Top 6 Payroll Providers Compared
Choosing the right payroll solution is critical for businesses of all sizes. This comprehensive guide compares the top 6 payroll providers of 2025: Deel, Rippling, Paychex, OnPay, BambooHR, and Patriot Software. We evaluate pricing models, feature sets, ease of use, compliance capabilities, and integration options. Whether you're a startup looking for an affordable solution, a growing business needing scalability, or a multinational enterprise requiring global payroll management, our detailed analysis will help you identify the perfect provider for your organization's unique requirements.
Featured: How Deel Simplifies Global Payroll
Deel, our #1 recommended payroll provider, offers comprehensive solutions for managing international teams and contractors. Watch this video to learn how they streamline global payroll processing.
Comparison Criteria
Pricing
$ = Budget (Under $5/employee/mo)
$$ = Mid-range ($5-10/employee/mo)
$$$ = Premium ($10-20/employee/mo)
$$$$ = Enterprise (Custom pricing)
User Rating
Based on verified reviews across G2, Capterra, and SoftwareAdvice platforms. Rating out of 5.
Usability
Ease of use rating based on user interface design, implementation complexity, and administrative burden.
Company Size
The ideal organization size where the solution performs best based on features, scalability, and pricing.
1. Deel
- Global payroll in 150+ countries
- Multi-currency support
- Contractor and employee management
- Automated compliance
- Built-in EOR services
- Mass payment processing
- Higher cost structure
- Primarily focused on global workforce
- May have unnecessary features for domestic-only companies
- Newer platform with evolving features
2. Rippling
- Full-service payroll in 90 seconds
- Global payroll capabilities
- Integrated HR, IT & Finance platform
- Automated compliance & tax filing
- Employee device management
- Benefits administration
- Higher price point for small teams
- Some features require additional modules
- Complex initial setup
- Can be overwhelming for simple needs
3. Paychex
- Scalable payroll solutions
- Employee self-service
- Tax filing and compliance
- HR advisory services
- Time and attendance tracking
- Benefits administration
- Can be costly for smaller businesses
- Multiple platforms not fully integrated
- Contract terms can be restrictive
- Implementation can take time
4. OnPay
- All-inclusive pricing
- Automated tax filing and payments
- Multiple pay rates and schedules
- Employee self-service
- Third-party app integrations
- Custom workflows and permissions
- Smaller company with fewer resources
- Mobile app less robust than competitors
- Limited advanced features for large enterprises
- Fewer integrations than larger providers
5. BambooHR
- Integrated HR and payroll platform
- User-friendly interface
- Automated tax calculations and filing
- Employee self-service portal
- Time tracking integration
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics
- Payroll is an add-on to core HR platform
- Limited customization options
- No multi-country payroll capabilities
- Higher cost when bundled with HR features
6. Patriot Software
- Affordable full-service payroll
- Free direct deposit
- Automated tax filing and payments
- Employee self-service
- Time and attendance tracking
- Workers' compensation integration
- Limited features for large businesses
- Basic reporting capabilities
- No international payroll support
- Fewer integrations than enterprise solutions
How to Choose the Right Payroll Provider for Your Business
Assess Your Business Needs
Begin by identifying your specific payroll requirements. Consider your company size, industry, and growth plans. Do you need international capabilities? Integration with existing systems? Tax filing in multiple states? Create a prioritized list of must-have features versus nice-to-have capabilities to guide your selection process.
Consider Total Cost of Ownership
Look beyond the base subscription fee to understand the full financial commitment. Consider implementation costs, fees for add-on features, charges for tax filing, year-end processing fees, and costs for additional services. Also evaluate the time savings and reduced risk of errors that might justify a higher price point for more automated solutions.
Evaluate Compliance Capabilities
Payroll involves significant compliance requirements. Ensure the provider offers automated tax calculations, filing, and payments for all relevant jurisdictions. Look for features that help maintain compliance with wage and hour laws, ACA reporting, new hire reporting, and other regulatory requirements. Consider providers with compliance guarantees that protect you from penalties due to software errors.
Assess Integration Capabilities
Modern businesses rely on multiple systems working together seamlessly. Evaluate how well each payroll provider integrates with your existing technology ecosystem, including accounting software, time tracking systems, benefits platforms, and HR systems. Native integrations typically offer better reliability and functionality than manual data transfers or third-party connectors.
Check Support and Service Levels
Payroll is mission-critical, and problems require timely resolution. Research the provider's reputation for customer service, available support channels (phone, email, chat), support hours, and typical response times. Look for dedicated account management on higher-tier plans and implementation assistance for complex setups. Read reviews focusing specifically on customer service experiences to gauge satisfaction levels.
Frequently Asked Questions About Payroll Providers
Who are the leading payroll providers for different business sizes?
The payroll landscape includes providers serving different market segments. Traditional leaders like Paychex serve small to large businesses with comprehensive solutions. For small businesses, affordable options like OnPay and Patriot Software offer excellent value. Growing companies often choose integrated platforms like Rippling and BambooHR that combine payroll with HR functionality. For global businesses, specialized providers like Deel excel at international payroll and compliance across multiple countries with contractor and employee management capabilities.
What is the best payroll provider?
The "best" payroll provider depends entirely on your business needs, size, and budget. For small businesses seeking simplicity and affordability, OnPay and Patriot Software typically rank highest for value. For companies wanting integrated HR and payroll, BambooHR offers excellent user experience. Mid-sized companies often find Paychex or Rippling provide the right balance of features and scalability. For global businesses with international teams, Deel excels at multi-country compliance and contractor management. Consider factors like ease of use, customer support quality, integration capabilities, and specific feature needs when determining the best fit for your organization.
How many payroll companies are there in the US?
There are approximately 1,800 payroll service providers operating in the United States, ranging from large multinational corporations to local and regional providers. The market includes full-service providers, software-only solutions, industry-specific specialists, and accountants offering payroll services. The landscape continues to evolve with mergers, acquisitions, and new entrants, particularly in the small business and tech-focused segments of the market.
What is the most expensive payroll company?
Among the major enterprise payroll providers, costs can vary significantly based on company size and features required. Enterprise solutions typically have implementation costs and ongoing fees based on employee count. Costs structures vary widely based on company size, features required, and negotiated terms, making direct comparisons difficult. When evaluating our top providers, enterprise-level implementations from Paychex's higher-tier solutions typically command premium pricing, while smaller businesses find OnPay and Patriot Software to be the most cost-effective. The most expensive provider for one business might not be the most expensive for another with different needs and scale.
How does Paychex compare to other top payroll providers?
Paychex excels as a comprehensive payroll solution for small to mid-sized businesses, offering robust compliance support, dedicated customer service, and scalability. Compared to OnPay and Patriot Software, Paychex provides more advanced features but at a higher cost. Against integrated platforms like Rippling and BambooHR, Paychex focuses primarily on payroll excellence rather than broader HR functionality. For global businesses, Deel offers specialized international capabilities that Paychex doesn't match. Companies should evaluate Paychex based on their specific requirements, growth plans, and budget compared to these alternatives.
What payroll solutions work best for international businesses?
For businesses with international operations, Deel stands out as a specialized provider with multi-country payroll capabilities. This platform excels at managing contractor and employee payments across different jurisdictions, handling currency conversions, and ensuring compliance with local tax and labor laws. While traditional providers like Paychex offer some international services, they typically focus on domestic operations. For companies expanding globally, considering our HRIS systems comparisonalongside payroll capabilities can provide a comprehensive view of international people management solutions.
What is the most common payroll frequency in the US?
Biweekly payroll (every two weeks, resulting in 26 pay periods per year) is the most common payroll frequency in the United States, used by approximately 43% of businesses according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The second most common is weekly payroll (52 pay periods per year) at about 33%, followed by semi-monthly (24 pay periods per year) at 19%. Monthly payroll is the least common at approximately 5% of businesses. All of our recommended providers support multiple payroll frequencies, so you can choose what works best for your industry and employee preferences.
How do OnPay and Patriot Software compare for small businesses?
Both OnPay and Patriot Software excel as affordable payroll solutions for small businesses, but with different strengths. OnPay offers all-inclusive pricing with no hidden fees, making it highly predictable for budgeting, plus robust third-party integrations. Patriot Software typically has lower starting costs and includes free direct deposit, making it particularly attractive for very small businesses. OnPay generally rates higher for user interface and ease of use, while Patriot Software is known for reliable basic payroll processing with excellent customer support. Both offer automated tax filing and employee self-service, so the choice often comes down to specific pricing for your employee count and preferred user experience.
What is the highest salary of a payroll manager?
Top-earning payroll managers in the United States can make $120,000 to $150,000 annually, with some senior-level positions in large enterprises or specialized industries reaching $170,000 or more. Factors affecting payroll manager salaries include company size, industry, location, years of experience, and credentials. Payroll managers in finance, technology, and healthcare typically earn higher salaries, as do those in major metropolitan areas like New York, San Francisco, and Chicago. Those with certifications like Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) often command higher salaries, as do those managing international payroll or large, complex operations.
How much do the top payroll providers cost?
Payroll provider pricing varies significantly based on company size and features needed. Patriot Software and OnPay are the most budget-friendly options, typically starting around $10-40 per month plus $2-4 per employee. Paychex pricing generally ranges from $39-120 per month plus $5-15 per employee depending on the plan. BambooHR and Rippling position themselves in the mid-to-premium range at $6-20 per employee per month, reflecting their integrated HR capabilities. Deel charges based on international complexity and typically starts around $50-100 per contractor/employee per month for global services. Always request custom quotes as pricing can vary based on negotiation and specific requirements.
Which payroll providers integrate best with other business software?
Rippling leads in integration capabilities, connecting payroll with HR, IT, and benefits systems in one comprehensive platform. BambooHR also offers strong integrations, particularly with performance management toolsand other HR systems. OnPay provides excellent third-party integrations with accounting software, time tracking, and benefits platforms. Paychex offers integrations with major business systems but may require additional setup. For businesses prioritizing seamless integration with existing systems, also consider reviewing our ATS systems comparisonto understand how payroll fits into your broader HR technology stack.
How do BambooHR and Rippling compare for integrated HR and payroll?
Both BambooHR and Rippling offer integrated HR and payroll solutions but with different approaches. BambooHR starts as an HR platform with payroll as an add-on, making it ideal for companies that prioritize HR functionality like employee records, performance management, and time tracking. It's known for exceptional user experience and customer satisfaction. Rippling takes a broader approach, integrating payroll, HR, IT, and benefits into one comprehensive platform, making it powerful for companies wanting to manage all employee systems in one place. Rippling generally offers more advanced automation and IT features, while BambooHR excels in simplicity and HR-focused functionality. The choice depends on whether you need deep HR features (BambooHR) or comprehensive business systems integration (Rippling).
Which is the best software for payroll?
The best payroll software depends on your business size, industry, and specific needs. For small businesses (1-50 employees), OnPay and Patriot Software typically rank highest for user satisfaction and value, offering affordable, reliable payroll processing. For mid-sized businesses (50-500 employees), Paychex provides robust features and scalability, while BambooHR and Rippling offer integrated HR and payroll solutions. For global businesses with international teams, Deel excels at multi-country compliance and contractor management. Consider your growth plans, budget, and integration needs when selecting the best fit for your organization.
What makes Deel the best choice for global payroll?
Deel specializes in global payroll and international team management, offering comprehensive solutions for businesses with distributed teams. It provides employer of record (EOR) services, making it easier to hire employees in countries where you don't have a legal entity, as well as contractor management capabilities with strong emphasis on compliance and payments. Deel supports multi-currency payments, local tax compliance, and automated international payments across 150+ countries. The platform excels for businesses managing a mix of contractors and employees globally, with built-in compliance tools that help navigate complex international employment laws. For companies expanding internationally or managing remote teams across multiple countries, Deel provides the specialized expertise and infrastructure needed for compliant global operations.
Current Trends in Payroll Technology
AI-Powered Automation
Leading payroll systems are incorporating artificial intelligence to automate routine tasks, identify errors, and predict potential issues before they occur. These systems can flag unusual overtime patterns, detect potential compliance risks, and even forecast future payroll expenses based on historical data and trends. AI is also improving self-service capabilities through chatbots and virtual assistants that can answer employee questions about their pay and benefits.
On-Demand Pay
Earned wage access or on-demand pay is rapidly gaining adoption, allowing employees to access earned wages before the scheduled payday. This feature helps employees manage cash flow emergencies without resorting to high-interest loans or credit card debt. Many payroll providers now offer this capability either natively or through partnerships with specialized providers, typically charging either the employer or employee a small fee for the service.
Global Payroll Solutions
With the rise of remote work and distributed teams, payroll solutions with global capabilities are becoming essential for many businesses. Modern platforms now offer multi-country payroll processing with built-in compliance for various tax jurisdictions, automated currency conversion, and support for country-specific requirements. This trend is driven by both multinational corporations and smaller companies embracing international talent pools.
Enhanced Security Measures
Payroll systems contain highly sensitive data, making them prime targets for cybercriminals. In response, providers are implementing advanced security features including multi-factor authentication, sophisticated encryption, proactive fraud monitoring, and secure access controls. Many are also obtaining SOC 1 and SOC 2 certifications to demonstrate their commitment to security and compliance with industry standards.
Integration with Financial Wellness
Payroll systems are increasingly integrating with financial wellness tools to provide employees with resources to improve their financial health. These features include budgeting tools, savings programs, student loan repayment assistance, and financial education resources. Some providers are partnering with fintech companies to offer these services, while others are developing proprietary solutions to enhance their platforms.
Data Analytics and Insights
Advanced analytics capabilities are becoming standard in modern payroll systems, providing actionable insights rather than just processing transactions. These tools help businesses analyze labor costs, identify trends, benchmark against industry standards, and make data-driven decisions about compensation strategies. Predictive analytics can also help with budgeting and forecasting future payroll expenses based on historical patterns and planned changes.
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