Best Payroll Services

Best Payroll Services

In a hurry? Here’s the top Payroll Service for 2024:

The Best Payroll Software and Service 2024

Nowadays there is no excuse for not paying employees exactly what they are owed on time. There was a time when payroll was one of the most complicated and time-consuming duties for Human Resources. Thanks to the miracle of technology, what once took hours can now be completed with a few clicks.

Payroll is no joke and should be taken seriously. It’s shocking to realize that 33% of employers (smaller businesses in particular) have made and continue to make payroll errors. This issue is compounded by the fact that 49% of workers report starting a new job search after experiencing two paycheck errors - avoidable turnover like this results in billions of dollars of lost productivity every year.

Poor payroll management can result in:

  • Unrecoverable overpayments
  • Hefty fines for underpayments
  • Irreversible damage to employee relationships
  • Damage to industry reputation
  • Difficulty hiring and retaining new talent
  • Tax filing discrepancies and complications
  • Time-consuming remedies

With so much at stake, it’s no wonder the majority of businesses now turn to payroll software and services to automate the process for them. Cost-effective and advanced options are available for everyone from individual freelancers to Fortune100 companies. With the seamless integration of 401ks, medical, expenses, and other benefits, the cost of investment can pale in comparison to the man-hours and headaches saved.

An overview of the best Payroll Services for 2024:

  • 🥇 1. RemoteRated 4.6 stars on Trustpilot, Remote offers comprehensive international payroll, benefits, tax management, and compliance support. With support for more than 100 currencies, you can easily invoice and process payments for employees and contractors in over 170 countries!
  • 🥈 2. Papaya GlobalPapaya Global’s platform integrates seamlessly with major HCM and ERP systems, providing AI-powered payroll validation, automated tax filings, and expert support.
  • 🥉 3. DeelDeel simplifies global payroll, compliance, and hiring, providing businesses with tools to manage international teams and contractors in over 150 countries seamlessly.
  • Frequently Asked Questions about Payroll Services (FAQ).

What is a Payroll Service? How can it Help Me?

A payroll service/software can either assist or completely take over the payroll process for a business. Everything from base salaries and taxes to complex benefits can be automated, regardless of the number of employees.

The most obvious advantage of heading down this route is the number of billable man-hours they can save. They also remove the considerable potential for human error, an issue that affects large and small businesses alike. In fact, businesses with under 20 employees lose an average of $900/year to payroll errors.

Payroll software/services also keep all necessary data in a single secure place. Under the Fair Labor Standard Act, it is a requirement for employers to keep all payroll records for at least three years. Compliance is easier with a purpose-built system rather than a mash-up of computer and paper-based accounting.

These are the key advantages, now what do I look for when choosing the best payroll option? Here are some major factors to consider:

  • Time tracking integration - A must if you have employees who are paid hourly rather than salaried. Can be integrated into a traditional time clocking system to remove the need for any manual data inputting.
  • Direct deposit - Deposit pay directly into your employees’ bank accounts without the need to print checks or physical pay stubs. This also ensures your employees are paid on time every month.
  • Benefits management - Different software and services offer different benefits that can be automated. Most offer 401k and healthcare integration and that may be all you need. However, if you have expense reports or other supplemental income, make sure your chosen software supports it.
  • Payroll reports - Customizable reports that can provide you with crucial oversight into your finances at the click of a button. Indispensable for long and short-term budgeting.
  • Automatic tax filing - This one can save you a tremendous amount of time. Fully tax-compliant services will automatically file all your tax-relevant data and stay ahead of the curb when it comes to new regulations. It will also automatically send 1099s and W-2s to all employees when required.
  • Employee self-service - This may not be an essential feature and it is not one offered by every service but it can certainly add value to your business. Self-service allows employees to access a portal and do things like checking their benefits, pay, and print pay slips. Pay transparency is a great way to build mutual trust between employee and employer.
  • Now, keep those factors in mind as we introduce our three favorite payroll services for 2022:

    1. Remote — Best For Global Startups

    remote

    Remote offers you a robust global payroll solution designed to simplify the complexities of managing multi-country payroll. With its centralized platform, you can consolidate payroll processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance across various jurisdictions. The system provides features like automated updates on payroll laws, tax withholding, and worker classification, helping you stay compliant effortlessly.

    Remote's payroll platform supports scalability, accommodating businesses with or without in-house payroll expertise. The ability to integrate payroll payments and expense management in one place reduces your administrative overhead and enhances operational efficiency. Additionally, Remote's in-house payroll experts provide localized support, ensuring that all your payroll processes adhere to country-specific regulations.

    In addition to compliance and centralized management, Remote emphasizes security and transparency. The platform is SOC 2 compliant and ISO27001 certified, ensuring that your sensitive employee data is protected. With features like two-factor authentication and single sign-on integration, Remote offers a secure and reliable payroll solution for your global team. Overall, Remote's payroll functionality streamlines international payroll management, making it a valuable tool for your global business.

    Bottom Line:
    The platform's ability to handle compliance and accuracy across multiple jurisdictions, combined with its scalability and integration of payroll payments and expense management, sets it apart from competition. Moreover, its strong emphasis on security, with SOC 2 and ISO27001 certifications, ensures your data is well-protected. Remote's localized support from in-house experts further enhances its reliability, making it a top choice for businesses seeking efficient and secure international payroll management.

    Get Remote - The Leading Payroll Software and Services!

    2. Papaya Global — All-In-One International Payroll and Payments

    papaya global

    Papaya Global is your go-to cloud-based platform for managing global payroll and HR tasks. The platform offers a centralized solution for managing payroll, employee benefits, compliance, and tax across multiple countries. One of its standout features is its ability to consolidate disparate payroll systems into a single, cohesive platform, ensuring consistent and accurate payroll processing regardless of geographic location. The user-friendly interface and robust integration capabilities with existing HR and financial systems make it a valuable tool for companies with a global presence.

    One of the key advantages of Papaya Global is its commitment to compliance and data security. The platform is designed to adhere to local labor laws and tax regulations, reducing the risk of non-compliance penalties. It also offers detailed reporting and analytics, providing valuable insights into payroll expenditures and workforce trends. This focus on compliance and data protection ensures that businesses can operate confidently in multiple jurisdictions, knowing their payroll processes meet all necessary legal requirements.

    Bottom Line:
    Papaya Global stands out from similar software with its exceptional international payroll services, signature payment capabilities, and strict adherence to global compliance standards. Its unique strength lies in its seamless ability to pay workers worldwide while efficiently managing complex employee benefits and payroll tasks across multiple jurisdictions, a feature that many workforce management tools lack.

    Get Papaya Global - The Leading Payroll Software and Services!

    3. Deel — Ideal For Tech, Consulting, & Creative sectors

    deel

    Deel excels in providing comprehensive payroll functionality for global teams, offering a seamless experience for international payroll management. The platform handles the complexities of multi-currency payments, ensuring that contractors and employees are paid accurately and on time, regardless of their location. Deel’s automated tax form collection and compliance management alleviate the burden of adhering to diverse international labor laws, making it a reliable choice for businesses looking to expand their global workforce.

    One of the standout features of Deel's payroll service is its Employer of Record (EOR) capability, which allows companies to hire employees in countries where they do not have an established entity. This feature simplifies the hiring process and ensures that all legal and compliance requirements are met, providing peace of mind for businesses. Additionally, Deel integrates with major accounting software, streamlining financial operations and offering a unified solution for managing payroll and compliance.

    Bottom Line:
    The platform offers contractor payments, employer-of-record services, and payroll management in a user-friendly platform. And don’t worry if you need help – they’ve got customer support 24/7, and a quick setup process that allows businesses to be up and running in a few days. Moreover, we’re impressed by Deel’s co-working access via web work and in-house visa support that assists businesses with their immigration needs.

    Get Deel - The Leading Payroll Software and Services!

    How we chose this year's Best Payroll Services For SMEs:

    No two payroll solutions are alike, so it's up to you to determine which one is right for your business. Fortunately, our team will make your buying process easy by compiling 10 of the best vendors in the industry. Before any of these vendors made it into our Top 10 list, we tested each provider according to the following criteria/factors:

    • Features and Services
    • Ease of Use
    • Cost
    • Training
    • Integrations
    • Automation Level
    • Security, Data Protection, and Compliance
    • Industry Reputation
    • Customer Support

    🔐 Is payroll software secure?

    This is a very good question given the amount of highly sensitive information you are likely to store using payroll software. Payroll software offers an extremely high level of security and encryption. However, it is also important to note that the payroll department in general is a lucrative target for hackers and scammers. The best practice, in general, is to instill a highly security-minded culture within the workplace. That means regular up-to-date training, compliance reviews, and secure passwords. Also, make sure your software is updated as soon as an update is available as these can often add additional security protocols.

    💸 How much does a payroll service/software cost?

    Pricing structures are typically divided into two monthly fees: a base price and an additional cost per employee. A number of base fees vary from $5-$50/month while the cost per employee is largely within the single digits. Remember, this cost pales in comparison to the price of paying someone in-house to complete payroll manually.

    ✅ Do I need payroll assistance?

    Payroll assistance can benefit everyone from the largest and most complex companies to a business with a single employee. The cost of messing up a single paycheck can result in seriously hefty fines for anyone. Even if you are an independent contractor or freelancer a simple payroll service/software can help you organize your invoices and file your taxes with ease.

    ❓ What is the difference between payroll software and a payroll service?

    Simply put, payroll software requires you to do some inputting yourself while a payroll service is a separate company that will do everything for you. Payroll software is typically more cost-effective and gives you greater control over the process. A payroll service will take control of the entire process, saving you more time but this usually comes with a higher price tag too.

    Transparency and Trust: The aim of this website is to help you find the perfect software for your needs in an easy-to-view comparison list. You can read more about how we review and about our background in the About Us section of this website. Software.fish does not feature all of the software available in the market, we cherry-pick what we consider to be the leaders in each vertical. We try to keep this site updated and fresh, but cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information as well as the prices featured at all times. All prices quoted on this site are based on USD so there could be slight discrepancies due to currency fluctuations. Although the site is free to use, we do earn commissions from the software companies that we have partnered with. If you click on one of our links and then make a purchase, we will get paid by that company. This has an impact on the ranking, score, and order in which the software is presented in our list and elsewhere throughout the site. Software listings on this page DO NOT imply endorsement.
    Top Payroll Service 2024