Compare pricing for the top payroll software products with the highest value-for-money and functionality ratings.
We hear from software buyers time and again that two of their top considerations when investing in a new payroll solution are price and functionality. Budget is a constraint for most businesses, but affordability alone doesn't make a product valuable—it must also offer the functionality you need.
In this report, we've ranked the most valuable payroll software products based on user reviews: those with the highest marks for both functionality and value for money. We also break down the starting cost and relevant pricing details for each product.
Top payroll software rated on value for money and functionality
The graphic below shows payroll products that have the highest value-for-money and functionality ratings based on user reviews in Capterra's payroll software directory. Products are arranged in increasing order of their value-for-money rating (bottom to top) and functionality rating (left to right).
Note: While products in the top-right zone of the graph rank higher in terms of both the functionality and the value-for-money rating, all products in this graph are top rated.
Price comparison for top-rated payroll software
Comparing pricing and features for multiple software solutions can prove to be a difficult task. We have created a table to highlight how different payroll software products stack up against each other in terms of starting pricing, free trials, and free versions, allowing you to compare these products all in one place.
The products in the above table are taken from the scatter plot (for which the pricing information is available publicly). These products are arranged in alphabetical order, and the pricing included in this table is for the entry-level/lowest-priced offering (discounted pricing not considered) found on vendor websites as of February 3, 2023. The cost of these payroll software products may vary based on the number of users, features, or other factors.
1. Deluxe Payroll and HR
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Overall rating
Value-for-money rating
Functionality rating
Device compatibility
Screenshots
Remote onboarding in Deluxe Payroll
Deluxe Payroll and HR is a software solution that provides businesses with tools for managing their payroll and human resources processes. This solution automates many of the tasks involved in these processes, including calculating and distributing employee paychecks, tracking time off, and managing employee benefits. With Deluxe Payroll and HR, businesses can streamline their payroll and HR operations, reduce the risk of errors, and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
Starting price: Starts at $52 per month, billed monthly. One employee included.
Features available at a higher price: Advanced version supports additional employees at $14 per employee per month. It supports custom reporting fields and document templates.
2. Gusto
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Overall rating
Value-for-money rating
Functionality rating
Device compatibility
Screenshots
Benefits management in Gusto
Gusto is an all-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR software designed for small to midsize businesses. It provides a platform for businesses to manage their payroll, compliance, benefits, and other HR tasks. Some key features of Gusto include payroll processing, tax filing, time tracking, employee self-service portal, and HR support. Gusto offers HR tools and HR services to help with managing employee onboarding, running payroll, and administering health benefits.
Starting price: Starts at $46 per month, billed monthly. One user included.
Features available at a higher price: Advanced version supports advanced hiring and onboarding tools, time tracking and project tracking.
3. Homebase
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Overall rating
Value-for-money rating
Functionality rating
Device compatibility
Screenshots
Payroll in Homebase
Homebase is a cloud-based HR solution that helps businesses in managing employees schedules and timesheets and payroll. It caters to businesses of all sizes across various industries such as food service, healthcare, and retail. Key features of Homebase include shift scheduling, time and attendance tracking, employee scheduling, and automatic time-off requests and approvals.
Starting price: Starts at $25 per location, per month, billed monthly. One location supported.
Features available at a higher price: Advanced version supports new hire onboarding, employee documents, as well as HR and compliance.
4. Hubstaff
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Overall rating
Value-for-money rating
Functionality rating
Device compatibility
Screenshots
Time tracking in Hubstaff
Hubstaff is a time tracking and project management software aimed at remote teams and freelancers. It provides a platform for businesses to track the time and activity of their employees, monitor progress on projects, and manage payments. Key features of Hubstaff include time tracking, employee monitoring, project management, invoicing, and team collaboration.
Starting price: Starts at $7 per user, per month, billed monthly. Includes two users and one integration.
Features available at a higher price: Advanced version supports unlimited teams and integrations.
5. Keka
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Overall rating
Value-for-money rating
Functionality rating
Device compatibility
Screenshots
Jobs management in Keka
Keka is a cloud-based HR and payroll software designed for small to medium-sized businesses in India. It offers a range of features to help businesses manage their payroll, compliance, benefits, and other HR tasks. Key features of Keka include payroll processing, tax compliance, employee self-service portal, leave management, and HR support.
Starting price: Starts at $85 per user, per month, billed monthly. Includes up to 100 employees.
Features available at a higher price: Advanced versions support 100+ employees, charged at $130 per month per additional employee.
Searching for a payroll service provider to hire for your business? We've got you covered. Check out our list of companies in the following areas:
6. Knit
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Overall rating
Value-for-money rating
Functionality rating
Device compatibility
Screenshots
Payroll in Knit
Knit is a cloud-based payroll software designed to help small and mid-sized businesses manage their payroll processes. It offers a range of features including payroll processing, tax calculation and filing, direct deposit, and employee self-service portals. Knit aims to provide businesses with a simple and user-friendly solution for their payroll needs, freeing up time and resources that can be better spent elsewhere.
Starting price: Starts at $47 per month, billed monthly. One employee included.
Features available at a higher price: Advanced versions supports mass import payroll info, unlimited pay groups and cycles, and managed payroll compliance audit.
7. Multiplier
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Overall rating
Value-for-money rating
Functionality rating
Device compatibility
Screenshots
Dashboard in Multiplier
Multiplier is a cloud-based payroll software that helps small to medium-sized businesses manage their payroll processes. It offers a range of features including payroll processing, tax calculation and filing, direct deposit, and employee self-service portals. It allows employers to generate locally compliant contracts, maintain onboarding compliance, and automate salary payouts.
Starting price: Starts at $300 employee, per month, billed monthly.
Features available at a higher price: Employee insurance available at an additional cost of $20/month.
8. OnPay
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Overall rating
Value-for-money rating
Functionality rating
Device compatibility
Screenshots
Automated tax filings in OnPay
OnPay is a cloud-based payroll solution which helps businesses to automate tax filing and payment workflows. It offers features to manage employee payroll data. It allows organizations to provide online payroll services to their employees. Key features include employee self-onboarding, automated payroll, new hire reporting, tax payment filing, direct deposit, and employee self-service portals.
Starting price: Starts at $40 per employee, per month, billed monthly. One person included.
Features available at a higher price: All features offered in the plan.
9. Patriot Payroll
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Overall rating
Value-for-money rating
Functionality rating
Device compatibility
Screenshots
Time tracking in Patriot payroll
Patriot Payroll is a cloud-based payroll software which caters to small business owners. It offers a range of features to help businesses manage their payroll processes, including unlimited payroll calculations and processing, tax calculation and filing. It lets employers process direct deposits to pay employees. Additionally, it also offers personalized employee self-service portals to access financial details and payroll information.
Starting price: Starts at $17 per user, per month, billed monthly.
Features available at a higher price: Advanced versions include Patriot team filing year-end payroll tax filings for your company.
10. Rippling
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Overall rating
Value-for-money rating
Functionality rating
Device compatibility
Screenshots
Dashboard in Rippling
Rippling is a comprehensive cloud-based HR and payroll software designed for businesses of all sizes. It offers a range of payroll features to help businesses manage their payroll process, including payroll calculation and processing, tax calculation and filing, benefits administration, time tracking, and HR management. Rippling provides businesses with a single platform for their HR and payroll needs by streamlining these processes.
Starting price: Starts at $8 per user, per month, billed monthly.
Features available at a higher price: N/A
11. Square Payroll
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Overall rating
Value-for-money rating
Functionality rating
Device compatibility
Screenshots
Payroll in Square Payroll
Square Payroll is a cloud-based payroll software designed for small businesses. It offers a range of features to help businesses manage their payroll processes, including payroll calculation and processing, tax calculation and tax form filing, and employee self-service portals. Square Payroll offers functionality to manage various employee types including salaried employees, hourly employees and contractors. It also offers integrated timecards, employee benefits offerings and direct deposits.
Starting price: Starts at $40 per employee, per month, billed monthly. One employee included.
Features available at a higher price: Separate modules for text marketing, and loyalty programs available.
12. UZIO
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Overall rating
Value-for-money rating
Functionality rating
Device compatibility
Screenshots
Onboarding in UZIO
UZIO is a cloud-based payroll solution which provides you with modules like time & attendance solutions, and payroll and benefits management solutions. It caters to businesses of all sizes. The platform enables employers to automate HR administrative tasks and payroll processing which helps them improve employee experience and productivity.
Starting price: Starts at $49 per employee, per month, billed monthly. One employee included.
Features available at a higher price: Legal module available at additional cost.
13. Wagepoint
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Overall rating
Value-for-money rating
Functionality rating
Device compatibility
Screenshots
Payroll management in Wagepoint
Wagepoint is a Canadian cloud-based payroll and HR software designed to help small business as well as mid-sized businesses process payroll and manage employee information. The platform automates time-consuming payroll tasks, such as calculating taxes and deductions, generating pay stubs, and creating reports, so that businesses can focus on their core operations. It also includes features for HR management, such as benefits administration and employee record keeping.
Starting price: Starts at $22 per employee, per month, billed monthly.
Features available at a higher price: All features included in all the plans.
14. Zenefits
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Overall rating
Value-for-money rating
Functionality rating
Device compatibility
Screenshots
Hiring management in Zenefits
Zenefits is a cloud-based all-in-one HR solution that provides businesses with a range of features for managing HR and benefits administration. Its key features include payroll and tax management, performance management, onboarding, employee self service portal, and benefits administration.
Starting price: Starts at $10 per user, per month, billed monthly. One employee included.
Features available at a higher price: Advanced version supports automated onboarding, time off tracking and compensation management.
If you want to explore more payroll tools, please visit our payroll category page.