In the world of human resources and payroll, efficiency and accuracy are key. Whether you’re a small business owner or an HR professional in a larger corporation, finding the right tools to manage your workforce can be a challenge. Thanks to modern technology, there’s now a plethora of payroll and HR apps and websites designed to streamline these processes. In this blog, we’ll cover 23 top resources, noting what they offer, their pros and cons, and whether they’re free or come with a free trial. Let’s dive into the tools that could revamp the way you handle HR and payroll.
Gusto
- What It Offers: Gusto provides full-service payroll along with benefits and HR support. Features like automatic payroll tax processing and the ability to offer a 401(k) make it a comprehensive option.
- Pros: User-friendly interface; comprehensive features.
- Cons: Can be pricey for smaller businesses.
- Free Trial: Yes, Gusto offers a one-month free trial.
- Visit Gusto
Zenefits
- What It Offers: Zenefits is an HR platform with an emphasis on modern, small and mid-sized businesses. It includes tools for payroll, benefits, compliance, and time tracking.
- Pros: Broad feature set; integrates well with other apps.
- Cons: Customer service can be hit or miss.
- Free Trial: Offers a free demo upon request.
- Visit Zenefits
BambooHR
- What It Offers: BambooHR focuses on small and medium businesses, offering an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), time-off tracking, performance management, and payroll.
- Pros: Easy to use; great for managing multiple HR facets.
- Cons: Payroll is an add-on, not included in the base package.
- Free Trial: Yes, but the length varies, so check the site for details.
- Visit BambooHR
Paychex
- What It Offers: Paychex is a well-known service offering payroll, HR, benefits, and insurance services for businesses of all sizes.
- Pros: Scalable solutions; offers 24/7 support.
- Cons: Can get expensive; some find the interface clunky.
- Free Trial: Offers a free quote, but no free trial.
- Visit Paychex
21 Apps for Payroll and HR
ADP
- What It Offers: ADP is one of the oldest and most established payroll and HR services, providing a comprehensive range of services for businesses of all sizes.
- Pros: Reliable with a strong track record; extensive features.
- Cons: Can be complex to navigate; may be overkill for very small businesses.
- Free Trial: Offers a free demo.
- Visit ADP
QuickBooks Payroll
- What It Offers: QuickBooks Payroll is an extension of the popular accounting software, offering seamless payroll processing with tax features.
- Pros: Integrates with QuickBooks accounting; easy to use.
- Cons: Best suited for those already in the QuickBooks ecosystem.
- Free Trial: Yes, a 30-day free trial is available.
- Visit QuickBooks Payroll
Sage Payroll
- What It Offers: Sage provides payroll solutions that can work standalone or alongside Sage accounting software, aimed at small to medium businesses.
- Pros: Strong customer support; offers detailed reports.
- Cons: Interface is not the most modern.
- Free Trial: No free trial; however, a free demo is available.
- Visit Sage Payroll
Rippling
- What It Offers: Rippling is an employee management platform that handles HR, IT, and payroll, with a focus on automation and integration.
- Pros: Highly automatable; integrates with 500+ apps.
- Cons: Pricing can be higher than some competitors.
- Free Trial: No, but you can request a free demo.
- Visit Rippling
21 Apps for Payroll and HR
Workday
- What It Offers: Workday offers enterprise-level software solutions for human capital management, including payroll, talent management, and finance.
- Pros: Comprehensive, all-in-one platform; good for global businesses.
- Cons: Can be complex; better suited for larger companies.
- Free Trial: No, but a free demo can be requested.
- Visit Workday
Namely
- What It Offers: Namely offers a powerful HR, payroll, and benefits platform designed for mid-sized companies. It comes with a social newsfeed feature to increase employee engagement.
- Pros: User-friendly; good integration options.
- Cons: More suited for medium-sized businesses than small ones.
- Free Trial: Offers a demo but no explicit free trial period.
- Visit Namely
Square Payroll
- What It Offers: Square Payroll is part of the Square suite, designed for easy payroll processing, especially for businesses already using Square for payments.
- Pros: Affordable; seamless integration with Square services.
- Cons: Features might be basic for larger companies.
- Free Trial: No, but it offers clear and straightforward pricing.
- Visit Square Payroll
Patriot Payroll
- What It Offers: Patriot Payroll offers straightforward payroll services with an emphasis on affordability and simplicity for small businesses.
- Pros: Easy to use; excellent customer service.
- Cons: Some features are add-ons.
- Free Trial: Yes, a 30-day free trial is available.
- Visit Patriot Payroll
21 Apps for Payroll and HR
OnPay
- What It Offers: OnPay provides payroll services for small to mid-sized businesses, offering unlimited pay runs and comprehensive tax filings.
- Pros: Transparent pricing; user-friendly.
- Cons: Less name recognition may put off some users.
- Free Trial: Yes, offers a one-month free trial.
- Visit OnPay
Zoho Payroll
- What It Offers: Zoho Payroll integrates with the larger suite of Zoho products, offering a seamless payroll processing experience for small to medium-sized businesses.
- Pros: Great for users already in the Zoho ecosystem; intuitive design.
- Cons: Currently available in a limited number of countries.
- Free Trial: Yes, and it integrates well with other Zoho apps.
- Visit Zoho Payroll
Ceridian Dayforce
- What It Offers: Ceridian Dayforce is a global HCM software that combines HR, payroll, benefits, workforce management, and talent management in a single application.
- Pros: Robust features; good for global organizations.
- Cons: Can be complex to set up.
- Free Trial: No direct free trial, but you can request a demo.
- Visit Ceridian Dayforce
Justworks
- What It Offers: Justworks is an HR tool that provides payroll, benefits, compliance support, and HR tools, focusing on simplicity and ease of use.
- Pros: Simple pricing model; easy to navigate.
- Cons: Maybe too simplistic for businesses with complex needs.
- Free Trial: Offers a demo, not explicitly a free trial.
- Visit Justworks
UltiPro
- What It Offers: UltiPro by Ultimate Software offers comprehensive HCM solutions, including payroll, HR, talent, and time and labor management.
- Pros: Strong analytics and reporting; extensive features.
- Cons: Learning curve can be steep.
- Free Trial: No, but you can request a demo.
- Visit UltiPro
Kronos Workforce Ready
- What It Offers: Kronos Workforce Ready is a versatile workforce management suite that includes HR, payroll, talent, and timekeeping.
- Pros: Highly customizable; good for businesses of all sizes.
- Cons: Interface can be intimidating for first-time users.
- Free Trial: Demos are available upon request; no explicit free trial.
- Visit Kronos Workforce Ready
Wave Payroll
- What It Offers: Wave Payroll is part of the Wave financial services suite, designed for small businesses needing straightforward payroll services.
- Pros: Affordably priced; integrates with Wave’s free accounting software.
- Cons: Payroll feature is not free, unlike their accounting and invoicing software.
- Free Trial: No, but offers clear pricing and is affordable.
- Visit Wave Payroll
BreatheHR
- What It Offers: BreatheHR is designed for small to medium-sized businesses, focusing on simplifying HR tasks to save time and increase productivity.
- Pros: Easy to use; great for SMEs.
- Cons: Not as feature-rich as some larger competitors.
- Free Trial: Yes, a 14-day free trial is available.
- Visit BreatheHR
21 Apps for Payroll and HR
People HR
- What It Offers: People HR provides solutions for HR management including analytics, leave management, and payroll processing tailored for small and medium-sized companies.
- Pros: Good range of features; user-friendly.
- Cons: Some advanced features require additional payment.
- Free Trial: Offers a free trial upon request.
- Visit People HR
Each of these payroll and HR platforms offers a unique set of features tailored to different business needs and sizes. Whether you’re looking for simplicity and cost-effectiveness or a comprehensive suite of HR tools, there’s an option out there for you. We encourage you to explore these options, take advantage of free trials when available, and find the perfect fit for your business needs. Efficient and effective payroll and HR management is just a few clicks away!
