Good news: you’re not alone in making this decision. Studies suggest that more than 50% of small and medium-sized Canadian companies use a dedicated payroll solution.
Not sure where to start? Well, we’ve got you covered.
Here are the 16 best payroll software for small businesses in Canada for 2026, including how they compare with compliance, pricing transparency, features, and ease of use.
Let’s jump in.
Table of Contents
The Top 16 Best Payroll Software Solutions for Canadian Businesses in 2026
- Rise People
- ADP Workforce Now
- Ceridian Dayforce
- Knit People
- Nethris
- Payment Evolution
- Payworks
- Wagepoint
- Wave Payroll
- Collage
- Employment Hero
- Deel
- Rippling
- QuickBooks Online
- TimeTrex
- Push Operations
Rise People
Rise People offers comprehensive payroll, an HR features suite, time tracking, benefits management, performance reviews, and an intuitive employee self-service portal.
Rise People’s all-in-one HR, payroll, and benefits platform for Canadian small and medium-sized businesses. It automates CRA-compliant payroll, has a user-friendly interface, provides tools for advanced reporting, recruiting, onboarding, and performance management and excellent customer support.
Key features
- Employee perks: Cost-effective health benefits and online enrollment experience ensure your team is well-supported.
- Time management: Flexible scheduling and time-tracking software help you manage employee work hours efficiently.
- HR management: Our HR solution supports employees through every stage of their journey, from recruiting to retirement, and keeps employee data in one place.
- Payroll management: Run payroll remotely with unlimited pay runs, ensuring 100% compliance and reducing manual intervention.
Perfect for small to medium-sized businesses, Rise People assures full compliance with Canadian regulations while saving you valuable time and reducing errors. This creative solution makes managing a workforce easier than ever by streamlining all of your HR procedures.
Limitations: Rise offers flexible tiered plans and add-ons, but doesn’t offer modular, a-la-carte pricing like some of the other options on this list.
ADP
ADP has 70+ years of experience in human resources management software and payroll services. ADP’s Workforce Now offers a suite of HR and payroll functionalities designed for businesses of all sizes.
Key features
- Real-time updates: Supports real-time updates, minimizes the need for redundant data entry.
- Employee self-service portal: Employee self-service portal available on the mobile and web for time tracking, scheduling, PTO requests, and benefits management.
- Customization and add-ons: Suitable for large companies.
- Scalability: ADP can handle complex payroll for large workforces.
Limitations: ADP Workforce Now’s long setup time and higher costs make it less ideal for smaller businesses. Enterprises willing to invest in training and customization will benefit the most from Workforce Now’s extensive features and capabilities.
Ceridian Dayforce
Ceridian is a major player in the payroll and HR software industry. Dayforce is its flagship Human Capital Management (HCM) platform. It integrates HR, payroll, benefits, workforce and talent management into a single application.
Key features
- Customizable: Dayforce offers numerous customization options, making it suitable for large businesses with complex regulatory requirements.
- Integrated platform: Dayforce simplifies administration by housing payroll, HR, benefits, workforce and talent management on a single platform.
- Real-time updates: The platform provides real-time updates and calculations, enhancing compliance and efficiency.
- Employee self-service: Employee self-service portal for accessing their pay information, pay breakdowns, pay stubs, and printing tax forms.
Ceridian Dayforce is a scalable HCM platform designed for large and growing enterprises.
Limitations: Users should prepare themselves for a steep learning curve and potentially less personalized customer support.
Knit People
Knit People is a unified payroll, HR, and benefits software. It is primarily used by small to medium-sized businesses, accountants, and bookkeepers who manage payroll for their clients.
Key features
- Payroll features: Knit offers advanced key features such as WSIB remittance reporting, off-cycle pay runs, salaried employees auto-run, and T4 filings beyond basic features.
- Advanced HR modules: Includes time-tracking, time-off requests and approvals, cloud-accessible documents, e-signing, performance reviews, and benefits management.
- Unlimited payroll runs: Knit can run payroll as often as needed without extra fees, making it an affordable option for companies that run frequent payroll.
Limitations: Lack of a mobile app and extensive payroll features can make larger organizations with more complex requirements look elsewhere.
Nethris
With 40+ years of payroll processing experience, Nethris is designed for small and medium-sized businesses in Canada. The Montreal-based business provides a variety of services, such as time management, group insurance, payroll, HR, and recruitment tools.
Key features
- Extensive experience: Nethris can handle both basic and complex payroll. Its features include a payroll simulator for salary changes and managing support payments, alimony (Quebec and Ontario), and wage garnishments.
- Quebec payroll expertise: Nethris supports Quebec payroll standards and manages CCQ, Commission des normes du travail, CSST, and Solidarity Fund remittances. It is a decent choice for businesses operating in Quebec.
- Integrated services: Nethris allows businesses to add HR, recruitment, and time-management services, eliminating the need for data transfers between programs.
Limitations: Issues with the mobile app and a pricing structure that can escalate with frequent payroll runs and additional features deter some companies.
Payment Evolution
Payment Evolution is a cloud-based payroll solution provider focused on payroll and benefits, omitting HR features. It's a popular choice among accountants and small businesses that have 50 employees or fewer.
Key features
- Cost-effectiveness: Payment Evolution offers a free plan for small businesses with up to 5 employees, though with limited features. Paid plans are highly affordable, especially for small businesses and accountants.
- Ease of use: The setup process allows payroll to be run in minutes. The platform includes features such as custom deductions and the ability to set up personalized payroll rules. Support for wage garnishment, WSIB, and T4As for contract employees is also available.
- Accountant-friendly: Accountants favour Payment Evolution for its simplicity and efficiency in managing payroll for multiple clients.
Limitations: Lack of HR features and certain advanced payroll functions limit its appeal for larger enterprises or those with more complex needs.
Payworks
Since 2001, Payworks has been providing payroll services for small Canadian businesses. The company offers payroll management, HRIS, time and attendance tracking, group benefits, and health spending accounts.
Key features
- Quebec payroll support: It accommodates the unique requirements of Quebec's payroll legislation. This makes it a good option for companies based in Quebec or with several employees in the province.
- HR add-On: Offers an HR add-on with features that include employee profiles, onboarding tools, compensation and benefits management, and talent and performance management.
- Franchise solutions: Payworks is tailored software for franchisees and owners. It allows the management of multiple locations within one database. Features include multi-user access, data import from various POS systems, automated vacation pay entitlements and mass wage update functionality.
Limitations: Lacks some advanced features found in newer payroll platforms, but it remains a reliable option for small businesses.
Wagepoint
Wagepoint is cloud-based payroll software designed for small businesses. It includes direct deposit, tax filings, year-end reporting, online pay stubs, and more. Small business owners and accountants favour the platform for its simplicity and functionality.
Key features
- User-friendly design: Wagepoint is often praised for its intuitive user experience. It is ideal for small business owners who may not have extensive payroll expertise.
- Payroll features: The platform automates CRA and WCB remittances, calculates statutory holidays, supports direct deposit, and provides online pay stubs. It also supports auto remittance for SD, CPP, Record of Employment (ROEs), T4s, T4As, EHT, and WSIB.
- Straightforward pricing: Wagepoint’s pricing model is based on the frequency of payroll runs and the number of employees, making it affordable for small companies.
Limitations: Its customer service options and extensive HR capabilities are pretty restricted. Organizations may have to adopt additional software to fill the gaps. Companies with more complicated requirements should look for more customizable and integrated solutions.
Wave Payroll
Wave offers a suite of financial services tailored for small businesses. These include free invoicing and accounting software and paid options for payroll services and credit card processing.
Key features
- Sleek interface: Wave Payroll have a modern and user-friendly interface, making it easy to navigate and operate.
- Integration: The seamless integration between accounting, invoicing, and payroll simplifies syncing employee information and maintaining financial data. This integration is beneficial, especially for small businesses managing their finances on a budget.
Limitations: Companies that need more sophisticated payroll features or comprehensive HR functionality should explore other solutions.
Collage
Collage is a Canadian startup offering an HRIS (Human Resources Information System) platform that integrates HR, payroll, and benefits management into one cohesive solution.
Businesses can also add Collage’s outsourced payroll services to their monthly package if it suits their requirement.
Key Features
- HRIS platform: Collage offers comprehensive HR management solutions for small to medium-sized companies. Key features include time-off tracking, an employee directory, performance management tools, an applicant tracking system (ATS), benefits synchronization, and more.
- User-friendly employee portal: Employee self-service portal with a user-friendly interface that reduces administrative burden.
- Integration of HR and payroll: Collage outsources its payroll services; integrating an HRIS with payroll services guarantees a smooth flow of data and mitigates manual data entry.
Limitation: They outsource / grey-label their payroll software. Businesses should evaluate their specific HR and payroll needs when assessing Collage as a potential solution.
Employment Hero (formerly Humi)
Employment Hero acquired Humi in January 2025. It is a cloud-based solution that integrates HR, payroll, and benefits management into a single solution. While Employment Hero has historically focused on its HR management platform, it has also developed a payroll module to complement its HR offerings.
Key features
- HR management: Employment Hero provides HR management tools, including an employee portal, time tracking, performance management, employee onboarding, recruitment tools, and more. Ideal for small and medium-sized businesses looking to automate their basic HR tasks and improve employee management processes.
- Integrated platform: Employment Hero guarantees data integration between HR procedures and payroll management. This integration mitigates manual data entry and improves data accuracy.
Limitations: While its payroll module is intuitive, businesses with complex payroll requirements may find Employment Hero's payroll functionalities more basic than specialized payroll solutions.
Deel
Deel is built for teams that operate across borders (150+ countries), making it easy to pay people in different currencies. Companies with an international workforce, whether they are full-time employees, contractors, or freelancers, commonly use it to simplify management of their global workforce.
Key features
- Compliance management: Ensures compliance with local labour and tax regulations in various jurisdictions.
- Contractor management: Deel offers tools for managing international contractors, including automated invoicing and payment systems.
Limitations: Deel may be overly complex for businesses operating solely within Canada.
Rippling
Rippling is an HR and payroll system offering a unified platform for workforce management. It integrates various HR functions with payroll processing.
Key features
- Integrated platform: Rippling combines payroll, benefits, HR, IT, and more into a single system, reducing data entry and improving efficiency.
- Automated workflows: The platform automates many HR and payroll processes, from onboarding to offboarding.
- App management: Rippling can manage employee apps and devices, making it useful for tech-savvy companies.
Limitations: Its features can benefit growing businesses, but it may offer more features than necessary for small companies with simple payroll needs.
QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks Online is mainly an accounting software solution that offers integrated payroll features, making it suitable for small businesses seeking a combined solution.
Key features
- Accounting integration: The tool integrates smoothly, and payroll data goes directly into the company’s accounting software. It simplifies financial management and reduces administrative work.
- Tax calculations: For handling tax calculations and filings, including year-end forms.
- Direct deposit: The platform supports direct deposit for employee payments. Payments go straight to their bank accounts.
Limitations: QuickBooks Online may not have as many HR features as dedicated payroll systems.
TimeTrex
TimeTrex provides compliant provincial and federal payroll and tax calculations for Canadian businesses of all sizes.
Key features
- Compliance: Helps firms stay compliant with federal and provincial tax standards and appropriate deductions.
- Time-tracking: Built-in capabilities to log hours, which are very valuable for organizations with hourly staff.
- Customization: Offers variable pay rules and scheduling choices adjustable to different processes.
Limitations: TimeTrex is a strong fit for businesses that prioritize compliance and time-tracking. However, it may lack some of the advanced HR services other platforms offer.
Push Operations
Push Operations is a workforce management solution with payroll capabilities that caters primarily to the hospitality industry.
Key features
- Industry-specific: It is tailored to the unique needs of the hospitality sector, including tip management and shift scheduling.
- Integrated platform: Combines scheduling, time tracking, payroll, and HR features in one system.
- Mobile access: Employees can access their pay stubs, request time off, and review their schedules using the mobile app.
Limitations: Push Operations is a terrific fit for hospitality teams, but its industry-specific design may not work as well for firms operating outside that market.
How to choose the best software to process payroll: The benefits of an all-in-one payroll solution
A comprehensive payroll system should offer a suite of features that cater to the needs of businesses of all sizes. Here are essential features to look for in a payroll solution:
Automated payroll processing
When a reliable payroll system minimizes manual entries and errors, it ideally makes the daily life of payroll admins easier than before. Look for a solution that supports paid, hourly, as well as international employees and handles various pay cycles, such as biweekly or semi-monthly.
For example, Rise’s Payroll helps automate compliance checks and lowers errors, giving payroll staff more time back. Automation is still crucial, even if some processes still require human scrutiny.
Comprehensive tax management
One of the key priorities for Canadian companies is keeping up with provincial taxes and ensuring compliance with Canadian regulations. Payroll solutions should help companies fulfill these responsibilities and avoid costly fines or noncompliance. This becomes much more crucial for Canadian companies operating in different provinces, where legislation and calculations can vary substantially.
Employee self-service portals
Self-service portals are a standout feature that enhances employee engagement by allowing active employees to view their pay stubs, request time off, and manage their personal information online. This feature reduces the administrative burden on payroll admins and provides employees with immediate access to their data.
Scalability for business growth
The payroll needs of businesses become complex as they scale. A good payroll solution should scale with the business, accommodating thousands of employees without compromising performance.
Advanced reporting and analytics
To track payroll spending, audit payroll, and provide comprehensive payroll reports, payroll administrators need advanced reporting capabilities. Solutions that offer sophisticated analytics help businesses make better-informed decisions and optimize payroll.
Time and attendance solutions
Efficient time and attendance monitoring plays a key role in getting payroll right. Flexible scheduling and time-tracking software tools help with accurate tracking of employee work hours, reducing errors in payroll calculations. This feature is especially crucial for organizations that use hourly employees.
Employee benefits management
Handling employee benefits correctly is a vital aspect of a comprehensive payroll solution. When employers offer health benefits and an efficient online enrollment process, employee job satisfaction increases. Having access to group plans and a mix of health and financial benefits can also be a huge asset for both the firm and its personnel.
Friendly user interface and online access
A robust payroll solution experience should be user-friendly for employees and payroll admin. An easy-to-use interface makes a big difference. Streamlined payroll can be managed practically anywhere with online access, offering teams greater convenience and flexibility.
Cost-effectiveness and transparent pricing
It’s important for any business to find a payroll provider with reasonable, transparent pricing structures. You should opt for suppliers who don't surprise you with additional costs at the end of the year and offer a straightforward monthly rate. The entry-level plan should cover the fundamental payroll functions, with extra features available as needed.
Excellent customer support
When something goes wrong during payroll, having supportive customer support can make a big difference. Rise People has established a solid reputation for being helpful and responsive, making it easier for businesses to get answers quickly when they need them.
Seamless integrations
A dependable payroll system should offer smooth integrations with other business software and systems that your business already uses, such as Xero or QuickBooks Online.
Before choosing a provider, consider the specific integrations that matter most to your team and ensure that the software can plug into your existing tech stack. This will help create a more cohesive and efficient payroll ecosystem for your organization — it also ensures data consistency across various platforms.
Streamline your payroll processes with Rise People: The #1 payroll software in Canada
With a focus on comprehensive solutions for benefits, payroll, time management, and performance, Rise People is designed to support every stage of the employee experience.
Our all-in-one solution also helps you with recruitment, onboarding, and team growth, increasing efficiency and ensuring compliance while mitigating errors.
Ready to see what Rise can do for your Canadian SMB? Book a demo with our team to get started!
About the Author: Salil Singh is a content marketing and SEO professional who loves decoding complexity and believes in the magic of a well-told data story.
