The Top 14 Best Payroll Software for Business in 2025

Written by
Last updated on
December 20, 2024

Are you ready to elevate your business operations with a cutting-edge and streamlined payroll solution? With a thorough exploration of payroll software tools, we've uncovered numerous options featuring exceptional benefits management modules. This insight has led us to curate a specialized list suitable for businesses of all sizes, catering to the advantages of consolidating payroll and benefits on a unified platform!

Consider this your go-to resource as you navigate selecting the ideal payroll solution for your business. Whether you're a small startup or a large enterprise, we're here to empower you with the knowledge needed for a seamless and beneficial transition.

In this article, we unveil the top 14 payroll systems that stand out in the realm of business efficiency and financial management. Whether you're a budding startup, a growing SME, or an established enterprise, join us as we explore the features, benefits, and unique offerings of these payroll solutions designed to streamline your operations and elevate your business to new heights. Let's delve into the world of payroll systems tailored for success:

  • Remote
  • Deel
  • Gusto
  • OnPay
  • Paycor
  • Rippling
  • ADP
  • PayChex
  • PapayaGlobal
  • QuickBooks
  • Paycom
  • Zenefits
  • Namely
  • Paylocity

1. Remote

Remote is an outstanding option for dispersed teams in need of premium payroll and benefits services, offering exceptional customer care with 24/7 live chat, complimentary HR tools, employer support from local experts, and technical assistance for workers, operating as local entities in over 150 countries.

Remore Payroll System Review

Remote enhances the employee experience for distributed teams with tailored benefit plans and user-friendly self-service features. Setting itself apart, Remote owns legal entities in regions where it provides EOR services, ensuring flexibility and cost savings for clients—advantages unmatched by third-party aggregator services. With benefits free from premium markups, Remote covers everything from paid time off to holidays, healthcare, and life insurance, offering region-specific advice and support.

Enjoy a 20% discount for all employees onboarded within the first 12 months, and even free service for up to ten employees for companies hiring refugees. Both Android and iOS versions provide seamless navigation and essential features like expense submission, time-off requests, payslip access, with more innovations in the pipeline.

Key features:

  • Easy to manage payments, bonuses all in one place
  • Discounts for small companies
  • Responsive customer service

Limitations/disadvantages:

  • Missing reporting functionality
  • Benefit breakdown is typically available on payslips; it depends on the country and solution for the client.

Pricing with 20% discount:

  • Contractor Management plan: $23/contractor/mo.
  • Employer of Record plan: $479/employee/mo. (when paid annually)
  • Global Payroll plan: $40/employee/mo.

2. Deel

Deel stands out for offering an all-in-one platform, covering global operations services like compliance, insurance, payroll, and taxes, making it a top choice for tech-driven startups in hypergrowth.

Deel Payroll System Review

Deel stands out as a premier choice for managing international payroll, especially for businesses with remote teams worldwide. Explore its user-friendly interface, whether you're hiring contractors or full-time employees through their EOR or PEO options. Beyond its ease of use, Deel has evolved into a comprehensive platform, now offering essential HR features and an array of streamlined hiring workflows—from background checks and equity plans to flexible workspaces, employee onboarding, and expert consultation on visas and immigration. Stay ahead with Deel's expanding capabilities for a seamless and enriched hiring experience.

Key features:

  • Top-notch customer support
  • Integration with popular software
  • Set-up is quick and easy due to tech verification
  • Automated invoice generation for company and employee 

Limitations/disadvantages:

  • Benefits offered could be considered basic compared to competitors
  • Many features are offered as an add-on
  • Invoice generation only available in English

Pricing:

  • For contractors, Deel manages payroll and compliance in 150 countries at a cost of $49 per contractor per month.
  • Full-time plan, starting from $500, allows you to employ team members in a new country without establishing a legal entity. Deel acts as the Employer of Record, handling employee management on your behalf.

3. Gusto

Gusto offers versatility with flexible pay schedules, payroll deductions, automated tax filing, benefits, self-service, and more, catering to SMB users who value its compatibility for W-2 employees and domestic and international contractors.

Gusto Payroll System Review

Gusto, a versatile payroll and benefits software for small to medium-sized businesses, stands out for its support of W-2 employees and domestic/international contractors, offering features like online signatures and automated tax filing. Known for flexibility with different pay schedules and unlimited pay runs, Gusto's support responsiveness includes phone, email, and licensed benefits advisors. However, it lacks payroll support for international employees, native accounting features, and offers a basic analytics dashboard. Compliance alerts and broker integration are available in higher-tier plans. While lacking a free trial, Gusto's transparent pricing eliminates long-term contracts and setup fees.

Key features:

  • Fully online and automated tax filing
  • flexible payroll options to include various schedules
  • Automatic deductions to streamline administration
  • Phone, text and online support

Limitations/disadvantages:

  • No support for international employees
  • Simple plan lacks online signature
  • No free trial available

Pricing:

  • Simple plan: The Simple plan is available at $40 per month plus $6 per person
  • Plus plan: $60 per month plus $9 per person

4. OnPay

Easiest and the fastest set up coupled with the lowest cost, OnPay is a solid option for companies that need a fast and cheap payroll solution.

OnPay Payroll System Review

OnPay is an ideal choice for smaller businesses with 500 employees or fewer, delivering a streamlined payroll process and expert HR assistance. Revel in top-notch customer service and transparent pricing, featuring a single monthly fee covering all services. OnPay goes beyond payroll, providing comprehensive benefits management across all 50 states, encompassing medical, dental, vision, and 401k retirement plans to enhance your company's offerings.

Key features:

  • Easy set-up and intuitive UI
  • Extremely attentive customer service
  • Integration with major softwares

Limitations/disadvantages:

  • Onboarding process is complicated
  • Does not offer automated payroll

Pricing:

  • OnPay charges a base fee of $36, plus $4 per employee per month

5. Paycor

Paycor stands out as the ultimate choice for U.S.-based businesses, elevating beyond conventional payroll and benefits solutions by seamlessly integrating recruiting and employee performance management into a unified platform.

Paycor Payroll System Review

Paycor stands out for its flexibility and rich features, allowing users to start with payroll and easily upgrade for onboarding and HR functions. It handles all-state and global payrolls, but note that global services are outsourced. With diverse payment options, a user-friendly interface, and employee empowerment features, Paycor ensures a seamless experience. However, data reporting capabilities are limited on lower-tier plans, and customer service accessibility can be a challenge.

Key features:

  • User friendly
  • Multiple subscription options to cater to all businesses
  • No number of payroll numbers per month
  • Accessible via mobile 

Limitations/disadvantages:

  • Not very responsive to queries
  • Undisclosed pricing
  • Time-tracking is a paid add-on

Pricing:

  • Quotes available on demand

6. Rippling

Rippling emerges as the ideal option for SMBs seeking a hassle-free and impeccably accurate payroll process, allowing businesses to focus on what matters without the burden of payroll concerns.

Rippling Payroll Solution Review

Founded by Zenefits alumni, Rippling is dedicated to liberating small and medium-sized businesses from HR and IT burdens through an all-in-one solution designed for effortless use across every department. Reflecting Silicon Valley innovation, their product boasts an excellent UI, captivating design, and swift performance. With over 500 integrations and counting, Rippling ensures adaptability to meet any team's technical needs.

Key features:

  • All-in-one platform offering payroll coupled with other HRM tools
  • Offers integration with over 500 tools

Limitations/disadvantages:

  • Exclusively focused on SMBs
  • Add-ons are expensive

Pricing:

  • Starting at $8 per employee, but varies according to the module you choose

7. ADP

As a stalwart in the payroll industry, ADP warrants recognition for its extensive feature set, encompassing various HR workflows that cater to both enterprises and SMBs, making it a compelling choice.

ADP Payroll System Review

ADP, with over 70 years of expertise and a million clients globally, stands as a premier payroll service provider. Offering payroll processing, tax management, accounting integrations, and HR services, ADP's suite adapts to businesses of all sizes. Ideal for growing businesses, their proprietary RUN payroll software ensures seamless scalability with automated processing for small enterprises and comprehensive HR support for larger companies. For custom pricing and a tailored payroll solution, business owners can contact ADP directly, making it a top choice for those seeking a reliable and scalable payroll provider.

Key features:

  • Pay employees via direct deposit, paper checks or prepaid debit cards.
  • Export payroll data into QuickBooks, Xero, Wave or a CSV file.
  • ADP’s time and attendance system automatically syncs with your payroll service.

Limitations/disadvantages:

  • Charging per payroll is costly for SMBs
  • Initial setup can take upto a month

Pricing:

  • Quotes available on demand by the employer

8. PayChex

PayChex stands out as a key player in HR software for SMBs, providing a compelling package that encompasses PEO, 401(k) management, benefits, and seamless payroll solutions for a comprehensive and user-friendly business experience.

PayChex Payroll System Review

Paychex proves to be an excellent payroll service for medium-sized businesses, ensuring compliant processing of child support and facilitating seamless management of employee loans through detailed pay stubs. The regular updates on new HR standards keep users well-informed about evolving laws.

The employee portal emerges as a valuable tool, empowering employees to manage their personal plans independently, thereby reducing the workload on the payroll department. The convenient onboarding feature minimizes errors associated with new hire paperwork, while the capability to conduct background checks on potential management adds another layer of convenience and efficiency to the overall experience.

Key features:

  • Employees can manage their deductions and plans
  • Automated tax calculation
  • Responsive customer service

Limitations/disadvantages:

  • Some users report a login issue resolved by logging in and out
  • Managing weekly payroll can be time consuming

Pricing:

  • Quotes available on demand by the employer

9. PapayaGlobal

Papaya Global distinguishes itself in the payroll software domain by facilitating effortless and secure payments to contractors and employees across 160+ countries, supported by robust security and compliance measures for a worry-free experience.

Papaya Global Payroll System Review

Papaya Global, praised by users since early 2021, stands out for transparent pricing, robust HR tools, and BI analytics. Serving employers and staff with unified access to payroll and workforce analytics, it ensures automated payments in local currency across 160+ countries, with AI-powered invoice scrutiny. Enjoy in-house benefits experts, a user-friendly self-service portal, and a mobile app for on-the-go access.

Papaya Global's unique global equity management feature and dynamic visual insights add further value. Considerations include reliance on third-party local partners in certain regions and additional fees like setup and onboarding fees. For a tailored quote, explore your team's specific needs with Papaya Global's team.

Key features:

  • Payouts within 72 hours to over 160 countries
  • Transparent pricing
  • Comprehensive solution

Limitations/disadvantages:

  • No free trial
  • Additional price for add-ons including onboarding, setup and year-end fees
  • Limited integration option

Pricing:

  • Full-Service Payroll service: Starts at $12 per employee per month, with flexible options based on operational needs.
  • Payroll Platform License service: Begins at $3 per employee per location for tech upgrades.
  • Data and Insights Platform License service: From $150 per employee per month, offering real-time analytics on payroll costs and headcount.
  • Payments-as-a-Service service: Starting at $3 per employee per month, delivering a dedicated workforce payment platform.
  • Global EOR plan: Ranges from $650 to $1000 per employee per month for comprehensive EOR management.
  • Contractor Management & IC Compliance plan: Tailored services for outsourced contractors, starting at $2 per contractor per month.‍
  • Global expertise services: Starting at $190 per month per employee, this lets you add the global health plan, immigration support, and global equity for employees

10. QuickBooks

QuickBooks is a reliable and well-established choice for small businesses, offering trusted solutions in financial tracking, payroll, expense reports, and time and attendance software, making it an enticing all-in-one platform.

QuickBooks Payroll System Review

QuickBooks is the go-to choice for countless small businesses for accounting and financial reporting. Recognizing the time constraints faced by small business owners, QuickBooks excels in automation, ensuring payroll runs seamlessly and freeing up valuable time. The same commitment extends to taxes, with QuickBooks calculating, filing, and even handling payroll taxes, allowing you to focus on your business without the administrative hassle.

Key features:

  • Seamless integration with other tools
  • Customisations to pay for only the features you use

Limitations/disadvantages:

  • Getting a human to assist is a long process
  • Some banks do not integrate with the tool

Pricing:

  • Core: The basics to pay your team and have payroll taxes done for you at $22.50 per month
  • Premium: Manage your team's payroll with HR support and some employee services for $37.50 per month
  • Elite: This plan provides access to on-demand experts in order to simplify payroll to the max. It starts at $62.50 per month.

11. Paycom

Paycom provides enticing online payroll services and cutting-edge HR software solutions tailored for businesses of all sizes, facilitating comprehensive management throughout the entire employment life cycle.

Paycom Payroll System Review

We recommend Paycom for medium to large businesses due to its comprehensive and user-friendly payroll and HR solutions. Noteworthy features include Beti, a guided self-service technology accessible on browsers and mobile devices, and a user-friendly Android app for employee self-service. Admins can customize access, and manage HR tasks on the go, while employees control their HR data. Paycom offers direct deposit and paper checks but lacks a pay card option.

Originally U.S.-focused, Paycom expanded globally with Global HCM, serving users in over 180 countries. Despite strengths, Paycom has limitations, including limited integration options and some challenges with third-party software like QuickBooks, requiring manual data entry. Customer support quality varies, affecting issue resolution speed.

Key features:

  • Attentive customer service
  • Easily handles all complicated HR payroll processes including taxation

Limitations/disadvantages:

  • The UI can be difficult to get used to
  • Can be a little bit pricey for SMBs

Pricing: Quotes available on demand by the employer

12. Zenefits

Zenefits is renowned for providing a seamless and user-friendly payroll experience, coupled with an intuitive self-service interface. Beyond payroll, it excels in offering a comprehensive HRIS, benefits management, onboarding, and more, making it an enticing choice for businesses seeking a streamlined and all-encompassing solution.

Zenefits Payroll System Review

Zenefits is renowned for delivering an exceptional product experience that seamlessly combines an effortless payroll system with a user-friendly self-service benefits interface. Regardless of the size of your company, whether you're a compact team with just one employee or a larger enterprise with up to 1,000 employees, Zenefits is your trusted partner in optimizing your payroll and benefits management.

Its intuitive platform is designed to empower businesses of all sizes, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience tailored to your specific needs. With Zenefits, embrace a comprehensive solution that simplifies payroll and elevates the benefits experience for both employers and employees.

Key features:

  • Specially tailored for small to medium American businesses
  • Exceptionally clean UI making it user-friendly
  • Easily scalable depending on the needs

Limitations/disadvantages:

  • Lacks customisations to make personalised bundles of service
  • Not optimum for large businesses
  • Catered only for the US

Pricing: Starts at $6 per user

13. Namely

Namely offers a swift and user-friendly payroll solution featuring a modern design and enhanced user experience. While their all-in-one HR platform is versatile and suitable for any company, Namely particularly excels in catering to the needs of mid-market companies, providing an enticing blend of efficiency and contemporary design.

Namely Payroll System Review

Namely's comprehensive platform includes a payroll module designed for accurate and timely salary processing, minimizing errors. It goes beyond the basics, handling wage calculations, deductions, taxes, and pay stub generation while staying abreast of evolving payroll regulations and tax laws to ensure compliance and avoid penalties. Notably, Namely incorporates employee self-service features, allowing your staff to access and manage payroll information, update personal details, and view pay stubs through a dedicated dashboard. With a robust reporting module, Namely empowers you to gain a holistic view of your company's payroll, providing valuable statistics for informed decision-making.

Key features:

  • Intuitive UI
  • Easy onboarding process for new hires
  • Offers additional services such as time-tracking, benefits, onboarding etc.

Limitations/disadvantages:

  • US catered
  • Time-consuming implementation process
  • Integration with only a few service providers

Pricing: Quotes available on demand

14. Paylocity

Paylocity is an excellent choice for businesses of all sizes, offering a modern payroll, HR and spend solutions that simplify processes while empowering employees and HR teams alike.

Known for its intuitive design and innovative tools, Paylocity provides a suite of solutions that go beyond payroll to enhance employee engagement and streamline workforce management. Businesses can enjoy flexible pricing tailored to their needs, with transparent cost structures that deliver value for organizations.

Key Features:

  • User-friendly interface and robust mobile app
  • Comprehensive tools for payroll, benefits administration, and spend and workforce management
  • Integrations with leading business software
  • Advanced analytics for informed decision-making

Benefits:

  • Award-winning customer service and support
  • Streamlined onboarding and automated payroll processes
  • Modern features like AI-powered insights and pay equity analysis

Limitations/Disadvantages:

  • Limited global coverage
  • Plan customization comes with more complex setup for smaller businesses

Pricing: Customized pricing based on company size and needs.

←Best Video Interview Softwares

ASSESS THE LANGUAGE OF YOUR CANDIDATES WITH PIPPLET

Assess language proficiency straight from your ATS

Oral & Written · Fast Results · 40+ Languages