Iris HR Software vs. Square Payroll

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Iris HR Software
Score 6.2 out of 10
N/A
Iris HR Software (formerly Octopus HR, acquired by Iris Software Group April 2016) is an HR suite.
$1.50
Per User Per Month
Square Payroll
Score 6.1 out of 10
N/A
Square Payroll is a payroll solution for hourly employees, from Square headquartered in San Francisco, California.N/A
Pricing
Iris HR SoftwareSquare Payroll
Editions & Modules
Basic
$1.50
Per User Per Month
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Iris HR SoftwareSquare Payroll
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details——
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Iris HR SoftwareSquare Payroll
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Iris HR SoftwareSquare Payroll
Human Resource Management
Comparison of Human Resource Management features of Product A and Product B
Iris HR Software
8.0
1 Ratings
2% above category average
Square Payroll
-
Ratings
Employee demographic data8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Employment history8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Job profiles and administration8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Workflow for transfers, promotions, pay raises, etc.8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Organizational charting8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Organization and location management8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Compliance data (COBRA, OSHA, etc.)8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Payroll Management
Comparison of Payroll Management features of Product A and Product B
Iris HR Software
8.0
1 Ratings
0% below category average
Square Payroll
7.8
6 Ratings
6% below category average
Benefit plan administration8.01 Ratings9.15 Ratings
Salary revision and increment management8.01 Ratings8.94 Ratings
Reimbursement management8.01 Ratings7.85 Ratings
Pay calculation00 Ratings8.96 Ratings
Support for external payroll vendors00 Ratings8.65 Ratings
Off-cycle/On-Demand payment00 Ratings4.44 Ratings
Direct deposit files00 Ratings7.06 Ratings
Leave and Attendance Management
Comparison of Leave and Attendance Management features of Product A and Product B
Iris HR Software
8.0
1 Ratings
1% below category average
Square Payroll
-
Ratings
Approval workflow8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Balance details8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Annual carry-forward and encashment8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Employee Self Service
Comparison of Employee Self Service features of Product A and Product B
Iris HR Software
8.3
1 Ratings
2% above category average
Square Payroll
-
Ratings
View and generate pay and benefit information8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Update personal information8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
View company policy documentation9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Employee recognition8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
HR Reporting
Comparison of HR Reporting features of Product A and Product B
Iris HR Software
8.0
1 Ratings
5% above category average
Square Payroll
-
Ratings
Report builder8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Pre-built reports8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Ability to combine HR data with external data8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Onboarding
Comparison of Onboarding features of Product A and Product B
Iris HR Software
8.0
1 Ratings
0% below category average
Square Payroll
-
Ratings
New hire portal8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Performance and Goals
Comparison of Performance and Goals features of Product A and Product B
Iris HR Software
8.0
1 Ratings
2% below category average
Square Payroll
-
Ratings
Corporate goal setting8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Individual goal setting8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Performance tracking8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Performance Management
Comparison of Performance Management features of Product A and Product B
Iris HR Software
8.0
1 Ratings
1% above category average
Square Payroll
-
Ratings
Performance plans8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Performance improvement plans8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Review status tracking8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Review reminders8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Multiple review frequency8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Succession Planning
Comparison of Succession Planning features of Product A and Product B
Iris HR Software
8.0
1 Ratings
1% above category average
Square Payroll
-
Ratings
Create succession plans/pools8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Candidate ranking8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Candidate search8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Candidate development8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Recruiting / ATS
Comparison of Recruiting / ATS features of Product A and Product B
Iris HR Software
8.0
1 Ratings
3% above category average
Square Payroll
-
Ratings
Job Requisition Management8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Company Website Posting8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Notifications and Alerts8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Iris HR SoftwareSquare Payroll
Small Businesses
Patriot Software
Patriot Software
Score 9.0 out of 10
Patriot Software
Patriot Software
Score 9.0 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Paypro Workforce Management
Paypro Workforce Management
Score 9.5 out of 10
Paypro Workforce Management
Paypro Workforce Management
Score 9.5 out of 10
Enterprises
Infor Human Resources
Infor Human Resources
Score 7.3 out of 10
Infor Human Resources
Infor Human Resources
Score 7.3 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Iris HR SoftwareSquare Payroll
Likelihood to Recommend
7.0
(2 ratings)
4.7
(8 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
8.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
Iris HR SoftwareSquare Payroll
Likelihood to Recommend
IRIS Software Group
Our staff is kept updated with more company policies and we are able to track their holiday and sick days much better. The help and support of their contact support are super good. They reply super fast and are very kind. Also, their sales department isn't pushy like other services they are very knowledgeable and kind.
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Block, Inc (Square)
Square is an amazing platform to have total control over the payroll of all the employees of a company or a specific sector. This platform has a very good functionality to collect exact information on how long each employee works, that is one of its most outstanding characteristics, because it monitors work schedules and overtime and generates detailed reports on the work time of each employee. Square does not allow to schedule payments, that is one of the main problems, however, I consider that it is a very good option for small and medium-sized companies that are looking for a way to have more exact administrative control over the working hours of all their employees. It is a software that works in the cloud, so all the work information that is collected will remain safe without any risk of loss.
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Pros
IRIS Software Group
  • It's simple. I really appreciate that the layout of Octopus HR isn't something I have to question. I know where to look for something because it's clearly labeled, that's more than I can say for a lot of other HR systems I've seen.
  • Support. If I ever have a question about setting something up, or if something goes wrong, they're always on top of it. For instance, I had no idea how to set up employee photos on our accounts. I tweeted them and they responded right away, I'm based in LA and they're a UK company, I was impressed that they were able to respond right away. They make sure their customers are taken care of.
  • Great self guide. If there's ever an ordinary question I need answered their "Octopus Guide" is very thorough and walks you through everything.
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Block, Inc (Square)
  • 1099 contractor payments are easy, and they provide you with the IRS filing as part of the service.
  • Direct deposit/debit from your already connected account to the employee.
  • Reporting and management features are simple yet inclusive.
  • Low cost compared to alternative solutions.
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Cons
IRIS Software Group
  • It can take some effort to understand
  • Perhaps the price can go down a bit
  • Menu layout
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Block, Inc (Square)
  • It's a bit pricey for larger companies at $5 per person paid per month.
  • Has a bit of a learning curve that seems steeper than necessary
  • reports can be confusing at first
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Likelihood to Renew
IRIS Software Group
Employees don't complain about it! If anything they've commented on how nice of a tool it is to have.
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Block, Inc (Square)
No answers on this topic
Usability
IRIS Software Group
No answers on this topic
Block, Inc (Square)
It could use a mobile-friendly interface. Other than that it's a simple layout and non-cluttered which allows you to get done what you need to get done. No unnecessary dodads or distractions.
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Support Rating
IRIS Software Group
No answers on this topic
Block, Inc (Square)
I think they have quick and helpful customer service reps, however, I give them a 9 because I have had to wait on hold for long periods of time before.
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Alternatives Considered
IRIS Software Group
I would say the pricing is good but it could be better. Also, the customer service is amazing they do such a great job and you can tell they know what they are doing. Visually it is very easy to use and looks very professional. It is a quick set up and they do their best to give you what you want and need.
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Block, Inc (Square)
I liked patriot, but I found it to be more confusing than Square and took me too much time to setup. I setup Square Payroll in about an hour. I would also say the Square interface made more sense to me. I also like how Square offers more things like benefits, etc. that can be added on.
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Return on Investment
IRIS Software Group
  • Employee efficiency. There's never a question of who I request my time off with. The program sets up line managers who take in all the requests.
  • Less wasted time. Contact info and photo are very visible and easily accessed.
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Block, Inc (Square)
  • Square Payroll has dramatically reduced the time it takes to process payroll.
  • We could have a faster payroll with the Square POS integration for commission, but that is not something we've implemented yet.
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ScreenShots