job, with built-in tax management and compliance as standard. ADP Workforce Now can be integrated with a host of other programs, including accounting solutions like Xero and Wave, hiring systems like Greenhouse and JazzHR, and ERPs like Sage and Workday.
Key Features:
- Payroll processing and tax compliance
- Benefits administration
- Time and attendance tracking
- Talent management
- Performance management
- Reporting and analytics
Pricing:
Prices are available upon request.
Pros:
- It is flexible, scalable, and easy to use
- It can be customized to meet the specific needs of a business
- ADP offers excellent customer support
Cons:
- Highly costly
- Complex for businesses with very basic HR needs
5.8 UKG – Best HR software for transparent payroll
Best for: Mid-sized enterprises and large corporations
UKG is a cloud-based human capital management (HCM) system that is designed to help businesses manage their entire employee lifecycle, from recruiting and onboarding to payroll and benefits administration. It is considered one of the best HR software systems for transparent payroll as it provides real-time data on employees' compensation and benefits.
What makes UKG unique?
UKG supplies a full range of human resources solutions to more than 70,000 companies around the world through a range of product suites. Its integrated HCM means personnel data is synced across various parts of the software, removing the need for repetitive inputs. In terms of payroll, the platform automatically generates a page of salaries for the month, which you can then systematically check and approve. Build custom charts and graphs so you can visualize things like changes in outgoings over time or labor distribution costs. One of the functions that make UKG stand out from competitors is the convenient interface where employees can check their pay stubs and tax forms from PCs or smartphones.
Key Features:
- Attendance Management
- Automated Scheduling
- Automatic Time Capture
- Benefits Management
- Biometric Recognition
- Activity Dashboard
Pricing:
Prices are available upon request.
Pros:
- It has a user-friendly interface, robust reporting and analytics capabilities
- Highly customizable features
Cons:
- Not suitable for small business due to its high cost
- Difficult to navigate
- Poor customer support
5.9 Paylocity – Best HR software for payroll for condensed payroll and expenses
Best for: Medium and large businesses
Paylocity is a cloud-based HR software that offers a suite of tools designed to streamline HR management and improve employee engagement. It helps businesses manage their payroll, benefits, and human resources processes seamlessly.
What makes Paylocity unique?
Designed to work for both mobile and desktop devices, Paylocity empowers companies to handle payroll at high velocity. Its payroll services automate expense reimbursements at the same time as salaries, adding them directly to paychecks. While the company primarily focuses on the US, it also offers in-country experts in more than 100 nations around the world to help facilitate your global payroll. In addition to payroll, Paylocity supplies solutions for workforce management, benefits administration, and talent management. If you don’t want to use the company for all your HR software needs, there are hundreds of integrations available with other brands, such as QuickBooks, Kallidus, and Expensify.
Key Features:
- Activity Dashboard and Tracking
- Ad hoc Reporting
- 360 Degree Feedback and 401(k) Tracking
- workforce management
- Benefits administration
- Talent management
Pricing:
Prices are available upon request.
Pros:
- Paylocity has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and use
- The mobile app allows employees to access their HR and payroll information on the go
- It has a comprehensive suite of HR and payroll tools to automate and streamline your HR and payroll processes.
Cons:
- Poor customer support with long waiting time
- Pricing can be higher than some other HR software solutions
5.10 Gusto – Best HR software for payroll for startups
Best for: Startups and Small businesses
Gusto is a cloud-based HR software solution that provides tools to manage HR and payroll functions, such as employee onboarding, time tracking, benefits administration, and compliance.
What makes Gusto unique?
Gusto‘s simple setup and ease of use make it a great option for startups or other companies just finding their feet. While it specializes in payroll and benefits, the software also facilitates app provisioning, performance reviews, and workforce costs using data-backed reports. Manage and automate employee pay using the Gusto dashboard, where you can keep track of local, state, and federal tax filings. Plus, you can monitor time and attendance for remote staff, which is designed for mobile devices and includes a geolocation function. Integrations are available with ATSs like JazzHR and Sapling for more seamless onboarding and document-gathering processes.
Key Features:
- Time and Attendance
- Employee benefits
- Hiring and onboarding
- Talent management
- Benefits administration
Pricing:
Prices start from $40 per month for the platform, plus $6 per month per person.
Pros:
- It offers affordable pricing plans, making it accessible to small businesses on a budget
- Its customer support team is highly responsive and helpful
- Easy integration with other business software solutions
Cons:
- Limited reporting capabilities compared to other HR software solutions
- Fewer customization options
5.11 TriNet – Best HR software for unified payroll oversight
Best for: Small and medium-sized companies
TriNet is a comprehensive HR outsourcing solution that offers robust risk management services, including workers' compensation insurance, liability insurance, and employment practices liability insurance.
What makes TriNet unique?
TriNet’s payroll functionality aims to make it easy to get an overview of monthly employee costs. The payroll interface interacts with TriNet’s time and attendance tools to simplify the whole process of keeping track of timesheets. This in turn enables the platform to accurately calculate tax and ensure compliance with US regulations. On top of this, integrations with common accounting systems like QuickBooks, NetSuite and Xero put all the data you might need to review in one place. Built-in expenses management means staff can upload scanned receipts through TriNet’s mobile app. These can then be incorporated into your overall payroll view. Plus, the company offers 24/7 support if you have any issues with the software. Prices are available upon request.
Key Features:
- Secure Payroll preparation and processing
- Human resources management
- Integrated time tracking
- Travel management
- Client services associate team
- Risk management
Pricing:
Price is available upon request
Pros:
- it is a one-stop-shop for small and medium-sized businesses looking to outsource their HR functions
- Its solutions are scalable, allowing businesses to add or remove services as their needs change.
Cons:
- TriNet's pricing can be higher than other HR outsourcing solutions
- Limited customization options
5.12 Push Operations – Best HR software for payroll in restaurants
Best for: Small and medium-sized businesses
Push Operations is a cloud-based HR software for small and medium-sized businesses to manage their HR and workforce management needs. The software offers a range of features that cover various HR functions, such as payroll processing, time and attendance tracking, scheduling, onboarding, benefits administration, and compliance management.
What makes Push Operations unique?
Push supplies all the basic HR needs for companies in the restaurant industry. This includes hiring and onboarding, as well as time tracking and scheduling. The software serves up an automated way to translate staff shift hours into payment sums, complemented by restaurant-specific calculations such as split shift premiums and minimum tip top-offs. Multiple restaurant locations can be easily managed using a single interface. In addition to automating pay, Push also estimates associated tax and offers compliance-related advice.
Key Features:
- Activity Dashboard
- Alerts/Notification
- Attendance Management
- Recruiting and onboarding
- Attendance Tracking
- Benefits administration
Pricing:
Prices for the most basic functionality start at $5 per employee per month, plus an additional $6 per employee per month for the payroll addon.
Pros:
- It offers a wide range of HR functions
- It has an intuitive interface that is easy to navigate
- It is reasonably priced
Cons:
- It has limited integrations with other software systems
- Limited reporting features
- Limited customer support options
5.13 OnPay – Best HR software for payroll for small businesses
Best for: Small businesses
OnPay is a cloud-based HR software with a comprehensive suite of HR functions, including payroll processing, time and attendance tracking, benefits administration, and compliance management.
What makes OnPay HR unique?
HR and payroll software for small businesses is made easy using OnPay’s simple UI, designed for pared-back teams who don’t want to waste manpower on processes that can be easily automated. While OnPay is a payroll specialist, you can also find benefits administration and some core HR features in the platform, too, such as secure digital document storage. All tax calculations are automated as part of the payroll functionality, which integrates with other accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero. If you want to analyze your outgoings, you can do so using custom reports that explore payments according to worker hours, reimbursements and job role.
Key Features:
- Pay 1099 contractors.
- Employee self-onboarding
- Multiple state payroll
- Custom payroll reports
- Tax filings for non-profits and clergy
Pricing:
Prices start from $40 per month for the platform, plus $6 per month per person.
Pros:
- It offers top-notch customer support, including phone, email, and chat support
- It integrates with a range of third-party software systems
- The mobile app provides employees with easy access to their pay stubs and other HR information
Cons:
- It does not offer advanced scheduling features
- The time and attendance tracking options are limited
- Self-service features of OnPay are limited
5.14 Square Payroll – Best HR software for payroll for mom and pops
Best for: Small to medium businesses
Square Payroll is a cloud-based HR software that allows businesses to manage employee benefits, such as health insurance and retirement plans, and helps businesses stay compliant with federal and state payroll tax laws, including tax filings and reporting. The software is easy-to-use, and it automates the payroll process, including calculating employee pay, taxes, and deductions.
What makes Square Payroll unique?
From the company that revolutionized payment platforms, Square Payroll helps small businesses handle the basic business of remunerating full-time employees as well as contractors without the need for an HR team. This full-service solution automates payroll, calculates tax, and allows unlimited pay runs per month across all 50 US states. Timecards and tips can be imported from other Square software or third-party offerings. As one would expect from Square, its payroll solution is optimized for usage on mobile devices.
Key Features:
- Automated payroll
- Time and attendance tracking
- Benefits administration
- Compliance management
Pricing:
Prices start from $35 per month for the platform, plus an additional $5 per employee per month.
Pros:
- Square Payroll is a user-friendly software that is easy to navigate
- It is competitively priced, making it accessible for small and medium-sized businesses
- It integrates with other Square software products, such as Square Point of Sale, making it easy for businesses to manage all their HR functions in one place.
Cons:
- Limited employee self-service features
- Fewer benefits administration capabilities
5.15 Justworks – Best HR software for payroll outsourcing
Best for: Small and medium-sized businesses
Justworks is a comprehensive HR platform that offers businesses an all-in-one solution to manage their HR, benefits, and payroll needs. The platform is designed to simplify HR processes for small and mid-sized businesses, making it easier for them to manage their workforce and comply with regulations.
What makes Justworks unique?
Justworks is primarily a professional employer organization (PEO), which is essentially a business that you can outsource certain HR functions. As part of its offering, it supplies clients with a simple payroll solution to help simplify and automate payments. This software automates deposits, manages tax filings and integrates with time and attendance. It’s designed to work for full-time staff as well as contractor and vendor payments.
Key Features:
- 401(k) Tracking
- Accounting Integration
- Automated payroll
- Benefits administration
- Contractor management
- Onboarding
- Employee self-service
Pricing:
Prices start at $59 per month per employee for the basic PEO service.
Pros:
- Justworks offers an all-in-one solution that covers payroll, benefits, compliance, and HR tools, making it easier for businesses to manage their HR needs in one place
- It provides excellent customer support through phone, email, and chat
- It offers affordable pricing plans that are suitable for small and mid-sized businesses
Cons:
- Customization options are limited, which may not meet the specific needs of some companies
- It is designed for small and mid-sized businesses, and its features may not meet the needs of large enterprises
6. FAQs
- Which is the best HR software? That depends on your business. Some companies only need to focus on US employee payments and taxes, while others will find a software that helps them run payroll abroad more useful. There’s also the question of complexity to consider. If you just want a simple system to pay employees, you won’t want to spend money on something with more comprehensive HR features.
- What payroll software do most companies use? The answer often depends on the size of the organization. Enterprise-level companies often favor solutions like ADP or SAP, but these can also be prohibitively expensive for smaller businesses. Gusto and OnPay, on the other hand, are popular with startups and other SMB operations because they are easy to use and affordable.
