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When it comes to taking care of your business, finding the right payroll solution is an absolute must. While QuickBooks Payroll may be one of the more popular choices, it’s not the perfect fit for everyone.
This list of alternatives that can help save time, effort and provide you with a top-notch payroll experience. So, let’s dive in and discover the best QuickBooks Payroll alternatives.
Top Alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll
- Wagepoint
- Payworks
- Payment Evolution (PayEvo)
- Rise People
- Knit People
- Deluxe Payroll
- Rippling
- Ceridian
- ADP
- Wave
- Sage
Why switch payroll providers?
QuickBooks Payroll has its highlights, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution for everyone.
Whether you’re looking at the cloud-based solution, QuickBooks Online Payroll, or the desktop-based solution, QuickBooks Desktop Payroll, some of the limitations include a high cost compared to other software, complex features, limited customization and some integration challenges.
QuickBooks Payroll also isn’t offered as a standalone service, meaning the QuickBooks accounting software and payroll software go hand-in-hand. Meaning more costs for your small business.
If you’ve been feeling like that’s just not what you’re looking for, it may be time for you to explore your options with the following QuickBooks Payroll alternatives.
1. Wagepoint
Built in Canada, Wagepoint knows small business payroll for Canadians. This standalone solution ensures accurate and timely payments for your employees without needing to buy into an accounting software.
Key Features:
- Automated direct deposit and tax calculations
- Employee self-service portal
- Pay employees and contractors
- Integration with accounting software
- Simple, user-friendly interface
- Unlimited pay runs
Pros:
- Calculations and remittances for payroll taxes, including year-end reporting
- Streamlined onboarding process
- Award-winning, Canadian customer support
- Robust reporting capabilities
Cons:
- Not suited for those who own very large businesses
- Does not support Union Dues
Who is Wagepoint best suited For?
Wagepoint is the perfect match for small businesses looking for a modern payroll solution with a comprehensive set of features and for those who value accuracy, automation and great customer support.
2. Payworks
Payworks is a user-friendly software designed to simplify the payroll process for businesses of all sizes, with a range of features and functionalities.
Key Features
- Multiple payment methods available
- Compliant with regional tax laws
- Employee benefits administration
- Time and attendance tracking
Pros:
- Inclusive payroll and HR capabilities
- Customizable reports
- Tax calculation and remittances
Cons:
- Some users may find the interface overwhelming
- May not be an affordable price range for small businesses
Who is Payworks best suited for?
Payment Evolution can be a good choice for small businesses looking for a basic payroll solution with HR capabilities.
3. Payment Evolution (PayEvo)
Payment Evolution, also known as PayEvo, is a payroll software solution aimed at streamlining payroll management for businesses in Canada.
Key Features:
- Pay employees by direct deposit
- File payroll taxes and remittances
- Self-service portal for employees
- Add-on features to manage your business
Pros:
- Offers an efficient direct deposit system
- Simplified tax filing process
- User-friendly interface
- Great value for price
Cons:
- Limited customization options for payroll settings
- Some users might prefer more integrations
Who is Payment Evolution best suited for?
Payment Evolution is geared toward small businesses looking for a payroll solution that’s straightforward and cost-effective.
4. Rise People
Rise People brings your HR, benefits, payroll and time off solutions together in one place so you can focus on growing your business.
Key Features:
- Full-service payroll processing
- Comprehensive HR management
- Performance management tools
- Automated calculations and remittances
Pros:
- Comprehensive HR capabilities
- Employee self-service features
- Strong data security
- Integration with accounting software
Cons:
- An extensive range of features that small businesses may not need
- Pricing may not be the most budget-friendly for small businesses
Who is Rise People best suited for?
Rise People can be the top choice for small businesses in need of a full-suite HR management and payroll processing solution.
5. Knit People
Knit People is a full service payroll, payments and HR solution all rolled into one user-friendly platform.
Key Features:
- Employee self-service portal
- Access to benefits, HR and payroll features
- Easy to use
- Unlimited pay runs
- New hire self-onboarding
Pros:
- Acts as an HR, benefits, and payroll app rolled into one
- All of your information and data conveniently organized in one place
- Easy-to-run payroll
- Free trial
Cons:
- HR features, while useful, can be quite basic
- Can be clunky to set up certain types of payments
Who is Knit People best suited for?
Knit People could be a good choice for small to medium-sized businesses who are looking for an all-in-one solution with basic HR tools and payroll management.
6. Deluxe Payroll
Deluxe Payroll is one of Canada’s oldest serving payroll service providers, established in 1967. This software features flexible options for direct deposit, cheque processing, free reports and more.
Key Features:
- Human resource and payroll management solution
- Direct deposit payments
- Calculate and file payroll taxes
- Time and attendance tracking
Pros:
- Good customer support
- Easy to use
- Provides all compliance reporting necessary
- Multiple pay stub options
Cons:
- Does not support businesses that have multiple pay cycles
- Users may want software that is more customizable
Who is Deluxe Payroll best suited for?
Deluxe Payroll caters to businesses of all shapes and sizes looking for reliable straightforward payroll services.
7. Rippling
Rippling is an all-inclusive workforce management platform that gives users a one-stop shop to run their global operations, including payroll, expenses, employee data and financial management.
Key Features:
- Full-service HR and payroll solution
- Employee benefits administration
- Time tracking
- Integration with other apps and services
Pros:
- Comprehensive HR and payroll capabilities
- Seamless onboarding process
- Great customer support
- Mobile app for employees
Cons:
- Pricing might be out of budget for small businesses
- The large range of features may not be needed by all small businesses
Who is Rippling best suited for?
Rippling is ideal for businesses in need of a complete HR and payroll management platform.
8. Ceridian
Ceridian is a payroll software solution that gives users global visibility in real-time and allows for efficient payroll and compliance processes, all in a highly automated fashion.
Key Features:
- Pay and manage employees
- Automated payroll process
- Software integrations
Pros:
- Manage and process employee payroll and benefits in one place
- Calculate and issue pay cheques
- Includes tools to manage employee benefits like health insurance
- Includes employee time-tracking features
Cons:
- Basic reporting options with no customization
- Benefits tracking system can be clunky to use
Who is Ceridian Best Suited for?
Ceridian is a good choice for businesses needing a full-suite of HR and payroll software.
9. ADP
ADP, short for Automatic Data Processing, is a leading and globally-recognized payroll software solution empowering businesses with effective payroll management.
Key Features:
- Efficient direct deposit services
- Tax calculations and filings
- Employee benefits administration
- Time and attendance tracking add-on
Pros:
- Comprehensive payroll and HR capabilities
- Seamless direct deposit services
- Great customer support
Cons:
- Pricing is a little high for small businesses
- Some users may prefer more integrations
Who is ADP Best Suited for?
ADP will cater to businesses of all sizes, but it’s especially popular among larger enterprises looking for comprehensive payroll and HR capabilities.
10. Wave
Wave, known for it’s free accounting software, also has an add-on payroll solution at a monthly fee for its small business and entrepreneur users.
Key Features:
- Quick and efficient direct deposit
- User-friendly platform that simplifies payroll management
- Handles tax calculations and filings
- Pay employees and contractors
Pros:
- Simple to use interface
- Employee portal access
- Streamlined tax processing
- Free trial
Cons:
- There are limited options for customized pay runs
- Does not support Québec payroll
- Customer service is mostly handled by chatbots and not real humans
Who is Wave best suited for?
Wave may be a good choice for small businesses looking for straightforward and user-friendly payroll services.
11. Sage
Sage offers a payroll solution that helps you reduce paperwork, pay your team on time and make decisions faster with their accurate reports.
Key Features:
- Seamless direct deposit
- Tax calculations and filings
- Employee self-service portal
- Generates year-end forms
Pros:
- Robust reporting features
- Able to meet basic HR needs
- Simple user interface
Cons:
- Pricing may be higher than other alternatives
- Need to sign up for their accounting product to gain access to their payroll services
Who is Sage best suited for?
Sage is a good choice for businesses looking for a payroll solution with basic HR capabilities.
The bottom line on QuickBooks Payroll alternatives.
QuickBooks can be a great solution for many businesses, but as you can see, it’s not the only solution out there!
The good news is that there is a whole galaxy of fantastic alternatives with a wide range of features for small business owners. By exploring the options we’ve listed in this post, you’re sure to find the payroll solution that fits your business like a glove.
Keep in mind that the right payroll solution can help save you valuable time, effort and money so that you can focus less on payroll and more on what you love.
Take the first step to payroll success. Sign up for Wagepoint today!
