Best HR Software for Small Business: Top Picks for 2025

best payroll app for small business

Any systems that must sync to derive this data, such as time clock software or systems, happen automatically, so I didn’t have to worry about any of those processes. The company’s automations ripple across the system so all parts of the software, from its IT and Financial Cloud to its HR and payroll features, are always in sync. Once payroll was run, the software summarized how much was paid out and when. I was also asked if I wanted a reminder of when payroll should be run again.

Automated Tax Filing

best payroll app for small business

The benefits of payroll software are payroll retained earnings accuracy, timeliness and compliance. You might need to opt for paid add-ons to ensure you have all the “must have” features in your payroll service. If you can squeeze some “good to have” features as well, do so but don’t overextend yourself. Payroll refers to the total compensation a company pays employees for their work. Payroll also refers to the process of calculating employees’ net pay and initiating payment to them. Whether you have one employee or 100, you’ll need to process payroll to ensure they get paid correctly and that proper records are kept.

How to Do Payroll for Small Businesses (+ Video & Template)

  • BambooHR is the complete HR platform that brings all your employee, payroll, time, and benefit information together in one place, giving you the data accuracy, security, and coordination you need to sleep soundly.
  • On the “payroll” page, I viewed a spreadsheet of payments earned by employees.
  • In that case, you can take advantage of Square Payroll’s automatic payroll feature.
  • We considered user reviews from third-party review sites like Capterra, G2, and TrustRadius.
  • Ultimately, choose a system that addresses your organization’s key needs.

Paychex Flex combines cloud-based payroll management and human resources software for small and midsize businesses that want thorough, affordable HR management. ADP is the biggest name in the world of PEOs, or professional employer organizations. But if your business isn’t big enough to warrant a PEO, RUN Powered by ADP distills ADP’s decades of HR expertise into an easy online payroll service with thorough HR add-ons. Merchant Maverick’s ratings are editorial in nature, and are not aggregated from user reviews. Each staff reviewer at Merchant Maverick is a subject matter expert with experience researching, testing, and evaluating small business software and services. The rating of this company or service is based on the author’s expert opinion and analysis law firm chart of accounts of the product, and assessed and seconded by another subject matter expert on staff before publication.

  • He is passionate about creating engaging, informative, and thought-provoking content that resonates with readers.
  • All SurePayroll transactions are encrypted, so you don’t have to worry about your employee details getting hacked.
  • Real-world user review sites show that many Justworks users appreciate the easy-to-use tools, transparent pricing and robust payroll and human resources features.
  • As a small business owner, you pay your employees yourself or have an office manager do it.
  • All you need is to access your OnPay account via your mobile browser.
  • Wave offers Monday to Friday customer support and it’s user-friendly, meaning the interface is simple to use and navigate without a lot of training required.
  • If you don’t want to pay extra, consider the other providers on my list (except Gusto as it offers multi-state pay runs in higher tiers).

QuickBooks Online

If you’re interested, we have a list of the best free payroll templates you can use to calculate payroll by hand. Using Excel, Google Sheets, or a free payroll program is undoubtedly the cheapest way to process payroll. If you aren’t using Wave’s accounting program, though, most of the other picks on this list will give you more payroll and HR features for less. If you want the full-service option, the cost bumps up to a $37 base price plus $4 per payee. Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity.

best payroll app for small business

Xero: Accounting Software Born In The Cloud

best payroll app for small business

Contractors can clock in and out using Square’s point of sale app, which then automatically syncs with Square Payroll to make running payroll a breeze. Square sends out 1099 forms to your contractors at the end of the year and files your 1099-MISC tax form with the IRS too. In particular, we love SurePayroll’s beautifully simple approach to payroll that’s perfect for beginners.

  • When I contacted customer support, I was told that this payroll add-on is typically only sold as an add-on and not as a standalone product.
  • First, you must apply for an employer identification number (EIN) or federal tax identification number from the IRS, which identifies your business for tax purposes.
  • Small businesses often face challenges due to the absence of a dedicated HR department, leading to prolonged vacancies and compliance issues.
  • This helps you save time, enables you to manage payroll easily, and ensures you remain compliant with federal regulations and labor laws.
  • If you can afford it, we recommend using cheap self-service plans from payroll providers like Wave, SurePayroll, or Patriot Software.
  • Employees can track time by job or department and switch between them when necessary.