Square Payroll vs. TriNet HR Platform

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
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
TriNet HR Platform
Score 6.9 out of 10
N/A
Zenefits is a free, cloud-based core-HR platform. It primarily services small to mid-sized businesses and provides time management and benefits administration capabilities.
$10
per month
Pricing
Square PayrollTriNet HR Platform
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Essentials
$10
per month per employee
Growth
$20
per month per employee
Zen
$33
per month per employee
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Square PayrollTriNet HR Platform
Free Trial
NoYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Square PayrollTriNet HR Platform
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Square PayrollTriNet HR Platform
Payroll Management
Comparison of Payroll Management features of Product A and Product B
Square Payroll
7.8
6 Ratings
6% below category average
TriNet HR Platform
2.2
117 Ratings
114% below category average
Pay calculation8.96 Ratings2.3100 Ratings
Support for external payroll vendors8.65 Ratings1.550 Ratings
Off-cycle/On-Demand payment4.44 Ratings2.363 Ratings
Benefit plan administration9.15 Ratings2.6105 Ratings
Direct deposit files7.06 Ratings2.2101 Ratings
Salary revision and increment management8.94 Ratings2.193 Ratings
Reimbursement management7.85 Ratings2.465 Ratings
Human Resource Management
Comparison of Human Resource Management features of Product A and Product B
Square Payroll
-
Ratings
TriNet HR Platform
2.3
132 Ratings
109% below category average
Employee demographic data00 Ratings2.5108 Ratings
Employment history00 Ratings2.4103 Ratings
Job profiles and administration00 Ratings2.5102 Ratings
Workflow for transfers, promotions, pay raises, etc.00 Ratings2.6107 Ratings
Organizational charting00 Ratings1.9117 Ratings
Organization and location management00 Ratings1.8119 Ratings
Compliance data (COBRA, OSHA, etc.)00 Ratings2.3105 Ratings
Leave and Attendance Management
Comparison of Leave and Attendance Management features of Product A and Product B
Square Payroll
-
Ratings
TriNet HR Platform
1.8
115 Ratings
127% below category average
Approval workflow00 Ratings2.0113 Ratings
Balance details00 Ratings1.7111 Ratings
Annual carry-forward and encashment00 Ratings1.692 Ratings
Employee Self Service
Comparison of Employee Self Service features of Product A and Product B
Square Payroll
-
Ratings
TriNet HR Platform
1.9
131 Ratings
124% below category average
View and generate pay and benefit information00 Ratings2.1125 Ratings
Update personal information00 Ratings2.3131 Ratings
View company policy documentation00 Ratings1.4118 Ratings
Employee recognition00 Ratings1.363 Ratings
View job history00 Ratings2.2101 Ratings
Asset Management
Comparison of Asset Management features of Product A and Product B
Square Payroll
-
Ratings
TriNet HR Platform
1.1
22 Ratings
150% below category average
Tracking of all physical assets00 Ratings1.122 Ratings
HR Reporting
Comparison of HR Reporting features of Product A and Product B
Square Payroll
-
Ratings
TriNet HR Platform
1.4
104 Ratings
138% below category average
Report builder00 Ratings1.4100 Ratings
Pre-built reports00 Ratings1.4102 Ratings
Ability to combine HR data with external data00 Ratings1.364 Ratings
Onboarding
Comparison of Onboarding features of Product A and Product B
Square Payroll
-
Ratings
TriNet HR Platform
4.6
111 Ratings
54% below category average
New hire portal00 Ratings5.0110 Ratings
Manager tracking tools00 Ratings4.290 Ratings
Performance and Goals
Comparison of Performance and Goals features of Product A and Product B
Square Payroll
-
Ratings
TriNet HR Platform
8.4
41 Ratings
3% above category average
Corporate goal setting00 Ratings8.337 Ratings
Individual goal setting00 Ratings8.440 Ratings
Line-of sight-visibility00 Ratings8.335 Ratings
Performance tracking00 Ratings8.437 Ratings
Performance Management
Comparison of Performance Management features of Product A and Product B
Square Payroll
-
Ratings
TriNet HR Platform
1.4
57 Ratings
140% below category average
Performance plans00 Ratings1.354 Ratings
Performance improvement plans00 Ratings1.351 Ratings
Review status tracking00 Ratings2.152 Ratings
Review reminders00 Ratings1.352 Ratings
Multiple review frequency00 Ratings1.348 Ratings
Succession Planning
Comparison of Succession Planning features of Product A and Product B
Square Payroll
-
Ratings
TriNet HR Platform
7.5
23 Ratings
5% below category average
Create succession plans/pools00 Ratings7.520 Ratings
Candidate ranking00 Ratings7.521 Ratings
Candidate search00 Ratings7.523 Ratings
Candidate development00 Ratings7.622 Ratings
Recruiting / ATS
Comparison of Recruiting / ATS features of Product A and Product B
Square Payroll
-
Ratings
TriNet HR Platform
7.5
25 Ratings
3% below category average
Job Requisition Management00 Ratings7.420 Ratings
Company Website Posting00 Ratings7.415 Ratings
Publish to Social Media00 Ratings7.514 Ratings
Job Search Site Posting00 Ratings7.516 Ratings
Duplicate Candidate Prevention00 Ratings7.518 Ratings
Applicant Tracking00 Ratings7.417 Ratings
Notifications and Alerts00 Ratings7.622 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Square PayrollTriNet HR Platform
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
Square PayrollTriNet HR Platform
Likelihood to Recommend
4.7
(8 ratings)
1.7
(141 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
8.5
(11 ratings)
Usability
9.0
(1 ratings)
8.9
(32 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(4 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
8.5
(4 ratings)
Support Rating
9.0
(1 ratings)
8.8
(42 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(4 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
8.8
(4 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(3 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
8.9
(4 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
8.9
(4 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
8.9
(4 ratings)
User Testimonials
Square PayrollTriNet HR Platform
Likelihood to Recommend
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.
Read full review
TriNet
I think as a small business owner, this system gives peace of mind. When I'm onboarding an employee I can automatically integrate the process with Gmail and Quickbooks. I feel like they are always doing work in the background and I don't have to keep checking up on them or verifying the work that's been done
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Pros
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.
Read full review
TriNet
  • Payroll services in all 50 states, including payroll tax filings
  • Integrations with tools like QuickBooks, Google Workspace, Slack, and Human Interest (401(k))
  • Simple yet powerful mobile app for employees to access information including paystubs, benefits, and time off requests
  • Streamlined admin portal for People Ops professionals
Read full review
Cons
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
Read full review
TriNet
  • Support doesn't exist once you are a customer
  • Tax team has a 3-6 month response time
  • Poor Menu/Navigation structure
  • Fails to pay taxes on time, results in delinquency notices and fees
  • Glitchy UI, sometimes you need to wait a day or two for a section to work again
  • Feels like a perpetual beta product, nothing polished about it
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Likelihood to Renew
Block, Inc (Square)
No answers on this topic
TriNet
We've already renewed after our first year with Zenefits due to the cost savings, ease of administration, reduction in overhead required to perform HR functions, and the employees happily embracing and liking the software. I've found employees generally hate anything new, but we've had no complaints about Zenefits outside the first few weeks of getting used to it.
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Usability
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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TriNet
It's extremely user friendly and customer service is super helpful. The app needed help a while back but it has greatly improved. There were issues with files being cut off, and when I was onboarded, it actually cut my offer letter off hiding important information. Since then, it's been fixed so they are continually improving.
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Reliability and Availability
Block, Inc (Square)
No answers on this topic
TriNet
We have not experienced any application errors or unplanned outages in the two years I have been using this app. Sometimes there is a lag in the time keeping/ confirming your location, however, it quickly resolves itself within seconds and more often than not is an internet connection error
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Performance
Block, Inc (Square)
No answers on this topic
TriNet
This app always loads extremely quickly and in a reasonable time frame. Like I said, when we do experience lags from this app, it is more often than not an internet connection error
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Support Rating
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.
Read full review
TriNet
Not good at all. Basically I typically feel like they can solve the issue at hand. However, they take forever and it never feels like they really care. It can be frustrating that the agent will never speak with you on the phone or just give you their direct contact info so that you can continue to follow up on the same issue. Once they "close" the issue - you have to go back to the main customer service email or line again, even though it may be related to something you've contacted them about in the past
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In-Person Training
Block, Inc (Square)
No answers on this topic
TriNet
Can't really say just because I would not know.
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Online Training
Block, Inc (Square)
No answers on this topic
TriNet
It went through successfully.
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Implementation Rating
Block, Inc (Square)
No answers on this topic
TriNet
Unfortunately I do not have any insights on the implementation of Zenefits as I was not employed with this company when Zenefits was introduced. Based on how effortless it is to use Zenefits, I wouldn't image there would be many issues with the implementation of Zenefits
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Alternatives Considered
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.
Read full review
TriNet
Zenefits has been a better tool for our purposes than Paychex Flex. While Zenefits is a fairly rigid tool without a lot of options for customization, Paychex has even fewer options for customization and their customer services is even more difficult to deal with
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Scalability
Block, Inc (Square)
No answers on this topic
TriNet
It is very easy to use and does not require the end user to go to multiple sites to obtain many facets of HR/ Payroll information that the app offers
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Return on Investment
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.
Read full review
TriNet
  • California Meal Break Violations cost a full hour of each employees pay rate. If an employee clocks in 1 minute early it costs us at least 10.50 (minimum wage Ca, 15.00 in Los Angeles) which adds up quickly. We had 37 meal break violations when we first rolled it out. They need to add a feature that disallows them to clock in ahead of 30 minutes, or add a feature that shows them how long they've been on break.
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ScreenShots

TriNet HR Platform Screenshots

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