20 Best Payroll Companies of 2025: Reviewed & Compared
10 Best Payroll Companies Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 20 tools reviewed.
Talk through what you’re looking for. Get a custom shortlist based on your needs. No fees.
The best payroll company is one that takes complex, error-prone payroll tasks off your plate, so you can spend less time calculating wages, fixing mistakes, or worrying about tax compliance, and more time focused on people.
Whether you're drowning in spreadsheets, navigating clunky legacy software, or starting from scratch, finding the right payroll partner can eliminate manual work, automate filings, ensure accuracy, and keep your team paid on time.
As an HR software reviewer and former payroll support person, I’ve reviewed hundreds of HR service providers, and I know how big a difference the right provider makes.
This guide will help you cut through the noise to choose a payroll company that fits your team’s needs, scales with your business, and frees you from payroll headaches for good.
You Can Trust Our Software Reviews
We've been testing and reviewing HR 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 use cases and written over 1,000 comprehensive software reviews. Learn how we stay transparent, and take a look at our software review methodology.
Best Payroll Companies: Comparison Chart
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for the best payroll companies that made my shortlist to help you find the best payroll company for you.
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best for global employees and contractors | Free trial + demo available | From $29/month | Website | |
| 2 | Best for HR, payroll, and integrations in one | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 3 | Best for hiring without a local entity | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 4 | Best for mobile-friendliness | 30-day free trial | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 5 | Best for automated payroll and tax filing | 90-day free trial | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 6 | Best for global payroll with built-in advisory | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 7 | Best for mobile-friendly hourly payroll | Free plan available | From $20/location/month | Website | |
| 8 | Best for managing international teams | Free demo available | From $25 - $199/user/month | Website | |
| 9 | Best for industry-specific payroll services | 30-day free trial | From $40/month + $6/user/month | Website | |
| 10 | Best for enhanced US customer support | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website |
-
ChartHop
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.3 -
Willo
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8 -
edays
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.3
Best Payroll Company Reviews
Here’s a brief description of the top 10 payroll companies that made it into my shortlist, including their main service offerings and other noteworthy features. I’ve also included screenshots to give you a snapshot of their software’s user interface.
Plus, I’ve included 10 more worthwhile companies below, if you’d like some extra options to consider.
Deel offers global payroll and compliance services, focusing on international hiring and payments. They serve businesses of all sizes seeking to manage a distributed workforce.
Why I picked Deel: Managing international payroll can be complex, but Deel simplifies it by handling compliance, taxes, and payments across over 150 countries. Their platform lets you hire contractors and full-time employees without setting up local entities, saving you time and resources. With transparent pricing and 24/7 support, Deel makes global expansion more accessible.
Deel Standout Services:
Deel's employer of record (EOR) services let you hire full-time employees in other countries without establishing a local entity, ensuring compliance with local labor laws. Their contractor management system streamlines onboarding, invoicing, and payments for international contractors, reducing administrative burdens.
Software integrations are available with NetSuite, HiBob, Xero, Ashby, and Greenhouse.
Deel Target Industries and Specializations:
Target industries: technology, finance, marketing, education, and healthcare.
Specialties: global payroll, compliance, contractor management, employer of record services, and international hiring.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive compliance management
- No need to set up local entities
- 24/7 customer support
Cons:
- Not all features available in every country
- Pricing may be high for small businesses
New Product Updates from Deel
500+ New Platform Enhancements for Global Hiring and Payroll
Deel announced over 500 platform enhancements focusing on global hiring, HR, payroll, and AI-driven compliance, featuring tools for faster hiring, smarter HR management, strategic planning, and enhanced payroll flexibility. For more details, visit the source: Deel Blog.
Paylocity offers payroll services that help midsized businesses manage and scale pay processing, tax filings, and employee payment options.
Why I picked Paylocity: I chose Paylocity because it combines powerful HR and payroll features into a single platform, making it easy to manage everything from benefits and compliance to employee pay and time tracking. Its extensive integration options, with over 400 third-party tools ranging from applicant tracking to collaboration tools, ensure it fits into your broader tech stack.
Paylocity Standout Services:
Their on-demand payment feature lets employees access wages early, solving cash flow challenges for your team. The automated tax filing system handles payroll taxes, reducing the risk of errors and keeping your business compliant with changing regulations.
Software integrations include ClearStar, Microsoft Dynamics 365, 7shifts, AirMason, APA Benefits, Azure, Atlassian, Asana, Box, ClearCompany, Dropbox, Freshdesk, Google Workspace, Greenhouse, HubSpot, Slack, Salesforce, Trakstar, and Zoho People.
Paylocity Target Industries and Specializations:
Target industries: retail, healthcare, manufacturing, education, and technology
Specialties: tax compliance, payroll flexibility, time tracking, benefits integration, and employee self-service
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Easy integration with other HR solutions
- Customizable reporting features
- Flexible pay options for employees
Cons:
- Limited international payroll options
- Occasional issues with mobile app functionality
New Product Updates from Paylocity
Paylocity Integrates Airbase for HR and Finance Operations
Paylocity launched Paylocity for Finance, integrating Airbase’s spend management into its HCM platform, featuring modules like AP Automation and Expense Management to streamline HR and finance operations. For more details, visit Paylocity Press Releases.
TopSource Worldwide offers payroll, HR, and compliance services to help businesses manage international employee operations more effectively. It supports companies of all sizes with solutions for payroll processing, global employment compliance, and HR administration across over 180 countries.
Why I picked TopSource Worldwide: It helps you hire, pay, and manage employees globally without needing to set up a legal entity in each country. You can rely on its Employer of Record (EOR) services for compliant contracts, payroll, and benefits management. The combination of payroll, HR, and compliance support makes it easier to expand into new markets without the typical complexities of global hiring.
TopSource Worldwide Standout Services:
You can manage multi-country payroll with TopSource Worldwide while staying compliant with local tax laws. Its Employer of Record (EOR) services let you hire internationally without setting up a local entity, and you also get HR advisory support and tools like a global employment calculator to estimate hiring costs. Integrations include Salesforce, NetSuite, SAP, eCommerce, financial platforms, CRM and ERP systems, APIs, EDI, inventory, and order management tools.
TopSource Worldwide Target Industries and Specializations:
Target industries: global organizations, professional services, IT, manufacturing, and retail
Specialties: global payroll, Employer of Record (EOR), compliance management, HR advisory, and contractor management
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Legal employer of record in each location
- Includes global payroll and tax management
- Salary estimator tool helps plan ahead
Cons:
- Pricing not publicly listed
- No public list of software integrations
Paycor offers payroll services and solutions tailored to support HR, payroll, and workforce management needs for businesses of various sizes. Their services cater to small and medium-sized businesses, with a focus on simplifying payroll processes and improving efficiency.
Why I picked Paycor: Paycor integrates automated payroll tools that save your team time by reducing manual data entry and minimizing errors. Their mobile-friendly expense tracking lets you and your employees manage reimbursements easily on the go, which is ideal for remote or distributed teams. These features make Paycor a great fit if you're looking for efficiency in payroll management and expense handling.
Paycor Standout Services:
Paycor’s mobile app lets you process payroll, approve timecards, and review reports from anywhere, giving you more flexibility. The expense management tool helps your team track expenses, upload receipts, and manage reimbursements directly within the system, which simplifies operations for businesses with mobile or remote workers.
Software integrations are available with 140+ software applications through their Paycor Marketplace, including Center Expense Management, Certify by Emburse, CloudPay, HIRETech, Instant Pay, Rapid Disbursements, Payfactors, Netspend, and many others.
Paycor Target Industries and Specializations:
Target industries: retail, healthcare, nonprofits, manufacturing, and professional services.
Specialties: payroll processing, mobile expense tracking, workforce management, HR analytics, and compliance assistance.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- User-friendly interface for time and attendance
- Mobile app with payroll processing
- Frequent software updates
Cons:
- Some integrations require additional setup
- Customer support response times vary
RUN by ADP offers payroll and HR services designed to support businesses of all sizes with their payroll processing and tax filing needs. Their solutions cater to small, medium, and large businesses, helping streamline payroll operations while ensuring compliance.
Why I picked RUN by ADP: ADP's RUN integrates automated payroll processing with tax filing to simplify payroll management for your business. You’ll also find tools that help with compliance, like real-time alerts and updates for tax regulations. Their intuitive platform ensures your team can handle payroll tasks quickly and accurately.
RUN Powered by ADP Standout Services:
RUN Powered by ADP includes automated payroll processing to ensure your employees are paid accurately and on time while reducing manual tasks. You also get automatic tax filing services that calculate, file, and pay payroll taxes for you, saving time and ensuring compliance with government regulations.
Software integrations include QuickBooks, Wave, Xero, ClockShark, Points North, Compy, Wex, Synerion, JazzHR, 7Shifts, Snappy Gifts, Absorb LMS, SmartRecruiters, and hundreds more.
RUN Powered by ADP Target Industries and Specializations:
Target industries: retail, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, and construction
Specialties: payroll tax filing, compliance, benefits administration, employee self-service, and reporting tools
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Integration with accounting software
- Mobile app for on-the-go access
- Easy to use for small businesses
Cons:
- Add-on costs for certain services
- Limited customization for larger enterprises
HSP Group combines HR consulting with global entity, payroll, and compliance support, delivered through its GateWay platform for full visibility across international operations. They’re a strong fit if you’re scaling globally and want one partner to manage payroll complexity, local compliance, and legal entity governance.
Why I picked HSP Group: I picked HSP because they don’t just run payroll—they help you decide how to run it. Whether you’re wondering when to transition from an EoR to a full entity, or how to navigate tax exposure in new markets, their consulting bench adds strategic depth most providers skip. If you're expanding operations, you’ll get local insight backed by global infrastructure.
HSP Group Standout Services:
HSP provides employer of record (EoR) services and entity setup support, plus project-based global payroll consulting for businesses entering new regions or reworking their current approach. The GateWay platform shows compliance progress and deadlines in real time. They also offer support for global mobility, HR documentation, and cross-border tax strategy.
Target industries: Technology, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, private equity, and venture capital.
Specialties: HR compliance, payroll operations, entity management, employer of record (EoR), technical consulting, and tax advisory.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Unified platform for global HR
- Smooth EoR-to-entity transition
- Real-time compliance tracking system
Cons:
- Integrations not clearly documented
- No pricing publicly available
Homebase offers full-service payroll with built-in time tracking and scheduling, designed for hourly teams and small businesses. It’s especially useful for businesses that want to streamline timecards, automate payroll runs, and stay compliant—all from a mobile-friendly platform.
Why I picked Homebase: Running payroll for hourly workers can be chaotic, but Homebase simplifies it by syncing scheduling, time tracking, and payroll into one platform. It automatically calculates hours, overtime, breaks, and wages, and handles tax filings on your behalf. With features like next-day payroll and auto-payroll, Homebase helps busy managers skip manual work and stay focused on growing their teams.
Homebase Standout Services:
Homebase combines a time clock, timesheets, and payroll in a single platform to eliminate double entry and manual calculations. It supports automatic tax filing, direct deposit, and W-2/1099 generation. Optional features include tip management, earned wage access, and auto-payroll for complete hands-off processing.
Software integrations are available with QuickBooks, Square, Clover, Toast, Gusto, Shopify, and more.
Homebase Target Industries and Specializations:
Target industries: retail, restaurants, home services, hospitality, and healthcare
Specialties: hourly payroll, mobile time tracking, team scheduling, compliance automation, and small business workforce management.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Automated payroll and tax processes
- Offers direct deposit into bank accounts or printable checks
- Time tracking for accurate payroll
Cons:
- Payroll functions are only available as an add-on
- No details on customization for specific business needs
RemoFirst offers payroll services designed to support businesses in managing international teams. Their solutions focus on simplifying global payroll processes while ensuring compliance with local regulations.
Why I picked RemoFirst: Their platform makes it easy to manage payroll for employees across multiple countries. You can rely on their automated tools to handle compliance, payments, and reporting in one place. It’s especially useful for organizations that need to ensure accurate, timely payments to a diverse international workforce.
RemoFirst Standout Services:
Their automated compliance management helps you navigate the complexities of international payroll by keeping your team compliant with local tax and labor laws. They also provide multi-currency payment processing, so you can pay employees in their local currency without dealing with conversion headaches.
RemoFirst Target Industries and Specializations:
Target industries: technology, healthcare, retail, education, and consulting
Specialties: international payroll, compliance, tax management, reporting, and payment processing
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Easy to use for non-technical teams
- Responsive customer support team
- Offers multi-currency payment options
Cons:
- Lacks platform integration options
- May not suit small businesses with limited budgets
OnPay offers full-service payroll solutions tailored for small and medium-sized businesses. Their platform also supports benefits administration, HR functions, and compliance management for various industries.
Why I picked OnPay: Their industry-specific payroll services let you manage unique payroll needs, like compliance for restaurants or agricultural businesses, all through an easy-to-use platform. OnPay’s in-house insurance brokers can help your team find the right employee benefits without needing an external partner. This combination of payroll and insurance expertise can simplify HR tasks for your business.
OnPay Standout Services:
Their automated tax filing ensures that federal, state, and local payroll taxes are calculated, filed, and paid correctly. You can also use their benefits management tools to handle health insurance, retirement plans, and workers' comp directly through the platform, saving time for you and your team.
Software integrations are available with QuickBooks, Xero, When I Work, Deputy, Magnify, Mineral, PosterElite, and with the 401k retirement platforms Guideline, America’s Best 401k, and Vestwell.
OnPay Target Industries and Specializations:
Target industries: healthcare, retail, restaurants, agriculture, and nonprofits
Specialties: compliance support, benefits integration, multiple pay rates, employee self-onboarding, and reporting customization
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Access to HR support and compliance tools
- Industry-specific payroll compliance features
- Offers in-house insurance brokers for benefits
Cons:
- Limited integrations with accounting software
- Setup process may require manual adjustments
Paychex Flex offers payroll processing, HR, and benefits services tailored to the needs of businesses of any size, from self-employed solo entrepreneurs to small businesses, all the way up to organizations with 1,000+ employees.
Why I picked Paychex Flex: Paychex Flex emphasizes enhanced customer support with 24/7 access, which is particularly helpful for businesses with time-sensitive payroll needs. Their platform includes customizable payroll features that adapt to your business’s structure, reducing administrative hassle. Paychex Flex also offers tax filing services, ensuring compliance without requiring extra time or effort from your team.
Paychex Flex Standout Services:
Paychex Flex provides payroll tax filing services, which handle tax calculations and submissions, saving your team time and reducing the risk of errors. They also offer time and attendance tracking, allowing you to integrate employee hours directly into payroll for greater accuracy.
Software Integrations are available with 300+ commonly used applications, including BambooHR, Epicor, Infor, JazzHR, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Dynamics, Sage, SAP, and many others. Plus, Paychex Flex has an API to support any custom software integrations you may need.
Paychex Flex Target Industries and Specializations:
Target industries: healthcare, retail, construction, education, and manufacturing
Specialties: payroll processing, tax compliance, employee benefits, time tracking, and HR administration
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Easy-to-use mobile app for payroll tasks
- Strong reputation for reliability
- 24/7 customer support availability
Cons:
- Limited flexibility in report customization
- Extra fees for some advanced features
Other Payroll Companies
Here are a few more worthwhile options that didn’t make the best payroll companies list:
- QuickBooks Online
For small businesses
- Patriot Payroll
For US companies
- Buddy Punch
For combined payroll and time-tracking
- Zenefits
For entrepreneurs and SMBs
- Remunance
For payroll in India
- myHR Partner
For reliable payroll expertise
- PayUSA
For employee self-service
- Rippling
With integrated HR and IT management
- Remote
For offering international stock options
- Multiplier
For support via PEO and EOR services
Related HR Software Reviews
If you still haven't found what you're looking for here, check out these other related tools that we've tested and evaluated:
- HR Software
- Recruiting Software
- Applicant Tracking Systems
- Workforce Management Software
- Learning Management Systems
- Business Management Software
Selection Criteria for Payroll Companies
When selecting the best payroll companies to include in this list, I considered common business needs and pain points that these providers address. This included things like streamlining complex payroll processes and reducing compliance risks.
I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Services (25% of total score): To be considered for inclusion in this list, each provider had to offer these basic services:
- Payroll processing and wage calculation for hourly and salaried workers
- Direct deposit and payment distribution in to employee bank accounts
- Employee self-service portal with digital pay statements (pay stubs)
- Tax filing and compliance management, including automatic withholding for government bodies (e.g., the IRS or CRA, etc.)
Additional Standout Services (25% of total score): To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique or especially valuable services, such as:
- Global payroll processing in multiple currencies
- Multi-country compliance monitoring
- Contractor payments and classification support
- Integrated time tracking or scheduling tools
- Benefits administration and deductions handling
- Real-time analytics and payroll reporting
- Modern services, like same-day pay access for employees (also known as pay-on-demand or earned wage access)
- Additional support, such as global HR or EOR services
Industry Experience (10% of total score): To get a sense of the industry experience of each provider, I considered the following:
- Years in business and market presence
- Number and type of clients served
- Expertise in regional labor laws
- Specialization in specific business sizes
- Recognition or certifications in the payroll industry
Onboarding (10% of total score): To evaluate the onboarding experience for each provider, I considered the following:
- Availability of guided setup or account manager
- Clarity and speed of implementation process
- Access to onboarding resources or tutorials
- Ease of data migration and integrations
- Customer support during initial setup
Customer Support (10% of total score): To assess the level of customer support each provider offers, I considered the following:
- Availability of live chat or phone support
- Quality of support documentation or help center
- Responsiveness to urgent payroll issues
- Dedicated account manager availability
- Access to ongoing training or support resources
Using this assessment framework helped me identify the payroll providers that go beyond basic requirements to offer additional value through advanced services, deep industry experience, smooth customer onboarding, effective support, and overall value for price.
What is a Payroll Company?
A payroll company is a third-party service that handles employee pay processing, tax filings, and compliance on behalf of businesses.
It’s used by HR teams and business owners to save time, reduce manual errors, stay compliant with tax laws, and ensure employees get paid accurately and on time.
Frequently Asked Questions about Payroll Companies
Still curious about payroll companies and what they have to offer? Take a look through these answers to popular FAQs to get you grounded.
How do payroll companies work?
Payroll companies offer both payroll software and payroll services that assist organizations in managing their payroll process.
If you’re self-sufficient enough to run your own basic payroll yourself, you can likely get away with managing your business needs through a SaaS (software-as-a-service) pricing plan where you pay a monthly fee for using your payroll software of choice, and that’s it.
However, if your resources are limited and you need extra support, payroll companies can help you with extra services for an additional fee.
What key features do payroll companies offer?
Here’s a summary of the core features you can expect to receive when working with the best payroll service providers in this list:
- Automations: These are the tools that allow payroll functions to run on their own without time-consuming human oversight—the bread and butter of payroll systems.
- Compliance tools: Built-in features that ensure your payroll configuration is set up to calculate, collect, report, and file all your tax payments as required. Many systems also include oversight by teams of compliance and payroll specialists too.
- Advanced payment features: Many modern payroll systems now include pay-on-demand features where employees can access earned wages in advance of their next payday, or receive payment in their own local currency if they’re based internationally.
- Employee self-service & mobile access: All the payroll providers in this list offer employee portals where staff can access their pay stubs digitally, plus additional functions like time-off requests, time-tracking features, and more.
Interested in more nitty-gritty payroll details? Take a look at our comprehensive list of payroll features as well.
How much do payroll companies charge?
The cost of working with a payroll company will depend on the type of features you need their support with. While most of the payroll companies in this list do offer pricing details for their basic payroll software, you’ll need to contact each provider directly to receive a personalized service offer for any add-ons.
In general, payroll companies charge a basic monthly fee plus an additional charge based on the number of employees you have listed as active on your payroll register.
What are the best payroll options for small business owners?
There are many solid options for small business payroll providers out there. And luckily for you, I’ve already done all the leg work for you. To save you time, take a look at my list of the best small business payroll options instead.
If you’re running a startup or operating on a very tight budget, you’ll also want to browse my list of the best free payroll software too.
What integrations are the most important to have with payroll software?
To improve productivity and reduce manual data entry, you want to make sure the payroll company you choose offers software that will work with your existing tools. Key integrations to look for include:
- HR data management systems (HRIS, HRMS, HCM systems)
- Time and attendance tracking software (a.k.a., timesheets)
- Benefits administration software
- Compensation management software.
Other Payroll Resources
With so many different payroll providers out there (including 665 HR & payroll software companies in the US alone as of 2024), we couldn’t possibly fit them all into one article! If you’re still interested in considering other options, I recommend reviewing these other payroll solutions too:
- Automated Payroll Software
- Online Payroll Software
- HR Software for Payroll
- Payroll Services for Small Businesses
If you’re looking for payroll software specifically for internationally-based staff, you’ll want to check out these other types of payroll and HR services as well:
- Best Global Payroll Service Providers
- Best PEO Companies (Professional Employer Organizations)
Stay Connected
If you found this article useful, I recommend subscribing to our People Managing People newsletter as well. You'll learn about the latest trends in HR leadership, tricks and tips to help you process payroll more efficiently, and how-to guides for any HR topic you can think of. Plus, it's delivered to your inbox for free each week.