Best Payroll Software
Payroll software allows companies to manage and streamline payroll processes, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time while helping HR and accounting teams automate payroll workflows, calculate wages, taxes, and deductions, and comply with state, federal, and international requirements. The best payroll software also helps organizations comply with various state and federal taxes and Social Security requirements.
Core Capabilities of Payroll Software
To qualify for inclusion in the Payroll category, a product must:
- Calculate and pay employee salaries
- Follow employee pay rules, such as minimum wage and overtime pay
- Calculate and deduct withholdings, such as payroll taxes, insurance, and retirement contributions
- Print or deposit paychecks directly and manage employee payment data, such as bank accounts
- Generate payroll reports like salary statements, benefits reports, or leave summaries
- Comply with local and national workplace laws and privacy regulations
Common Use Cases for Payroll Software
Payroll software is used by HR and finance teams across organizations of all sizes to manage compensation operations efficiently. Common use cases include:
- Automating end-to-end payroll processing for salaried and hourly employees
- Managing multi-country payroll for global or distributed workforces
- Ensuring compliance with evolving tax regulations and labor laws
How Payroll Software Differs from Other Tools
Payroll software is purpose-built for compensation processing and compliance, distinguishing it from broader HR platforms that include payroll as a secondary feature. It integrates with core HR software, accounting software, benefits administration software, and time and attendance software. Organizations with global teams also commonly leverage multi-country payroll software alongside their core payroll solution.
Insights from G2 Reviews on Payroll Software
According to G2 review data, users highlight automated tax calculations and direct deposit capabilities as standout features. Compliance with changing regulations and seamless integration with HR and accounting tools are frequently cited as key reasons for adoption.
Best Payroll Software At A Glance
G2 takes pride in showing unbiased reviews on user satisfaction in our ratings and reports. We do not allow paid placements in any of our ratings, rankings, or reports. Learn about our scoring methodologies.
Over 900,000 small businesses trust RUN Powered by ADP® payroll and HR to take care of their people, and get it done fast. With RUN, you can process payroll from anywhere in minutes. AI-enabled error
RUN Powered by ADP is a payroll management software that streamlines the process of payroll, tax compliance, and HR duties. Reviewers frequently mention the software's user-friendly interface, easy initial setup, and the valuable support from customer service, including the helpful chat feature. Users experienced issues with the time clock feature, the website's speed, navigation difficulties, and some found the pricing to be less competitive.
48,743 Twitter followers
Gusto is a comprehensive human resources (HR) solution designed to assist businesses in managing their payroll, benefits, hiring, and employee management needs. This platform caters to a wide range of
Gusto is a payroll and time tracking tool that simplifies expense management and compliance for businesses. Reviewers frequently mention the user-friendly interface, ease of setup, and the ability to easily track and edit work hours as key benefits of Gusto. Users reported issues such as underpayment errors, difficulties with reimbursements, slow site loading times, and a desire for better benefit options and improved dashboard layout.
21,165 Twitter followers
Paycom is the most automated HCM platform and the only HR and payroll software built on a truly single, unique database that automates the entire employee life cycle. Designed as a unified system,
Paycom is a comprehensive HR and payroll system that centralizes employee data, time tracking, and expense reconciliation. Reviewers like the user-friendly interface, the automation of various HR tasks, and the ability for employees to manage their own information, which saves time and reduces errors. Reviewers experienced issues with customer support response times, system glitches after updates, and found the platform to be complex and overwhelming for new users.
33,453 Twitter followers
Streamline your business with Rippling’s all-in-one platform for HR, IT, payroll, and spend management. Simplify IT with device management, software access, and compliance monitoring, all from one das
Rippling is a platform that integrates HR, payroll, and employee management for efficient workforce management, but it may require time for setup and can become more expensive with more activated modules. Users like that Rippling is easy to use, with clear navigation and helpful information readily available, and appreciate its ability to consolidate employee onboarding, payroll, and system access management in a single system. Reviewers noted that the initial setup for complex configurations can be time-consuming and the cost increases with the addition of more modules, and some users also reported occasional interface lags in the mobile app.
11,947 Twitter followers
Deel is the all-in-one HR platform for global teams. That means end-to-end HR management for any team, anywhere. Compliantly hire, onboard, and pay full-time employees or independent contractors in mi
Deel Payroll is a platform that simplifies international payments, ensures compliance, and provides fast and secure payments for managing global teams. Users frequently mention the platform's user-friendly interface, efficient payroll process, and the ability to receive payments in the currency of their choice, which makes managing payments convenient and reliable. Reviewers noted issues such as withdrawal fees, occasional delays in payouts, unresponsive app, and slow customer support during periods of high traffic.
30,053 Twitter followers
At UKG, our purpose is people®. We’re on a mission to inspire every organization to become a great place to work through HR and payroll technology built for all. With UKG, you get more than 70 years o
UKG Ready is a software solution that provides workforce management tools such as timekeeping, payroll, and scheduling. Reviewers like the user-friendly interface of UKG Ready, its easy initial setup, and the convenience of accessing work-related content, timesheets, and community events. Users experienced issues such as difficulty in setting up access on mobile devices, lack of a dark mode, and the need for more accessible forms of communication within the app.
42,744 Twitter followers
Remote is the all-in-one HR and payroll platform to find, hire, manage, and pay your entire team everywhere. Whether onboarding your first cross-border hire or scaling across continents, Remote de
Remote is a platform that provides payroll, compliance, and benefits administration services for global employment. Reviewers frequently mention the platform's user-friendly interface, easy navigation, and efficient customer service, particularly in managing expenses and accessing payslips. Users mentioned issues with the platform's handling of specific company policies, complexity in understanding compliance laws, and lack of clarity in payslip computations and tax deductions.
34,612 Twitter followers
Paylocity delivers the most innovative technology bringing HR, Finance, and IT together in one modern, easy-to-use platform to empower teams, simplify processes, and deliver real results. Run payroll,
Paylocity is a payroll platform that offers features such as timecards, payroll processing, HR features, and reporting tools. Reviewers frequently mention the ease of use, the ability to streamline scheduling and payroll, and the platform's high degree of customizability as positive aspects. Reviewers mentioned issues with customer service responsiveness, technical difficulties with the website, and challenges with initial setup and certain features like time tracking and benefits.
4,584 Twitter followers
HROne is a future-ready HCM suite that automates HR processes, simplifies human interactions and delivers actionable insights to build better workplaces. In our pursuit to set everything HR on aut
HROne is a software designed to automate HR tasks, including attendance, leave, payroll, and employee data management, with customization options to fit specific requirements. Users like the ease of use, comprehensive features, and the ability to automate tasks, which simplifies day-to-day work, and the responsive customer support that the software provides. Reviewers mentioned performance-related issues, such as slow loading times, limitations in customization, and difficulties in resetting passwords or downloading certain reports.
1,584 Twitter followers
ADP Workforce Now is the only all-in-one, cloud-based HR suite that adapts to the way you work. Built on a single database, ADP Workforce Now features Human Resource Management, Payroll, Benefits, Ta
ADP Workforce Now is a cloud-based HR platform that consolidates payroll, time tracking, HR administration, and talent management into one system. Reviewers appreciate the broad feature set, automation of HR processes, dependable payroll management, and the ability to access the system remotely, highlighting the convenience and efficiency of having all HR-related tasks in one place. Users experienced issues with the system's complexity, particularly during setup, and found customer support to be slow and sometimes lacking in knowledge, they also reported occasional system lags and bugs, and expressed a desire for more customization options and user-friendly interfaces.
48,743 Twitter followers
BambooHR® is an all-in-one HR software solution designed to eliminate inefficiencies and simplify people management. Trusted by thousands of companies in over 150 countries, BambooHR centralizes your
BambooHR is a human resources software that provides a platform for managing HR tasks such as scheduling time off, accessing company directory, and handling various tasks in one platform. Users like BambooHR's intuitive interface and mobile app, its easy accessibility, and the convenience of having all necessary features in one place, including timesheets, PTO, and organizational information. Reviewers noted some issues with BambooHR, such as buggy multi-stage time off approvals, difficulty in setting the correct number of hours in the timesheet section, and the platform being slow at times, especially when loading different tabs.
18,060 Twitter followers
Justworks is a multi-product solution offering global payroll, benefits, compliance support, time tracking, HR tools and more with award-winning support by HR certified experts. We handle the nitt
Justworks is an HR platform that centralizes features for onboarding new employees, managing payroll, and administering benefits. Users frequently mention the user-friendly interface, the ease of entering payroll hours, and the seamless integration with existing systems as key benefits of using Justworks. Users experienced issues with slow service support, limited communication with other platforms, and difficulties in retrieving historical employee documents after transitioning off the platform.
Keka is a global People and Project Operations Platform designed for growing businesses to align teams, drive performance, and streamline HR, payroll, and project delivery. From hiring and onboardi
Keka HR is a human resource management system that centralizes HR processes such as attendance tracking, payroll processing, and employee management. Reviewers frequently mention the user-friendly interface, seamless integration of HR functions, and the time-saving automation features that simplify daily HR tasks. Reviewers noted occasional system lags, limited customization options, and the need for initial guidance to fully explore all modules and functionalities.
1,152 Twitter followers
Multiplier Global Payroll is a comprehensive global payroll management solution designed to help businesses run payroll across multiple countries from a single, unified platform. It automates complex
Multiplier is a payroll and compliance platform that simplifies global hiring and payroll operations, providing accurate tax calculations, compliance updates, and support for managing employees in different countries. Users frequently mention the platform's stability, predictability, and the responsiveness of the support team, as well as the improved clarity in reporting which aids in audits and internal reviews. Users mentioned limitations in customization of reports and approval workflows, the need for support intervention for some actions, and slower turnaround times for region-specific compliance documents as areas for improvement.
10,029 Twitter followers
greytHR is a comprehensive Human Resource Management System (HRMS) designed to streamline complex, recurring, and essential HR and payroll functions in a compliant and secure manner. This platform pro
greytHR is a software designed to manage payroll, attendance, leave management, and statutory compliance, with additional features for employee self-service. Users like the comprehensive solution it provides, its ease of use, the transparency it brings to HR processes, and its ability to reduce manual work and HR dependency. Users reported issues with limited flexibility in advanced reports and customization, some unintuitive modules, occasional server hang-ups, and delayed customer support for complex scenarios.
1,115 Twitter followers
Learn More About Payroll Software
Payroll Software software buying insights at a glance
Payroll software helps organizations calculate wages, manage tax withholdings, and deliver employee pay accurately and on schedule. These systems allow payroll teams to automate recurring payroll processes, generate payslips, track deductions, maintain records, and coordinate payroll data across HR, finance and accounting systems. As businesses manage distributed workforces, evolving compliance requirements, and higher expectations for payroll accuracy, payroll software is becoming essential infrastructure for organizations that want to run payroll efficiently and reduce administrative risk.
Organizations typically adopt payroll software to simplify payroll administration, reduce manual calculations, and provide employees with clearer access to pay information. Across G2 user reviews, buyers frequently highlight benefits such as intuitive payroll workflows, strong employee self-service features, and streamlined payroll administration that reduces HR overhead.
The top payroll software companies and payroll software vendors stand out when they combine reliable payroll processing, strong compliance support, and integrated HR functionality. In practice, the most effective payroll platforms function as an operational hub that connects payroll processing, employee records, time tracking, and reporting within a single environment.
Pricing varies depending on company size, payroll complexity, geographic coverage, and whether the platform includes broader HR or workforce management features. Many payroll software vendors offer tiered subscription plans or per-employee pricing models, while some top payroll systems combine base subscription fees with add-ons for compliance services, benefits administration, or global payroll capabilities. Organizations evaluating payroll software and payroll platforms often also factor in implementation support, reporting capabilities, and long-term administrative effort when estimating the total cost of ownership.
Top 5 FAQs from software buyers:
- How do payroll systems improve processing accuracy and compliance?
- What features should teams evaluate when choosing the best payroll software?
- How well do payroll platforms integrate with HR and time-tracking systems?
- What level of automation do payroll software solutions offer for tax filing and reporting?
- How scalable is payroll software for multi-state organizations?
G2's top-rated Payroll software, based on verified reviews, include RUN Powered by ADP, Gusto, Rippling, Deel Payroll, and UKG Ready.
What are the top-reviewed Payroll Software on G2?
- Number of Reviews: 3,488
- Satisfaction: 100
- Market Score: 99
- G2 Score: 99
- Number of Reviews: 5,357
- Satisfaction: 100
- Market Score: 82
- G2 Score: 91
- Number of Reviews: 6,632
- Satisfaction: 100
- Market Score: 81
- G2 Score: 91
- Number of Reviews: 3,689
- Satisfaction: 100
- Market Score: 72
- G2 Score: 86
- Number of Reviews: 1,387
- Satisfaction: 89
- Market Score: 82
- G2 Score: 85
Satisfaction reflects user-reported ratings across factors such as ease of use, feature fit, and support quality. (Source 2)
Market Presence scores are calculated based on review volume, third-party signals, and overall market visibility. (Source 2)
G2 Score is a weighted composite of Satisfaction and Market Presence. (Source 2)
Learn how G2 scores products. (Source 1)
What I Often See in Payroll Software
Feedback Pros: What Users Consistently Appreciate
- Intuitive navigation with powerful search and built-in support access
- “For the most part, the site is easy to navigate with the main menu on the left. The search bar in the top middle of the page is exceptional at finding what I'm looking for. For example, I couldn't find where to update my banking info on the menu, but the search bar found it no problem. I also like that the chat feature is always in the bottom-right corner for customer support help if I need it. The integration with our HR and 401k is very helpful.” - Greg B., RUN Powered by ADP review
- Highly organized interface with seamless web and mobile experience
- “Everything about the platform is extremely easy to use and clear-cut. It is very organized, and I have never had any trouble finding my way around the site. I use Gusto very frequently to track my paychecks, new work documents, and review my information. I also like that you are able to see all employees of the company and who their manager is, as well as their current role at the company. The platform's look is very organized and polished. I also love that the mobile app is just as easy to use as the web browser! That is absolutely not always the case with these platforms.” - Laura G., Gusto reviews
- Centralized employee dashboard for PTO, payslips, and self-service HR tasks
- “I use Deel regularly as our company's internal HR portal, and the best part is just having everything in one single place. I can easily request my time off, check my remaining PTO balance, and download my monthly payslips without ever having to bother HR. The dashboard is really clean and super easy to navigate as a regular employee” - Afzal M., Deel Payroll review
Cons: Where Many Platforms Fall Short
- Implementation delays and communication gaps during payroll onboarding
- “One area that could be improved in Rippling is the implementation experience, particularly for India payroll. There were a few instances where timelines shifted, leading to back-and-forth communication and follow-ups to complete certain configurations. More proactive communication, clearer implementation milestones, and stronger adherence to deadlines would help make the onboarding process smoother for customers.” - Aarthee S., Rippling review
- Complex system configuration and learning curve for HR teams during adoption
- “UKG Ready is solving several operational and compliance challenges by centralizing our HR processes into one integrated system. It streamlines full-cycle recruitment, onboarding, time and attendance, payroll, and employee record management, eliminating the need for multiple platforms and reducing manual data entry. This has benefited us by improving data accuracy, ensuring compliance, increasing visibility into workforce metrics, and saving significant administrative time. Managers and HR staff can access real-time information, track employee credentials and documentation, and address issues proactively. Overall, UKG Ready has increased efficiency, strengthened compliance, and allowed our team to focus more on employee support and organizational needs rather than administrative tasks.” - Benedick N., UKG Ready review
- Inconsistent payroll report exports requiring frequent manual adjustments
- “Their reports are inconsistent. I export the CSV files every payroll, and the order of the accounts changes depending on things like holidays, double overtime, etc. That means I have to go in and manually edit the files each time. I also don’t like that time clock support ends fairly early for those of us in PST.” - Janet V., RUN Powered by ADP review
My Expert Takeaway on Payroll Software
Payroll software delivers the most value when organizations treat it as a workflow system rather than just a tool for calculating paychecks. The strongest payroll platforms combine payroll processing with employee self-service, time tracking, reporting, and HR data management, allowing teams to run payroll and manage routine tasks with minimal manual intervention.
Review sentiment reflects strong adoption across the category. In this dataset, payroll software holds a 4.59 average star rating, with strong usability signals including 6.60 Ease of Use, 6.26 Ease of Setup, and 6.41 Quality of Support. Likelihood to recommend is also high at 9.19 out of 10, indicating that buyers see clear operational improvements after implementation.
Friction typically appears as organizations scale payroll processes or add complexity. Teams that struggle often underestimate the effort required to configure reporting, approvals, and integrations with HR or finance systems. High-performing teams approach payroll software with defined workflows and clear employee self-service practices.
The best payroll software vendors succeed when they balance automation with reliability. Strong payroll platforms help organizations streamline payroll cycles while maintaining control over compliance, reporting, and employee data. As companies scale distributed teams and more complex compensation structures, payroll software is becoming core operational infrastructure.
Payroll Software FAQs
Which software is mostly used for payroll?
The most commonly used payroll software depends on company size, compliance requirements, and integration needs. On G2, widely adopted solutions include Gusto, Paycom, Rippling, RUN Powered by ADP, and Remote, which are frequently chosen for their payroll automation, tax filing capabilities, employee self-service features, and integrations with HR and finance systems. Buyers often prioritize payroll platforms that combine reliable payroll processing, strong usability, and responsive support to ensure payroll runs accurately and on schedule.
What is the best software for payroll?
The best payroll software depends on your organization’s size, compliance needs, and workflow complexity. On G2, widely recognized solutions include RUN Powered by ADP, Gusto, Rippling, and Deel Payroll. These payroll platforms are often chosen for their strong usability, reliable payroll processing, integrated HR features, and high customer satisfaction.
Which are the best-rated payroll apps for accurate payments?
Some of the best-rated payroll apps for accurate payments include:
- RUN Powered by ADP - Known for automated payroll processing and tax filing that helps businesses ensure compliance and pay employees accurately on time.
- Gusto - Popular for its intuitive interface and full-service payroll features, including automated tax filings, direct deposit, and employee self-service tools.
- Rippling - Stands out for its unified HR, payroll, and automation capabilities that connect payroll workflows with employee data and reporting.
- Deel Payroll - Designed for global teams, helping companies manage payroll, contractors, and compliance across multiple countries from one platform.
- UKG Ready - Recognized for enterprise-grade payroll processing that simplifies compliance while supporting accurate and timely payments.
Together, these payroll platforms are widely used because they combine reliable payroll calculations, compliance automation, and strong reporting capabilities.
Which are the top-rated payroll solutions for tech startups?
For tech startups, the best payroll solutions prioritize fast setup, automation, and flexibility as teams grow. Justworks is popular for combining payroll with PEO support and benefits management for small teams. Square Payroll stands out for its simple pricing and quick payroll runs for lean startups. Paychex Flex offers scalable payroll with strong compliance tools as companies expand. Oyster helps startups hire and pay international employees while managing global compliance.
How does payroll software work?
Payroll software collects employee wages, taxes, benefits, and time data, then calculates gross-to-net pay, deductions, employer taxes, and filing obligations. It automates approvals, generates pay statements, supports direct deposit, and stores records, enabling teams to run payroll accurately and consistently.
