To determine the best payroll services for small businesses, Forbes Advisor researched the industry and analyzed 23 different companies and their plans. We then scored these contenders across 34 metrics in five categories weighted to favor features that small business owners find valuable in a payroll provider. Here’s a breakdown of the categories we used to rank the providers that made the top of the list. Key Paycor features include its payroll processing tools, tax compliance services, mobile wallet (complete with a self-serve mobile portal) and expense tracking and reimbursement tools. However, they say that the software does not offer enough customization options, nor does it offer detailed reporting to meet their needs.

Evaluate which tier would be least expensive for you in the long run before signing up. TriNet offers three plans ranging from $8 per employee per month to $33 per user per month when billed monthly. However, unlike many competitors on this list, only the most expensive plan offers payroll features. To access payroll features in the first two tiers, you have to first purchase the core plan and then pay $6 per employee per month more to access the payroll add-on. When I contacted customer support, I was told that this payroll add-on is typically only sold as an add-on and not as a standalone product.

Best Payroll Services of 2024

Supporters also say the apps don’t sue or send collectors after unpaid debts. Proponents of the apps say they help people living paycheck to paycheck manage their finances and avoid the need for more onerous options, such as payday loans or overdrawing a bank account. But some analysts, consumer advocates and lawmakers say the apps are actually payday loans in a new tech wrapper, and that they can trap users in an endless cycle of borrowing that depletes their earnings. The average price of workflow apps is usually less than around £10 per user per month, if paid on an annual basis. Depending on the size of your team, it can be an affordable addition to your tech stack. Notion’s goal is to give you a platform that enables you to work with others, coworkers or guests, on a single page together.

• Paychex Flex earns a 4.2 out of five stars on G2 with 1,485 user reviews and a 4.1 out of five stars on Capterra with 1,547 user reviews.
• Once payroll is submitted, you receive an email confirmation to confirm a completed payroll run.
• These apps are designed to alleviate the stress and complexity of payroll processing, making it a smoother, more efficient task.
• When running payroll manually, Gusto takes you through three steps.
• You will receive an email message with instructions on how to reset your password.

Asana offers features specifically designed to help with team workflows so it’s ideal for businesses looking to standardise their processes easily. Part of streamlining workflows is about standardising how your teams work, and Asana makes that easy with features designed to do it for you. You can use the workflow builder to automate some work you do, but you use best payroll app Asana bundles to set rules across the board so every team uses the same project template, for example. You can also update more than one project at a time if something comes up, such as a new field or approval stage. Asana includes artificial intelligence (AI)-powered features to help you write goals or ask questions about projects or data to get quick answers.

Payroll app FAQ

Gusto’s customer service reviews took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, according to reviewers, Gusto’s customer service has steadily improved over the course of 2022. For instance, in March 2022, Gusto’s rating on consumer review site Trustpilot was just 2.6 out of 5.

• Running payroll is easy, given its in-app guide designed to help workers process accurate wage payments.
• To further evaluate your payroll needs, answer these ten questions about your business and its payroll system.
• These automated features can help prevent costly payroll mistakes and also save the business owner a great deal of time.
• While some payroll software providers offer a free plan, many only include a free trial.
• For comparison, many other payroll mobile apps, like Gusto’s Wallet app, are employee-facing only.
• All you need is to access your OnPay account via your mobile browser.
• ADP makes that possible with its ADP RUN service, which is best for businesses with fewer than 50 employees.

Gusto’s Basic plan runs $19.99/month for a team of two, and the Core plan is $39/month. Gusto currently integrates with popular accounting applications such as Xero, FreshBooks, and QuickBooks Online, so you’ll be able to import your payroll transactions into your accounting software. This will eliminate the need to enter payroll transactions separately. OnPay offers one plan with all features included for $36/month, with a $4 charge for each employee. Tax reporting and remittance is the number one reason why most businesses move to a payroll service.

Choosing the best Payroll software for you

Our scheduling software optimizes employees’ schedules to help you meet operational and compliance demands. With our timekeeping software, you can accurately and efficiently manage when, where and how your employees report their hours worked. Of all of the stand-alone payroll software and services, SurePayroll offers the best integration with third-party accounting applications. It also processes year-end forms for your employees such as W-2s and 1099s. That means, in addition to automated payroll, you’ll receive full-service features.

In addition, they can track their vacation days and request time off using the mobile app. Finally, as an added perk, employees can use the app to access TriNet-offered discounts on technology, groceries and other products. The TriNet mobile app offers convenient features for both employers and their employees. Employers and permissioned personnel can view employee profiles, hire and termination data, benefits and payroll information and access reporting. They can also search a knowledge base for answers to their questions or open a support case or live chat session to access TriNet customer support. Mobile solutions that allow employers to run payroll, track PTO balances and requests, and access self-service tools (like viewing payslips and managing employee data) received high marks.

And, with the ability to pause the subscription, it is great for service companies such as landscapers who hire contractors often and endure off-seasons. PEOs like TriNet are a good fit for small businesses with complex hiring and potential business liability—for example, if you hire international employees or have a lot of turnover. It is also a great option for companies that need tools to pay employees fairly while keeping payroll costs to a minimum. RUN by ADP automatically calculates, deposits and files all taxes for you. It also sends W-2 and 1099 forms to your respective workers each year. It even keeps track of payroll law changes by state and adjusts your withholdings and payments accordingly to ensure you are in compliance.