Payroll is arguably the biggest expense for a business, and managing it can be a daunting task. The process can be time-consuming and mistakes can lead to dissatisfaction and fines, but with business payroll services you make the job easier.
This service handles all company payroll processing as well as related income tax returns and payments.
With so many choices in 2021, it can be difficult to find a service that meets your needs, so we’ve researched and come up with the top payroll companies to help you find the best fit for your business. If you want to learn more about payroll services, you can see our guide to choosing a payroll service.
What is Payroll?
Payroll is a list of a company’s employees and the amount of money they earn. It is a system a company uses to record wages (and salaries), pay employees, and track payments.
What to look for in business payroll services
Before looking for payroll processing services, you should first determine the features that are most important to you. Here are a few things to consider:
Features offered
Although most payroll service providers offer a similar service, in some cases this service may be included in the base price, while in other cases this service is available for an additional fee.
HR capabilities can be useful for a small business without a dedicated HR staff, but are HR capabilities included in the price or do you have to pay extra for it?
Some payroll companies offer multiple packages, with some features only on the more expensive plans, so be sure to keep that in mind when looking for payroll service providers.
Ease of use
Small business owners have to wear many hats and often don’t have the time or desire to learn complex software applications.
Before purchasing a payroll application for your business from any of the business payroll services, make sure the product is easy to use and up and running in no time.
Accessibility
What can your business afford? We know affordability is subjective. While most of the payroll service providers on this list have nearly the same price, some applications include full functionality. Others offer the basic plan, with the option to add additional functionality for an additional fee.
Another thing to keep in mind is that while the base price may be higher for some apps, it could actually be cheaper if all the features are included in the base price.
Access to benefits management
If you’re offering benefits to your employees, you’ll want to have access to benefits management features too. This can include management of standard benefits as well as access to affordable health, life, and disability insurance plans.
In addition, if you currently offer benefits such as group life insurance for more than $50,000, use of a private vehicle, employee assistance, or a gym membership, you may need to add value to these benefits as income. Make sure your payroll department offers this option.
List of the Best Business Payroll Services
#1. Paychex
Paychex is a comprehensive payroll service that takes care of processing payroll and tax obligations. The company offers a flexible payment schedule, with weekly, biweekly, semiannual, and monthly options. Paychex can also handle all types of employees, including W-2 part-time workers, 1,099 contractors, and freelancers.
Paychex also offers several payment methods, including direct deposit, paper checks, and prepaid debit cards. Each payment method your business uses with Paychex can be tagged, putting your business in the spotlight of the vendor or other party you’re paying for.
Paychex is a system that is hosted on the cloud, so users can access it online. You can also use the Paychex mobile app to manage your payroll on any iOS or Android device.
Using Paychex is as easy as entering payroll information (such as salary, hours worked, and payroll rates) and submitting payroll for processing. Paychex also offers employee self-service, allowing employees to log into the system and view their year-end payroll and tax documents.
Paychex offers several pricing packages to suit businesses of all sizes and needs. The price of each package is based on your specific needs.
#2. OnPay
OnPay is The Blueprint’s number one choice for small business payroll services with good reason. Although designed for small businesses, OnPay can expand seamlessly to accommodate even midsize businesses.
With easy system navigation, OnPay offers industry-specific features for restaurants and other businesses that need to take employee suggestions into account.
The OnPay plan also includes unlimited payment cycles, full mobile accessibility from any device, direct deposit and multi-country payroll capabilities, as well as employee self-service and onboarding capabilities.
OnPay offers a one-time plan, priced for the ongoing plan at $36/month, plus a commission of $ 4 per employee. All features, including human resources and full support options, are included in the price.
#3. QuickBooks Online Payroll
This business Payroll service is designed to integrate with QuickBooks Online Accounting. It is also used as a standalone payroll software application.
QuickBooks Online Payroll feature accommodates up to 50 employees, but due to different pricing levels, it’s more affordable for businesses with 15 employees or less.
QuickBooks online payroll starts at $22.50/month, with Premium plans of $37.50/month and Elite plans of $62.50/month. All prices reflect an initial 50% reduction for the first three months, with a $4 fee per employee added to the base price.
#4. Deluxe
Deluxe offers a full payroll service supported by a dedicated customer support team that can facilitate and streamline your process. It takes care of all the implementation and configuration, taking the burden off your business and making sure it’s done right.
Deluxe only offers personalized prices and requires consultation with the seller. Apart from online payroll software, Deluxe offers a customer support team to help you whenever you need it. This team is dedicated to your account, so they know your business and its needs inside and out, helping you improve your payroll and achieve further efficiency.
#5. Gusto
Gusto is best for small businesses and is perfect for those in the hotel industry. It offers tools and resources that make it easy to keep track of different pay and tip levels. This service also helps new users with the initial payroll setup process, so you can get up and running quickly.
Offering easy system navigation, Gusto includes reports for new employees, flexible payment schedules, unlimited execution, contractor payouts, and multi-country payroll capabilities. You can access this service from any device.
The app also includes employee orientation, full tax returns, and remittances. Gusto also offers HR resources, but only in their most expensive package.
The Autopilot feature is a great choice for companies that pay large amounts of well-paid employees. Gusto offers good integration options with a variety of third-party applications.
Gusto offers four packages: Basic, which is designed for one or two employees; Core, ideal for small businesses; Complete, useful for growing businesses; and Concierge, which is most suitable for large companies with human resource needs.
The Gusto Basic Plan has a base price of $19 per month, with a commission of $6 per employee. The base price of the Core plan is $39/month with a commission of $ 6 per employee. The total price is $39 per month, plus a commission of $12 per employee, and a Concierge fee of $149 per month, plus a commission of $12 per employee.
#6. SurePayroll
SurePayroll is perfect for small business owners and includes a special version for those who pay for home staff. Ideal for small businesses with 10 employees or fewer. SurePayroll has worked to automate the entire payroll process – a key benefit for overworked entrepreneurs.
SurePayroll’s payroll preview feature shows gross payroll, employee deductions, and taxes for each person.
SurePayroll includes a comprehensive payroll preview report. Source: SurePayroll software.
SurePayroll offers direct deposits, reports of new hires, and time and attendance tracking. The app also includes comprehensive money transfer and tax returns, with a mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.
Self-service options for employees are also available, and SurePayroll is also integrated with a variety of third-party applications.
SurePayroll offers an easy-to-navigate payroll dashboard that provides access to all payroll features. This app has simplified the salary entry process by minimizing the amount of data required. An AutoPayroll option is also available for employees.
SurePayroll offers two packages: Self-Service, which excludes income tax filing and filing, and Full Service, which includes a two-day payroll processing period, as well as access to resources. HR and compliance posters.
The self-service plan costs $ 19.99/month plus a commission of $ 4 per employee, while the full-service plan is $29.99/month, plus a commission of $5 per employee.
#7. Payroll Mate
Payroll Mate’s Real Business Solutions offers an affordable payroll application. It is ideal for small businesses that prefer an on-premises application. This service is used on the Windows operating system. It does not offer online access, although you can host the product on a remote server if you wish.
Payroll Mate Vacation and Sick Hours have sections to show how employees earn their hours.
You can configure leave and sick settings in Payroll Mate.
Payroll Mate is a perfect fit for businesses with less than 75 employees. It is also a good choice for accountants to process their clients’ payrolls. A good choice for small businesses with multiple locations. Payroll Mate also supports multiple payment tiers, unlimited operations, and multi-country payroll.
READ ALSO: 27 Best Payroll Outsourcing Companies In 2022 | Expert Guide
Wrap Up
Instead of struggling through manual systems trying to figure out how to do payroll, you can opt for a payroll service that simplifies the entire payroll process. You can choose from our list of business payroll services offered by diverse companies.
You can also learn How to Transfer Money From Payroll Card to Bank Account.
