Best Payroll and Benefits Software Solutions in 2025

• I appreciate the accessibility of functions such as payroll, onboarding, and the ability to have Deel set up our employer entity in multiple locations while remaining compliant.
• The communication features within the Deel system allow for easy updates across teams.
• The tool streamlines complex HR and payroll processes into a unified platform.

We purchased Deel to support employees across multiple states and countries. It was a significant benefit to have the Deel team set up our company’s legal entity within a state without requiring our Finance team to pause and complete the registration themselves. This was a major advantage for us.

Deel also simplified our onboarding process, enabling us to expedite onboarding efficiently while providing a seamless experience for both the employer and the new hire. Additionally, we leveraged the payroll functionalities, which added further value.

These capabilities made the system a worthwhile investment for our organization.

• The site is not particularly user-friendly for new users.
• We occasionally encounter glitches and system errors.
• There have been instances where forms were difficult to locate, causing confusion.
• Errors in invoices and contracts have also occurred, sometimes stalling operations despite our ability to work through them.

One area where Deel stands out is its combination of contract management, global payroll, HRIS, and other functions within a single platform. Its capacity to support international clients is a major advantage, allowing companies to grow globally without having to navigate the complexities of international payroll and compliance independently.

Many competitors lack this feature or the ability to register companies in multiple states or countries, which can otherwise delay business operations by weeks as finance teams handle all necessary paperwork and state-specific procedures.

Compliance and international support are key criteria to evaluate. Even if an employer doesn't have international employees at the time of implementation, the option to add this functionality later can be extremely beneficial.

Comprehensive support for onboarding, payroll, and compliance is not available in all systems, so these factors should play a critical role when selecting a new HRIS system.

It appears that Deel has enhanced its automation workflows and now includes functionality to track paid time off requests.

Deel is well-suited for mid-sized to large organizations with an international presence. It’s also a strong option for large companies with smaller HR or Finance teams. The platform’s flexibility and scalable support provide considerable benefits in these scenarios.

While smaller companies can use Deel, there may be more cost-effective solutions tailored to their specific needs.

I really like that all the HR resources are essentially located in one place, especially with links embedded to external sites (eg. benefit provider). I also really like that I can access all my payroll info online in one place. The organizational chart feature is also really helpful for identifying the reporting structure for areas of the business I was less familiar with and help me connect with the appropriate team member on cross-functional projects.

We bought ADP to cut back on internal payroll costs, provide employees with online access to their payroll info, avoid manually mailing out paper T4's every year, consolidate HR information and links into 1 platform, streamline data entry requirements for the payroll team, help move employee calls and inquiries to the ADP team, free up internal payroll/HR time, and streamline HR recruiting and tracking request. I have been personally using it for around 2 years now I believe.

The login process always feels very cumbersome with the multiple authentication steps and 2FA. The performance review functionality was extremely tedious - there were a lot of different screens and it wasn't easy to locate reviews or edit them - it just seemed much more complicated than it needed to be and a lot of my managers struggled to complete their reviews even with instruction manuals. I also wish there was a way to inquire about any payroll discrepancies directly - employees would have to email me (with no visibility as a District Manager) and I would have to forward payroll and it always seemed to slow down the efficiency, especially when the answer was something simple.

More functionality and works as a total company website as opposed to just a payroll viewing platform. Much more visually appealing and easy to navigate than some other platforms (like some SAP ones I've seen)

How much functionality you want out of the platform - just access to paystubs or a fully integrated HR platform. Customization options - for example we could add custom fields like t-shirt size for team events and/or self-declaration options (eg. covid vaccination status)

We're still relatively new to the platform, so it's hard to say what is an ADP change or just an organizational learning, but I have seen the addition of new self-declaration fields in the employee profile. The benefits section and external links continue to expand as well. We struggled with the performance review section, but I believe this is now being worked on in the backend by our L&D team.

For a large organization looking to streamline HR / payroll operations, particularly if trying to move away from paper-based payroll/pay stubs.

• Easy Onboarding - Remote does make onboarding hires in remote locations quite easy.
• Online Portal - great to have all the hires from all international locations in one place.
• Expenses - easy for employees and companies to track/pay expenses.

With a shortage of talent in the U.S., our firm needed to hire in locations where we did not have an entity. Global EORs offer a way to do that without setting up a legal entity first. Remote was an up-and-coming player in the space that made getting setup much faster, less complex than traditional partners like Velocity Global. We have used the system for approximately 2 years now.

• Billing/Invoicing - Remote has had multiple billing errors in our invoices and their system is incredibly confusing for reconciling what is outstanding vs. the errors they have made.
• Management - Remote has changed management recently and they have changed terms & conditions from our original invoices and have taken away promotions by saying they were "introductory promotions" rather than the "negotiated terms" like we originally discussed.

Remote was a leader in simplicity when we first began using their services a couple of years ago. Now, I believe certain competitors have caught up and surpassed them.

• Cash flow - these services require upfront payment for payroll so be prepared to pay month end payroll by the 17th of that month.
• Terminating employees - Employment laws vary country by country. Remote is offering a service to make it easier on your company to hire elsewhere; however, terminating employees can be quite difficult.

Remote was very startup friendly 2 years ago. Their management has changed and their culture has changed drastically. It is no longer a customer-focused culture going above and beyond to win customers.

Remote is good for an established company in search of a way to explore hiring people in other regions of the world.

It is a user-friendly platform, allowing ease in self-service for employees. The implementation was easy, with lots of assistance provided from the vendor. Integration with vendor platforms via file feeds is robust.

I have used Paylocity for 2 years. The implementation was fast and went smoothly. There were some issues initially on the benefits side when setting up our many insurance plans, but they use BSwift, which is a great tool, and ultimately, we were able to go live. Our payroll team was very dissatisfied with our existing vendor, Paycom. Our benefits team also wanted expanded reporting capabilities. Additionally, our existing platform did not integrate with our timekeeping system, Kronos.

They have frequent turnover in dedicated account representatives on the benefits side. We had to purchase special time clocks to capture our employees' time in Kronos. There were some issues setting up tricky benefit plans that the system was unable to accommodate.

I prefer this platform over ADP, Paycom, and UKG. It is much more user-friendly for employees and better scaled to the size of our business.

Employee user skill level is an important consideration. It is good for low-skilled users and has many self-help tools. It also has a great benefits tool, which is excellent for open enrollment and compliance. The reporting features are strong.

Paylocity will work with you to customize the platform wherever possible. They need to provide more frequent system upgrades and improvements based on customer feedback.

Paylocity is best for users of all skill levels, from basic to advanced. It is great for manufacturing organizations, those with complex plan designs, union contracts, and professionals.

I like Rippling’s onboarding and offboarding workflows. The ability to requisition software and hardware for new hires is very helpful. I also appreciate the payroll interface and how easy it is to use.

My client bought Rippling to better automate their onboarding and offboarding processes. They also needed the ability to requisition software and hardware for remote, global team members.

Prior to using Rippling, they tracked everything in separate Google Sheets, and their processes were very manual. They did not have comprehensive onboarding and offboarding checklists, which Rippling now provides as part of the system. Rippling has helped standardize these processes and increase overall efficiency.

While I do not remember the exact cost, I believe Rippling is relatively expensive. Each module is sold separately, so pricing can add up quickly as functionality increases. Configuring workflows can also be time-consuming.

Rippling’s technology is more advanced than that of other HR and payroll software. The automation capabilities are also superior.

Consider the type of workforce you have and whether you need to requisition software and hardware. It’s also important to evaluate whether cybersecurity is a key concern for your organization, as Rippling addresses this well.

Rippling now offers a PEO option, which adds flexibility for businesses seeking a co-employment model.

Rippling is especially effective for tech companies with globally dispersed teams.

The interface is extremely intuitive and easy to use. Everything for our employee pay and benefits is all in one place, so when a new employee joins, they can enroll in everything at once. Our employees have access to Gusto also, so if they need to make any updates to their information, it's easy for them to self-serve.

We've been using Gusto since 2021. We purchased Gusto because as a small start-up, we needed to have a full-service payroll provider that was intuitive to use and could also provide us with other services, such as 401K administration, worker's comp, and more. It was helpful for us to also have a service where they could alert us on any state-by-state requirements with regard to payroll and insurance, as we do have employees across many different states. I also really appreciate that Gusto helps to file all taxes related to payroll.

Some of the benefits via Gusto are administered via third parties (eg, worker's compensation, 401k), which means that for any detailed changes that we need to make, we have to work through a different point of contact. I wish that Gusto could help handle all of that for us. Also, Gusto doesn't have a customer service phone number that you can easily call, so if you need help, it is more cumbersome.

The user interface is significantly more user-friendly than other payroll providers like ADP.

You should consider if your payroll provider can help do payroll for other states or countries. You should also consider whether you want your payroll provider to help assist with other benefits. Also, consider how important high quality and speedy customer service is for you.

I've noticed that Gusto now offers assistance in registering with states, which is helpful for remote or distributed teams.

It's great for start-ups who may not have an HR team to figure out benefits administration.

• It is easy to use, with a simple interface that even less tech-savvy users can navigate.
• It offers customizable access levels, allowing employees to have only the permissions they need, such as viewing W-2s or punching in and out.
• It consolidates all HR needs in one platform, including payroll, recruiting, and document management, eliminating the need for multiple programs.

When I joined the nonprofit organization, Paycor was the HR tool in use. This nonprofit had five umbrella companies and needed an HR tool that could support each one effectively, and Paycor met all those requirements. I initially started using Paycor as an employee with limited access for a year.

After being promoted to an admin role, I was introduced to more advanced tools that Paycor offered, which I utilized for about three and a half years. Paycor was particularly beneficial because it provided features like payroll management, time tracking (clocking in and out, requesting and managing time off), and employee status monitoring.

It also supported recruiting by allowing administrators and HR to coordinate, review applicants, schedule interviews, and manage candidate paperwork such as resumes and background checks.

Additionally, it streamlined job postings and editing job descriptions. Employees could access newsletters, W-2s, and pay stubs virtually, reducing the need for physical copies and supporting efficient banking processes.

• Access management can be slow; I have to rely on the HR team to update permissions for departing employees, which can take weeks.
• There are occasional glitches during updates that either reset access levels or result in data loss.
• The app for clocking in and out sometimes fails to sync properly, requiring users to log in on a computer to ensure times are correctly recorded.

My current company's tool is overly complicated, with a cluttered homepage that makes navigation difficult. Paycor, on the other hand, keeps the homepage simple and intuitive, making it easy to request time off or enter hours. While the app has occasional glitches, the desktop interface is user-friendly and reliable.

Organizations should consider their size and specific needs. A smaller organization might not require all of Paycor’s features, such as recruiting tools, while larger companies can benefit from its robust capabilities, including the ability for administrators and HR to collaborate effectively.

Buyers should also assess how much access they want to provide to leadership teams and what tools they expect employees to use frequently.

Over the three and a half years I’ve used Paycor, it has resolved many glitches and released updates to improve functionality. While I’ve adapted to the platform and learned to use it more effectively, there are still features I haven’t explored due to time constraints.

Paycor has been proactive in providing updates and instructional materials to help users get the most out of its tools.

Paycor is suitable for any organization, whether nonprofit or for-profit, small or large. For example, the nonprofit I worked for served over 500 people, and Paycor was a great fit due to its comprehensive features. The tool's versatility allows organizations to tailor its use based on their specific needs.

We are a small non-profit, and they provide us with a non-profit discount. It has all the functionality we need without being overly complicated. Processing payroll is quick and easy.

We bought OnPay because it seemed to be the best fit for our organization. It has all the functionality we need to handle HR and payroll for our small group of employees. It is robust enough to meet our needs but not overly complicated like some of the larger systems. It is easy to use, yet it allows us to process multi-state payroll and manage our employees' time off. It also includes all the basic reporting that we require.

It doesn't offer much in terms of custom reporting. Much of the HR information requires navigating to individual employee records to view. You can't edit a benefit plan once it's created; you have to make a new one to implement any changes.

OnPay is really the only system of its type and size that I've used, so I can't say how it compares to competitors. It is much simpler than ADP or UKG, which I have used, but we are getting it for a fraction of the cost. The simplicity of the system actually works well for our team.

Consider the needs of your business and team. OnPay is a fairly basic HR and payroll system. It covers all the essentials, but if you need extensive reporting or numerous integrations with other systems, you might want to explore a higher-tier HR/payroll solution. Additionally, consider cost. Even without the non-profit discount, it's a very economical solution compared to some of the larger providers.

I haven't noticed any significant changes since we started using OnPay, but as I mentioned, it already meets our needs.

I believe OnPay is great for smaller companies that don't need extensive features in their HR and payroll system.

First, its ability to consolidate payroll and compliance. Second, the ease of use during our onboarding process for both employees and contractors. Third, the ability to manage employee benefits and time-off requests across multiple jurisdictions.

Our company operates in several jurisdictions, both in the United States and abroad. We needed an HR system that had extensive features but was also easy to use. Its ability to integrate payroll, compliance, and tax management in one place made it simple for our management teams in different jurisdictions to operate efficiently.

As our team consists not only of in-house employees but also contractors, temporary hires, and vendors, the ability for managers to view and manage this diverse group was critical.

Previously, we used a collection of different systems that did not communicate with each other in many of the jurisdictions where we operated. This led us to create our own spreadsheets and send them to a centralized person who would consolidate the data for tracking and reporting purposes.

In the two-plus years we have used Papaya—aside from the initial growing pains of adjusting to the layout—our organization has operated much more smoothly.

The platform has so many features that it can be overwhelming and occasionally clunky. It becomes easier to use over time, and the Papaya Academy is very helpful. The cost is higher than other solutions we have used.

A more subscription-based model that doesn't charge per employee might be better. Customer support can be inconsistent, with varied response times and occasionally unhelpful responses. I recommend that they create a standardized training program for their support staff, especially internationally.

Compared to other tools where we had to use different products in various locations, Papaya Global is the best at integration, and we no longer need multiple systems. It is number one for a reason.

First, consider the cost, which can be high for smaller companies.

Second, assess the size of your company and the jurisdictions in which you operate to determine if such a robust solution is necessary. If you're not operating in at least three different countries, this solution may not be right for you.

Third, the software is designed for companies with more complex needs than just running payroll. If you need a solution that combines payroll, HR, tax, and compliance, this is a strong option.

Papaya Global consistently update their solutions and have made improvements to customer support.

Medium to large-sized organizations operating in multiple countries will find Papaya Global useful. It is especially useful for those seeking a single solution for HR and payroll.

• User-friendliness is the main pro we find when using Quickbooks.
• It’s been very easy to train my HR employees how to send and receive invoices.
• It’s linked to our bank.
• It gives the option for people to pay via ACH when sending out invoices (easy for them to pay with a touch of a button).

When my organization was looking for options to help quickly get out invoices to our clients they thought Quickbooks would be the perfect solution. We have now successfully been using Quickbooks for 10 years for our invoicing needs as well as AR reporting which helps our HR team run smoothly.

• Sometimes it runs slow if more than one user are in the software at a time.
• Connectivity issues will happen at times which could make it frustrating to use when you are in a hurry.
• You have to add in other apps to be able to use all the functionality of Quickbooks and pay further pricing.

The only other software we have tried in the past was NetSuite, and we ultimately decided to go with Quickbooks due to its pricing and ease of use. NetSuite did have more functionality but overall we liked the way Quickbooks worked with our company’s needs.

They should figure out what they specifically want to use the tool for, and make sure they do their research and pick the correct type of Quickbooks so they can easily work through what they need to get done.

The website itself has changed over the years but in a good way! We feel it is super easy to navigate and works for our business needs.

Really any corporate type of business that needs to send invoices out to customers, our organization does staffing and recruiting and we rely on Quickbooks to be able to send out invoices to clients.

Paycom provides excellent customer support. Paycom is able to handle our complicated payroll. Paycom has simplified a lot of processes within our HR department.

We were using a different payroll service provider.  We had a very complicated payroll and needed more support, especially when it came to taxation issues.  Paycom assured us that they could provide the needed support and could handle our payroll efficiently.  We reviewed several other providers but ultimately felt that Paycom would be the best fit for our company.

We selected Paycom and have been using it for 5 months now.

There are certain processes that require a step or two that could be eliminated. You have to click on different menus to see all employee info.  We were not able to use Paycom's time and attendance platform due to our needs for geofencing.

The customer service is better. You have a dedicated support person whom you are actually able to reach on a regular basis.

You need to consider your payroll needs as well as the cost of the service.  Paycom is not the most cost-effective solution but is worth the increased cost due to the complications of our payroll.

We have not been with Paycom long enough for me to know the answer.

Organizations who need a one-stop shop for payroll services.

Paychex is easy to use. It provides the option to run payroll through checks, which is helpful for certain organizations. The customer service provided by Paychex is reliable.

The company purchased the Paychex subscription before I joined, and I used it for about a month. Paychex was chosen because it was user-friendly for employees. The company operated in the security services industry, so it was crucial for the HRIS used for payroll management to be easy to navigate, especially for employees who were not technically advanced. Paychex addressed this need effectively by offering a simple interface.

The tax options in the Paychex app are not clearly explained, making it difficult for HR to assist new employees. I later learned about Paychex's history of data breaches, which raised concerns. The app does not allow screenshots, which can be inconvenient, though this feature has its advantages from a security perspective.

For a company in the security services industry, Paychex worked adequately. However, I would prefer a system that supports direct deposits and online separation processes, which might also be available in Paychex but were not used by the company.

Consider whether your company is comfortable with manually entering employee information and mailing checks. If employees are tech-savvy, you may want to explore additional features. Pricing should also be taken into account, especially for companies with expansion plans or budget constraints.

I haven’t used it long enough to comment on its evolution.

This tool is suitable for companies that prefer paying employees via checks. Few apps support this feature as smoothly as Paychex does. It is also a good option for users who are not particularly tech-savvy and do not require advanced features.

Creating reports in Namely is straightforward, even for users with limited technical experience. The time and labor module is intuitive and easy to demonstrate to employees. The visibility and layout of the homepage make navigating the system fast and user-friendly.

I worked for a small FinTech company that used Namely. They picked Namely because it was an easy-to-use tool and was perfect for our business structure. We (the HR Team) liked how it was easy to enter new employees and update existing employees' information.

We also had a few nonexempt employees, so we used their timekeeping system, which was also simple. We also used announcements like our social media, so we didn't have to design an Intranet.

The system lacks innovation and hasn’t kept up with some newer HR platforms in terms of features and design. The interface feels a bit outdated, especially compared to more modern alternatives. Customer support was sometimes difficult to reach, which could be frustrating when time-sensitive issues arose.

Namely is a smaller and more simplified platform compared to other tools like UKG or ADP. It works well for small companies that need a streamlined system without too many bells and whistles. While I prefer UKG or ADP for their broader functionality and scalability, Namely stands out for being approachable and easy to manage for less complex HR operations.

When evaluating this kind of tool, it's important to consider the size and complexity of your organization. Namely works best for small businesses that don’t require highly advanced features or custom-coded reports. If you're expecting rapid growth or need to manage complex data, you may quickly outgrow it. Simplicity and ease of use should be top considerations if you're leaning toward Namely.

One noticeable improvement has been quicker service request response times. The company seems to have made an effort to address support speed, which enhances the overall user experience, especially during critical periods.

Namely is ideal for HR teams and general employees in small to mid-sized companies. It suits organizations that need an easy-to-use system without requiring extensive setup or ongoing technical support.