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Your employees want to get paid, and they expect payday to be quick, consistent, and predictable. Payroll processing might be a routine task, but it’s as complex and crucial as any other business operation.
For large companies, managing payroll becomes much more complicated than simply approving direct deposits. Proper payroll management requires navigating a maze of regulations, employee benefits, payroll tax filings, and sensitive data.
A cutting-edge payroll system can do the heavy lifting for HR, ensuring payroll runs smoothly and accurately. Software solutions transform payroll from a monthly challenge into a streamlined, reliable function—a win-win for operational efficiency and employee satisfaction.
With so many payroll providers, it’s hard to know which one is right for you. In this guide, we’ll explore the best payroll software for large businesses and provide tips to help you select the perfect system to suit your needs.
What is a payroll service?
A payroll system is software that handles tasks related to paying your employees, including hourly wages, salaries, bonuses, and commissions. It does all the math for you, automatically calculating payroll taxes and deductions before issuing each employee a direct deposit or check.
The best software for payroll addresses the needs of both employer and employee. That means intuitive self-service portals where employees easily upload attendance, view pay stubs, and access essential tax forms. Employers can rest easy knowing they comply with payroll taxes, labor laws, and benefits administration, all the while freeing up time and resources for growth and operations.
8 best payroll software platforms for large businesses
There are dozens of automated payroll services, each with unique features and costs. Here are eight of our favorites to help you select the right software for your needs.
1. Oyster HR
Ideal for companies with globally distributed teams, Oyster HR is a comprehensive suite for managing international payroll, with special attention to local compliance. Our robust platform supports seamless payroll solutions across 180 countries, ensuring you comply with local regulations. The payroll software is designed with a user-friendly interface and integrations for other platforms, such as Quickbooks. Additional features like an EOR service can fully outsource payroll processes.
2. Oracle
Oracle is a human capital management software that offers employee self-service designed to support the entire employee lifecycle, from onboarding and new hire reporting to payroll processing and tax filing. The software has numerous features, including benefits management, workforce analytics, and HR tools. Oracle’s pricing varies widely, with a minimum requirement of 1,000 employees.
3. Intuit QuickBooks
QuickBooks is a well-known payroll and accounting software with different payroll solutions at varying price points, guaranteeing a solution to match the size and intricacy of your organization. QuickBooks’ payroll solutions provide full-service payroll software with integrations for accounting and marketing so companies can use QuickBooks across different departments.
4. Paychex Flex
Paychex Flex is an enterprise payroll system with several different tiers beginning at $39 per month plus $5 per employee. All plans include basic workforce management tools, but only upgraded plans provide custom payroll reports, new hire reporting, and employee benefits administration.
5. ADP
ADP is another enterprise payroll system with several different packages under the ADP Run and ADP Workforce Now systems. All plans include payroll and employee management tools to assist with tax filing, direct deposit, and new hire onboarding. Companies who plan to scale can group payroll and HR services into one and upgrade as they grow. However, ADP’s pricing is as customizable as its integrations, making it challenging to project fixed labor costs.
6. Rippling
Rippling is an HR payroll software and PEO service that combines payroll with other HR processes, like expense management, employee onboarding and offboarding, and time tracking. It’s ideal for organizations with a global workforce and offers custom, modular plans to fit various budgets.
7. Square Payroll
Square Payroll offers payroll services for various business types, including those that work exclusively with independent contractors. It includes benefits, tax filings, payments, and time tracking. Although Square can help pay traditional and 1099 employees, it lacks integrations to combine HR and bookkeeping into a single service.
8. Onpay
Mid-sized companies with basic payroll needs can benefit from Onpay’s payroll software. Starting at $40 plus $6 per employee, Onpay is set up for direct deposit, tax filings, W-2s, and 1099 employees. As a full-service HR payroll software, it lets you handle payroll, HR, and other employee management needs in one place without downloading add-ons or paying for upgrades. However, its limited integrations mean larger businesses that rely on platforms like Xero or QuickBooks may need to manually migrate many of their functions to Onpay, which could be a drawback for those with more complex needs.
What should you look for in payroll software?
The best payroll software simplifies your organization’s administrative needs. Some businesses may need special features (e.g., benefits administration, accounting software, and time and attendance analysis), but every organization will require the following essential functions:
Payroll tax filings
The best payroll software puts the tax season on autopilot. Look for payroll solutions that automatically calculate taxes and handle payroll tax filings for federal, state, and local taxes. Even if your business has a dedicated accounting department, software that performs internal audits will guarantee compliance with payroll taxes and mitigate the risk of back taxes or penalties.
Bundle HR services
Not all payroll providers bundle HR and payroll services. Organizations that want to streamline administrative tasks should look for payroll software that offers robust HR support. Analyze the processes that can be automated—applicant tracking, onboarding, and employee benefits administration—and choose a service that grows with you.
Robust integrations
Comprehensive integrations help you go beyond simple payroll processing. Many payroll software platforms integrate with time-tracking systems, accounting software, and data analytics tools, among other features. Organizations that equip themselves with integrated software build a centralized database that simplifies data management and streamlines workflows. This connectivity will minimize errors while supporting growth and cohesive operational processes.
Payroll reporting
Look for payroll software that offers comprehensive payroll reporting. Automated analysis of payroll taxes, expenses, and total compensation enables better organizational decision-making.
How to choose the best payroll software for your company
Every payroll system is designed for specific business types and needs, so it’s wise to try a demo before committing to a service.
In addition, answer the following questions before you start your search to ensure you make the right selection:
- How big is your business?
- What are your plans to scale your organization?
- Are your employees paid hourly, or do they receive a fixed salary?
- Where are your team members located?
- How often do you run payroll?
- What is your budget for payroll management software?
- Can your budget scale to match potential added costs from additional employees?
- Who will be responsible for overseeing your payroll schedule?
- How quickly do you need to implement a new payroll software?
Simplify payroll and scale your business with confidence
Payroll processing should be as easy as waking up to a direct deposit in your account. Oyster’s global payroll software is designed to simplify all your payroll needs, ensuring compliance and efficiency. Whether you need to run payroll in dozens of countries or analyze employee data for a quarterly check-in, Oyster has you covered.
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About Oyster
Oyster is a global employment platform designed to enable visionary HR leaders to find, engage, pay, manage, develop, and take care of a thriving distributed workforce. Oyster lets growing companies give valued international team members the experience they deserve, without the usual headaches and expense.
Oyster enables hiring anywhere in the world—with reliable, compliant payroll, and great local benefits and perks.
