Payroll Software Resources

Articles, Glossary Terms, Discussions, Topics, and Reports to expand your knowledge on Payroll Software

Resource pages are designed to give you a cross-section of information we have on specific categories. You'll find articles from our experts, feature definitions, discussions from users like you, topics to contrast viewpoints, and reports from industry data.

Contents

Payroll Software Articles

W-9 vs. 1099 Forms: What's the Difference?

Is there anything more confusing or nerve-wracking than doing your own taxes?

by Lauren Pope

Payroll Management vs. Processing: The Difference Matters

With so many options from payroll software to outside services to manage payroll, paying employees shouldn't be a challenge.

by Gabriel Gheorghiu

What Is Payroll? (+How to Do It Yourself)

Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, a streamlined payroll process is crucial to keeping your employees happy and your finances in order.

by Michael Gigante

Payroll Software Glossary Terms

Payroll Management

Payroll management is an administrative process that ensures employees are financially compensated for their work. Learn more about its types and benefits.

by Holly Landis

Combat Pay

Combat pay is extra military compensation for qualifying dangerous-duty service, including hostile fire, imminent danger, and combat-zone tax benefits.

by Whitney Rudeseal Peet

HRIS

Human resource teams use HRIS solutions to manage employee data and streamline tasks. Learn about the types, best practices, and features to consider.

by Alyssa Towns

Payroll

Payroll refers to the system a company uses to manage employee compensation and payment. Learn the essential elements and best practices.

by Kelly Fiorini

In-House

In-house refers to an activity performed within an organization using its employees and resources. Learn more about its advantages and disadvantages.

by Amanda Hahn-Peters

Wage Expense

A wage expense is the cost organizations incur to pay hourly employees and contractors. Learn more about the types of wage expenses.

by Amanda Hahn-Peters

Pre-Tax Deduction

A pre-tax deduction is money subtracted from an employee’s gross pay before taxes are withheld from their paycheck. Learn the types, benefits, and rules.

by Martha Kendall Custard

Admin Services

Admin services are practices needed for employee management within an organization or industry. Learn more about admin services and best practices for HR administration.

by Keerthi Rangan

Wage Garnishment

Wage garnishment can take its toll not only on employees but also on employers. Learn more about wage garnishment, how it can impact a business, and what to do if an employee receives a garnishment of their wages.

by Mara Calvello

Payroll Software Discussions

Question on: OnPay

What size business is OnPay best for? When does it make the most sense compared to a more enterprise payroll provider?

I'm evaluating payroll software for a growing company and trying to figure out where OnPay fits relative to larger platforms like ADP or Paychex. Is there a headcount range or complexity threshold where OnPay really shines, and where would you recommend going upmarket instead?

OnPay is best suited for small to midsize US businesses with 1 to 500-plus employees, offering an intuitive platform that scales well with a company as it grows. It provides all the full-service payroll essentials a smaller organization needs right out of the gate — including automated tax filings and payments — alongside robust HR and employee benefits solutions that support employers well into their growth trajectory. While it is highly capable of scaling with an expanding domestic team, you may need to explore more enterprise solutions if your organizational scale demands international payroll infrastructure or highly customized corporate enterprise software integrations.

Answered: Monica Thysell on June 16, 2026

Your answer

Question on: Gusto

How do you balance Gusto’s payroll simplicity with the reality of fees?

Gusto made it simple to set up new employees and run payroll, which helped keep payroll operations swift. The main downside is fees, even if they feel relatively low. For those using Gusto, how do you think about the fees compared to the time saved and smoother payroll process?

I like it it works well and needs no balancing

Answered: Cecilia Lopez on July 28, 2026

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Question on: Fingercheck

Can Fingercheck generate reports for workers' compensation audits and insurance reviews?

Yes. Fingercheck can generate payroll reports formatted for workers' compensation audits and insurance company requests, including total wages by employee, hours worked by classification or department, and gross payroll summaries by date range. These reports are accessible directly from the platform and can be exported in standard formats. Because Fingercheck also offers pay-as-you-go Workers' Compensation insurance — where premiums are calculated on actual payroll data each pay period rather than estimated annual payroll — audit exposure is significantly reduced for businesses using that option, since premiums are already aligned with actual wages paid.

Answered: Emily Donato on May 19, 2026

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