Top payroll solutions for 2025: The 10 best companies to streamline your payroll

Running payroll used to mean hours of manual calculations, wrestling with tax forms, and crossing your fingers that everything was compliant. Not anymore. 

Today’s payroll management software can transform this monthly headache into an automated process that takes just minutes. The best platforms not only save time but also reduce costly errors, keep you compliant with changing tax laws, and connect with your broader HR and finance systems.

I’ve spent time evaluating the leading payroll companies to help you find the right fit for your business. Whether you’re a startup paying your first employee or an enterprise managing hundreds of workers across multiple states, there’s a solution that can make payroll faster, easier, and more reliable.

Below, we’ll walk through the top payroll providers in 2025, so you can compare payroll services like Rippling, which I found to be the #1 choice for businesses that want payroll unified with HR, IT, and finance, alongside ADP, Gusto, Paychex, and more.

What is a payroll company?

A payroll company handles the complex task of paying your employees accurately and on time. 

But today’s providers do much more than calculate paychecks. They also manage tax withholdings, file payroll taxes with government agencies, handle benefits deductions, and ensure your business stays compliant with labor laws.

Modern payroll software goes beyond the basics by integrating with your existing systems. It can connect directly to accounting, HR, and time-tracking tools, reducing duplicate work and keeping everything in sync. Most platforms also include employee self-service portals, so team members can access pay stubs, update information, and manage benefits without going through HR.

Some providers now offer full HR suites that extend far beyond payroll. In addition to running payroll, they may include:

• Hiring and onboarding tools to streamline bringing new employees on board

• Benefits administration for healthcare, retirement, and other perks

• Performance management features to track goals and reviews

In many cases, payroll has become the entry point into a broader workforce management solution.

Your business is complex. Payroll software shouldn’t be.

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Quick comparison: Best payroll companies at a glance

Below is a comparison of the best payroll services, helping you find the right large, mid-sized or small business payroll software for your needs:

Methodology: How I chose these payroll companies

I spent time evaluating each payroll provider to see how they actually work for real businesses. Here's what I looked at:

• Core payroll features: I tested how well each platform handles the basics: running payroll, calculating taxes, and keeping you compliant. This meant checking if they can handle employees in multiple states, pay contractors, manage garnishments, calculate overtime correctly, and generate W-2s and 1099s at year-end.

• Ease of use and learning curve: I approached each platform as if it were brand new. Could the dashboard be understood quickly? Was it clear where to add an employee or run payroll? Good payroll software should feel intuitive without the need for extensive training.

• Scalability and growth: Another factor was whether the solution made sense as a business grows. Could it handle five employees today and 500 in a few years? It was important to see if pricing remained reasonable at scale or if costly upgrades and feature limitations kicked in too soon.

• Integration capabilities: Evaluation also covered how well each system connects with tools many businesses already use. Effective integrations mean data is entered once and updated everywhere automatically. 

• Value for money: Pricing was compared not just on headline rates but on the real costs of operation. This meant looking at base fees, per-employee charges, and any extra costs for features like tax filing or employee self-service. 

Top 10 payroll companies in 2025

1. Rippling

Rippling offers versatile payroll software alongside an all-in-one HR platform that unifies HR, IT, and finance. With Rippling's comprehensive workforce management tools, you don't just get a payroll provider — you also get automated onboarding, time tracking, benefits administration, compliance support, and more, creating a unified solution that's especially helpful for businesses of all sizes.

Why it stands out: Rippling payroll automates key workflows like tax filing and payment, so you can stay in compliance. With robust employee self-service tools via a modern and intuitive employee portal, Rippling makes managing payroll efficient. The platform connects every aspect of workforce management, automatically updating salary, benefits, and system access when employees change roles.

Fully customizable payroll software

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Where it falls short: The comprehensive feature set means there's more to learn initially compared to basic payroll-only solutions, but there are support options available.

Right for you if: You want to streamline multiple business functions beyond just payroll. Companies benefit from Rippling's automation that handles tedious admin work across HR, IT, and finance.

Feature snapshot:

2. ADP

ADP is one of the longest-running providers in the payroll services industry, used by small businesses and enterprises alike. It offers an HR platform as well as ADP Run, a payroll-focused product for smaller businesses. ADP provides automated payroll processing, compliance management, and integrates with accounting software.

Why it stands out: ADP has over 75 years of experience processing payroll and handles payroll for nearly one in six American workers. They offer scalable plans that work for businesses from startups to large enterprises.

Where it falls short: ADP’s pricing is unpredictable, with extra charges for features that competitors often include. The system itself feels dated and fragmented, and smaller businesses may find the support inconsistent. 

Workflow automation is also very limited, with only basic approvals and notifications tied to onboarding, rather than the kind of end-to-end workflows platforms like Rippling supports. In addition, reporting is siloed across modules, so pulling complex cross-system reports often requires support or professional services.

Right for you if: You want a provider that has been in the payroll market for decades and serves a wide customer base.

Feature snapshot:

3. Paychex

Paychex offers Paychex Flex, a payroll solution for small businesses and medium-sized companies. The service handles tax filing and compliance, offers direct deposits, integrates with time tracking tools, and provides employee self-service features, while offering reporting tools for HR managers.

Why it stands out: Paychex can handle businesses with up to 1,000+ employees and offers customizable solutions. They provide payroll and HR services with multiple plan tiers.

Where it falls short: Costs can add up quickly with per-payroll fees and extra charges for common features. The system is older, with manual processes still required for tasks like onboarding and employee changes. 

Despite being marketed as all-in-one, updates often need to be entered in multiple places, and core functions like generating or sending offer letters require a separate whitelabeled ATS. Reporting is also cumbersome — users frequently rely on support to build or customize reports since they can’t easily pull only the data they need.

Right for you if: You run a small or mid-sized business and want payroll with built-in tax administration and compliance support.

Feature snapshot:

4. Gusto

Gusto provides user-friendly payroll software that simplifies payroll management alongside features like onboarding and benefits administration. It offers direct deposits, time tracking, and handles payroll tax filings for small businesses.

Why it stands out: Gusto focuses on small to medium businesses with an interface designed for ease of use. The platform includes HR tools like onboarding and benefits management.

Where it falls short: Advanced features and customization options are limited compared to enterprise-focused competitors. It's primarily designed for smaller businesses.

Right for you if: You’re an SMB looking for payroll with accessible HR features and a simple setup.

Feature snapshot:

5. QuickBooks Payroll

Intuit’s QuickBooks payroll integrates directly with QuickBooks accounting software, making it popular among small businesses. It provides automated payroll processing, employee onboarding tools, time tracking, direct deposit, and tax calculation and filing.

Why it stands out: QuickBooks Payroll offers seamless integration with QuickBooks accounting software, eliminating duplicate data entry for businesses already using QuickBooks.

Where it falls short: HR features are basic compared to dedicated HR platforms. It's designed primarily for businesses that want payroll integrated with QuickBooks accounting.

Right for you if: You're already using QuickBooks for accounting and want everything to sync automatically.

Feature snapshot:

6. Deel

Deel specializes in international HR management, payroll processing, and solutions for global and remote teams. It allows for hiring global employees, remote onboarding, and handling payroll taxes across borders for distributed teams.

Why it stands out: Deel operates in 150+ countries and specializes in Employer of Record (EOR) services, functioning as a professional employer organization for international hiring.

Where it falls short: For domestic-only teams, Deel offers limited value and higher costs. Payroll comes with extra fees for off-cycle changes or re-runs, and reporting is incomplete since customers often need to combine multiple reports to see headcount, payroll costs, or attrition. 

Deel also operates with two-week block periods because much of its payroll is processed manually through third-party systems, which makes it less consistent and harder to manage compared to more unified platforms.

Right for you if: You're hiring internationally or managing a fully remote team. The global compliance features make it a practical option for cross-border operations.

Feature snapshot:

7. Paylocity

Paylocity's payroll software handles compliance and payroll tax filing, plus payroll reports, deductions, and garnishments. It also offers an HR platform with features for employee onboarding, time tracking, benefits administration, and employee self-service.

Why it stands out: Paylocity provides an HR platform alongside payroll services, targeting mid-sized businesses that need more than basic payroll.

Where it falls short: Paylocity’s roots are in legacy payroll, which means automation is limited, reporting can be clunky, and many processes still require manual work.

Right for you if: You’re a mid-sized business that needs both payroll and HR features in a single platform.

Feature snapshot:

8. OnPay

OnPay offers automated small business payroll processing with tax filing, compliance, direct deposit, and accounting software integrations to help HR and finance teams save time.

Why it stands out: OnPay provides transparent pricing with unlimited payroll runs and features included in the base price without hidden fees.

Where it falls short: Integration options are more limited compared to larger competitors. It's designed for smaller businesses and may not scale for larger organizations.

Right for you if: You want straightforward pricing with clear features included. Small businesses benefit from the unlimited payroll runs and transparent costs.

Feature snapshot:

9. Paycor

Paycor provides automated payroll processing, benefits administration, and onboarding features for small businesses and larger organizations. The payroll system handles direct deposits, calculates payroll taxes, and manages compliance.

Why it stands out: Paycor combines payroll with HR features like time tracking, performance management, and recruiting, making it a common choice for mid-sized and blue-collar businesses.

Where it falls short: Paycor offers a broad range of features, but the different modules aren’t always seamless. That can make workflows less efficient, especially as teams grow.

Right for you if: You’re an SMB or mid-market company that wants payroll bundled with HR features.

Feature snapshot:

10. FreshBooks

FreshBooks is best known as an accounting platform, but it also offers payroll through its partnership with Gusto. The payroll add-on covers direct deposit, automated tax filing, and compliance basics. It’s designed for small businesses that already use FreshBooks for invoicing and accounting.

Why it stands out: Payroll is built directly into FreshBooks’ accounting system, so users get an integrated view of expenses, books, and payroll in one place.

Where it falls short: Payroll functionality is basic compared to full-service providers, and HR features beyond payroll are limited. Pricing also requires a FreshBooks subscription, which may not suit businesses using other accounting tools.

Right for you if: You already rely on FreshBooks for accounting and want a simple, built-in payroll option without switching platforms.

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Why does your business need a payroll software provider?

Running payroll manually might seem manageable at first, but it quickly becomes a liability. 

Beyond the sheer time investment, manual payroll exposes your business to costly risks: miscalculations, missed deadlines, and compliance errors that can trigger penalties or damage employee trust. 

A payroll software provider removes these risks and builds a foundation for efficiency, compliance, and scalability:

Save time and reduce errors

Payroll software automates repetitive, error-prone tasks like wage calculations, overtime tracking, and tax withholdings. Instead of spending hours crunching numbers each pay period, you can run payroll in minutes. 

Ensure tax compliance

Tax rules change constantly at the federal, state, and local levels. Payroll providers track these changes for you, automatically apply the correct rates, and file payroll taxes on time. 

Streamline benefits and deductions

Modern payroll platforms connect directly with benefits providers, ensuring deductions for health insurance, retirement plans, and commuter benefits are accurate. Employees can also manage their benefits online through self-service portals, reducing HR’s administrative burden.

Gain actionable insights through reporting

Accurate reporting transforms payroll from a back-office function into a decision-making tool. Real-time dashboards and custom reports give you visibility into labor costs, turnover, overtime trends, and compliance metrics — helping you control costs and plan for growth.

Scale with confidence

Whether you’re hiring your 10th employee or your 1,000th, payroll software adapts to meet complexity. Multi-state compliance, industry-specific rules, and international hiring all become manageable with the right provider.

Run payroll accurately. On time. Every time.

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Which payroll company is best for you?

Choose Rippling if: You want payroll that connects with HR, IT, and finance in one platform. Instead of managing separate systems, Rippling keeps data synced across the employee lifecycle, reduces silos, and automates manual work as your business grows. This makes it especially useful if you expect your needs to go beyond payroll alone.

Choose Gusto if: You’re a small business looking for payroll with simple HR tools included. Gusto works best for straightforward payroll and benefits needs rather than highly complex setups.

Choose OnPay if: You want small business payroll with clear, transparent pricing and tax filing included in the base plan. It’s a practical choice for smaller teams that value simplicity.

Choose ADP if: You have complex configuration needs for U.S. and global payroll.

Choose Paychex if: You want payroll with employee engagement features such as paycheck previews. Paychex works for both small and mid-sized businesses, with the option to layer on HR outsourcing and basic compliance services as needs expand. 

Choose Deel if: You hire internationally and need basic contractor management support. Deel operates across multiple countries, making it useful for managing cross-border teams. 

Choose QuickBooks Payroll if: You already use QuickBooks for accounting and want payroll directly integrated. The sync eliminates duplicate data entry and keeps books accurate in real time. 

Choose Paylocity if: You’re a mid-sized company with simple automation and reporting needs. Paylocity includes onboarding, time tracking, and benefits, giving businesses more than just basic payroll. 

Choose Paycor if: You have basic needs for payroll integrations with other HR and finance tools. It’s often chosen by SMBs and mid-market companies looking for a slightly broader toolset. 

Choose FreshBooks if: You already rely on FreshBooks for accounting and want payroll tied directly to it. It’s best for freelancers or very small businesses rather than larger teams.

Rippling: The payroll solution you need

If you're looking for payroll software that goes beyond just processing paychecks, Rippling offers something unique in the market. Instead of managing separate systems for payroll, expense management, HR, benefits, IT, and compliance, Rippling unifies everything into one intelligent platform.

With Rippling payroll software, you can: 

• Pay employees and contractors in the same platform

• Manage time and attendance natively 

• Run unlimited off-cycle pay runs at no extra cost 

• Set up multiple pay schedules, pay rates, and pay types in just a few clicks 

• Add recurring reimbursements (like cell phone payments, gym memberships, etc.) that are automatically paid out every pay period, monthly, or at whatever interval you choose

• Automatically calculate prorated pay runs for new or promoted employees 

• Manage all currency conversions, including payroll adjustments 

• Automatically calculate overtime for every country 

What sets Rippling apart is its 100% error-free guarantee on every pay run, backed by 600+ integrations and a dedicated mobile app where employees can access everything from W-2s to expense submission.

Top payroll companies FAQs