If you’re always on the go and want easy access to pay processing tools wherever you are, check out our top recommended payroll apps.
6 Best Payroll Apps in 2024
This article is part of a larger series on Payroll Services.
The best payroll apps make it easy for employers to manage payroll directly from their smartphones or tablets. Most are free to download, although you have to pay providers’ subscription fees to use their software. Some mobile payroll apps won’t let you e-file payroll taxes through its system, whereas others have full-service functionality so you can run payroll, pay employees and taxes, and approve time—all via the app.
To find the best payroll apps for small business owners, we evaluated 15 solutions and narrowed the list to our top six recommendations:
- Square Payroll: Best overall, especially restaurants and retail shops
- Paychex: Best for solopreneurs and growing businesses
- Fingercheck: Best for startups needing payroll financing services
- Paycom’s Beti: Best for guided employee-run payrolls
- Roll by ADP: Best chat-based mobile payroll tool
- SurePayroll: Best for simple pay runs (no major reporting or customization requirements)
Best Downloadable Payroll Apps Compared
While all the payroll apps in this guide are free to download, you need a paid software subscription to use its tools. These payroll management apps also allow you to view basic reports and process wage payments for employees and contractors. Below are some of the key features.
Starter Monthly Pricing | Payroll Tax Filings | Other In-app Tools | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ✕ | $6 per employee + $35 base fee | ✓ |
|
 | First six months are free | $5 per employee + $39 base fee | ✓ |
|
 | ✕ | ✓ |
| |
 | ✕ | Custom-priced | ✓ |
|
 | First three months are free | $5 per employee + $29 base fee | ✓ |
|
 | Up to six months free | $9.99 monthly for Ohio and Pennsylvania local tax filings |
| |
Quiz: Which Payroll App Is Best for You?
Still not seeing what you’re looking for? Check out our guides to the top payroll software and best payroll services for small businesses to help you find the right payroll solution or service for you.
Square Payroll: Best for Retailers & Restaurant Business Owners
Overall Score:
4.15 / 5
Pros
- Affordable full-service payroll with unlimited pay runs
- Offers next-day direct deposits and instant payment options
- Timecard management features included in mobile app
- Seamless integration with Square POS
Cons
- Next-day direct deposits and instant payments require having funds from Square balance or Square checking accounts
- Standard direct deposits take four days for those without a Square Payments account
- App only for employers; employees have a separate app to view pay stubs
- Occasional app glitches
Plans & Pricing
Mobile app: The Square Payroll app is free to download on Google Play and the App Store but you have to pay software subscription fees to use its features.
Software subscription fees:
- Pay employees and contractors: $35 per month + $6 per employee monthly
- Pay contractors only: $6 per person monthly
The seamless integration between Square Payroll and Square POS makes it easy for retail shops and restaurants to accept payments and track employees’ work hours from mobile devices. That data is transferred directly to its payroll system, which can even handle tip reporting. This is much simpler than signing up with a provider like Fingerchex or SurePayroll and having to research and install POS systems that integrate with it manually.
In our evaluation of the best payroll apps, Square Payroll earned an overall score of 4.15 out of 5. It received ratings of 4 and up in nearly all of our criteria, given its affordability, ease of use, efficient payroll tools, instant payment options (provided you have available funds from your Square balance or Square checking accounts). The overall score would have been higher if it offered HR advisory services and had an average user rating of 4 and up on the App Store and Google Play (its average app rating is 3.7 out of 5, as of this writing).
With just a few clicks, you can pay employees easily via the Square Payroll app. (Source: Square Payroll)
Square Payroll Mobile App Features
The Square Payroll app is available only for employers to run payroll, track time-off balances, and check benefits plans. You can even check if Square has completed filing the required payroll tax forms for you—a mobile app functionality that none of the providers in this guide offer. For your employees, they can clock in and out for work and view their schedules, paystubs, and tax forms (like W-2s and 1099s) via the app.
In terms of mobile app user reviews, Square Payroll earned ratings of 3.6 out of 5 on Google Play and 3.7 out of 5 on the App Store. Many reviewers appreciate its straightforward interface that makes mobile pay processing quick and easy. Meanwhile, some users said this business payroll app is glitchy and that its customer support isn’t always responsive.
What’s great about the main software?
Unlike its app, you get full access to all of Square Payroll’s features, such as creating profiles for new employees and downloading custom reports. Viewing and managing payroll summaries, timecards, and employee benefits are also easier through its main platform—mainly because laptops and computers provide you with a larger screen/monitor to navigate through these features.
To learn more about this software’s functionalities, read our Square Payroll review.
Paychex: Best for Solopreneurs & Growing Businesses
Overall Score:
4.14 / 5
Pros
- Flexible payroll and HR plans, including one for solopreneurs
- 24/7 support for all plans and a dedicated payroll specialist for higher tiers
- Multiple pay options, such as paper checks, direct deposits, pay on-demand, and pay cards
Cons
- Pricing isn’t all transparent
- In-app tech support isn’t responsive
- Requires a separate app for tracking employee attendance; you also need to purchase its time tracking add-on to access the time clock app’s features
Plans & Pricing
Mobile app: The app is free to download on Google Play and the App Store, but you have to pay software subscription fees to use its features.
Software subscription fees:
- Paychex Flex Essentials: $39 per month + $5 per employee monthly
- Paychex Flex Select: Custom-priced
- Paychex Flex Pro: Custom-priced
Paychex plan for solopreneurs and the self-employed
- Paychex Solo: Custom-priced
- Includes payroll, self-employed 401(k), and incorporation services
Paychex is great for solopreneurs and growing businesses because it offers flexible payroll and HR plans. You can start with its Paychex Solo solution for solopreneurs and then transition to Paychex Flex—and maybe even its professional employer organization (PEO) option—if you need to offer competitive benefits or want to outsource more of the HR and compliance function to a team vs doing it yourself.
Paychex’s mobile app is for its Paychex Flex product, and unlike the other apps for payroll we reviewed (except for Roll by ADP and Square Payroll), it has functionalities for both employers and employees. Scoring 4.14 out of 5, Paychex received high marks in nearly all the criteria. The only area where it didn’t get a rating of 4 and up is in mobile-app specific features, given its limited access to HR tools (you need a separate app for time tracking) and less-than-ideal in-app tech support.
With the Paychex app, you can process payroll and provide employees access to benefits, payslips, and PTO details. (Source: Paychex)
Paychex Mobile App Features
Paychex Flex scores 3.9 out of 5 on Google Play and 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, as of this writing. Mobile app reviewers said that while it is generally easy to use, the app crashes at times and has a lot of glitches, like slow loading pages and buttons that have 30-second delays. Some even said that logging into their accounts through mobile web browsers is easier than signing in via the app.
In terms of features, what’s great about the Paychex Flex app is the flexibility it provides for running, reviewing, and submitting payroll while on the go. And, if you start processing payroll via its main software but need to stop midway, you can easily resume the pay run via the app and vice-versa. This is a mobile app functionality that none of the providers we reviewed offer. It even comes with both employer and employee self-service solutions for managing staff profiles and viewing benefits plans.
Similar to Square Payroll, it has a separate app for tracking the clock ins/outs of employees. Paychex also has a benefits app that allows your staff to manage their benefits plans, view and file medical claims, input medical expense information and supporting documentation, contribute and distribute HSA transactions, and more. Note that these two apps require subscriptions to the Paychex Flex Time and Paychex Benefits solutions.
What’s great about the main software?
With Paychex Flex’s cloud-based software, you have additional access to HR documents and forms, onboarding tools, analytics, and an online employee handbook builder. Learning sessions like compliance and professional development programs are also available, including tools to help you create online training courses with interactive quizzes, video guides, and anonymous surveys.
To learn more about this software’s functionalities, read our Paychex Flex review.
Fingercheck: Best for Startups Needing Payroll Financing Services
Overall Score:
3.89 / 5
Pros
- Mobile app lets you run payroll
- Reasonable pricing with a wide range of features
- Unlimited pay runs
- Offers payroll funding services with an affordable weekly interest rate and quick access to funds
Cons
- Limited integrations with third-party software
- Employee onboarding can be problematic
- You need to subscribe to at least its “Small Business Starter” plan to get mobile payroll features
Plans & Pricing
Mobile app: The app is free to download on Google Play and the App Store but you have to pay software subscription fees to use its features.
Software subscription fees:
- Time & Attendance: $20 per month + $7 per employee monthly
- Small Business Starter: $39 per month + $8 per employee monthly
- 360: $59 per month + $10 per employee monthly
- 360 Plus: $99 per month + $12 per employee monthly
Fingercheck has a well-rounded HR platform and mobile app for startups and small businesses. Apart from payroll, it has all the essential tools you need to manage employee attendance, schedules, benefits plans, hiring, and onboarding. It’s the only provider on our list that offers payroll financing—a great option for startups to secure funds in time for payroll.
In our evaluation, Fingercheck scored an overall rating of 3.89 out of 5, with high marks (4 and up) in pricing, HR and payroll functionalities, and ease of use. While its app comes with a lot of HR payroll features, it didn’t get a perfect rating in this criterion because access to its mobile tools depends on the plan selected. Its basic Time & Attendance tier only comes with time tracking capabilities—you have to upgrade to at least its Small Business Starter plan if you want to run payroll via its app.
Fingercheck lets you run or cancel payroll right from your mobile phone. (Source: Fingercheck)
Fingercheck Mobile App Features
Fingercheck’s Small Business Starter tier provides employers access to unlimited pay runs via its online software and mobile apps. Unlike with Paychex Flex, SurePayroll, and Roll by ADP, it comes with basic tools for capturing and tracking employee attendance. Plus, if you require employees to review and sign timesheets before pay runs, the app allows them to do this digitally.
You can also onboard new hires through the mobile app. All Fingercheck reports can even be generated through the app, unlike with the other providers on our list, whose mobile reporting functionalities only cover basic payroll reports.
As of this writing, the Fingercheck app earned ratings of 4 out of 5 in Google Play and 4.4 out of 5 in the App Store. Mobile app users appreciate its ease of use, while others say that it’s a convenient app to have, especially if you’re always traveling for business. On the other hand, some reviewers complained of having experienced occasional bugs, app shutdowns, and login issues.
What’s great about the main software?
The differences between the functionalities of Fingercheck’s mobile app and online software are very minimal. Apart from the ease of navigating through its many solutions (since laptops and desktop computers have wider screens/monitors than mobile devices), you are granted additional access to HR workflow automation tools and a custom report builder with a library of report templates. Its partnership with Infinity Capital Funding also helps you get financing assistance so that you can always run payroll even when cash flow is thin—something that no other provider on this list offers.
Paycom’s Beti: Best for Guided Employee-run Payroll
Overall Score:
3.76 / 5
Pros
- Beti’s in-app step-by-step guide helps employees accurately process their own payroll
- Sends alerts and provides warnings of errors and discrepancies before payroll submissions
- Dashboard allows HR to monitor Beti’s payroll progress and tasks that need immediate action
Cons
- Pricing isn’t transparent
- You may need to conduct basic payroll training so employees feel confident using the app and running their own payroll
- Paycom’s other modules (like time tracking and benefits administration) cost extra
- Not ideal for businesses with complex payroll
Plans & Pricing
Mobile app: Paycom’s Beti app is free to download on Google Play and the App Store, but you have to pay software subscription fees to use its features.
Software subscription fees: Custom-priced; you have to contact Paycom to discuss your requirements and request a quote.
Similar to Roll by ADP, Paycom’s Beti app is one of the more unique products in the market. It provides a step-by-step guide for employees to review and approve their own payroll before paydays, allowing you to spend less time managing pay processes. The seamless integration between Paycom’s solutions (such as time tracking and expense management) also makes it easy for Beti to pull payroll-related data, like compensation changes, employee pay rates, approved business expense claims, and actual hours worked.
Scoring 3.76 out of 5 in our evaluation, Paycom’s Beti posted high ratings of 4 and up in HR, payroll, and mobile app-specific pay processing functionalities. It received the lowest score in pricing because of its nontransparent pricing and setup fees.
Paycom’s Beti has in-app help guides and an “Ask Here” button that employees can use if they need assistance or have paycheck issues. (Source: Paycom)
Paycom’s Beti Mobile App Features
Paycom’s Beti is the best payroll app for empowering employees to manage their own payroll. It provides them access to pay and deduction details so they’re aware of how much salary to expect every payday. Running payroll is easy, given its in-app guide designed to help workers process accurate wage payments. None of the payroll apps in this guide offer a self-service payroll tool for employees.
If you get Paycom’s time tracking and compensation planning modules, it will automatically extract actual hours worked and capture all salary changes before your workers processing payroll themselves. It even notifies employees of upcoming payroll deadlines and the tasks they need to correct or complete, such as missing time entries and paycheck approvals. This is unlike the other payroll apps we reviewed that require you or your HR team to process payroll and handle pay errors yourself.
For employers, Paycom’s payroll dashboard provides visibility on all pay run-related warnings and errors. Plus, you can easily send additional payroll notifications and reminders to employees directly from the dashboard.
As of this writing, mobile app users give Paycom 4.7 out of 5 on Google Play and 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store. Many rated its payroll management apps positively, with several reviewers praising its user-friendly interface. On the other hand, some users complained about having experienced slow loading pages, login issues, and mobile app glitches. A few reviewers even mentioned that while its app is generally easy to use, navigating through all of its features may be confusing for new users.
What’s great about the main software?
Similar to Paychex and Fingercheck, Paycom’s online platform enables better navigation—the text and screen sizes are bigger if the software is accessed via computers and laptops. The main platform is also more intuitive than its mobile app, making it easier for you to view and manage HR payroll tools, online documents and checklists, and onboarding forms like I-9s and W-4s.
To learn more about this software’s functionalities, read our Paycom review.
Roll by ADP: Best Chat-based Payroll App for Tech-savvy Small Business Owners
Overall Score:
3.61 / 5
Pros
- Affordable plan with unlimited pay runs and live chat support
- Same and next-day direct deposits available
- Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered assistant guides you through the payroll process and conducts error checks in real time
- Unlimited pay runs
Cons
- Slight learning curve due to its chat-based commands
- No benefit options, automated 1099 tax filings, and live phone support
- Limited reporting
- Chat support wait times can be lengthy
- Integrates only with QuickBooks Online (as of this writing)
Plans & Pricing
Mobile app: The app is free to download on Google Play and the App Store, but you have to pay software subscription fees to use its features.
Software subscription fees: $29 per month + $5 per employee monthly
Roll by ADP is the only payroll app for small business owners that lets you run payroll and set up staff profiles online through chat commands. While its chat-based mobile system may take some getting used to, its smart in-app assistant can help guide you through its functionalities in addition to running error checks and sending proactive alerts. Plus, similar to Square Payroll, it offers an affordable plan, costing only $29 plus $5 per employee monthly. This makes it a good option for small businesses (with up to 10 employees) that require low-cost yet smart mobile payroll tools without all the features of cloud-based payroll software.
With an overall score of 3.61 out of 5, Roll by ADP earned ratings of 3.5 and above in pricing, payroll tools, and mobile-app functionalities. It scored the lowest in ease of use because it lacks phone support, doesn’t export data into CSV file formats, and has very limited integration options (only integrates with QuickBooks Online, as of this writing). Plus, adjusting to its chat commands may take some time.
With Roll by ADP, you simply need to type the chat command to run and submit your payroll. (Source: ADP Roll)
Roll by ADP App Features
Roll by ADP is the first of its kind—you can set up employee profiles, add deductions, run payroll, and pay employees using only chat commands on your mobile iOS and Android devices. It even has a scanner icon that lets you view its mobile platform on computer desktops and laptops.
What’s great about Roll by ADP is that it provides next-day direct deposits to its clients automatically, including a same-day option if the deposit is via manual check. This is comparable to Fingercheck, but you have to subscribe to the highest plan to access it, whereas Roll by ADP includes it under its one plan.
While Paychex may offer the services of a dedicated payroll specialist, Roll by ADP has a smart in-app assistant that learns how you do payroll and automatically lines up your to-dos in advance. It sends automated alerts and even conducts error checks to ensure that your payroll is in line with your normal pay runs. And in case you need to consult with a customer representative about its features, Roll by ADP provides unlimited live chat support.
Roll by ADP is also a highly-rated app, with scores of 4.1 out of 5 in Google Play and 4.6 out of 5 in the App Store. Mobile app reviewers appreciate its affordability and fast payroll runs. However, several users are unhappy about the occasional app glitches and long wait times for chat support.
What’s great about the main software?
Unlike the other payroll apps in this guide, Roll by ADP doesn’t have an online software. Although, it offers desktop access—allowing you to view its mobile app via computers and laptops.
To learn more about this app’s functionalities, read our Roll by ADP review.
SurePayroll: Best for Small Business Owners With Simple Payroll Needs
Overall Score:
3.59 / 5
Pros
- Offers affordable full-service payroll and DIY tax filing plans
- Unlimited and automatic pay runs
- Two-day direct deposits
- Has US-based support with extended weekday and weekend hours
Cons
- Charges add-on fees for Ohio and Pennsylvania local tax filings
- Accounting and time tracking integrations are paid add-ons
- Lacks onboarding tools; you have to manually collect paper forms and input the new hire’s personal information (e.g., address and bank account details) directly into the system
Plans & Pricing
Mobile app: The app is free to download on Google Play and the App Store, but you have to pay software subscription fees to use its features.
Software subscription fees
- Full Service plan: $29.99 per month + $5 per employee monthly
- Includes unlimited pay runs and payroll tax filing services
- No Tax Filing plan: $19.99 per month + $4 per employee monthly
- Full Service features but without tax filings—you have to handle this yourself
Add-ons
- Ohio and/or Pennsylvania local tax filing services: $9.99 per month
- Multiple state filings: $9.99 per month
- Software integrations: $9.99 per month for time tracking tools and $4.99 per month for accounting solutions
With SurePayroll, you get a small business payroll app without all of the extra features that Square Payroll, Fingercheck, and Paychex offers. Its Full Service package calculates and files your payroll taxes plus pays employees—but it charges extra if your business grows and expands to additional states. However, your staff will have to download an employee-specific SurePayroll app for viewing payslips, retirement deductions and contribution rates, PTO balances, and tax forms. If you prefer having only one app for both employers and employees, then try Fingercheck, Roll by ADP, Square Payroll, or Paychex.
In our evaluation of the best payroll apps, SurePayroll earned an overall score of 3.59 out of 5. It posted ratings of 4 and up in pricing, ease of use, and payroll functionalities. However, it earned the lowest score in mobile app-specific features because it lacks in-app PTO tracking tools and has limited HR solutions.
With SurePayroll, you can preview and submit payroll summaries for approval while on the go. (Source: SurePayroll)
SurePayroll Mobile App Features
Like the other payroll apps in this guide, SurePayroll lets you process and manage employee payments while on the go. If you subscribe to its Full Service Payroll plan, the provider will even handle tax filings for you. However, its mobile app isn’t as feature-rich as Fingercheck and Paycom’s Beti, which include access to online learning sessions. Its payroll tool also isn’t as flexible as Paychex Flex, which lets you start pay runs via its online platform and continue the process through its mobile app and vice-versa.
In terms of user ratings, SurePayroll’s employer app earned a score of 4.7 out of 5 on both Google Play and the App Store. Several users complained about its “clunky” app that often crashes. Other reviewers, on the other hand, like its user-friendly and intuitive interface.
What’s great about the main software?
With SurePayroll’s online software, you get additional access to HR forms, documents, and workplace compliance posters. Plus, you can generate all of its payroll reports via the main platform, as well as some of its pre-employment screening tools like background checks, behavioral assessments, and skills testing.
To learn more about this software’s functionalities, read our SurePayroll review.
Methodology: How We Evaluated the Best Payroll Apps
We looked at ease of use, payroll and HR features, and mobile-app specific functionalities. We also considered pricing, such as whether the app is free to download and if the software subscription fees. Then, we rated each function on a 5-star scale designed to assess payroll apps.
To see our full evaluation criteria for best payroll apps, click through the tabs in the box below.
40%
Mobile app-specific features
30%
Payroll features
10%
Pricing
15%
Ease of use
5%
HR features
40% of Overall Score
Mobile solutions that allow employers to run payroll, track PTO balances and requests, and access self-service tools (like viewing payslips and managing employee data) received high marks. Extra points were also given to apps that can be accessed by both employers and employees, have positive mobile app reviews (average of 4-plus stars) and offer in-app tech support.
30% of Overall Score
Automatic payroll runs, payroll tax filings, W-2 and 1099 form preparation, manual check capabilities, and two-day direct deposits are some of the features that we looked for. Providers also get points if they can handle both employee and contractor payroll and offer pay card and pay on-demand options.
10% of Overall Score
15% of Overall Score
5% of Overall Score
Having access to a professional who can provide expert advice on compliance issues is one of the top criteria, including new hire state reporting. Following closely behind these is the capability to provide online onboarding and employee benefits like health insurance and workers’ compensation that are available in all 50 states.
*Percentages of overall score
Payroll App Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The best app to pay employees comes with full-service pay processing features, including automatic payroll and tax calculations, tax form filings, direct deposit payments, pay schedule notifications, and alerts for potential pay errors. Access to basic payroll registers and reports is important so you can easily review the deductions and salary payments per pay run. It should also offer time tracking and PTO management tools, allowing you to easily capture employee attendance data for pay processing.
While most payroll apps are free to download, you need to pay software fees to use its features. For an app with essential payroll tools, you should expect to pay around $5 to $50 monthly. If you require additional solutions, like time tracking and hiring, some providers charge software fees of more than $50 per month.
There are also free payroll software and some offer apps that include basic pay processing tools. If you’re a small business with up to five employees, consider Payroll Guru’s free-to-use app, Paycheck Free. It lets you calculate employee wages and taxes online, but doesn’t run full payroll. So, if you need more functionalities, such as hourly calculations, pre- and post-tax deductions, multiple employee payroll profiles, and zero in-app ads, consider using the paid Payroll Guru app, which costs $4.99.
Mobile payroll apps are downloadable apps that you can install directly into your tablets or smartphones. These payroll apps typically have only a handful of the features that its main platform offers, mainly because of the system size limitations that mobile apps and smartphones have.
On the other hand, payroll software with mobile responsive platforms can easily be accessed through mobile web browsers—no app download required. You simply need to go to the provider’s website, log into your account, and access all of its features online.
Bottom Line
Using mobile apps to manage payroll out of the office is a necessity for many business owners. Those that are considered good are designed to provide payroll services that help employers pay their staff accurately and on time and avoid potential tax-filing penalties. The best payroll apps for your business also depend on the type of workers you hire (employees versus contractors), your compliance needs, and whether or not you have in-house payroll or HR support staff to handle employee pay processing.
Our recommendation for the best payroll app is Square Payroll. It lets you run payroll, manage tax deductions, track PTO, access benefits plans, and set up automatic pay runs all from your mobile device. Moreover, it’s easy to use and integrates with Square POS seamlessly—a plus for retail shops and restaurants already using the provider’s point-of-sale software.
Sign up for a Square Payroll plan today.
