Top 8 Patriot Payroll Alternatives

Selecting the right payroll software is essential for businesses looking to simplify payroll management, stay compliant with regulations, and keep employees satisfied. The HR software market is flooded with a variety of payroll solutions available. While Patriot Payroll has been a popular choice, it may not meet the needs of every business. Some companies may find its features too basic, while others might require an enhanced set of functionalities.

In this guide, we’ll highlight top Patriot Payroll alternatives that offer advanced features, industry-specific solutions, and a better overall user experience. Whether you’re looking for a more scalable option, superior customer support, or enhanced HR capabilities, we've rounded up the best Patriot Payroll alternatives to help you make the right choice.

Let's begin!  

What Is Patriot Payroll?  

Patriot Payroll is a well-recognized payroll software that utilizes cloud-enabled deployment to offer its wide range of services to businesses. It excels in enabling businesses to automate tax calculations, conduct direct deposits, and adhere to regulatory compliance. Its simple, user-friendly interface makes it a popular choice among smaller businesses and startups.

Some of its key features are:  

• Automated Payroll Calculation  
• Self-Service Portal  
• Time Tracking Options  
• Printable Paychecks  

While Patriot Payroll offers a comprehensive set of features to simplify payroll procedures, it might not be the ideal fit for every organization. Limitations such as a lack of advanced HR management abilities, basic reporting tools, limited scalability for growing businesses, and fewer external app integrations often prompt users to find Patriot Payroll alternatives.

What To Look For In A Patriot Payroll Alternatives?  

When exploring alternatives to Patriot Payroll, businesses should focus on the following key factors that contribute to a seamless and efficient payroll process:

• User-Friendliness And Automation: Pick a payroll system that is easy to navigate and automates essential tasks like tax filing, direct deposits, and benefits management to save time and reduce errors
• Scalability: Choose a tool that accommodates both small businesses and larger organizations, ensuring it can support future workforce growth
• Tax Compliance And Regulation Management: Select a platform that helps ensure compliance with local, state, and federal tax laws, as it is very crucial in avoiding penalties and legal complications
• Integration With HR And Accounting Systems: Go for software that seamlessly connects with accounting software and HR tools for benefits administration and time tracking, improving efficiency and streamlining operations

Our Best Patriot Payroll Alternative Picks For You

1. APS Payroll 

Best for: Small and medium-sized businesses

APS Payroll is a cloud-based solution designed to simplify payroll and HR management for businesses. Since its incorporation, APS has focused on offering tools that bring payroll, HR, attendance tracking, and recruiting together in one platform. With everything in one place, businesses can efficiently manage employee information, cut down on administrative work, and stay compliant with regulations, all through a user-friendly interface. It is known for its robust offerings in healthcare, retail, professional services, education, and other industries.  

While Patriot Payroll is a solid choice for small businesses with basic payroll needs, APS Payroll offers a more advanced solution tailored to growing organizations with diverse requirements. It consolidates numerous functions into a single platform, allowing businesses to reduce reliance on multiple systems.  

Key Factors  

• Payroll Management  
• Analytics And Reporting  
• Attendance Administration  
• Onboarding Tools  

Benefits

• Combines multiple HR management tools in one platform
• Helps businesses run payroll smoothly
• Integrates with external tools

Drawbacks  

• Limited personalization options
• No dedicated mobile application

Pricing  

It offers the following plans at customized rates:

• Payroll: Starting at $5/employee/month plus $50/month base fee
• Payroll + Attendance: Starting at $8/employee/month plus $50/month base fee
• Payroll + HR + Attendance: Starting at $11/employee/month plus $50/month base fee

Disclaimer: The pricing was sourced from third-party websites and is subject to change.

2. CheckMark Payroll

Best for: Small businesses

CheckMark Payroll is a desktop-based payroll solution designed specifically for small businesses. One of the earliest payroll software, it has built a strong reputation for delivering dependable accounting and payroll tools. Additionally, it offers comprehensive customization options for users to tailor the system as per their business’s needs. The software is valued by many companies in retail, healthcare, professional services, and other industries.

While Patriot Payroll operates in the cloud, CheckMark Payroll offers a desktop-based platform that some businesses may prefer for greater control over data and security. CheckMark provides multi-state payroll processing, which is a great option for companies with employees in multiple locations.

Key Factors

• Multi-State Payroll Processing
• Customizable Dashboards
• Direct Deposit
• Tax Filing

Benefits

• Compatible with both Mac and Windows devices
• Integrates with external accounting systems to ensure accuracy
• Offers direct deposit options

Drawbacks

• May not be suitable for larger organizations
• Limited SMS and email features

Pricing

It provides two pricing options with add-ons at additional rates:

• CheckMark Payroll Pro: $549 for a single company and single computer installation
• CheckMark Payroll Pro+: $619 for single company and single computer installation

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.

3. RUN Powered By ADP

Best for: SMBs

RUN Powered by ADP is a cloud-based payroll and HR solution designed for small to mid-sized businesses. Built on ADP’s long-standing expertise in payroll services, RUN simplifies payroll management with features such as automated tax calculations, direct deposit, employee self-service, and compliance support. Its comprehensive feature set makes it a go-to choice for businesses aiming to streamline payroll and HR operations. It currently serves various industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and finance.

Unlike Patriot Payroll—which is more suited for smaller businesses with basic needs—RUN Powered by ADP offers a more robust solution designed to support growing organizations with evolving needs. One of its major advantages is automated compliance updates, which help businesses stay informed about changing tax laws and regulations, reducing the risk of penalties.

Key Factors  

• Payroll Automation
• Compliance Management
• Attendance Tracking
• Advanced Mobile Application

Benefits

• Empowers employees by providing them access to their data
• Provides exceptional reporting capabilities
• Automates tax payments and filings

Drawbacks

• May not be suitable for fast-growing businesses
• Some users have demanded improvements in customer service

Pricing

The vendor provides three plans with personalized quotes:

• Essential Payroll
• Enhanced Payroll
• Complete Payroll & HR+
• HR Pros Payroll & HR

4. Paycom Software

Best for: Medium to large enterprises

Paycom is a cloud-based human capital management (HCM) platform that brings payroll, HR, and talent management together in one seamless system. It has become a widely trusted name in HR technology, helping businesses simplify everything from hiring to retirement. With its intuitive interface and comprehensive features, Paycom is a go-to solution for companies looking to boost efficiency and improve employee engagement. Businesses in financial services, retail, energy, and other industries utilize it to streamline their HR-focused matters.

Paycom offers a more comprehensive solution designed for larger organizations with complex workforce needs, as compared to Patriot Payroll. It enables businesses to manage their entire employee lifecycle in a single system, eliminating the hassle of juggling multiple platforms.

Key Factors

• Real-Time Payroll calculations
• Recruitment Tools
• Performance Management Options
• Advanced Analytics

Benefits

• Offers advanced customization options
• Provides an optimized mobile application
• Simplifies time-off requests and approvals

Drawbacks

• Lacks advanced automation abilities
• Limited reporting tools

Pricing

The vendor offers a custom pricing structure based on the type of tool required.

5. Rippling HR

Best for: Businesses of all sizes

Rippling HR is a cutting-edge workforce management platform that unifies HR, IT, and finance operations within a single system. It has gained recognition for its innovative solutions in employee management, offering solutions for payroll, benefits administration, device management, and app provisioning—all in one place. Rippling HR is a great choice for companies looking to simplify administrative tasks and boost efficiency. It is majorly offering its services to companies operating in sectors such as technology, legal, and consulting.

Rippling HR simplifies onboarding by automating complex tasks like device setup and app provisioning, as compared to Patriot Payroll’s focus on delivering payroll services to smaller businesses. Additionally, it also integrates with a wide range of third-party applications, allowing businesses to tailor the platform to fit their unique needs.

Key Factors

• Automated Onboarding And Offboarding
• Benefits Administration
• Reporting & Analytics
• Employee Scheduling

Benefits

• Provides many external app integrations for smooth operations
• Supports fully digital employee onboarding for HR teams
• Allows scalability of the solution if the business grows

Drawbacks

• Limited mobile app functionality
• Lacks multiple currency options to withdraw an amount

Pricing

The vendor provides module-based pricing starting from as low as $8 per month.

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.

6. Gusto HR

Best for: Startups

Gusto HR is a cloud-based HR management platform designed to streamline payroll, benefits administration, and compliance for businesses. It has built a strong reputation for its intuitive interface and robust features, serving hundreds of businesses across the U. S. Gusto HR offers a complete set of tools for broad HR functionalities, making it a go-to solution for companies looking to simplify their HR processes. It is a highly recognized tool across tech, healthcare, retail, non-profits, and other sectors.

Compared to Patriot Payroll, Gusto stands out with its built-in benefits management, including health insurance and retirement plans, allowing businesses to handle employee well-being in one place. Also, it simplifies tax filing and compliance, reducing administrative workload and helping prevent costly errors. As a result, positioning it as one of the finest Patriot Payroll alternatives.

Key Factors

• Automated Payroll Processing
• Document Management
• PTO Tracking
• Employee Self-Service Tools

Benefits

• Makes time tracking easy
• Automates tax filing, ensuring accurate calculations
• Helps in scheduling payments for contractors

Drawbacks

• Limited customization options
• Lacks robust medical benefits management

Pricing

It offers the following three plans:

• Simple: $49/month plus $6/person/month
• Plus: $80/month plus $12/person/month
• Premium: $180/month plus $22/person/month

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.

7. Namely Payroll

Best for: Medium-sized businesses

Namely Payroll is a cloud-based HR management software built to simplify key workforce management tasks, from payroll and benefits administration to talent management. Designed with mid-sized businesses in consideration, it offers an easy-to-use interface that makes handling employee records, payroll processing, and compliance straightforward. The customization of workflows allows businesses to adapt the platform to their unique needs, improving overall efficiency. It is popular among various industries such as media, technology, and non-profits.

Namely payroll helps businesses streamline operations and maintain accurate, consistent data through its vast variety of features. In comparison to Patriot Payroll, its intuitive design and customizable features make it a great fit for mid-sized companies looking for a scalable solution as they grow. Hence, making it part of our recommended Patriot Payroll alternatives.

Key Factors

• Benefits Administration
• Goal Tracking Tools
• Workforce Analytics
• PTO Management

Benefits

• Combines multiple HR functionalities into one system
• Allows advanced customization of workflows to match industry-specific needs
• Helps in reducing legal risks through compliance adherence

Drawbacks

• Basic performance review features
• Lacks internal team communication tools

Pricing

It provides the following pricing structure starting from $9/employee/ month:

• Namely NOW
• Namely PLUS
• Namely PLUS PEOPLE
• Namely COMPLETE

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.

8. Fourth Payroll

Best for: Businesses of all sizes

Fourth Payroll provides an all-in-one workforce management solution designed for the hospitality and retail industries. Its platform brings together payroll, HR, scheduling, and inventory management to help businesses tackle industry-specific challenges. With a strong focus on optimizing labor costs, ensuring compliance, and improving overall efficiency, Fourth Payroll equips businesses with the tools they need to streamline operations and stay competitive. It mainly operates in catering, retail, hotels, and other business sectors.

While Patriot Payroll delivers essential payroll services for small businesses, it doesn’t offer the specialized features that Fourth Payroll provides. Fourth understands the unique challenges businesses might face. Hence, by integrating payroll with scheduling and inventory management, it helps businesses control labor costs more effectively.

Key Factors

• Scheduling Tools
• Inventory Management Options
• Shift Tracking
• Labor Cost Forecasting

Benefits

• Enhances internal staff communication through the app
• Accelerates the payroll process
• Helps with work scheduling

Drawbacks

• May require training for initial usage
• Offers Limited third-party integrations

Pricing

It offers customized pricing plans as per business needs.

Selecting The Perfect Patriot Payroll Alternatives

Selecting the right payroll provider is a vital decision that impacts your business’s efficiency and compliance. The ideal solution should simplify payroll processing, handle tax obligations seamlessly, and integrate smoothly with your existing business tools. Considering factors like features, customer support, and scalability will help you find the best fit for your needs.

Before making a commitment, testing out free trials or demos can give you hands-on experience with the platform. A well-chosen payroll system can save time, minimize errors, and improve workforce management.

Don’t settle for less—contact us now to explore your options today and take control of your payroll with confidence!