Payroll Software
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MIP Fund Accounting™ is a configurable fund accounting solution. The solution includes functionality for fund accounting, procurement, budgeting, payroll, human resources, timekeeping, fixed asset management, grant management, and dashboards for nonprofits and government agencies.…
Rippling gives businesses one place to run HR, IT, and Finance. It brings together all of the workforce systems that are normally scattered across a company, like payroll, expenses, benefits, and computers. This enables users to manage and automate every part of the employee lifecycle…
RUN powered by ADP is a benefits administration and payroll platform for small businesses with light additional HR features. It runs on a cloud-based platform with mobile accessibility.
ADP Workforce Now is a cloud-based HR platform for mid-sized businesses. It features customizable modules of various HR services that businesses can tailor to their specific needs, as well as regulatory monitoring and alerts to help businesses remain compliant.
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Justworks offers a platform for payroll, benefits, compliance support, with HR tools. As a Professional Employer Organization (PEO), Justworks offers PEO solutions that can bundle payroll, compliance, HR, and benefits under the Justworks umbrella, and help to administer employment-…
Sage Accounting is online accounting software made to simplify life for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and freelancers by providing the functions needed to take care of daily business to-dos. Users can create and send professional quotes and invoices, track income and expenses…
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OnPay's payroll and HR is designed for people who want to spend more time running their business, and less on back-office tasks. The application aims to enable users to:• Run payroll• Automate taxes• Let employees do more themselves• Simplify HR processes• Offer benefits in any state…
APS is a national workforce management and cloud-based HR solution provider. The platform includes core HR, payroll, time and attendance (including manager and employee self-service), compliance tools, and onboarding.
Quickbooks Desktop for Mac is an accounting software designed for Mac users. It is designed to integrate with Apple iCloud. It provides core accounting features in line with the rest of the Quickbooks Desktop product line.
Kronos Workforce Dimensions, later UKG Dimensions was a solution used to automate critical workforce processes such as timekeeping, scheduling, and leave management. The product has been discontinued, and is no longer available for purchase.
SurePayroll offers an online payroll service that lets small business owners run payroll anywhere, anytime. The vendor automatically pays and files federal, state and local payroll taxes.
Netchex is a HR, payroll, and tax administration software platform with solutions dedicated to recruitment, hiring, and onboarding as well as payroll, tax compliance, HR, time/attendance, benefits management, and analytics for these areas.
Vista® is a human resource, benefits, payroll, recruiting, and self-service software. Functional elements include recruitment, staffing, position and training management, compliance, and performance and compensation.
Patriot Software headquartered in Canton, Ohio offers Patriot PAY, their benefits administration and payroll software.
AccountEdge is a small business accounting software for Mac and Windows users. AccountEdge allows business owners to organize, process, and report on their financial information. Its features include accounting, integrated payroll, sales and purchases, contact management, inventory,…
Paypro powered by UKG Ready is offered as an all-in-one HR solution that makes the day-to-day better for a company's people. Paypro support teams average 5+ years at Paypro and 10+ years in the industry creating an industry-leading service experience that has led to a 95% client…
Intuit Online Payroll was a small business payroll option available as a standalone SaaS solution, that Intuit announced it was discontinuing in favor of Quickbooks Online Payroll, available via Quickbooks.
ELMO Software (ASX:ELO) is a cloud-based solution that helps thousands of organisations across Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom to manage their people, process and pay. ELMO solutions span the entire employee lifecycle from ‘hire to retire’. They can be used together…
ADP Streamline is a payroll and benefits administration offering specifically for companies with multi-national / global employees.
PeopleGuru is a cloud-based Human Capital Management solution designed for mid-market organizations. From recruitment to retirement, PeopleGuru HCM manages the entire employee life cycle. PeopleGuru's single platform, single database, solution includes: HR, Payroll, Benefits Management,…
Sage HRMS is an HR management solution that integrates payroll, benefits, recruiting, employee self-service, and analytics capabilities.
Vibe HCM is a a personalized, social HRMS, talent management and employee collaboration suite. Specialties include: HR Technology, Systems of Engagement, Onboarding, HRIS, Compensation and Benefits, Payroll, Talent, Social, Employee Communications, Workforce Metrics, HR Service…
Square Payroll is a payroll solution for hourly employees, from Square headquartered in San Francisco, California.
Heartland Payroll+ is presented as a complete management solution, designed to serve as a single point of contact, making it easy to deal with any issue. Customers have online access to their payroll data and employee information, and Heartland’s tools are accessible on the go.
Dayforce Powerpay allows small businesses to pay and manage employees. It is used to simplify and automate payroll processes with automatic payroll calculations and remittances to the CRA and RQ, and streamlines payroll with connected time and attendance tracking to help ensure people…
EPAY Systems, a PrismHR Company, is a SaaS provider of human capital management technology and services designed to help medium to large businesses better manage their workforce. Their solutions include recruiting and applicant tracking, new hire onboarding, benefits administration,…
Viventium Software, Inc. provides a cloud-based HCM solution that, according to the vendor, offers a remarkable user experience and design that is enjoyable, personable, and intuitive, along with analytics and actionable insight into your business. Additionally, the vendor aims to…
CloudPay is a payroll management tool designed specifically for organizations that have an international workforce. They offer payroll automation services, an earned wage access platform as well as global treasury services to ensure any employee no matter their location gets the…
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Payroll Software TrustMap
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Learn More About Payroll Software
What is Payroll Software?
Payroll software is a point solution that focuses on calculating and processing employee pay, generating tax forms, and benefits administration. However, payroll capabilities can also be rolled into larger human resources (HR) management software, ERP software, or accounting and budgeting software.
Using a payroll software centralizes the myriad payroll processes onto one platform and provides a variety of tools to make payroll functions more efficient and accurate. Ideally, payroll software will prevent human errors when calculating and administering payroll, as well as allow employees to self-service some functions to reduce administrative overhead.
Payroll Software Features & Capabilities
Most vendors offering payroll software include features such as:
- Calculating employee pay
- Automatically calculating deductions for withholdings (e.g. state and federal taxes, insurance and retirement contributions)
- Direct deposit check processing
- Printing checks for employees not enrolled in direct deposit
- Generating tax forms
- Integrating with external payroll vendors
- Issuing off-cycle checks or on-demand payments
- Maintaining payroll history for each employee
- Administering benefit plans
- Managing retirement plans
- Payroll tracking and auditing
- Modifying and revising employee salaries
- Running payroll balance and calculation reports
- Employee self-service
Payroll Software for Small Businesses vs. Enterprises
Smaller businesses often don’t need all the additional features, and heftier price tags, that come with HR, HCM, or ERP software suites. Some examples of payroll point solutions that are targeted for small businesses are Intuit Payroll, Gusto’s Payroll platform, and Paychex Flex.
In contrast, HR management software and HCM suites are usually geared towards large businesses and enterprises. HR and HCM packages typically include broader HR management functions, such as maintaining employee records, managing employee leave, and keeping track of company provided employee assets.
Payroll Software vs. Accounting Software
Similarly to HR management and HCM software, accounting software includes a wide array of functions including but extending beyond payroll capabilities. Accounting software is primarily a financial dashboard that records and updates a company’s financial transactions and information.
Some examples of accounting software that offer payroll capabilities include Wave, QuickBooks Online, and Priority AccountEdge.
In-House vs. Outsourced Payroll
Traditionally, outsourcing payroll services were the dominant model as companies saw this as a way to avoid hiring payroll administrators. Outsourcing is still common, but many companies now choose to conduct payroll in-house with either cloud-based or on-premise solutions.
However, modern payroll software is changing this bifurcated model and offering a third option - cloud-based semi-outsourced payroll software. This hybrid option allows the company to retain control over core payroll processes while outsourcing certain activities, such as calculating tax withholdings.
Payroll Software Deployment
Payroll programs have a few different deployment options, including more traditional on-premise solutions and cloud-based SaaS options. Currently, deployment trends are shifting from on-premise, or hosted, solutions to cloud-based applications that can be partially or fully outsourced.
Some vendors offering different deployment alternatives are:
- On-premise & cloud-based HR/human capital management (HCM) software with payroll capabilities: SAP, Oracle, Kronos, ADP
- Cloud-only HCM software with payroll capabilities: Ultimate Software, Workday, Ceridian
- Cloud-only for small to mid-sized businesses: Trinet, Paychex, Patriot Software
Payroll Software Comparison
When comparing options to find the best payroll software for you, be sure to evaluate these factors:
- Scope of each solution: Payroll capabilities can be found across a range of product sizes. The middle of the road solution would include all the necessary functions for calculating, processing, and administering payroll. Larger solutions will include additional non-payroll functions, like HR management or accounting. On the other end, there are some tools for specific payroll functions, like tax compliance. Holistically evaluate your financial software needs to ensure you purchase a product that can meet as many of your current and future needs as possible.
- Customer support and service: According to TrustRadius reviews of payroll solutions, the quality and level of customer service that comes with the purchase is a significant strength, or weakness, of many payroll products. The quality of customer service is particularly important for navigating payroll’s changing regulatory landscapes and compliance requirements. Payroll vendors can help you adjust your processes and stay compliant, but not all products will be able to deliver this service.
- Mobile Accessibility: Any payroll software should allow employees to access it through their phones. Your employees should be able to access their pay stubs, pay history, and self service personal information like direct deposit info. Consider the range of capabilities available to employees and administrators through products’ mobile applications, and any additional costs that may entail.
Pricing Information
Payroll point solutions have monthly, subscription-based fees and are generally less expensive than HRM, HCM, or ERP software packages. Prices for point solutions start at $10/month for self-service or basic packages and increase up to $100/month. Most vendors also offer a free trial of their products.
Suite software packages may have subscription fees or a one time license and installment fee. Monthly fees can range from $10 - $50 per employee. One-time fees can range upwards of $20,000, and future maintenance and upgrade costs may apply as well.