Find the Best Small Business Payroll Software

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BambooHR

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BambooHR

BambooHR simplifies human resources (HR) tasks with its intuitive performance management system, enabling seamless goal setting, 360-degree feedback, and continuous employee development. Ideal for small to mid-sized businesses, it streamlines HR processes effectively. While it offers advanced payroll features, they are currently available only for U.S.-based employees. Overall, BambooHR is
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Workday HCM

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Workday HCM

Workday HCM delivers global payroll excellence through a unified, cloud-based system. Businesses can manage local and international payroll seamlessly, ensuring compliance and clarity across borders. While its native payroll is limited to a few countries, integrations cover 100+ regions. Ideal for growing companies managing distributed teams, Workday makes workforce management
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SutiHR

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SutiHR

SutiHR’s powerful talent acquisition tools make it a top choice for human resources (HR) teams that need speed and structure in hiring. With customizable workflows, email templates, and real-time requisition tracking, it's built for efficiency. While the interface could feel dense at first, the platform shines once set up—perfect for
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ExponentHR

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ExponentHR

ExponentHR simplifies complex payroll management with its rules-based engine and intuitive self-service portal—ideal for growing companies needing precision and flexibility. While setup can take some onboarding time, the platform quickly proves its value. If you’re looking for an all-in-one human resources (HR) solution that adapts with your team, ExponentHR is
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altHR

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altHR

altHR helps businesses take control of performance management—offering real-time feedback, measurable goals, and a clear view of progress. It’s a full-suite human resources (HR) platform, though teams with basic needs may find some features more than they need. If you’re building a performance-driven culture and want tools that grow with
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Neeyamo

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Neeyamo

Neeyamo delivers seamless global payroll with automation, gross-to-net precision, and built-in compliance across 180+ countries. Integrated with popular human resources (HR) platforms, it’s designed for reliability at scale. Some features may require onboarding support, but once in place, it runs with minimal friction. Ideal for companies expanding into multiple markets
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CheckMark Payroll

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CheckMark Payroll

CheckMark Payroll makes unlimited, on-time payrolls simple for small businesses—complete with cloud access, automated tax filing, and employee self-service portals. Its time-tracking integration ensures accuracy across the board. While it offers essential human resources (HR) tools, it's not a full-suite system. If you need reliable payroll without complexity, CheckMark is
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Sage HRMS

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Sage HRMS

Built for busy HR teams, Sage HRMS shines with its flexible payroll engine—supporting unlimited deductions, compliance tracking, and year-end reporting. While some features cater more to North American users, its intuitive setup and integration with other Sage tools make it a smart choice for businesses looking to automate HR tasks
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APS Payroll

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APS Payroll

APS Payroll simplifies payroll and HR with easy time tracking, automatic reporting, and dependable compliance tools. Trusted for reducing manual work and centralizing employee data, it helps teams stay organized and efficient. Though it may not offer deep industry-specific customization, it’s a smart, all-in-one solution for companies that want clarity
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EmPower HR

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emPower HR

EmPowerHR simplifies human resources (HR) for growing businesses, with standout benefits administration that rivals Fortune 500 offerings. Ideal for PEOs and small and mid-sized businesses managing complex compliance, it streamlines payroll, recruiting, and risk. While setup may take some time, the long-term value is clear. If you're juggling HR and
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Looking For The Best Small Business Payroll Software ?

Contact our team of experts for free advice on choosing software solutions best suited to your business needs.

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Small Business Payroll Software Buyers Guide

What Is Small Business Payroll Software?

Small business payroll is a specialized platform for small companies to manage their payroll processes efficiently. It automates key tasks, such as calculating employee wages, withholding taxes, and payment processing, reducing the chances of manual errors.

The primary users of small business payroll software include business owners, managers, and HR personnel in companies with a relatively small number of employees. These systems also integrate time tracking, tax filing, and benefits management, further enhancing their capabilities. This makes them suitable for businesses without a dedicated HR or accounting department.

Key Features Of Small Business Payroll Software

Payroll software for small companies come equipped with different features, including:

Automated Payroll Processing

A payroll solution that comes with automation features eliminates the need for manual calculations as it automates wage calculations, tax deductions, and data entries. This results in quicker and accurate paychecks.

Direct Deposit

Using the direct deposit feature in payroll software, employers can deposit payments to their employees’ bank accounts directly from the platform. This offers a safe and convenient way to deposit salaries without any delays.

Tax Withholding And Filing

Most payroll solutions also offer the additional benefit of managing and filing taxes. Using this feature, the process of calculating and withholding taxes from paychecks is automated, reducing the risk of errors and penalties. Furthermore, it also ensures compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations.

Employee Self-Service Portals

These portals enable employees to access their payroll information online, such as pay stubs, tax forms, and benefits details. Using their dedicated portal, they can manage their own information, reducing administrative workload for business owners or HR teams.

Reporting And Analytics

Payroll software also come with reporting and analytics capabilities. Using this feature, managers can obtain key insights on various payroll metrics, like payroll expenses, taxes, and employee compensation. The use of these tools helps businesses monitor trends, ensure accuracy, and make informed decisions pertaining to labor costs and budgeting.

Security And Compliance

Payroll systems prioritize data security by implementing encryption and secure access controls to protect sensitive employee information. They also ensure compliance with legal standards like wage laws and data privacy regulations to avoid costly legal issues.

How To Choose The Best Small Business Payroll Software?

The process of selecting the right payroll software for small companies depends on various factors. These include:

Your Business’s Requirements

Some payroll solutions are better suited for small businesses with hourly workers, while others cater to companies with full-time employees. So, start by assessing your business’s requirements and classifying your employees, depending on their employment types. This will help you select payroll software that meets the unique requirements of your business.

Ease Of Use

For your small business, choose a payroll software that is not only feature-rich but also easy to navigate. This will ensure your team can quickly process payroll without extensive training.

Integration Capabilities

A payroll solution’s ability to integrate with different third-party applications and systems vastly enhances its functionalities. It enables managers to perform various functions from a single platform without having to use different solutions. This is why it is important to analyze the software’s integration capabilities.

Customization Options

Despite having smaller teams, small businesses may have different requirements for managing their payroll processing. Having customization options ensure the software can be tailored to their requirements, ensuring their unique requirements are met,

Customer Support

A responsive and helpful customer team ensures your complaints or issues are catered to effectively and timely. So, make sure to evaluate customer support options before choosing a payroll software provider.

Look for 24/7 availability, multiple contact methods (such as phone, email, or live chat), and positive user reviews regarding the support experience.

Budget

Small businesses typically have budget constraints. This is why they have to be extra diligent when it comes to the selection of the payroll software. The ideal approach is to compare prices of different payroll solutions and their features to make an informed decision. Also, don’t forget to factor in additional costs, such as maintenance and priority support charges.

Mobile Access

While mobile accessibility may not be essential for all small businesses, it can provide significant convenience for those on the go.

Having a payroll system that can be accessed via a mobile app or browser enables business owners and managers to process payroll, approve time off, or review employee information from anywhere. This flexibility can be particularly beneficial for businesses with remote teams or those that require frequent travel, ensuring that payroll tasks are not delayed.

Reviews And Testimonials

Lastly, don’t forget to take user reviews and testimonials into consideration. Knowing what problems users face and how they were resolved by the vendor will help you make an informed choice.

Benefits Of Using Small Business Payroll Software

A small business can benefit from incorporating payroll software in many ways, including:

  • Reduced Error Rate: Since payroll solutions automate the entire process, there are limited chances of costly errors and discrepancies
  • Reduced Burden On Managers/Business Owners: As the software takes charge of all the payroll-related tasks, there’s a reduced burden on managers and small business owners, allowing them to focus on more strategic decisions for business growth
  • Quick Payroll Processing: With all the manual payroll-related tasks taken care of, payroll software allows businesses to process payroll much faster and more efficiently
  • Regulatory Compliance: It helps businesses stay up to date with tax laws and labor regulations by automating tax calculations and filings
  • Enhanced Security: It protects sensitive payroll data with encryption, access controls, and secure storage, reducing the risk of data breaches
  • Customizable Reporting: In addition to processing payroll, managers can also access detailed reports and analytics on various metrics, like payroll expenses, taxes, and employee compensation. This helps business track costs and improve financial planning

Best Small Business Payroll Software For Specific Industries

Small business payroll solutions cater to unique requirements of companies across various industries and sectors, including:

  • Technology: The tech industry needs scalable payroll solutions to handle contractors, remote teams, and multi-state employees. Gusto and Rippling HR are ideal for tech companies, offering automated payroll, contractor payments, and seamless integration with project management tools
  • Healthcare: Healthcare payroll platforms must handle shift differentials, overtime, and regulatory compliance. Paycor and Paycom offer solutions with features for managing complex pay structures, shift calculations, and compliance tracking
  • Restaurant: Restaurants face payroll challenges with tipped wages, varying shifts, and seasonal staff. Toast Payroll and 7shifts streamline payroll, track shifts, and simplify taxes, keeping operations efficient
  • Retail: Retail businesses often have fluctuating workforces with part-time and seasonal staff. Square Payroll and QuickBooks Payroll help manage hourly employees, track time across locations, and handle payroll taxes efficiently

Top Small Business Payroll Software By Industry

Industry  Top Small Business Payroll Software
Technology Gusto, Rippling HR
Healthcare Paycor, Paycom
Restaurant Toast Payroll, 7shifts
Retail Square Payroll, QuickBooks Payroll

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