A quarter of small business owners manage finances with pen and paper.
Considering half of workers will begin a new job search after just two paycheck errors, these business owners put an awful lot of pressure on themselves. And they’re not alone.
Even if you run payroll in-house using software, you still open yourself up to human error and hours running payroll for employees. Payroll, employee benefits, and tax compliance are enough to make anyone’s head spin.
There’s a better way to manage small business needs. Using a payroll outsourcing company takes the pressure off and frees up time for higher-value tasks.
But who do you trust to manage something as critical as payroll? Do you go with a big box provider or a local company? We’re here to help you decide.
This article looks at six top payroll outsourcing companies that streamline payroll processing. Whether you need a basic system with a few key features or a more advanced system with a wide range of capabilities, a payroll company can meet your needs.
To decide on our top options for outsourcing payroll, we looked into the following criteria:
Before assessing each provider, let’s briefly examine why outsourcing payroll is a great play.
Payroll outsourcing is the process of hiring a third-party provider to handle the payroll functions of a business. This can include calculating and processing employee paychecks, withholding and remitting taxes, and administering employee benefits.
Alright, that’s our official definition, but what’s the payoff?
The benefits are plenty:
Related: Ultimate Guide: Payroll services for small businesses
For balance, there are also risks associated with outsourcing payroll, including:
Now you know the benefits and risks of outsourcing payroll, let’s look at our top picks for companies you can rely on.
A payroll and HR services provider, Paychex offers a comprehensive solution to small and large businesses alike.
With health insurance benefits in all 50 states, Paychex is an excellent option if your company has offices in multiple states.
The platform is easy to use, and you can self-administer payroll through the company’s software. This software integrates with third-party providers like QuickBooks, so you won’t have to input data twice.
With the most popular plan being the Flex plan, we believe Paychex is best suited for mid-sized companies.
They offer a no-obligation free quote, but with some digging, you can find pricing on their website.
Pricing:
Features customers enjoy:
Ceridian is a well-established company that offers a range of payroll and human resources services.
As well as payroll processing, tax withholding, and generating pay stubs and reports, Ceridian provides talent management tools, a mobile app, and an employee self-service portal.
Customers appreciate having everything in one place. And Ceridian services customers globally, making it another excellent option for businesses with multiple locations.
Pricing:
Features customers enjoy:
SurePayroll is a simple and affordable solution for small businesses. You can quickly and efficiently process payroll, calculate pay, withhold taxes, and track time and attendance.
It’s got a low starting price, and there’s even a free trial, but additional features cost more.
The support team is US-based and available outside of standard business hours. Their mobile app is a selling point, and their self-service option is popular.
Pricing:
Features customers enjoy:
Trusted by nearly a million small businesses, ADP is a significant player in payroll processing and HR. Its HR technology is modern, easy to use, and all on one platform.
It’s a feature-rich option that suits large businesses and those who need advanced functionality.
There are so many plans to choose from that it might be overwhelming to decide what you need. Do you want a lot of HR support? Do you need to run background checks? Or are you just looking to outsource payroll?
Pricing:
Features customers enjoy:
You’ve likely heard of Square. They’re best known for payment-processing tools and drag-and-drop website building. But you can also integrate payroll processing.
If you’re already using their ecosystem, payroll integrates seamlessly.
It lacks some depth, and you may struggle to customize it, but you get a free trial to see if it will work for your business. Businesses that often hire contractors are attracted to Square and their Contractors Only plan.
Pricing:
Features customers enjoy:
At ConnectPay, we quickly and efficiently set up and process payroll.
We believe in doing one thing great instead of offering multiple services and not providing a stellar experience.
Our personalized service and responsiveness set us apart from prominent vendors, and our transparent pricing means you know precisely what you get and how much you’ll pay for it.
We provide custom solutions, and we’re proactive when it comes to compliance. You should never be caught short.
Pricing:
Features customers enjoy:
Outsourcing your payroll can be a cost-effective and efficient way to manage your business’s payroll and HR needs. And we know that every provider on this list can run payroll efficiently and effectively.
So, which features stood out to you?
At ConnectPay, we pride ourselves on simplifying payroll and providing next-level client support so you can focus on driving your business forward.
Still, if you’re struggling to choose, book a call, and we’ll help you devise a plan. Without one, you’re leaving money on the table. Every pay period that passes without taking advantage of outsourced solutions costs you.
Schedule a call with one of our Connected Service Representatives today.