The Top Payroll Software of 2024: Compare the top providers

Payroll software makes managing your business payroll easier than ever! Say goodbye to the stress of manual payroll management with easy-to-use software that saves you time and money, supercharging your efficiency.

Julian, Author
Last updated: November, 2024
Providers
Features
Rating
Further info
  • Flexible payroll processing from desktop and mobile
  • Automatic payroll tax administration
  • New-hire reporting to government agencies
  • Online employee self-service
  • Valuable HR and training tools
8.9

One of the nation’s leading payroll and HR solution providers, helping more than 730,000 business customers navigate the complex, time-consuming burden of payroll processing, tax filing, and HR administration.

Paychex is payroll software with a focus on small businesses – particularly strong at guiding you through the often confusing but essential world of taxes.

It also has a strong range of features, great analytics, and tax prep tools that include print tax forms, plus tax calculation and automated filing at the State and Federal levels.

Other standout features include a mobile app for employees and administrators both and integrations with 190 apps. An employee self-service portal, a wide range of reports, employee onboarding functionality, benefits management, data migration assistance, and same-day direct deposit.

  • Affordable small business payroll
  • Trusted by nearly 800,000 businesses
  • Flexible multi-tiered pricing system
  • Comprehensive HR support
8.7

Offering a wide variety of reports, an employee self-service portal, & best in class HR support, ADP makes payroll as easy as ABC. There’s live setup assistance plus a mobile app to keep admins & employees on the same page.

ADP have been around for a long time and are well established as a market leader in the space. They are the largest provider in the US – and while that doesn’t mean they are the best – it does show how capable the software is.

It has strong features, great analytics, and broad functionality that extends to HR resources as well as payroll. And with multiple price plans it is flexible as well.

You can  also integrate third-party solutions such as Cornerstone, ClockShark, and Wave to create one seamless platform to manage various aspects of your business.

  • Integrated tax filing​
  • Simple flat pricing​
  • API & integrations
  • Onboard and pay employees quickly
9.3

Deel is payroll at scale. Pay employees and contractors in any state, then expand globally with automated onboarding and comprehensive HR.

Deel help thousands of companies grow globally at an unmatched pace. It brings global hiring, HR and payroll all in one app and it’s easy to use.

Deels worldwide infrastructure makes it simple to hire and pay employees anywhere in the world without the need for local legal entities. You can also pay your global team easily with one click.

Handling HR is a breeze for both your domestic and global workforce as Deel HR is custom built for every worker in any country and its all in one place.

  • Simple pay structure - $40 base, $6 per person
  • Highly rated for small businesses
  • Automated accurate tax filing across all industries
  • Built in HR & benefits
9.6

With an intuitive interface, in-built HR support, and a range of pricing plans fit for businesses of all shapes and sizes, OnPay is slick, smart, and scalable.

Onpay is a highly versatile payroll software, any business from restaurants, small businesses to established enterprises can find a lot to love about Onpay.

It saves you time, letting you focus on the things that matter and simplifies your to-dos with full-service payroll, built-in HR, and integrated benefits — no matter the size of your team.

Onpay also boasts strong customer support and a great bank of detailed online resources like 101s and  how to HR guides all to help you make the most of the software.

  • Best for 1-4 employees
  • Unlimited payroll
  • Onboard New Hires
  • 24/7 Live Chat Support
8.3

Effortlessly manage payroll and tax filing. With just a few taps, get your employees paid from your phone. Roll automatically calculates, withholds, and files federal, state, and local taxes as necessary — for all employee types.

Roll by ADP is a mobile payroll app designed to simplify payroll for small businesses. With its user-friendly interface, customizable payroll options, and real-time updates, Roll by ADP allows businesses to easily manage their payroll on-the-go.

One of the key strengths of Roll by ADP is its user-friendly interface. The app allows businesses to set up payroll quickly and easily, with step-by-step guidance throughout the process. This feature is particularly helpful for small businesses with limited resources, as it minimizes the need for specialized payroll expertise.

Overall, Roll by ADP is an excellent choice for small businesses that are looking for an easy-to-use payroll app that streamlines the payroll process and provides real-time updates.

  • Manage global HR, IT, and Finance in one modern platform
  • Run payroll in 90 seconds
  • Streamline employee benefits
  • Custom workflows, alerts & reports
9.7

Rippling is The #1 Rated Payroll & HR Software. You can onboard new hires in 90 seconds, run payroll with a click, and pay employees or contractors, anywhere.

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.

So for the first time ever, you can manage and automate every part of the employee lifecycle in a single system.

Take onboarding, for example. With Rippling, you can hire a new employee anywhere in the world and set up their payroll, corporate card, computer, benefits, and even third-party apps like Slack and Microsoft 365—all within 90 seconds.

How can Payroll Software help my business?

Businesses in industries like healthcare, hospitality, retail and more have massively streamlined their operations by using Payroll Software thanks to features like powerful payroll and tax automations, HR support, insurance benefits management and more. And with most top providers offering free demos and best in class support it’s simple for your team to learn.

However before making the investment it’s worth considering some relevant factors for your business

  • Budget: You’ll need to allocate a budget for payroll software and, since you’ll likely save the most money by paying annually, the cost could easily work out to a four-figure bill.
  • Business size: A tiny business may be able to handle payroll manually, and a large one may want to outsource to a payroll service. Payroll software is best for all businesses between the two. Some software can even process international pay runs, such as Rippling Payroll.
  • Specific needs or challenges: Will you need to consider inter-state tax differences or currency exchanges? Not all payroll software will be equipped for all of your needs.
  • Industry: One big benefit of payroll software is staying in compliance with legal regulations, both state and federal. If you are in a heavily regulated industry, or one with frequently updated rules, payroll software will give you that extra peace of mind.

Consider a free demo or trial of the software to see if it’s the right fit for your business.

Editor’s Top 3

Editor's Top Pick

Rippling is The #1 Rated Payroll & HR Software. You can onboard new hires in 90 seconds, run payroll with a click, and pay employees or contractors, anywhere.

One of the nation’s leading payroll and HR solution providers, helping more than 730,000 business customers navigate the complex, time-consuming burden of payroll processing, tax filing, and HR administration.

Offering a wide variety of reports, an employee self-service portal, & best in class HR support, ADP makes payroll as easy as ABC. There’s live setup assistance plus a mobile app to keep admins & employees on the same page.

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