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Is Paylocity falling short of your expectations? Whether it's the platform's complexity, rising costs, or features that no longer align with your growing team, you're not alone in feeling it's time for a change.

As someone who independently tests and reviews HR software, I’ve helped countless HR professionals—just like you—find tools that actually support their workflows, simplify day-to-day tasks, and adapt to their unique business needs. From hiring and onboarding to performance reviews and payroll, the right solution can make all the difference.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the best Paylocity alternatives available today—platforms that stand out for their ease of use, scalability, and industry-specific features. Let’s find an HR tool that does more than check boxes—one that actually helps your team thrive.

What is Paylocity?

Paylocity is an HR software platform that helps businesses manage payroll and human resources tasks. It's commonly used by HR professionals and payroll specialists who need to handle employee data and payroll efficiently. 

It offers features like time tracking, benefits administration, and compliance management to help organize HR processes, reduce errors, and stay up-to-date with regulations. Paylocity's overall value lies in its ability to simplify HR tasks, making it easier for HR teams to focus on what matters most.

Why Look For A Paylocity Alternative?

While Paylocity is a good choice of HR software, there are a number of reasons why some users seek out alternative solutions. You might be looking for a Paylocity alternative because…

  • You need more flexible pricing options
  • Your team requires features for a specific industry
  • You're looking for better customer support
  • You need a solution with more intuitive navigation
  • Your business operates outside Paylocity's geographic range

If you’re facing any of these challenges with Paylocity, you’ve come to the right place! This list contains several HR software options that are better suited for teams looking for alternative solutions to Paylocity.

Why Trust Our Software Reviews

We’ve been testing and reviewing HR management software since 2019. As HR professionals ourselves, we know how critical and difficult it is to make the right decision when selecting software. We invest in deep research to help our audience make better software purchasing decisions.

We’ve tested more than 2,000 tools for different HR management use cases and written over 1,000 comprehensive software reviews. Learn how we stay transparent & check out our software review methodology.

Best Paylocity Alternatives: Comparison Chart

This comparison chart summarizes pricing, trial, and demo details for my top Paylocity alternative selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.

Tool Best For Trial Info Price
1

Best for compliant cross-border hiring

Free demo available

Flat rate user pricing, with a free version for businesses with up to 200 people Website
2

Best for global payroll management

Free demo available

From $15/employee/month Website
3

Best for small and mid-sized businesses

Free demo available

Pricing upon request Website
4

Best for customizable dashboards

Up to 6 months free

Flat user pricing, upon request Website
5

Best for affordability for small businesses

30-day free trial

From $17/user/month + $4/employee Website
6

Best for contractor-friendly payroll

Free demo available

From $40/month + $6/user/month Website
7

Best for unifying HR and payroll data

Free demo available

From $6/user/month (billed annually) Website
8

Best for offering pay on demand

Free demo available

Pricing upon request Website
9

Best for complex HR and IT needs

Free demo available

From $8/user/month (billed annually) Website
10

Best for multi-state payroll simplicity

7-day free trial

From $6.19/user/month (billed annually) Website

Best Paylocity Alternatives Reviews

Below are my detailed summaries of the best Paylocity alternatives that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.

Best for compliant cross-border hiring

  • Free demo available
  • Flat rate user pricing, with a free version for businesses with up to 200 people
Visit Website
Rating: 4.8/5

Deel is a global payroll and HR platform built to help businesses manage hiring, compliance, and payments for international teams. Supporting operations in over 150 countries, it’s a strong choice for companies with distributed workforces.

Why it's a good Paylocity alternative: Deel is a strong alternative to Paylocity thanks to its focus on cross-border compliance. It simplifies the complexities of local labor laws, minimizing legal risks when hiring globally. Its payroll management system supports payments in over 120 currencies, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time.

Beyond payroll, Deel helps companies offer country-specific benefits, deliver work equipment internationally, and manage immigration with in-house visa support—making it easier to hire, retain, and support a global workforce without the administrative burden.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include contract management to generate compliant agreements, expense reimbursement tools, off-cycle payroll adjustments, and self-service access where employees can update personal data and view pay information independently. Deel also integrates with ATS platforms like Ashby and Greenhouse, streamlining hiring and onboarding globally.

Integrations include Ashby, BambooHR, Expensify, Greenhouse, Hibob, NetSuite, Okta, OneLogin, QuickBooks, Xero, Workday, Workable, and Open API support for custom integrations.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Ensures timely payments
  • Ability to handle compliance with local labor laws and regulations
  • Intuitive design and ease of navigation

Cons:

  • Limited customization options
  • Onboarding process can be lengthy

Best for global payroll management

  • Free demo available
  • From $15/employee/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.5/5

Papaya Global is a workforce management platform that helps businesses handle payroll, hiring, and compliance across more than 160 countries. It supports both full-time employees and contractors, offering services like onboarding, benefits administration, and immigration assistance.

Why it's a good Paylocity alternative: Papaya Global stands out because of its global payroll capabilities. It provides automated payroll processing in over 160 countries, ensuring compliance with local regulations. This feature is invaluable for companies with a multinational presence, allowing you to manage your workforce without the headache of navigating complex local laws.

Papaya Global also helps with employee management through its employer of record (EOR) services. This means you can hire employees in foreign countries without setting up a local entity, saving time and resources.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include workforce management tools that help you oversee employee performance and productivity across different regions. The platform also offers compliance assurance, ensuring that your operations adhere to local and international labor laws. 

Additionally, Papaya Global provides real-time analytics, giving you insights into payroll expenses and workforce trends, helping you make informed decisions.

Integrations include BambooHR, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Expensify, SAP Concur, Namely, SAP Business One, Bob, and SAP SuccessFactors HXM Suite.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Supports multi-currency payments
  • Automated tax calculations reduce errors
  • Automated compliance tracking helps adhere to local labor laws

Cons:

  • Initial setup can be complex
  • Could offer more native integration options

Best for small and mid-sized businesses

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 4.8/5

GoCo is an all-in-one HR platform for small to mid-sized businesses looking to streamline their HR operations. It serves HR managers and small business owners by offering tools for onboarding, benefits administration, time off, payroll, and compliance management.

Why it's a good Paylocity alternative: GoCo provides a flexible and customizable HR solution perfect for small and mid-sized teams. Its intuitive interface simplifies the onboarding process, making it easy for your team to manage new hires. You can also use GoCo to digitize your onboarding document collection process, including requesting I-9 and W-4 forms.

Another standout feature is GoCo's time tracking and PTO management system. Employees can easily clock in and out, submit timesheets, and request time off through the platform. Managers receive notifications for approval, and the system automatically updates PTO balances and accruals.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include customizable workflows that allow your team to tailor HR processes to fit your business needs, and automated benefits administration and compliance tracking, which helps you save time and reduce the risk of errors in HR tasks.

The platform's document management system ensures all employee files are stored securely and easily accessed. GoCo also offers a self-service portal where employees can manage their own information, reducing the administrative burden on HR.

Integrations include QuickBooks, Slack, Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, Zapier, BambooHR, Gusto, Xero, ADP, and Paylocity.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Easy employee self-service
  • Effective document management
  • Highly customizable workflows

Cons:

  • Not ideal for large enterprises
  • No mobile app support

Best for customizable dashboards

  • Up to 6 months free
  • Flat user pricing, upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 4.1/5

PrimePay is a human capital management (HCM) platform designed for businesses that need flexibility in managing workforce data. It supports payroll processing, benefits administration, and compliance tracking, catering to companies that require adaptable solutions.

Why it's a good Paylocity alternative: PrimePay provides customizable dashboards that allow you to tailor your workspace to your specific needs. These dashboards offer real-time insights into payroll metrics, employee attendance, and benefits enrollment, enabling you to monitor key performance indicators at a glance. 

The flexibility to configure your dashboard ensures that you have immediate access to the most relevant information, enhancing decision-making and operational efficiency.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include automated payroll processing with tax compliance ensuring accurate and timely payments to your employees. The platform also offers an employee self-service portal, empowering your team to access pay stubs, manage personal information, and request time off independently. 

PrimePay's benefits administration feature also simplifies enrollment, connecting with major carriers and adapting to life events seamlessly.

Integrations include QuickBooks, Xero, Sage Intacct, Microsoft Dynamics, NetSuite, ADP, Paychex, Gusto, BambooHR, and Workday.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • User-friendly benefits administration
  • Employee self-service capabilities
  • Flexible, customizable dashboards

Cons:

  • Limited customization in specific areas
  • Additional fees for certain modules

Best for affordability for small businesses

  • 30-day free trial
  • From $17/user/month + $4/employee
Visit Website
Rating: 5/5

Patriot Software is an online accounting and payroll software designed for small businesses. It supports small business owners and accountants by providing easy-to-use tools for payroll processing and accounting management.

Why it's a good Paylocity alternative: Patriot Software offers an affordable pricing model, making it ideal for small businesses looking to manage payroll with a cost-effective HR solution. 

Its user-friendly setup simplifies payroll management by guiding users through tax filing and direct deposits. The platform's accounting features also help users track expenses and generate financial reports effortlessly.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a simple payroll setup that guides you through the entire process, ensuring you don't miss any steps. The software also tracks time and attendance, helping you accurately monitor your team's work hours. 

Its accounting features allow you to manage expenses and generate insightful financial reports easily. Plus, Patriot offers additional bookkeeping services as an add-on if you need more support.

Integrations include QuickBooks, TSheets, Gusto, Xero, FreshBooks, Square, Stripe, PayPal, Mailchimp, and Shopify.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Reliable customer support
  • Simple expense tracking
  • Easy payroll setup

Cons:

  • No mobile app
  • Limited advanced features

Best for contractor-friendly payroll

  • Free demo available
  • From $40/month + $6/user/month

Gusto is an online payroll and HR platform designed for small to mid-sized businesses, offering tools for payroll processing, benefits administration, and compliance management. It’s particularly well-suited for companies that work extensively with contractors.

Why it's a good Paylocity alternative: Gusto offers a Contractor Only plan that allows unlimited payments to contractors across all 50 states, with features like four-day direct deposit and year-end 1099-NEC forms. This plan is tailored for businesses without W-2 employees, providing essential tools to handle contractor payments efficiently. 

Additionally, Gusto supports global contractor payments through Gusto Global, making it easier to manage international teams. Furthermore, Gusto simplifies compliance by automating tax filings and benefits administration.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include automated payroll tax filing, ensuring your federal, state, and local taxes are filed accurately and on time. Gusto also offers employee benefits administration, allowing you to manage health insurance, retirement plans, and more directly through the platform. 

Their employee onboarding process is also streamlined with digital offer letters and easy document management, helping you get new hires up and running quickly.

Integrations include popular accounting software like QuickBooks, Xero, and FreshBooks, time-tracking tools such as TSheets and Homebase, expense management apps like Expensify, and point-of-sale systems including Shopify, Clover, and Square.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Flexible benefits administration
  • Automated tax filings
  • User-friendly interface

Cons:

  • Mobile app limited to employee use
  • Limited advanced HR tools

Best for unifying HR and payroll data

  • Free demo available
  • From $6/user/month (billed annually)

Dayforce is a global HCM software designed for organizations operating on a global scale. It offers solutions for HR, payroll, workforce management, and talent management, catering to complex international business needs.

Why it's a good Paylocity alternative: Dayforce provides robust global payroll capabilities, ensuring compliance with local regulations and accurate payroll processing worldwide. Its unified platform allows seamless HR and payroll data integration, reducing administrative overhead and enhancing data accuracy. 

In addition, Dayforce offers real-time analytics and reporting tools, helping you make informed decisions based on up-to-date information.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include real-time continuous pay calculations, which help you process payroll more efficiently and accurately. The platform also offers comprehensive workforce management tools, allowing your team to manage scheduling, time tracking, and labor costs effectively. 

Dayforce's talent management suite also supports recruitment, onboarding, and performance management, helping you attract and retain top talent.

Integrations include Microsoft Dynamics 365 Human Resources, Guru, Sterling, Merge, Workato, Salesforce, Workday, SuccessFactors, NetSuite and Celigo.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Unified platform for HR and payroll
  • Scalable for growing enterprises
  • Real-time data analytics and reporting

Cons:

  • Limited customization options after implementation
  • Implementation can be time-consuming

Best for offering pay on demand

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request

Paycom is a comprehensive HR and payroll software solution for businesses of all sizes. It serves HR managers, CEOs, and finance executives by offering tools for payroll management, talent acquisition, and time and labor management.

Why it's a good Paylocity alternative: Paycom emphasizes payroll accuracy through its automated payroll system, Beti, which allows employees to manage their own data. This feature reduces administrative burdens and enhances payroll precision. 

Paycom also offers a pay on-demand feature through their Everyday feature, which grants employees early access to their wages through a Vault Visa Payroll Card.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include employee self-service options, empowering your team to handle their own payroll and benefit inquiries. Plus, the platform’s user-friendly mobile app also contribute to improved decision-making and organizational productivity.

Outside of payroll functions, Paycom offers applicant tracking tools to simplify your hiring process, and performance management tools help you track employee progress and set goals. 

Integrations include QuickBooks, Xero, Oracle, SAP, Sage, Microsoft Dynamics, Salesforce, Workday, NetSuite, and Google Workspace.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Dedicated customer support
  • Comprehensive security measures
  • Transparent payroll processing for employees

Cons:

  • Limited customization options
  • Complex initial setup re: Beti feature

Best for complex HR and IT needs

  • Free demo available
  • From $8/user/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.8/5

Rippling is a workforce management platform for businesses seeking to unify their global HR, IT, and finance operations. It serves companies of various sizes and offers tools to manage payroll, benefits, device management, and expenses within a single system.

Why it's a good Paylocity alternative: Rippling offers a professional employer organization (PEO) service for businesses needing outsourced HR administration. Its platform integrates HR management with IT and finance, allowing you to oversee payroll, benefits, and compliance support from one centralized system. 

Automated workflows streamline onboarding, device provisioning, and payroll approvals. This makes it ideal for companies with complex HR structures that require a flexible, all-in-one solution.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include automated onboarding and offboarding processes that sync with your IT infrastructure, ensuring employees access tools and systems appropriately. The platform also provides advanced analytics and reporting capabilities, enabling you to make data-driven decisions. 

Additionally, Rippling offers compliance support to help your business adhere to federal, state, and local regulations.

Integrations include QuickBooks, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, GitHub, Asana, Salesforce, Dropbox, Zoom, Okta, and others.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Wide range of third-party integrations
  • Efficient automation of tasks
  • Scalable for growing businesses

Cons:

  • Slow customer support response times
  • High costs for add-ons

Best for multi-state payroll simplicity

  • 7-day free trial
  • From $6.19/user/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.4/5

BambooHR is a human resource information system (HRIS) designed for small to midsize businesses. It's used by HR teams to simplify and automate core HR processes, including hiring, onboarding, and managing employee data.

Why it's a good Paylocity alternative: BambooHR excels in handling multi-state payroll, making it easier for your team to manage payroll across different US locations. Its intuitive interface and automated compliance tracking reduce the burden of managing complex payroll tasks. The software also offers employee self-service features, allowing your team to access and update their information effortlessly, reducing administrative burdens.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include automated time-off tracking, which helps your team manage vacation requests without hassle. The performance management tools allow you to set goals and track progress, ensuring your team stays aligned with business objectives. 

BambooHR's reporting capabilities also provide insights into HR metrics, aiding strategic decision-making.

Integrations include Greenhouse, Lever, Glassdoor, Checkr, GoodHire, Slack, Single Sign-On, Oyster HR, Lattice, Northpass, and numerous others.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Intuitive user interface
  • Insightful reporting capabilities
  • Strong performance management tools

Cons:

  • Some features sold as add-ons
  • Limited ATS functionalities

Other Paylocity Alternatives

Here are some additional Paylocity alternatives that didn’t make it onto my shortlist but are still worth checking out:

  1. Paychex Flex

    For scalability across business sizes

  2. Homebase

    For hourly team management

  3. Paycor

    For niche payroll needs

  4. ADP Workforce Now

    For automated compliance monitoring

  5. Sage HR

    For small business HR needs

  6. Arcoro

    For construction industry compliance

  7. Workday HCM

    For global workforce management

  8. Workable

    For recruitment and hiring

  9. UKG Pro

    For large enterprise solutions

  10. HiBob

    For modern company cultures

Selection Criteria for Paylocity Alternatives

When selecting the best Paylocity competitors to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points related to HR software products, like scalability and ease of use. 

I also used the following framework to keep my evaluations structured and fair:

Core Functionalities (25% of total score): To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:

  • Manage payroll processing
  • Track employee attendance
  • Handle benefits administration
  • Facilitate recruitment processes
  • Maintain compliance with regulations

Additional Standout Features (25% of total score): To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:

  • Customizable reporting tools
  • AI-driven analytics
  • Mobile app capabilities
  • Employee wellness programs
  • Multi-currency payroll support

Usability (10% of total score): To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:

  • Intuitive user interface
  • Easy navigation
  • Minimal learning curve
  • Responsive design
  • Quick task execution

Onboarding (10% of total score): To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:

  • Availability of training videos
  • Interactive product tours
  • Access to templates
  • Webinars for new users
  • Chatbots for guidance

Customer Support (10% of total score): To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:

  • 24/7 support availability
  • Access to live chat
  • Dedicated account managers
  • Comprehensive help center
  • Prompt response times

Value For Money (10% of total score): To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:

  • Transparent pricing
  • Flexible subscription plans
  • Discounts for annual billing
  • No hidden fees
  • Comprehensive plan features

Customer Reviews (10% of total score): To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:

  • Positive feedback on usability
  • High ratings for support services
  • Satisfaction with the feature set
  • Reports of reliable performance
  • Return on investment feedback

Using this assessment framework helped me identify the Paylocity competitors that go beyond basic requirements to offer additional value through unique features, intuitive usability, smooth onboarding, effective support, and overall value for price.

Paylocity Key Features

Here are some of the key features of Paylocity to help you compare and contrast what alternative solutions offer:

  • Payroll management: Automates payroll processing to ensure timely and accurate payments.
  • Time tracking: Allows your team to clock in and out, track hours worked, and manage time-off requests.
  • Benefits administration: Manages employee benefits, including health insurance and retirement plans, in one platform.
  • Employee self-service: Empowers employees to access and update their personal information and view pay stubs.
  • Tax filing: Helps your team manage and file taxes accurately, reducing compliance risks.
  • Expense management: Simplifies tracking and approving employee expenses for better financial oversight.
  • Compensation management: Allows you to manage employee salaries and bonuses effectively.
  • Performance management: Supports setting employee goals and conducting performance reviews to improve productivity.
  • Onboarding: Streamlines the process of bringing new hires into your organization with digital forms and checklists.
  • HR analytics: Provides insights into workforce data, helping you make informed HR decisions.

If you'd like to learn more about their payroll and HR features, read our detailed review of Paylocity next.

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Kim Behnke
By Kim Behnke

Kim Behnke is an HR Tool Expert & Writer for People Managing People. She draws on her 9 years of human resources experience and her keen eye for systematic processes to support her analyses of the top HR tools on the market. She is passionate about maximizing efficiencies and streamlining workflows to ensure internal systems run smoothly. Kim's HR experience includes recruitment, onboarding, performance management, training and development, policy development and enforcement, and HR analytics. She also has degrees in psychology, writing, publishing, and technical communication, and recently completed a Certified Digital HR Specialist program through the Academy to Innovate HR. When away from her desk, she can usually be found outside tending to her ever-expanding garden.