8 Best Human Resources Payroll Software for 2023

• Unlimited and automatic payroll runs: Unlike Paychex or ADP, Gusto lets you run payroll as many times as you want and need without having to pay extra. It even has an “AutoPilot” mode that processes your payroll automatically.
• Multiple payment options: Salaries are remitted to the employees’ accounts either through pay cards or direct deposits. Gusto’s standard direct deposit timeline is two or four days, although it has a next-day option if you subscribe to its higher plans.
• Employee benefits: Gusto can manage your benefits plans or integrate your existing broker and eligible health plans into its system for a fee ($6 per eligible employee monthly). It offers a wide range of options that include commuter benefits, HSA/FSA, 529 college savings accounts, and retirement plans.
• HR tools: Gusto provides small businesses with essential HR tools that they would need to hire, onboard, and offboard employees. Gusto even offers analytics to help you understand workforce costs and see how much time employees spend working on projects and tasks. It also has online surveys for measuring employee engagement.

Gusto is a solid payroll system, but its HR tools aren’t as extensive as the other providers on our list. Plus, its health insurance isn’t available in Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming (as of this writing).

We recommend these alternative HR payroll systems if you want an all-around solution for managing employees with benefits that are available in all US states.

Better for: Multiple employee payment options with solid payroll support	Better for: Process automation across HR, payroll, and IT solutions and services	Better for: Flexible HR payroll solutions with services that include legal advice & HR consulting
Visit Paychex Flex	Visit Rippling	Visit ADP Run

• Multiple payment options: Paychex Flex can pay your employees through direct deposits, pay cards, paper checks, and same-day ACH transfers. Similar to ADP Run, it offers check signing and stuffing services. It even supports payouts via eChecks (digital checks). If your workers need additional cash during emergencies, Paychex’s pay-on-demand feature grants them access to earned wages in between paydays.
• Employee benefits: In addition to retirement, health insurance, FSA/HSA, dental, and vision plans, Paychex offers financial wellness tools—the other HR software for payroll that we reviewed don’t have this.
• HR tools: Paychex’s HR solution suite is similar to that of ADP, but more robust than those of Square Payroll, OnPay, QuickBooks Payroll, and Gusto. These four mainly offer onboarding, online document management, and new hire reporting functionalities, although Gusto also provides performance review tools. Paychex has all these features and more, such as learning management, background screening, hiring, and PEO services.
• Strong support: Paychex assigns a highly trained payroll specialist to its clients to serve as their single point of contact for everything related to pay and tax processing. It also provides 24/7 phone support with customer service reps that are all US-based.

Paychex Flex may have a solid HR payroll system that can handle both employee and contractor payments, but it lacks the separate contractor-only payroll plan that similar providers offer. If your business only pays contract workers, consider the following HR payroll systems.

Better for: Contractor self-service tools with an affordable package for paying workers	Better for: Multiple contractor payment options with flat per-worker monthly fees	Better for: Contractor new hire reporting with an optional global payments add-on
Visit QuickBooks Payroll	Visit Square Payroll	Visit Gusto

• US and global payroll: For US-based companies, Rippling offers unlimited pay runs, direct deposit payments, payroll tax filings, and year-end reporting. If you need to hire and pay international staff, Rippling offers EOR services to help manage your global hiring and payroll needs.
• IT solutions: Rippling can help track computer inventories, set up app accounts for new hires, and install the required business software on company-issued laptops. For your resigning staff, Rippling automatically revokes system access on your employee’s last working day. It can even remotely lock devices and wipe data from computers.
• Robust software integrations: Rippling is the only provider in this guide that connects with over 500 third-party apps. Given its extensive network of partner systems, it’s highly likely that the business software you’re using is included in its integration options.
• HR tools: From job postings to applicant tracking, Rippling has the hiring tools you need to find and screen qualified candidates. It offers applicant tracking, job postings, onboarding, new hire reporting, and learning management solutions. Streamlining the process of tracking approved headcount for new hires while preventing out-of-compensation band salary offers is also possible through its headcount planning and compensation band solutions.
• Flexible PEO service: Rippling offers a PEO service in case you’re looking for a co-employment option to help manage your day-to-day HR, payroll, and benefits administration processes. Both ADP and Paychex also have PEO solutions, but lack Rippling’s flexible services, which allow you to easily turn off its PEO and transition to its HR platform with a click of a button.

Rippling’s wide range of solutions and services may be more than what small businesses need. If you have a limited budget and only want payroll, benefits, and basic HR, consider these alternatives.

Better for: Full-service payroll with essential tools for managing employees and onboarding	Better for: System permissions for delegating payroll and basic HR tasks	Better for: More affordable pricing with unlimited pay runs and time tracking tools
Visit Gusto	Visit OnPay	Visit Square Payroll

• Seamless integration with QuickBooks Accounting: QuickBooks Payroll easily connects with QuickBooks Accounting, which makes updating general ledgers after each payroll period easier for you.
• Fast direct deposits: QuickBooks Payroll processes direct deposits faster than the other providers on our list. It has same-day direct deposits included in its higher tiers and a next-day option as its standard processing timeline.
• Robust tax penalty protection: QuickBooks Payroll offers a tax accuracy guarantee and a tax penalty protection program. The first one covers penalties for late tax payments that its representatives make. The second option is only for its Elite plan subscribers, wherein QuickBooks will shoulder tax penalties (up to $25,000/year), regardless of who made the mistake. None of the providers on our list have a tax penalty protection program as robust.
• Basic HR solutions and services: Get answers to your compliance and HR questions through QuickBooks Payroll’s HR advisory services (provided through Mineral). Available for Elite plan subscribers, you can consult with certified HR professionals on critical HR issues either via phone or online. Time tracking tools and benefits plans are also available, although its health insurance coverage doesn’t include Hawaii, Vermont, and the District of Columbia (as of this writing).

QuickBooks Payroll’s HR features aren’t as advanced as the other providers in this guide. We recommend the following alternatives if you want robust HR tools:

Better for: Basic to advanced HR management (with a smart tool for tracking compliances)	Better for: Process automation across HR, payroll, and IT solutions and services	Better for: Flexible HR payroll solutions with services that include legal advice & HR consulting
Visit TriNet Zenefits	Visit Rippling	Visit ADP Run

• Flexible plans with robust HR tools: ADP and Paychex are very similar, as both have plans and products for businesses of all sizes. However, compared to those of Paychex, the features included in ADP’s plans are slightly more robust, as it comes with employee discounts, a wide job posting reach (up to 25,000 job sites via ZipRecruiter), and legal assistance (like consultations for contract review and debt collection) through Upnetic Legal Services.
• Payroll processing: ADP Run automatically calculates earnings, deductions, and tax withholdings, and can even handle payroll for global employees. It remits payroll tax payments and files tax forms for you. However, you have to pay fees for each pay run and for year-end tax filings. It also lacks a contractor-only plan—an option that Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll, and Square Payroll offer.
• Employee payment options: Salaries are remitted to employee accounts via direct deposits and through Wisely Direct debit cards. Secure paychecks that include check signing and stuffing services are also available in ADP’s higher tiers. Note that aside from Paychex, the other providers in this guide don’t have similar paycheck services.
• Employee benefits: What sets ADP apart from the other human resource payroll software that we reviewed is its employee discount program—a perk you can offer to your staff that allows them to get discounts from ADP’s partner brands and retail shops. Plus, it also provides access to the usual benefits options, like retirement and health insurance plans, that are available across the US.

ADP Run may have a wide suite of HR and payroll solutions, but it can be pricey for small businesses, especially those that pay on a weekly basis. Plus, its HR tools and services may be too much for startups. For HR payroll systems with more reasonable pricing, consider the following solutions.

Better for: Full-service payroll with essential tools for managing employees and onboarding	Better for: System permissions for delegating payroll and basic HR tasks	Better for: More affordable pricing with unlimited pay runs and time tracking tools
Visit Gusto	Visit OnPay	Visit Square Payroll

• Basic HR tools: Square Payroll’s HR functionalities are limited to new hire reporting, employee onboarding, and paid time off (PTO) tracking. It can capture employee clock-ins/outs, but it has to be through the Square POS and its Square Team app. While it grants access to employee benefits, it only includes standard plans like health insurance, retirement, and workers’ compensation. If you prefer a wider selection, consider Gusto (offerings include a college savings plan), Paychex (has financial wellness tools), or ADP (provides employee discounts).
• Flexible payments: Employee salary payouts can be made through direct deposits, paychecks, and via its “Cash App.” While the standard direct deposit processing timeline is four days, this can be shortened to a next-day option and even instant payments if you have a Square Payments account. Plus, like Paychex, it has an on-demand pay feature that enables employees to withdraw a portion of their earned wages in case of financial emergencies.
• Payroll tax filing and reporting: Square Payroll offers automatic payroll tax payments and filings (including year-end reports) at no extra cost. This is unlike Paychex and ADP, which charges fees for year-end reporting, and QuickBooks Payroll, which requires you to upgrade to its highest tier if you want local tax filings.
• Square POS integration: Given the seamless connection between Square Payroll and Square POS, you can easily import tips, commissions, and even employee time data for pay processing.

While it has a strong pay processing system, Square Payroll’s HR functionalities are not robust. If you need HR software for payroll, the following solutions are great alternatives.

Better for: Full-service payroll with essential tools for managing employees and onboarding	Better for: Multiple employee payment options with solid payroll support	Better for: Process automation across HR, payroll, and IT solutions and services
Visit Gusto	Visit Paychex Flex	Visit Rippling

• Straightforward pricing: OnPay may not have multiple plans like the other human resources and payroll software in this guide, but it offers a reasonably priced package that costs $40 plus $6 per employee montly. Providers like TriNet Zenefits may appear to charge slightly lower monthly fees, but you actually end up having to pay more in a year, mainly due to either its high base monthly or per-employee fees.
• Unlimited payroll and automated tax filings: OnPay offers unlimited monthly pay runs, remits payroll tax payments, and files the applicable tax forms for you. For those with unique payroll and tax filing needs, such as farms and agricultural businesses, OnPay can file Form 943 and process taxes for workers on H-2A visas. It even pays employees via debit cards and checks you print yourself. You can also pay via two- and four-day direct deposits, but you can’t select the option you want—OnPay will identify this for you based on the results of its risk assessment.
• Employee benefits: With benefits options available in all US states, you are assured that your employees have sufficient health insurance coverage. This is unlike the health insurance plans of Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll, and TriNet Zenefits, which aren’t available in all 50 states.
• HR tools: Aside from online offer letters and new hire reporting, it offers onboarding solutions that include digital I-9 and W-4 forms, customizable checklists, and an e-signature tool. Managing PTO transactions are also made easy with automatic accrual tracking and in-app requests/approvals. OnPay even has detailed employee profiles, organized organization charts, and a company directory with a helpful search tool.

OnPay is great if you require solid payroll tools and the essential HR features needed to manage employees and compliances. However, if you prefer fast employee payments, we recommend:

Better for: Next-day direct deposits without having to upgrade to a higher plan	Better for: Square users that want to pay employees instantly via its Cash App	Better for: Same-day ACH transfers (plus you get dedicated payroll support)
Visit QuickBooks Payroll	Visit Square Payroll	Visit Paychex Flex

• Feature-rich HR platform: TriNet Zenefits has an HR solution suite that includes a wide range of essential features. Aside from processing payroll, it can help you onboard new hires, manage compensation plans, monitor performance reviews, and even run employee surveys. However, its HR plans lack the hiring tools that Gusto offers in its higher tiers. Similar to Rippling and Paychex, you have to pay extra (monthly fees start at $62) to unlock its recruiting tools
• Time and attendance tools in every plan: Time and attendance tools are included in all of its HR plans, making it easy for you to capture actual employee time data for pay processing. Note that OnPay doesn’t have built-in time tracking tools, while Gusto and QuickBooks Payroll offer this in their higher tiers. Rippling, ADP, and Paychex also have time tracking functionalities, but as a paid add-on.
• Employee benefits: Aside from access to employee benefits options (like medical, dental, vision, FSA/HSA, and retirement plans), TriNet Zenefits provides online tools to streamline benefits administration. You can use its partner brokers to manage your plans or pay a monthly fee ($5 per employee) to have your own broker administer your benefits.

TriNet Zenefits’s five-employee minimum for all of its plans and add-ons can be a real downer for startups and very small businesses that employ fewer than five employees. Consider these alternative HR payroll systems if you want reasonably-priced plans without headcount requirements.

Better for: Multiple employee payment options with solid payroll support	Better for: Full-service payroll with essential tools for managing employees and onboarding	Better for: Process automation across HR, payroll, and IT solutions and services
Visit Paychex Flex	Visit Gusto	Visit Rippling