Choosing the right payroll software for your business can be challenging with so many options available. For Canadian businesses, finding a solution that meets specific payroll requirements, from accurate payroll processing to comprehensive employee benefits management, is crucial. In this article, we compare several popular payroll software options to help you make an informed decision.
The 11 Best Payroll Software Solutions for Canadian Businesses
1. Rise People
Rise People offers a comprehensive suite of payroll and HR features, including time tracking, benefits management, performance reviews, and an intuitive employee self-service portal. Rise People’s all-in-one platform is designed to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, providing advanced reporting, a user-friendly interface, and excellent customer support. Its robust features and seamless user experience make it the top software for managing payroll, employee work hours, and benefits.
Key Features
- Employee Benefits: Affordable health benefits paired with an unparalleled digital enrollment experience ensure your team is well-supported.
- Time Management: Flexible scheduling and time tracking software help you manage employee work hours efficiently, making time tracking a breeze.
- HR management: From recruiting to retirement, our sophisticated HR solution supports employees through every stage of their journey.
- Payroll Management: Run payroll from anywhere with unlimited pay runs, ensuring 100% compliance and reducing manual data entry.
Perfect for businesses of all sizes, Rise People ensures compliance with Canadian regulations while saving you valuable time and reducing errors. Designed to simplify all your HR and payroll processes, this innovative solution makes managing a workforce easier than ever.
2. ADP Workforce Now
ADP is an enterprise software provider with over 70 years of experience in human resources management software and payroll services. Their flagship product, Workforce Now, is designed to cater to businesses of all sizes, offering a suite of HR and payroll functionalities.
Key Features
- Real-Time Updates: The software supports real-time updates across all systems, minimizing the need for redundant data entry.
- Employee Self-Service Portal: Employees can access tools for time-tracking, scheduling, PTO requests, and benefits management through a self-service portal, also available on the mobile app.
- Customization and Add-Ons: The platform offers extensive customization options and add-on modules, making it ideal for large enterprises with specific needs.
- Scalability: ADP can handle complex payrolls for large workforces, supporting several employees.
ADP Workforce Now is a scalable solution for large enterprises looking for an HR and payroll platform. However, its complexity and higher costs make it less ideal for smaller businesses. Enterprises willing to invest in training and customization will benefit the most from ADP's extensive features and capabilities.
3. Ceridian Dayforce
Ceridian is a major player in the payroll and HR software industry, with Dayforce being its flagship Human Capital Management (HCM) platform. Dayforce integrates HR, payroll, benefits, workforce management, 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: By housing payroll, HR, benefits, workforce management, and talent management in one platform, Dayforce simplifies administration.
- Real-Time Updates: The platform allows for real-time updates and calculations, enhancing compliance and efficiency.
- Employee Self-Service: Employees can easily access their pay information, view pay breakdowns, access pay stubs, and print tax forms through a self-service portal, reducing the need for administrative support.
Ceridian Dayforce is a powerful and scalable HCM platform designed to meet the needs of large and growing enterprises. Still, its complexity and higher cost can hinder smaller companies with limited HR needs. Users should be prepared for a steep learning curve and potentially less personalized customer support.
4. Knit People
Knit People is a unified payroll, HR, and benefits software primarily used by small to medium-sized businesses as well as accountants and bookkeepers who manage payroll for their clients.
Key Features
- Payroll Features: Knit offers a wide range of payroll functionalities beyond basic features like direct deposit, automated CRA remittances, and year-end reporting. Advanced features include WSIB remittance reporting, off-cycle pay runs, auto-run for salaried employees, and T4 filings.
- Advanced HR Modules: Knit's expanded HR capabilities include time tracking, time-off requests and approvals, cloud-accessible documents, e-sign documents, performance reviews, and benefits management.
- Unlimited Payroll Runs: Knit can run unlimited payroll without extra fees, making it an affordable option for companies that run frequent payrolls.
Knit People's unlimited payroll runs and integrated HR modules make it a useful tool for managing payroll and HR needs. On the other hand, the lack of a mobile app and advanced payroll features might be a limitation for larger enterprises with more complex requirements.
5. Nethris
With over 40 years of payroll processing experience, Nethris is designed for small and medium-sized businesses in Canada. Based in Montreal, the company offers a suite of services that includes payroll, HR, time management, group insurance, and recruitment tools.
Key Features
- Extensive Experience: Nethris can be used to handle both basic and complex payrolls. Its features include a payroll simulator for salary changes and the management of support payments, alimony (Quebec and Ontario), and wage garnishments.
- Quebec Payroll Expertise: Nethris supports Quebec payroll standards, managing CCQ, Commission des normes du travail, CSST, and Solidarity Fund remittances, making it a decent choice for businesses operating in Quebec.
- Integrated Services: Nethris allows businesses to add on HR, recruitment, and time-management services, eliminating the need for data transfers between programs.
Nethris is particularly advantageous for small to medium-sized businesses operating in Quebec. Nonetheless, issues with the mobile app and a pricing structure that can escalate with frequent payroll runs and additional features deter some companies.
6. Payment Evolution
Payment Evolution is a cloud-based payroll provider focused on payroll and benefits, omitting HR features. Its simplicity makes it a popular choice among accountants and small businesses with 50 employees or fewer.
Key Features
- Cost-Effectiveness: Payment Evolution offers a free plan for small businesses with up to five employees, albeit 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 functions like custom deductions and the ability to set up personalized payroll rules. Support for wage garnishment, WSIB, and T4As for contract employees are also available.
- Accountant-Friendly: Accountants favor Payment Evolution for its simplicity and efficiency in managing payroll for multiple clients, making it a reliable tool for bookkeeping services.
While Payment Evolution excels in affordability and ease of use for companies with fewer than 50 employees, its lack of HR features and certain advanced payroll functions limit its appeal for larger enterprises or those with more complex needs.
7. 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: Unlike other small payroll startups, Payworks 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: Payworks offers an HR add-on for companies looking to manage employee life cycles with ease. Features include employee profiles, onboarding tools, compensation and benefits management, and talent and performance management. While not as advanced as some HR-specific platforms, it provides features needed by small businesses.
- Franchise Solutions: Payworks is a tailored software solution for franchisees and franchise owners, allowing 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.
For traditional companies focused on payroll processing, Payworks offers a dependable solution, albeit with some limitations in user experience and features for accountants and bookkeepers. While it lacks some advanced features found in newer payroll platforms, it remains a reliable option for small businesses.
8. Wagepoint
Wagepoint is a cloud-based payroll software designed for small businesses. It includes features such as direct deposit, tax filings, year-end reporting, online pay stubs, and more. The platform is favored by small business owners and accountants for its simplicity and functionality.
Key Features
- User-Friendly Design: Wagepoint is often praised for its intuitive user experience, making it accessible to small business owners who may not have extensive payroll expertise.
- Robust Payroll Features: The platform offers automation for CRA and WCB remittances, statutory holiday calculations, direct deposit, and online pay stubs. It also supports auto remittance for SD, 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.
Wagepoint's strengths lie in its payroll features and straightforward pricing. Even so, the platform has limitations in customer support and lacks extensive HR functionalities, which might require additional software purchases. Larger companies with more complex needs should look for more customizable and integrated solutions.
9. Wave Payroll
Wave offers a suite of financial services tailored for small businesses, including free accounting and invoicing software, with paid options for payroll services and credit card processing.
Key Features
- Sleek Interface: Wave Payroll boasts a modern and user-friendly interface, making it easy to navigate and operate. The dashboard provides a clear overview of tasks related to each pay run.
- Integration: The seamless integration between accounting, invoicing, and payroll simplifies syncing employee information and maintaining financial data in one consolidated platform. This integration is particularly beneficial for small businesses managing their finances on a budget.
Wave Payroll is a practical choice for small businesses with basic payroll needs. Despite its strengths, businesses requiring more sophisticated payroll features or comprehensive HR functionalities need to explore alternative solutions better equipped to meet their specific requirements.
10. 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. While Collage's primary focus is its HRIS software, which is highly regarded for its breadth of HR functionalities, companies can also opt to add payroll services to their monthly package. It's important to note that Collage's payroll services are outsourced.
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 reviews and check-ins, performance management tools, an applicant tracking system (ATS), benefits synchronization, and more.
- User-Friendly Employee Portal: The platform includes a user-friendly employee portal that enhances employee engagement and self-service capabilities, which can reduce administrative burden.
- Integration of HR and Payroll: While payroll is outsourced, the integration of HRIS with payroll services provides seamless data flow and reduces the need for manual data entry across different systems.
While its payroll services are outsourced, Collage's strength lies in its user-friendly interface, extensive HR functionalities, and seamless integration capabilities. Businesses should consider their specific HR and payroll needs when evaluating Collage as a potential solution.
11. Humi
Humi is a cloud-based platform that integrates HR, payroll, and benefits management into one solution. While Humi has historically focused on its robust HR management platform, it has also developed a payroll module to complement its HR offerings.
Key Features
- HR Management: Humi provides HR management tools, including an employee portal, time tracking, performance management, employee onboarding, recruitment tools, and more. These features cater to the needs of small and medium-sized companies looking to automate basic HR tasks and improve employee management processes.
- Integrated Platform: By offering both HR and payroll functionalities, Humi ensures data integration between HR processes and payroll management. This integration reduces manual data entry and enhances data accuracy across different aspects of employee management.
With a strong focus on HR, Humi provides tools to streamline HR processes and enhance employee management. While its payroll module is intuitive, businesses with complex payroll requirements can find Humi's payroll functionalities to be more basic compared to specialized payroll solutions.
Overall, Rise People emerges as the best overall option for Canadian businesses, offering a balanced mix of advanced features, a user-friendly interface, and excellent customer support. Whether you have a handful of employees or thousands, Rise People provides the tools needed to manage payroll accurately and effectively.
Choosing the Right Software to Process Payroll: The Essential Features of an All-in-One Payroll Solution
A comprehensive payroll system should offer a range 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
A reliable payroll system must streamline the process of payroll, reducing manual data entry and errors. Look for solutions that handle complex payrolls, including bi-weekly and semi-monthly payrolls, and cater to salaried employees, hourly employees, and even international employees. For instance, Rise’s software payroll automates compliance and minimizes errors, saving valuable time for payroll admins.
Comprehensive Tax Management
Managing provincial taxes and ensuring compliance with Canadian regulations is critical. Payroll solutions should help businesses navigate tax requirements, reducing the risk of penalties and fines. This is especially important for Canadian companies handling payroll in various provinces.
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
As businesses grow, their payroll needs become more complex. A good payroll solution should scale with the business, accommodating thousands of employees without compromising performance.
Advanced Reporting and Analytics
Advanced reporting capabilities are crucial for payroll admins to track payroll expenses, audit payroll, and generate comprehensive payroll reports. Solutions that offer robust analytics help businesses make informed decisions and optimize their payroll processes.
Time and Attendance Solutions
Efficient time tracking and attendance management are essential aspects of payroll processing. Flexible scheduling and time tracking software ensure accurate tracking of employee work hours, reducing errors in payroll calculations. This feature is vital for businesses with hourly employees.
Employee Benefits Management
Managing employee benefits efficiently is a critical component of a comprehensive payroll solution. Through affordable health benefits and a seamless digital enrollment experience, employees are sure to receive the best coverage, increasing their job satisfaction. Benefits modules that include group plans and health and wealth options can be a significant advantage.
User-Friendly Interface and Online Access
A payroll solution should have a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for both payroll admins and employees to navigate. Online access allows payroll to be managed from anywhere, providing flexibility and convenience.
Cost-Effectiveness and Transparent Pricing
Affordable options with transparent pricing structures are essential. Look for solutions with a clear monthly base fee and no hidden year-end fees. Basic plans should provide essential payroll features, with additional features available as needed.
High Level of Customer Support
Exceptional customer support is vital for addressing any issues that arise during payroll processing. Rise People is known for its high level of customer support, ensuring that businesses receive timely assistance when needed. This support can make a significant difference in the overall efficiency of the payroll process.
5 important things a payroll service should do for your company
Streamline your HR processes with Rise People: The #1 Payroll and HR Management Software in Canada
Offering comprehensive solutions for benefits, payroll, time management, and performance, Rise People is designed to support every stage of the employee experience. This sophisticated HR solution helps you recruit, onboard, and grow your team efficiently, ensuring compliance and minimizing errors. Trusted by companies of all sizes, including the David Suzuki Foundation and Starbucks, Rise People gives your business the tools to manage your workforce seamlessly and effectively. Contact us today to get started!
