Running payroll shouldn’t require a degree in accounting. Yet for many business leaders, payroll processing is the most confusing and time-consuming part of HR. And if you miss a deadline or miscalculate a deduction, you could face penalties, frustrated employees, or even legal issues.
The solution is simple: find a top payroll software company that streamlines the process. Whether you’re managing five employees or 5,000, the payroll system saves you hours of work every month.
What Is a Payroll Company?
A payroll provider is a company that provides software and services that help employers process employee compensation. Good payroll companies can handle everything from calculating wages and withholding and paying taxes to managing direct deposits and generating year-end tax forms.
HR should look for modern payroll companies that integrate with time tracking, benefits administration, and other systems to create a comprehensive talent management solution. Some payroll providers focus purely on software, while others bundle in advisory services and compliance support.
Importance of Finding the Best Payroll Software Company
Your choice of payroll provider impacts every employee, every pay period. Get it wrong, and you’ll waste hours on manual corrections, face increased compliance risks, and lose top talent to competitors with smoother operations.
But the best payroll software eliminates these pain points, and you typically gain:
- Time Savings: Automated calculations and workflows free up your team to focus on strategic priorities instead of administrative tasks.
- Compliance Protection: Major payroll companies stay current on tax law changes, reducing your company’s risk.
- Employee Satisfaction: Accurate, timely paychecks are table stakes. To improve the employee experience, offer self-service access to paystubs and tax documents.
- Data-Driven Insights: Top payroll systems generate reports that inform HR’s workforce planning and budgeting decisions.
- Scalability: The right payroll software grows with your business, supporting new locations, changing regulations, and expanding headcount.
Remember: High-quality software is an investment in your company’s future. When you choose the right payroll provider, you’ll see measurable returns in every aspect of people management.
5 Questions to Find the Best Payroll Software Companies
Not all payroll software providers deliver the same value. When choosing between popular payroll companies, savvy HR leaders should assess them based on the following characteristics:
1. Do they integrate with your existing software?
Payroll doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and neither should your software. The best payroll companies offer seamless integration with time and attendance tracking, benefits administration, accounting platforms, and HR analytics. This connectivity eliminates duplicate entries, reduces payroll errors, and gives you a single source of truth for workforce data.
Pro Tip: Look for payroll software vendors that integrate with the tools you already use. Pre-built integrations save time during implementation and reduce the technical burden on your IT team.
2. How complex is it to run payroll?
Top-rated payroll services simplify workflows through payroll automation, user-friendly interfaces, and access to experts who can help. The best providers design their platforms for actual users, whether that’s an HR team of one or a dedicated payroll department.
The best payroll providers will also streamline tax filing, garnishment processing, and year-end payroll reporting. They handle the complexity behind the scenes so your team can focus on supporting employees instead of decoding tax law.
3. Can their software accommodate your company growth?
Change is inevitable. Over time, your headcount will fluctuate, you’ll move into new regions, and payroll compliance requirements will be updated. The best payroll platforms can easily adapt to these shifts, supporting your company through every phase of growth.
Scalable payroll systems accommodate multiple pay schedules, diverse compensation structures, and complex organizational hierarchies. Whether you’re processing payroll for one independent contractor or a large team of full-time employees, your payroll solutions need to keep up with your company’s changing demands.
4. Can I use it on the go?
Mobile-enabled payroll software is a win for everyone: it improves the employee experience while giving your managers more flexibility. And workers at every level can own the time tracking process, whether that means approving timecards from the field or viewing a paystub on demand.
5. How does it use AI to help me with payroll?
AI transforms payroll from a reactive process into a proactive tool. And modern payroll software companies should use machine learning to identify anomalies, predict cash flow needs, and automate routine decisions.
They may also have AI-powered systems that flag potential errors before processing, suggest optimal pay schedules, and provide predictive analytics for workforce planning. Just know that as AI develops new capabilities, the payroll systems that use it will become even more powerful.
Ten of the Top Payroll Companies in 2026
The following payroll providers all have different strengths. Each one serves a distinct market segment, offering specific features and service models. Depending on your company’s size, industry, and level of complexity, any one of them could be a good fit.
Paycor
Paycor is an HCM software provider designed for mid-market and enterprise organizations. The platform combines powerful payroll processing with comprehensive talent management solutions, time tracking features, and analytics capabilities.
Industry Focus: Medium to large businesses with complex payroll needs and growth ambitions.
What the Software Does: Paycor’s payroll software automates wage calculations, tax withholdings, and compliance reporting while integrating seamlessly with HR, benefits, and time management systems. The platform provides real-time insights into labor costs and workforce trends that can help you streamline HR Workflows.
Key Features:
- Unified Platform: Payroll data flows automatically between time tracking, HR, and benefits systems, eliminating duplicate entries and reducing human error.
- Compliance Management: Built-in tax filing is available across all jurisdictions, with automatic updates for regulatory changes and wage garnishment processing.
- Employee Self-Service: Workers can access paystubs, tax forms, and update personal information through a user-friendly portal, reducing HR’s administrative burden.
- Advanced Reporting: Customizable dashboards and reports give HR visibility into labor costs, overtime trends, and workforce metrics that inform strategic decisions.
- Mobile Access: Managers can approve timecards and run reports from anywhere, while employees view paystubs and request time off through mobile apps.
Paychex
Paychex primarily serves small businesses that need HR guidance and payroll services. Whether you’re a sole proprietor or you manage a growing team, they provide all-in-one HR technology and services. In addition to powerful payroll software, you’ll gain access to industry experts to guide you through business challenges.
Industry Focus: Small businesses, typically with fewer than 200 employees, that value personalized service in addition to software.
What the Software Does: Paychex processes payroll while offering advisory services on HR compliance, benefits administration, workforce management, and more. The platform bundles payroll software with access to HR professionals who can answer questions and provide personalized guidance.
Key Features:
- Personalized Support: Different packages include various levels of support. Customers can choose between chat support, full-service support, and direct access to HR specialists.
- Flexible Solutions: Modular platform lets small businesses start with basic payroll and add services as they grow.
- Tax Compliance: Handles federal, state, and local tax filing with guaranteed accuracy and penalty protection.
SurePayroll
SurePayroll is a payroll provider for very small businesses and household employers who need an affordable, user-friendly solution. The platform strips away complexity to deliver straightforward payroll processing.
Industry Focus: Businesses with fewer than 10 employees, startups, and household employers (nannies, housekeepers, personal assistants).
What the Software Does: SurePayroll provides basic payroll processing with tax filing and direct deposit. The system emphasizes ease of use over advanced features, making it accessible to users with no payroll experience.
Key Features:
- Simplified Setup: Quick, simple process gets new employers ready to process payroll within minutes.
- Transparent Pricing: Clear, predictable costs with no hidden fees or surprise charges.
- Tax Filing: Automatic calculation and filing of payroll taxes at federal and state levels.
- Direct Deposit: Electronic payment processing eliminates check printing and distribution.
ADP
ADP is a payroll and HR provider serving businesses of all sizes. The company offers multiple product tiers designed for different organizational needs. For example, RUN Powered by ADP targets small businesses while ADP Workforce Now serves mid-sized to large companies.
Industry Focus: All business sizes, with particular strength in mid-market and enterprise organizations managing complex, multi-state or global payroll.
What the Software Does: ADP processes payroll while handling tax compliance, benefits administration, and HR management. The company offers specialized solutions for different business sizes, from basic payroll processing to global payroll management.
Key Features:
- Automated Tax Management: Handles federal, state, and local tax calculations, filings, and payments with guaranteed accuracy and penalty protection.
- Comprehensive Compliance: Stays current with regulatory changes across all 50 states.
- Multi-State and Global Capabilities: Manages complex payroll processing across multiple countries and maintains compliance with local tax regulations.
- Employee Self-Service: Workers can access paystubs, update personal information, and manage tax withholdings through user-friendly portals.
Gusto
Gusto is an all-in-one payroll and HR platform designed for small to mid-sized businesses. The software emphasizes ease of use and automation, handling everything from payroll processing to benefits administration through a single interface.
Industry Focus: Small to mid-sized businesses, startups, and organizations working with independent contractors who need straightforward, automated payroll and HR management.
What the Software Does: Gusto processes payroll while automating tax filings, managing benefits enrollment, and providing employee self-service tools. The platform offers HR features that are intended to scale with business growth.
Key Features:
- Automated Tax Filing: Handles federal, state, and local tax calculations and filings automatically, with W-2 and 1099 form generation.
- Employee Self-Service Portal: Workers can access paystubs, tax documents, benefits information, and manage personal details through an intuitive interface. Capterra reviewer Bryce S. writes, “Gusto makes payroll and HR tasks much easier with its clean, intuitive interface and automated processes.”
- Benefits Administration: Offers health insurance and retirement plans, including 401(k)s.
Paycom
Paycom is an HCM platform that manages the entire employee lifecycle through one database. The software emphasizes employee self-service, particularly through its Beti® feature, which allows employees to review and approve their own paychecks before processing.
Industry Focus: Mid-sized to large businesses seeking a streamlined HR and payroll solution with strong employee self-service capabilities and mobile functionality.
What the Software Does: Paycom processes payroll while providing integrated solutions for recruiting, time and attendance, benefits, and compliance.
Key Features:
- Employee Self-Service (Beti): Employees review and approve their paychecks before processing, catching errors in advance of each payroll run.
- Single Database Architecture: All HR functions operate from a single system, reducing duplicate entries and errors.
- Mobile-First Design: Paycom’s mobile app allows employees to clock in/out, request time off, view paystubs, and complete onboarding tasks from anywhere.
- Time and Attendance Tracking: The system includes tools for managing employee hours, schedules, and PTO approvals.
Quickbooks
QuickBooks is best known for accounting software. The company also offers QuickBooks Payroll, an integrated platform for small businesses that use QuickBooks for other financial operations.
Industry Focus: Small businesses that want to integrate their accounting and payroll management functions within a single platform.
What the Software Does: QuickBooks Payroll automates payroll processing, tax calculations, and direct deposits while syncing data directly with QuickBooks accounting software. The system handles federal and state tax filings.
Key Features:
- QuickBooks Integration: Seamlessly connects payroll data with QuickBooks Online accounting, eliminating duplicate data entry and streamlining financial management.
- Time Tracking Integration: Integrates with QuickBooks Time for accurate hour tracking and project-based payroll calculations.
- Direct Deposit: Offers same-day and next-day direct deposit options.
- Customizable Reporting: Generates detailed payroll reports for tracking expenses, analyzing labor costs, and preparing for tax season. TrustRadius reviewer Dawn Smith says, “the product gives payroll reminders and payroll tax reminders. The reminders are sent to both the client and the accountant.”
Rippling
Rippling is an all-in-one platform that combines HR, payroll, IT management, and benefits administration in a single system. The software manages everything from employee onboarding to device provisioning through one centralized dashboard.
Industry Focus: Small to mid-sized businesses and tech startups that need comprehensive workforce management with global payroll capabilities and IT integration.
What the Software Does: Rippling processes payroll while automating HR tasks, managing employee benefits, handling IT functions like device management and app provisioning, and supporting international workers.
Key Features
- Single Platform: Consolidates HR, payroll, benefits, IT, and device management in one system, eliminating the need for multiple tools.
- Global Payroll Support: Handles payroll for international workers across multiple countries.
- Streamlined Onboarding/Offboarding: Simplifies the entire employee lifecycle, automatically provisioning or revoking access to apps, devices, and systems.
- Employee Self-Service: The employee portal allows workers to manage their own information. As Al Ruglio, TrustRadius reviewer, explains, “employees can log in to view payroll, request time off, visit retirement benefits and regular health benefits.”
Paylocity
Paylocity is an HCM platform for mid-sized businesses seeking integrated payroll, HR, and talent management solutions. The software consolidates multiple workforce management functions into a single system.
Industry Focus: Mid-sized businesses across various industries, especially those looking to consolidate HR functions.
What the Software Does: Paylocity can manage payroll, time and attendance, benefits administration, talent management, and employee self-service. The platform handles tax calculations, compliance reporting, and integrates with accounting software to streamline financial operations.
Key Features:
- Consolidated Platform: Businesses can access payroll, HR, benefits, and time tracking in one single system, reducing duplicate data entry and administrative workload.
- Employee Self-Service Portal: Workers can access paystubs, update personal information, request time off, and manage benefits through the platform’s interface.
- Automated Tax Filing and Compliance: Handles federal, state, and local tax calculations, filings, and year-end reporting with built-in regulatory updates.
UKG
UKG’s software handles payroll processing for businesses of all sizes. The platform automates calculations, manages compliance, and integrates with time tracking systems.
Industry Focus: Organizations of all sizes, especially those with complex payroll, such as multi-state operations, diverse pay structures, and detailed compliance requirements.
What the Software Does: UKG processes payroll with automated tax calculations, direct deposit management, and year-end reporting. The software integrates time and attendance data directly into payroll and handles complex scenarios, including garnishments and custom earnings codes.
Key Features:
- Automated Payroll Processing: Handles wage calculations, tax withholdings, and direct deposits with minimal manual data entry.
- Complex Deduction Handling: Simplifies garnishments and child support orders with built-in federal and state calculation rules. As one TrustRadius verified user writes, “UKG Pro makes entering Child Support deductions easy to use and understand.”
- Mobile Access: Employees view paystubs, tax documents, and update direct deposit information through mobile apps.
- Customizable Reporting: Provides tools that let HR tailor reports to their team’s unique needs.
So, What’s the Best Payroll Software Provider?
There’s no universal answer to this question. The best payroll software company for your organization depends on your specific needs, budget, and growth trajectory.
Small businesses with basic payroll needs might thrive with a simplified solution that prioritizes ease of use over advanced features. These organizations need predictable costs and straightforward processes.
Growing companies, on the other hand, need scalable platforms to accommodate increasing complexity. HR leaders should look for payroll software that integrates with other business systems and offers room for your team to expand.
Enterprise organizations need sophisticated reporting, multi-state tax compliance, and the ability to handle many different pay structures. To effectively support a large, complex team, you’ll need a platform with powerful automation, integrations, and strategic analytics.
To choose the right payroll software for your unique business, consider your current size, industry, and level of complexity. Take stock of where you are today, and analyze your HR metrics to predict where you’ll be in five years. The right choice will align with your corporate values, goals, and budget.
Why Paycor is One of the Top Payroll Software Companies
The best payroll providers address five key considerations: integration, simplification, scalability, mobility, and AI. Paycor’s software delivers on all five—and even adds more. Here’s how:
Integration
Paycor’s unified HCM platform connects payroll with time tracking, HR management, talent development, and benefits administration. Data flows seamlessly between modules, eliminating the disconnected systems that lead to errors and inefficiency.
Simplification
Despite its powerful capabilities, Paycor maintains an intuitive interface that makes complex payroll processes manageable. Automated workflows handle routine tasks, while guided processes help users navigate exceptions and special circumstances.
Scalability
The platform grows with your business, supporting multiple locations, diverse pay structures, and expanding headcount. Paycor serves organizations from 500 to 50,000 employees without requiring platform changes or expensive customizations.
Mobility
User-friendly mobile functionality lets managers and employees interact with the system from anywhere. Approve timecards, run reports, and access pay information all in one place, on your own schedule.
Artificial Intelligence
Paycor leverages AI for predictive analytics, anomaly detection, and process automation. The system learns from your organization’s patterns to flag unusual activities and suggest optimizations.
Paycor also offers:
Strategic Insights: Advanced HR analytics transform payroll data into actionable intelligence about labor costs, productivity trends, and workforce planning.
Exceptional Support: Connect with implementation specialists and customer success managers to maximize your investment in payroll software.
Compliance Confidence: Automatic tax updates, garnishment processing, and regulatory reporting reduce your compliance risk across all jurisdictions.
Use Paycor: The Payroll Software Company That Empowers You
Paycor’s HR & Payroll software vastly reduces the administrative burden, freeing you to focus on strategic priorities. Our platform automates calculations, ensures compliance, and integrates with your existing systems to create a unified workforce management solution.
When you partner with Paycor, you gain more than payroll processing. You also get strategic insights, scalable technology, and a team of experts committed to your success. Our comprehensive HCM platform supports every aspect of talent management, from recruiting and onboarding to talent development and succession planning.
Schedule a guided tour to learn how Paycor’s payroll software empowers HR to drive results.
The information in this article is based on research of the third-party review websites cited below. Information is accurate as of January 2, 2026 and is subject to change.
- Run Powered by ADP G2 user review from January 2, 2026
- ADP Workforce Now G2 user review from January 2, 2026
- ADP Global Payroll user review from January 2, 2026
- ADP Captera user Review data from January 2, 2026
- Gusto G2 user review from January 2, 2026
- Gusto Capterra user review from January 2, 2026
- Gusto TrustRadius user review from January 2, 2026
- Paycom TrustRadius user review data from January 2, 2026
- Paycom G2 user review data from January 2, 2026
- Capterra user review data from January 2, 2026
- QuickBooks Capterra user review data from January 2, 2026
- QuickBooks G2 user review data from January 2, 2026
- QuickBooks TrustRadius user review data from December 23, 2015
- Rippling G2 user review data from January 2, 2026.
- Rippling TrustRadius user review data from January 2, 2026
- Paylocity G2 user review data from January 2, 2026
- Paylocity Capterra user review data from January 2, 2026
- Paylocity TrustRadius user review data from January 2, 2026
- UKG Ready G2 user review data from January 2, 2026
- UKG Pro G2 user review data from January 2, 2026
- UKG Capterra user review data from January 2, 2026
- UKG TrustRadius user review data from January 2, 2026
- TrustRadius UKG Pro user review data from January 2, 2026
- UKG TrustRadius UKG Pro Review data from April 2021