Managing a large number of employees requires an agile payroll system. The best enterprise payroll software streamlines employee payment processes, enhances efficiency, and ensures compliance. It also empowers you to handle multiple pay rates, complex deductions, overtime, and other complex payroll processing.
Given that every business’s needs vary, I’ve reviewed dozens of payroll services to find the best options for you. In this guide, I’ll walk you through some of the best platforms for handling enterprise payroll in 2024.
The Best Enterprise Payroll Solutions 2024
The Best Payroll Software for Large Businesses
- Deel: Best for Global Payroll Management
- Rippling: Best for Payroll Automation
- Paychex: Best for User Experience
- Remote: Best EOR Services
- Sage: Best for Advanced Reporting
- OysterHR: Best for Hiring International Talents
- OnPay: Best for Simple Tax Filing Automation
- ADP Workforce Now: Best for Full-Service Payroll Management
- Paycor: Best for Payroll Reporting and Dashboards
- Gusto: Best for Fast and Effortless Payroll
- Show Full Guide
The Best Payroll for Enterprises Reviewed
To provide you with a detailed and balanced payroll software review, I focused on criteria such as software with global reach, enterprise-level integrations, sophisticated and customizable reporting tools, scalability, and the capacity to manage large employee headcounts.
1. Deel – Best for Global Payroll Management
Free Trial | N/A |
---|---|
Starting Price | $19 per employee/month |
Maximum Employee Count | 1,000+ |
Countries Covered | 150+ |
Top Features | Global Payroll Reports, Localized Compliance Experts, Global Hiring Knowledge Hub |
Pros
- Government declarations and immigration support
- Handles entities and employment liability in 150 countries
- Quick and scalable employee onboarding
- Offers localized compliance experts
Cons
- No mobile app option
- Limited customization options for workflows
2. Rippling – Best for Payroll Automation
Free Trial | N/A |
---|---|
Starting Price | Starting from $8/month per employee |
Maximum Employee Count | 2000+ |
Countries Covered | 185+ |
Top Features | Prebuilt Integration Recipes, Unified HR, Finance, and IT Management, Admin Roles and Permission Setting |
Pros
- Automation for various parts of payroll workflow
- Easy-to-use integration and automation recipes
- Extensive integration library
- Its starting price appears affordable compared to competitors
Cons
- Limited customization for user privileges
- Its comprehensive features may be overwhelming for beginners
- Total cost may be expensive
3. Paychex – Best for User Experience
Free Trial | N/A |
---|---|
Starting Price | $39 per month plus $5 per employee (First 3 months free) |
Maximum Employee Count | 1,000+ |
Countries Covered | 140+, and works with international partners |
Top Features | Automated Payroll Tax Admin, Mobile App for Employers and Employees, Employee Retention Tax Credit Support |
Pros
- Intuitive user interface on mobile and desktop
- Easy to learn for employees and employers
- Employee self-service and quick payment options
- Positive reviews of customer support
Cons
- Per-user pricing is expensive for enterprises
- Limited multi-state and international features
- Unclear if Select or Pro plans work for enterprises
4. Remote – Best Employer of Record (EOR) Services
Free Trial | Yes, with its HR management |
---|---|
Starting Price | $29 per contractor per month |
Maximum Employee Count | Not specified |
Countries Covered | 200+ |
Top Features | Localized Contract Management, Fully Owned Entities, Legal, HR, and Finance Experts |
Pros
- Wide country reach of 200+
- Facilitates contractor payroll and compliance
- User-friendly interface
- Provides specialist support to streamline contractor management
Cons
- Limited reporting customizations
- Per-employee pricing may be expensive for enterprises
- It does not specify enterprise headcount capacity
- Fewer built-in integrations
5. Sage – Best for Advanced Reporting
Free Trial | N/A |
---|---|
Starting Price | Custom |
Maximum Employee Count | 300+ |
Countries Covered | 200+ |
Top Features | Payroll Automation, Real-time Data & Reports, Seamless Integration |
Pros
- Interactive reporting and analytics
- Integrates seamlessly with other business tools
- Automates repetitive payroll processes
- Comprehensive advice on payroll systems
Cons
- There’s no free plan
- The first implementation requires payment
- Its comprehensive features may overwhelm beginners
6. OysterHR – Best for Hiring International Talents
Free Trial | Yes, 30 days for the Contractor plan |
---|---|
Starting Price | Starting from $29/employee/month |
Maximum Employee Count | Unspecified |
Countries Covered | 180+ |
Top Features | Deep Local Intelligence, Payroll Simplification, Visa Sponsorship |
Pros
- Offers a 30-day free trial to explore the platform
- Facilitates a speedy global hiring process
- Has the capability to support an unlimited number of team members
- Easy-to-use interface
Cons
- Its customer support process needs improvement
- Deleting an already-created invoice can be a hassle
- Oyster’s per-user pricing can be expensive
7. OnPay – Best for Simple Tax Filing Automation
Free Trial | Yes, 30-days |
---|---|
Starting Price | Starting from $40/month + $6/month/employee |
Maximum Employee Count | 500+ |
Countries Covered | US Only |
Top Features | W-2 and 1099 Workers, Remote Workers Tax Filing, Industry Specific Payroll Services |
Pros
- Easy to set up and use
- Offers uncomplicated pricing information
- Automated tax filings and payments in all 50 states
- Supports time tracking
Cons
- It does not offer global payroll services
- Fewer industry-specific integrations
- Some users mentioned delays in customer response
8. ADP Workforce Now – Best for Full-Service Payroll Management
Free Trial | Free demo |
---|---|
Starting Price | Custom (First 4 months free) |
Maximum Employee Count | 1,000+ |
Countries Covered | 140+ |
Top Features | Highly Configurable Reports, HCM Capabilities with ADP SmartCompliance, AI and Error Detection |
Pros
- Knowledgeable internal payroll experts
- Broad global reach
- Enterprise-level analytics and AI assessment
- Offers mobile application
- Employee self-service portal
Cons
- There is no price transparency
- Steep learning curve
- Confusing price plans
9. Paycor- Best for Payroll Reporting and Dashboards
Free Trial | Yes, 30-days |
---|---|
Starting Price | Custom |
Maximum Employee Count | 1,000+ |
Countries Covered | US only |
Top Features | Compensation Planning, Compensation Insights and Benchmarking, Wage Garnishments |
Pros
- Comprehensive HCM solution
- Diverse prebuilt and customizable reports
- Career management and compensation planning
- A free trial is available
Cons
- Only available in the U.S.
- Limited pricing transparency
- No payroll-only plan for enterprises
10. Gusto – Best for Fast and Effortless Payroll
Free Trial | Yes, 3 months free |
---|---|
Starting Price | $40/month + $6/month per person |
Maximum Employee Count | Not specified |
Countries Covered | 120+ |
Top Features | Payroll Autopilot, Time and Expense Management Integrations, Licensed Benefits Advisors |
Pros
- Free trial and frequent discounts
- Simple user interface and admin dashboard
- Employee self-service features
- No long-term contract
Cons
- Per-user pricing may be expensive for enterprises
- Mostly U.S.-based features
- Focused primarily on SMBs
- May not be able to support organizations with more than 200 employees
The Best Payroll Software for Enterprise Businesses 2024 – Compared
The table below summarizes all the important features of each enterprise payroll software reviewed in this article. This comparison enables you to understand better what each solution excels at and select the one that is the best fit for your business:
Payroll Software | Best For | Free Trial | Starting Price | Countries Covered | Top Features | Time Tracking |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Deel | Global Payroll Management | No | $19 per employee/month for payroll in the U.S | 150+ | Global Payroll Reports, Localized Compliance Experts, Global Hiring Knowledge Hub | No |
Rippling | Payroll Automation | No | $8/month per employee | 185+ | Prebuilt Integration Recipes, Unified HR, Finance, and IT Management, Admin Roles and Permission Setting | Yes |
Paychex | User Experience | No | $39 per month plus $5 per employee | 140+, and works with international partners | Automated Payroll Tax Admin, Mobile App for Employers and Employees, Employee Retention Tax Credit Support | Yes |
Remote | EOR | Yes, with its HR management | $29 per contractor per month | 200+ | Localized Contract Management, Fully Owned Entities, Legal, HR, and Finance Experts | Yes |
Sage | Advanced Reporting | No | Custom | 200+ | Payroll Automation, Real-time Data & Reports, Seamless Integration | Yes |
OysterHR | Hiring International Talents | Yes, 30 days for the Contractor plan | $29/employee/month | 180+ | Deep Local Intelligence, Payroll Simplification, Visa Sponsorship | Yes |
OnPay | Simple Tax Filing Automation | Yes, 30 days | $40/month + $6/month/employee | US Only | W-2 and 1099 Workers, Remote Workers Tax Filing, Industry Specific Payroll Services | Yes |
ADP Workforce Now | Full-Service Payroll Management Outsourcing | Free demo | Custom | 140+ | Highly Configurable Reports, HCM Capabilities with ADP SmartCompliance, AI and Error Detection | Yes |
Paycor | Payroll Reporting and dashboards | Yes, 30 days | Custom | US only | Compensation Planning, Compensation Insights and Benchmarking, Wage Garnishments | Yes |
Gusto | Fast and Effortless Payroll | Yes, 3 months free | $40/month + $6/month per person | 120+ | Payroll Autopilot, Time and Expense Management Integrations, Licensed Benefits Advisors | Yes |
How We Review And Test Payroll Products
To provide our readers with accurate and well-informed recommendations, we test the most popular payroll products on the market to find the best options for you. Our methodology consists of the following criteria:
- Features: We examine the features to determine what capabilities are offered, how useful those capabilities will be for the user, and how the variety of features compare to competitor software.
- Scalability: We look at how many users can be added to a platform, and how easy it is to do so, to ensure companies can bring more employees on payroll with ease as they scale their operations.
- Error Handling: Errors in payroll can be disastrous for a company, so it’s critical payroll software safeguards against them. We evaluate how quickly each software can adjust and fix errors to ensure there are no interruptions in payroll operations.
- Price and Value for Money: We look at the features, integrations, customer service, and extras to determine if the price matches the value it provides. We score a product higher if it offers a free trial, and if it is transparent about its pricing plans.
- Integrations: We evaluate the integrations of each piece of software to determine how well it fits in with other key pieces in a business’s software stack, and whether its functionality can be expanded as required.
- User Experience: We get hands-on with each product to put ourselves in the shoes of a new user, testing each platform to gain understanding if the platform is easy to use or requires onboarding.
- Security: We dig into the security policies of each company, interrogating the safeguards they have in place to ensure the software protects user data properly.
- Compliance: We evaluate payroll software based on whether it offers local compliance when it comes to accounting, taxes, documentation, and more.
What is Enterprise Payroll Software?
Enterprise payroll software is an advanced system designed to manage and streamline payroll processes for large organizations with more employees. It automates salary calculations, tax deductions, and benefits administration and ensures compliance with tax and labor regulations.
Also, enterprise payroll software integrates with other business tools, such as HR and accounting software, providing real-time data and reporting capabilities. Like every other software, enterprise payroll software functionalities may be basic or advanced. Therefore, you must consider your organization’s key features to choose a suitable solution.
Benefits of Using Enterprise Payroll Software
Using enterprise payroll software undoubtedly helps teams get hands-off on workforce management tasks. Here are other benefits of using enterprise payroll software, highlighting how it can support payroll management and overall business efficiency:
- Automation: Spending hours on repetitive tasks could lead to burnout and reduce HR efficiency. With the help of enterprise payroll software, manual tasks, and errors are reduced by automating payroll calculations and processes.
- Compliance: Payroll software helps organizations monitor changes in labor and tax laws to ensure adherence, minimizing legal risks and penalties.
- Integration: Most enterprise payroll software supports integration with businesses existing tools, such as HR and accounting systems, enhancing data accuracy and workflow efficiency.
- Scalability: An enterprise-level payroll software provides flexible, integrated, and automated solutions that can grow with the business. This accommodates complex payroll structures and multiple employee types required as an organization grows.
- Employee Self-Service: With the help of a flexible payroll system, employees can access payment invoices and manage personal details, reducing administrative workload. This reduces HR workload, freeing more time to work on business goals.
Key Features of Large Enterprise Payroll Software
Enterprises have more payroll demand than small businesses or startups. To make sure you choose an enterprise-level payroll that matches your exact needs, consider the features below:
- Unlimited Payroll Runs: It’s common for enterprises to have many payroll schedules due to their large employee capacity. Therefore, an enterprise payroll system must support unlimited payroll running to allow businesses to process payroll whenever needed.
- Payroll Processing Automation: More than a startup or small business, an enterprise has more business operations to handle. However, with the help of automated payroll management, HRs can become more efficient while maintaining consistency in payroll processing.
- Multiple Pay Rates: This feature supports flexibility in payment structure, allowing businesses to set different pay rates for other roles, departments, or locations.
- Advanced Payroll Reporting & Analytics: An enterprise payroll system must provide in-depth and customizable reports to help managers analyze payroll expenses, trends, and employee payments accurately.
- Tax Filing: This feature is important as it ensures the company’s taxes are monitored and accurately calculated.
How to Choose the Best Payroll Software
Choosing the best payroll software can be overwhelming, as there are several checklists to get right. To ensure you select the right option, consider the following elements when choosing an enterprise payroll software.
Evaluate your budget with your business’s key features. Ensure the provider you choose offers a flexible price option to reduce expenses, such as a per-organization price plan instead of per-user pricing.
You need to understand your enterprise’s critical features that you can’t overlook. Doing this helps you choose an appropriate payroll software that aligns with your company goals.
Look for payroll software with an intuitive user interface with organized categories and tabs, easy-to-configure-and-customize dashboards, and integrations that require minimal manual effort.
As an enterprise, you must consider accessibility when choosing payroll software. Consider a payroll system compatible with a mobile app to facilitate easy communication or collaboration. Also, identify solutions that integrate with your existing HR, accounting, ERP, and other relevant software. This will save time and effort, facilitating automatic data importation across business tools.
No matter your current employee count, look for a payroll system that can handle hundreds more. Also, don’t hesitate to read customer reviews from larger companies about how these tools perform as they scale.
At the enterprise level, you’ll want to find 24/7 support availability and, ideally, a dedicated customer support specialist or team you can access.