Human resources payroll software combines both HR and payroll features in one platform. By sharing information between the two functions, you can save time and increase accuracy. The best human resources payroll software not only offer solutions that integrate well with each other but have reasonably priced plans and online tools that are easy to learn and use.
In this guide, we researched and compared 16 popular options and narrowed the list down to our top eight recommendations.
- Gusto: Best overall human resource payroll system for small businesses
- Paychex Flex: Best for startups and small companies wanting dedicated payroll support
- Rippling: Best all-in-one human and resource payroll software for small to midsize businesses (SMBs)
- ADP Run: Best for growing companies looking for scalable payroll and HR management tools
- QuickBooks Payroll: Best for QuickBooks accounting users and paying contractors
- Square Payroll: Best for small retail shops and restaurants needing a basic HR payroll solution
- OnPay: Best HR and payroll management system with robust system permissions
- TriNet HR Platform (formerly TriNet Zenefits): Best human resources payroll for businesses in highly regulated industries
Top Human Resource Payroll Software Compared
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Gusto: Best Overall HR Payroll Software
Overall Score: 4.72 / 5
Pros
- Full-service payroll with tax payments and filings included in all plans
- Reasonably priced contractor-only payroll option
- Employee benefits include non-standard options like financial management tools
- Unlimited and automated payroll
Cons
- Health insurance unavailable in 12 states (as of this writing)
- Lacks payroll mobile app
- Multistate pay processing isn’t available in the starter plan
- Time tracking, hiring, and performance reviews included in higher tiers
Read our full Gusto review
Read our full Gusto review
Gusto is a highly rated and popular small business payroll software with HR functions for hiring employees, tracking attendance and projects, and managing performance reviews. It processes both employee and contractor payroll, files the applicable payroll taxes and year-end W-2/1099 reports, and even handles tip credits. An EOR service for hiring and paying international employees is also available in Canada and India, as well as a global payments option for paying global contractors in over 120 countries.
Scoring 4.72 out of 5, Gusto earned the highest overall rating in our evaluation due to its intuitive interface, efficient payroll tools, reasonably priced plans, and reporting capabilities. Many users also love its user-friendly platform that makes processing employee payments easy for them. However, Gusto lost some points for not providing health insurance in all 50 states, compared to others in our roundup, like TriNet HR Platform.
Gusto’s payroll tool (Source: Gusto)
Gusto Overview
- Pricing
- Key Features
- Alternatives
Plans
- Simple: $40 base fee + $6 per employee monthly
- Plus: $80 base fee + $12 per employee monthly
- Premium: Custom priced
- Contractor-only payroll plan: $35 base fee + $6 per contractor monthly
- Includes full-service payroll, four-day direct deposits, and state new hire reporting
Add-ons
- Gusto Global (EOR services): $599 per employee per month (limited time offer until 12/31/24; then $699 per employee per month)
- State payroll tax registration: Pricing varies per state
- HR advisory services for Plus plan only: $8 per employee monthly (this is included for free in the Premium tier)
- International contractor payments across 90-plus countries: Custom-priced
- R&D tax credits: 15% of identified tax credits
- Health insurance and other benefits: Pricing varies by benefit
- Unlimited and automatic payroll runs: Unlike Paychex or ADP, Gusto lets you run payroll as many times as you need without having to pay extra. Plus, its AutoPilot, feature lets you process your payroll automatically each pay period and rivals similar tools like ADP Run.
- Simple to set up and use: Gusto’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for you to navigate through its different features. System setup also doesn’t require any coding knowledge. Its online setup wizard guides you through the steps of creating your company account and adding employees so you can start paying staff faster.
- Gusto-managed employee benefits: With Gusto as your broker, implementing employee benefits is easier compared to integrating your existing broker and health plans into Gusto’s system. This also saves you from paying Gusto’s fee for health insurance broker integration ($6 per eligible employee monthly). Plus, you get a wide range of options, such as commuter benefits, HSA/FSA, retirement plans, and financial management tools via its free Gusto Wallet app.
- Hiring tools in all plans: Unlike Rippling, Paychex, and TriNet HR Platform which offer hiring tools as a paid add-on or ADP Run that includes this in its highest tier, all of Gusto’s plans come with recruiting features. Gusto also lets you onboard and offboard employees, run analytic reports, and conduct online surveys to measure employee engagement and improve company culture and staff morale.
Gusto offers an efficient payroll system, but its HR tools aren’t as extensive as the other providers on our list. Plus, its health insurance isn’t available in Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming (as of this writing).
We recommend these alternative HR payroll systems if you want an all-around solution and benefits that are available in all US states.
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Better for: Multiple employee payments with strong payroll support | Better for: Process automation across HR, payroll, expense reporting, and IT solutions | Better for: Flexible HR payroll tools with legal advice & HR consulting services |
See how Gusto compares with some of its competitors:
- Gusto vs QuickBooks Payroll
- Gusto vs Paychex vs ADP
- Gusto vs Rippling
- Gusto vs OnPay
Paychex Flex: Best for Startups & Small Businesses Needing Dedicated Payroll Support
Overall Score: 4.35 / 5
Pros
- Reasonably priced starter plan
- Has multiple HR and payroll plans
- Dedicated payroll specialist
- Offers a wide range of HR solutions, including PEO services
- Special package for solopreneurs includes payroll, incorporation support, and access to a 401(k) plan
Cons
- Pricing isn’t all transparent
- Year-end payroll tax filings cost extra
- Learning management tools and state unemployment insurance (SUI) services are included in higher tiers
- Time tracking, performance reviews, recruiting, and benefits are paid add-ons
Read our full Paychex Flex review
Read our full Paychex Flex review
Paychex Flex is a feature-rich human resource and payroll software. It has a wide range of tools and services that help you manage the entire employee lifecycle. What’s great about Paychex is that apart from providing 24/7 customer support, it assigns a dedicated payroll specialist to its clients. Plus, it has small business tiers that are perfect for startups and solopreneurs. The other providers in this guide don’t offer dedicated payroll support unless you leverage their PEO services.
In our evaluation, Paychex earned a 4.35 out of 5 with high marks (4 and up) in nearly all criteria. 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 Paychex Flex’s starter tier).
Paychex Flex’s “People View” tool lets you add new employees and invite them to accomplish onboarding tasks, such as filling up forms and updating their personal info.
(Source: Paychex)
Paychex Flex Overview
- Pricing
- Key Features
- Alternatives
Plans
- Paychex Flex Essentials: $39 base fee + $5 per employee monthly
- Paychex Flex Select: Custom-priced
- Paychex Flex Pro: Custom-priced
For solopreneurs and the self-employed
- Paychex Solo: Custom-priced
- Includes payroll, self-employed 401(k), and incorporation services
- Multiple payment options: Paychex Flex can pay your employees through direct deposits, pay cards, paper checks, and same-day ACH transfers. It offers check signing and stuffing services, and similar to ADP Run and TriNet HR Platform, a pay-on-demand feature that grants employees access to earned wages in between paydays.
- Employee benefits: In addition to retirement, FSA/HSA, and health insurance, Paychex offers financial wellness tools—the other HR and payroll solutions we reviewed don’t have this (except Gusto), Plus, its health insurance is available in all states unlike Gusto that only offers benefits plans in 38 states + DC.
- HR tools: Paychex’s HR solution suite is similar to that of ADP but stronger than those of Square Payroll, OnPay, QuickBooks Payroll, and Gusto. These four mainly offer onboarding, document management, and new hire reporting functionalities, although Gusto also provides performance review tools. Paychex has all these features and more, such as learning management and PEO services.
- Strong support: Paychex assigns a highly trained payroll specialist to its clients to serve as their single point of contact for everything related to pay and tax processing. Plus, if you choose its PEO services, Paychex can help handle payroll compliance and other employee-related issues for you. It also provides 24/7 phone support with customer service reps that are all US-based.
Paychex Flex may have an HR payroll system that can handle both employee and contractor payments, but it lacks the separate contractor-only payroll plan that similar providers offer. If your business only pays contract workers, consider the following payroll and human resources software.
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Better for: Contractor self-service tools with a low-cost package for paying workers | Better for: Multiple contractor payment options with flat per-worker monthly fees | Better for: Contractor new hire reporting with an optional global payments add-on |
For a direct comparison of Paychex Flex with other HR software for payroll, see our articles:
- Paychex vs ADP vs Gusto
- Paychex vs QuickBooks Payroll
- Paychex vs Rippling
Rippling: Best All-in-One HRM Payroll Software for SMBs
Overall Score: 4.26 / 5
Pros
- Offers modular HR, payroll, benefits, and IT solutions that integrate seamlessly; you can choose the modules that you need
- IT tools streamline computer and app provisioning and deprovisioning processes
- Integrates with 500+ third-party software and apps
- Unlimited and automated payroll
- PEO and EOR services
Cons
- You must purchase its core “Rippling Unity” workforce management platform to access other modules, including payroll
- Can get pricey as you add more solutions/modules
- HR help desk option with phone and email support costs extra
- Lacks live phone support (you have to go through its chat tool to contact customer reps)
Read our full Rippling review
Read our full Rippling review
Rippling’s highly adaptable HR payroll system makes it a good option for SMBs that want simple to advanced HR features. Its core workforce management platform, Rippling Unity, includes onboarding tools, system permissions, customizable workflows, and a unified database. Depending on your HR needs, you can add modules for payroll, benefits, hiring, expense reporting, and headcount planning. It has IT tools for tracking computers and controlling access to more than 500 business software.
Scoring 4.26 out of 5, Rippling earned top marks for reporting, user popularity, HR functions, and payroll features. It lost points because pricing isn’t all transparent and live phone support with an HR expert costs extra. It also doesn’t provide a dedicated payroll specialist as Paychex does. Nonetheless, users on review sites like G2 and Capterra praise its intuitive platform, wide range of HR functions, and seamless third-party software integrations.
Rippling’s feature-rich platform not only manages HR and payroll, but also helps you track business apps, passwords, and computer devices. (Source: Rippling)
Rippling Overview
- Pricing
- Key Features
- Alternatives
Rippling works with its clients to create a custom package based on the features that they need. Monthly fees start at $8 per employee, per month. Note, however, that you have to purchase its core workforce management platform, Rippling Unity, before getting any of its modules.
For an HR payroll platform with time tracking, software integrations, and onboarding/offboarding tools, we were quoted a monthly fee of $35 plus $8 per employee. You can add Rippling’s IT solutions for managing business apps and computer devices for $8 per employee, per module monthly. Benefits administration services are also available, but pricing varies depending on the insurance broker.
Here are some of its add-on solutions and services:
- Global payroll: $20 per employee or contractor monthly*
- EOR services: $599 per employee monthly*
- PEO services: Custom-priced
- HR help desk: Custom-priced
- Affordable Care Act (ACA) & COBRA administration: Custom-priced
- Expense management: Custom-priced
- Headcount planning: Custom-priced
- Learning management: Custom-priced
- Applicant tracking: Custom-priced
- Employee surveys: Custom-priced
*Pricing is based on a quote we received
- US and global payroll: For US-based companies, Rippling offers unlimited pay runs, direct deposit payments, payroll tax filings, and year-end reporting. If you need to pay and hire international employees, Rippling offers EOR services to help manage your global workforce.
- IT solutions: Rippling can track computer inventories and set up app accounts for new hires. For your resigning staff, Rippling automatically revokes system access on your employee’s last working day. It can even remotely lock devices and wipe data from computers.
- Extensive software integrations: Rippling is the only provider in this guide that connects with over 500 third-party apps. Given its extensive network of partner systems, it’s highly likely that the business software you’re using is included in its integration options.
- HR tools: Rippling has the hiring tools you need to find and screen qualified candidates. It offers applicant tracking, job postings, onboarding, new hire reporting, and learning management solutions. Rippling can also streamline the process of tracking approved headcount for new hires and ensure consistent compensation practices with salary bands.
- Flexible PEO service: Rippling offers PEO services if you’re looking for a co-employment option to help manage your day-to-day HR, payroll, and benefits processes. ADP, TriNet, and Paychex also have PEO solutions but lack Rippling’s flexible services, which allow you to easily turn off its PEO and transition to its HR platform with a click of a button.
Rippling’s wide range of solutions and services may be more than what small businesses can afford or need. If you have a limited budget and only want payroll, benefits, and basic HR, consider these alternatives.
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Better for: Full-service payroll with essential tools for managing employees and onboarding | Better for: System permissions for delegating payroll and basic HR tasks | Better for: More affordable pricing with unlimited pay runs and time tracking tools |
For a direct comparison of Rippling with the other providers on our list, see our guides:
- Rippling vs Gusto
- Rippling vs Paychex
ADP Run: Best for Growing Companies Looking for Scalable Plans
Overall Score: 4.23 / 5
Pros
- Feature-rich platform that comes with job posting, background checks, new hire onboarding, payroll, benefits, and training solutions
- Has multiple products and flexible plans that cater to different business sizes
- Offers secure paychecks with advanced fraud protection
- Offers secure paychecks with advanced fraud protection
Cons
- Non-transparent pricing
- Charges fees on a per-pay run basis; year-end tax reporting and form delivery cost extra
- Time tracking, workers' compensation, and benefits plans are add-on products
- Advanced HR tools like learning management, applicant tracking, job postings, and salary benchmarks are limited to higher tiers
Read our full ADP Run review
Read our full ADP Run review
ADP Run is optimal for those needing a human resource and payroll software for managing a wide range of functions. It has a comprehensive solution suite with flexible plans that can handle basic to complex HR and payroll processes. This makes ADP a good choice for growing businesses that don’t want to deal with the hassle of switching companies because they’ve outgrown the one they’re with.
Scoring 4.23 out of 5 in our evaluation, ADP’s HR solution suite which includes payroll, employee benefits, onboarding, online training, and hiring tools contributed to its high scores. Users also appreciate its ease of use and how its payroll solution helps them save time and simplify processes. However, it lost points due to its non-transparent pricing.
Aside from letting you run payroll, ADP Run’s dashboard shows your to-do list and details of your last pay run. (Source: ADP)
ADP Run Overview
- Pricing
- Key Features
- Alternatives
Plans
- Essential: $49 base fee + $2.50 per employee, per weekly pay run*
- Enhanced: Custom-priced
- Complete: Custom-priced
- HR Pro: Custom-priced
Add-ons
- Time and attendance: Custom-priced
- Health insurance: Custom-priced
- Retirement plan: Custom-priced
*Pricing is based on a quote we received
- Flexible plans with robust HR tools: ADP and Paychex both have plans and products for businesses of all sizes. However, the features included in ADP’s plans are slightly stronger than Paychex. It comes with salary benchmarks, a wide job posting reach (up to 25,000 job sites via ZipRecruiter), and legal assistance, such as consultations for contract review and debt collection through Upnetic Legal Services.
- Payroll processing: ADP Run automatically calculates earnings, deductions, and tax withholdings, and can even handle payroll for global employees. It remits payroll tax payments and files tax forms for you. However, it lacks a contractor-only plan—an option that Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll, and Square Payroll offer.
- Multiple payment options: Salaries are remitted to employee accounts via direct deposits and Wisely Direct debit cards. Secure paychecks with check signing and stuffing services are also available in ADP’s higher tiers. Aside from Paychex, the other providers in this guide don’t have similar paycheck services.
- Employee discount programs: ADP allows your staff to get discounted pricing from its partner brands and retail shops. This helps employees to increase financial security by saving on daily needs and, in turn, enables them to focus more at work and boost employee productivity.
ADP Run may have a wide suite of HR and payroll solutions, but it can be pricey for small businesses, especially those that pay on a weekly basis. Plus, its HR tools and services may be too much for startups. For HR payroll systems with more reasonable pricing, consider the following solutions.
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Better for: Full-service payroll with essential tools for managing employees and onboarding | Better for: Managing costs with its flat fee monthly pricing; also great for delegating payroll and basic HR tasks | Better for: More affordable pricing with unlimited pay runs and time tracking tools |
Read our ADP vs Paychex vs Gusto and ADP Run vs QuickBooks Payroll comparison articles to see how ADP stacks up against other human and resource payroll software.
QuickBooks Payroll: Best for QuickBooks Users and Paying Contractors
Overall Score: 4.16 / 5
Pros
- Offers next- and same-day direct deposits
- Unlimited and automated payroll
- Tax penalty protection program; QuickBooks to cover tax penalties (up to $25,000/year) regardless of who makes the mistakeNote that this is separate from QuickBooks Payroll's tax accuracy guarantee, which is included in all plans and covers penalties from tax filing errors made by its representatives.
- regardless of who makes the mistake
- Seamless integration with QuickBooks Accounting
- Affordable contractor payments package
Cons
- Time tracking and local tax filings limited to its premium tiers
- Tax penalty protection available only in highest plan
- Integrates mostly with QuickBooks products; you need its accounting platform to access third-party software integrations
- Has few HR capabilities outside of payroll, time-tracking, and benefits administration
Read our full QuickBooks Payroll review
Read our full QuickBooks Payroll review
If you already use QuickBooks accounting, you can easily add on QuickBooks Payroll to consolidate all your accounting, payroll, and core HR processes in one place. QuickBooks Payroll allows unlimited pay runs with automated payroll tax payments and filings. Compared to other software in this guide, its low-cost contractor payments plan particularly stands out for small businesses that only hire and pay contract workers.
QuickBooks Payroll earned 4.16 out of 5 in our evaluation, with high ratings (4 and above) in reporting, payroll functionalities, pricing, and ease of use. While its average number of reviews on G2 and Capterra is below 500, most of the feedback is positive, with users raving over its efficient payroll tools and fast payment options. However, it didn’t rank higher on our list because it lacks advanced HR tools like TriNet HR Platform’s compensation planning module, Rippling’s and Paychex’s online learning programs, and ADP’s talent acquisition features.
QuickBooks Payroll’s main dashboard (Source: QuickBooks Payroll)
QuickBooks Payroll Overview
- Pricing
- Key Features
- Alternatives
Plans
- Payroll Core: $45 base fee + $6 per employee monthly
- Payroll Premium: $80 base fee + $8 per employee monthly
- Payroll Elite: $125 base fee + $10 per employee monthly
- Contractor payments: $15 monthly for 20 workers, plus $2 per additional contractor
- Seamless integration with QuickBooks Accounting: QuickBooks Payroll connects with QuickBooks Accounting, which makes updating general ledgers after each payroll period easier.
- Fast direct deposits: QuickBooks Payroll 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.
- Tax penalty protection: QuickBooks Payroll offers a tax accuracy guarantee and a tax penalty protection program. The first one covers penalties for late tax payments that its representatives make. 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 strong.
- Basic HR services: You get time tracking tools and 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. Benefits plans are also offered, but it lacks ADP’s employee benefits and Gusto’s and Paychex’s financial management tools.
QuickBooks Payroll’s HR features aren’t as advanced as the other providers in this guide. We recommend the following alternatives if you want more advanced HR tools:
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Better for: Basic to advanced HR management (with a smart tool for tracking compliances) | Better for: Process automation across HR, payroll, expense reporting, and IT solutions | Better for: Flexible HR payroll tools with legal advice & HR consulting services |
See how QuickBooks Payroll stacks against the other HRM payroll software on our list:
- QuickBooks Payroll vs Gusto
- QuickBooks Payroll vs Paychex
- QuickBooks Payroll vs ADP Run
- QuickBooks Payroll vs Square Payroll
Square Payroll: Best for Small Retail Shops & Restaurants Needing Basic HR
Overall Score: 4.11 / 5
Pros
- Affordable contractor-only plan
- Seamless integration with Square POS
- Offers fast direct deposits, including an instant payment option
- Unlimited and automated payroll
Cons
- Standard direct deposit has a four-day processing timeline
- A Square Payments account is needed for next-day direct deposits and instant payments
- Limited HR solutions; doesn’t offer hiring, job posting, and learning management tools
Read our full Square Payroll review
Read our full Square Payroll review
Square is popular for its POS and payment processing, but it also handles payroll and time tracking through its Square Payroll solution. It connects seamlessly with Square POS and offers four-day direct deposits with an instant payment option, which is particularly attractive to small retail and restaurant businesses. Similar to QuickBooks Payroll, it has a low-cost plan for paying only contractors—although, QuickBooks’ contractor package is more affordable if you have more than two contract workers.
With an overall score of 4.11 out of 5, Square Payroll didn’t rank higher on our list because it lacks expert HR advisers on staff and has limited HR functions. That said, its payroll features are strong, with multiple payment options, automatic and unlimited pay runs, year-end W-2/1099 reporting, and payroll tax filings. Users who left reviews on third-party sites like G2 and Capterra also rated it positively for ease of use, affordability, and payroll functionalities.
Square Payroll’s main dashboard contains helpful links for running different types of payroll (such as contractor pay runs and off-cycle payments). (Source: Square Payroll)
Square Payroll Overview
- Pricing
- Key Features
- Alternatives
Plans
- Pay employees and contractors: $35 base fee + $6 per employee monthly
- Pay contractors only: $6 per contractor monthly
- Time tracking: Square Payroll captures staff clock-ins/outs directly through Square POS. If you don’t want to use its POS tool for time tracking, your employees can time in/out via the Square Team app and view their overtime hours, shift history, and more.
- On-demand pay via the Cash App: Similar to ADP, Paychex, and TriNet HR Platform, Square’s Cash App has an on-demand pay feature that enables employees to withdraw a portion of their earned wages in case of financial emergencies. Further, workers who use Square’s Cash App will receive their salaries instantly, even if paydays fall on weekends.
- Square POS integration: Given the seamless connection between Square Payroll and Square POS, you can easily import tips, commissions, and even employee time data for pay processing.
While it has a strong pay processing system, Square Payroll’s HR functionalities are relatively weak. If you need payroll software with HRIS features like onboarding and talent management, the following solutions are great alternatives.
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Better for: Full-service payroll with essential tools for managing employees and onboarding | Better for: Solid pay runs with learning management tools to educate and develop employees | Better for: Process automation across HR, payroll, expense reporting, and IT solutions |
Check out our Square Payroll vs QuickBooks Payroll guide to see how one compares against the other.
OnPay: Best HR Payroll Software with Strong System Permissions
Overall Score: 4.08 / 5
Pros
- Has an affordably priced plan
- Offers full-service payroll with automatic tax filings and unlimited pay runs
- Niche payroll services for churches, nonprofits, farms, and agriculture companies
- Good customer support; with free account migration services for new clients
Cons
- Lacks multiple subscription tiers that cater to varying payroll and HR needs
- Eligibility for either two- or four-day direct deposits is based on OnPay’s risk assessment
- Limited third-party software integrations
- Lacks time tracking and performance review tools
Read our full OnPay review
Read our full OnPay review
Unlike the other software in this guide, OnPay only has one plan (priced at $40 + $6 per employee monthly), which comes with all of its features—from multistate payroll to PTO tracking and full customer support. This means that you don’t need to upgrade to higher plans to unlock features as you would with other providers like Gusto; its starter tier only covers payroll for one state, but costs the same as OnPay. OnPay’s extensive permission settings (six levels) also come with pre-defined roles for controlling system access and delegating HR payroll tasks, providing you with a faster way of setting up user roles.
Scoring 4.08 out of 5 in our evaluation, OnPay received high ratings (4 and up) in nearly all criteria. It lost points because its direct deposits take longer than two days. Plus, it has limited integration options and HR functionalities (such as learning management and performance reviews). However, users still like its affordability and intuitive interface that’s easy to navigate.
OnPay’s intuitive interface allows you to easily toggle between employee PTO view options and approve/disapprove requests. (Source: OnPay)
OnPay Overview
- Pricing
- Key Features
- Alternatives
OnPay offers one plan, which costs $40 plus $6 per employee monthly. This includes access to all of its payroll, benefits, reporting, and basic HR features.
- Straightforward pricing: OnPay may not have multiple plans like the other HR software with payroll in this guide, but it offers a reasonably priced package. Providers like TriNet HR Platform appear to charge slightly lower monthly fees, but you actually end up paying more in a year, mainly due to either its high base monthly or per-employee fees.
- Niche payroll: For those with unique payroll and tax filing needs, such as farms and agricultural businesses, OnPay can file Form 943 and process taxes for workers on H-2A visas. OnPay can also handle payroll for churches, ministries, and non-profit organizations.
- PTO accrual policy: Apart from in-app PTO requests and approvals, OnPay allows you to add up to three PTO accrual rules for different factors, such as the employee type (hourly or salaried), work location, tenure, pay period, and a specific date (such start of the calendar year). The PTO policies of providers like Gusto and QuickBooks Payroll aren’t as flexible as OnPay’s.
- Pre-defined user roles: OnPay makes it easy for you to set up user permissions with its five user roles. Each comes with specific system restrictions and controls, so you only need to add the roles to the applicable employee profiles instead of manually setting up user permissions. For example, the Owner role has full view and edit access but the Approver role can only approve transactions and view employee profiles but can’t add and remove users.
OnPay is great if you require solid payroll tools and the essential HR features needed to manage employees and payroll compliances. However, if you prefer fast employee payments, we recommend:
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Better for: Next-day direct deposits without having to upgrade to a higher plan | Better for: Square users that want to pay employees instantly via its Cash App | Better for: Same-day ACH transfers (plus you get dedicated payroll support) |
Read our OnPay vs Gusto guide to see how this provider compares with one of its competitors.
TriNet HR Platform (formerly TriNet Zenefits): Best for Highly Regulated Businesses
Overall Score: 4.06 / 5
Pros
- Reasonably priced plans with multiple options
- Strong compliance tools with HR advisory services
- Time tracking and employee scheduling included in all plans
- Unlimited pay runs
Cons
- Payroll and advisory services are paid add-ons
- Advanced HR tools (such as compensation and performance management) are available only in higher tiers
- All plans and add-ons have a minimum five-employee requirement
Read our full TriNet HR Platform review
Read our full TriNet HR Platform review
Although TriNet HR Platform’s (formerly TriNet Zenefits) payroll module is included in its highest tiers (available as a paid add-on for lower plans), it offers powerful compliance features. Its most basic plan comes with solutions, like time tracking and scheduling, that some of the providers on our list offer in only their higher tiers. We found TriNet HR Platform optimal for businesses in highly regulated industries because it automates and monitors your HR and benefits compliance.
Earning an overall rating of 4.06 out of 5, TriNet HR Platform scored well (4 and up) in most of our criteria because of its transparent pricing, efficient HR, and reporting functionalities. Users also like its user-friendly interface and how well its solutions integrate with each other. However, it didn’t rank higher on our list since it doesn’t offer automatic pay runs and dedicated support. It can also get pricey, depending on the number of employees you have.
TriNet HR Platform’s “Compliance Assistant” tool allows you to track federal compliance requirements and even create custom deadlines.
(Source: TriNet)
TriNet HR Platform Overview
- Pricing
- Key Features
- Alternatives
Plans*
- Essentials: $10 per employee monthly
- Growth: $20 per employee monthly
- Zen: $33 per employee monthly
Add-ons*
- Payroll: $6 per employee monthly (this is included for free in the Zen plan)
- HR advisory services: $8 per employee monthly
- Benefits administration if you have your own broker: $5 per employee monthly
- Recruiting (via JazzHR): Starts at $35 per month
*All plans and add-ons require at least five employees. Annual plans are also available with slightly lower rates.
- Feature-rich HR platform: Aside from processing payroll, its HR solutions can help onboard new hires, manage compensation plans, monitor performance reviews, and run employee surveys. However, it lacks the built-in hiring tools that Gusto offers in its higher tiers. Similar to Rippling and Paychex, you have to pay extra (monthly fees start at $35) to unlock its recruiting tools.
- Time and attendance tools in every plan: Time and attendance tools make it easy for you to capture actual employee time data for pay processing. Note that OnPay doesn’t have built-in time tracking tools, while Gusto and QuickBooks Payroll offer this in their higher tiers. Rippling, ADP, and Paychex also have time tracking functionalities, but as a paid add-on.
- Employee benefits: Aside from access to employee benefits options (like medical, dental, vision, FSA/HSA, and retirement plans), TriNet HR Platform comes with online tools to streamline benefits administration. You can use its partner brokers to manage your plans or pay a monthly fee ($5 per employee) to have your own broker administer your benefits.
TriNet HR Platform’s five-employee minimum for all its plans and add-ons can be a real downer for startups and very small businesses that employ fewer than five employees. Consider these alternative HR payroll systems if you want reasonably priced plans without headcount requirements.
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Better for: | Better for: | Better for: |
Check out our TriNet HR Platform vs Gusto and TriNet HR Platform vs Rippling guides to see how this provider compares with two of its competitors.
HR vs Payroll Software: What’s the Difference?
While some of the systems we considered have basic HR features along with payroll, others have advanced core HR products that allow you to add on payroll services. 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.
- Human Resource Payroll Software
- Payroll Software
- Payroll Services
This is the best of both worlds. Integrated HR payroll software operates payroll and HR functions together so that a change in one, such as adding a new employee, is reflected in the other—like getting the new employee’s information into the payroll. It can make it easier to do HR analysis, manage benefits, and prevent errors in employee information.
Straight payroll software 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.
If this is something that your business needs, read our guide to the best payroll software to see our top recommendations.
Payroll services handle all your payroll needs. You provide the information, and they run your payroll, ensure compliance, 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.
Looking for a reliable provider? Check out our top payroll services guide for small businesses.
How We Chose the Best Human Resources Payroll Software
We selected human resources payroll software 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 their payroll system or have HR products that work with their payroll module.
Click through the tabs below for a more detailed breakdown of our evaluation criteria.
- Breakdown
- HR features
- Payroll features
- Ease of use
- Pricing
- Reporting
- Expert review
- Popularity
15%
HR features
20%
Payroll features
20%
Ease of use
20%
Pricing
5%
Reporting
15%
Expert review
5%
Popularity
15% of Overall Score
We looked for HR services and functions like online onboarding, state new hire reporting, self-service portals, and a staff of expert advisors. We also gave additional points to software providers offering health insurance available in all 50 states and advanced HR solutions like hiring, compensation, learning, and performance management.
20% of Overall Score
We gave the most credit to solutions that process direct deposits in two days or fewer, 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.
20% of 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.
20% of Overall Score
We checked to see if the provider has transparent pricing, zero setup fees, and multiple plan options with unlimited pay runs. We also gave additional points to those with plans that cost $50 per employee.
5% of Overall Score
Preference was given to software with built-in basic payroll reports and customization options.
15% of Overall Score
We looked at the ratings and feedback given by real-world users on different third-party review websites. We favored the providers that users think have robust HR and payroll features as well as those that were affordable and easy to navigate.
5% of Overall Score
We considered online user reviews, including those of our competitors like G2 and Capterra, based on a 5-star scale, wherein any option with an average of 4-plus stars is ideal. Also, software with 1,000 or more reviews on third-party sites is preferred.
*Percentages of overall score
Bottom Line
A platform that has a combination of HR and payroll functions streamlines processes and provides a unified database to store employee information. It can make tasks like onboarding, benefits administration, and performance reviews easier to handle since you don’t have to use separate systems to manage critical HR functions.
We found that Gusto offers the essential human resources and payroll features 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 full-service payroll and core HR tools. Sign up for a Gusto plan today.
