The Best Apps for Payroll: Business Lifesavers

According to the NFIB Research Center, high taxes and payroll are the biggest burdens for small businesses.¹ To ease your worries, we've handpicked the top payroll apps for small businesses.

These lifesavers offer features like batch payments or APIs, perfect for employers managing a global team's payroll. Read on to discover how these apps can revolutionize your payroll process and give you back more hours in the day.

We’ll also discuss how Wise Business helps small businesses simplify their overseas payroll process - saving on time and costs along the way.

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Best Payroll Apps for Small Business

Navigating the world of payroll can be stressful for small business owners, but these apps are bound to make life easier. Say goodbye to payroll headaches and hello to streamlined processes.

1. Wise - Payroll for Small Businesses

Wise Business, formerly known as Wise, has made a name for itself in the world of international money transfers. As a reliable and efficient payroll solution for small businesses, Wise Business offers a range of features that cater to the unique needs of companies with a global workforce.

How can businesses use Wise for payroll?

Businesses can sign up for an account and send up to 1000 payments with a single click with the batch payment tool.

Businesses can also set up recurring, automatic payments, transfers , standing orders by connecting to Wise’s API. There is no extra payment for this service.

Wise’s core strengths for payroll:

What sets Wise apart is its commitment to providing a mid-market rate for currency conversions and international payment fees. This means that businesses get a fair and transparent deal when converting currencies. In addition, businesses can

Another perk of using Wise for international payroll is its extensive coverage of over 70 countries and 50 currencies – using the same international money transfer features as their consumer accounts. With features like automatic payment scheduling and API integration, small businesses can streamline their payroll process, freeing up valuable time and resources for other important tasks.

Features	Price
Mid-market exchange rate for currency conversions, payments to 80+ countries in 50+ currencies, delivery estimator, real-time tracking, pay-to-email	Free to sign up for US business accounts, no monthly fees, no minimum balance requirements, transparent and competitive rates, and free access to API, batch payments, and integrations features.

US-based business can access the payroll and Wise API features at no extra charge

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2. Papaya Global

Papaya Global is a rapidly emerging player in the global payroll and workforce management arena. With a strong focus on providing a seamless payroll experience, Papaya Global offers an all-in-one platform that caters to the needs of businesses operating across borders.³

The platform's key features include centralized payroll management, automated compliance with local labor laws, and real-time reporting(see Papaya Global Alternatives). Papaya Global's robust solution streamlines the entire payroll process, making it easier for small businesses to manage their global teams without getting bogged down by the nuances of international payroll regulations.

When your business is ready to scale, Papaya Global's platform is designed to do that with you. As your company grows and expands its operations, your payroll system keeps up with your evolving needs.

Pricing:

Papaya Global’s Full-Service Payroll plan starts from $12/mo per employee. To get a more accurate quote tailored to your company’s needs, you’ll have to get a quote from their sales team. This approach ensures that you only pay for the features and services you need.⁴

3. TriNet

TriNet is a professional employer organization (PEO) that offers a comprehensive suite of HR and payroll services, perfect for small and medium-sized businesses looking for an all-in-one solution.⁶ With a focus on simplifying the complexities associated with managing employees, TriNet streamlines payroll, benefits, and compliance tasks, allowing businesses to focus on growth and success.

Some of the key features provided by TriNet include automated payroll processing, tax filing, direct deposit, and an employee self-service portal. The platform also has a range of HR services, such as benefits administration, risk management, and talent management, that create a holistic approach to employee management.

TriNet's platform ensures that your payroll and HR processes are compliant and efficient but also turns their focus on making sure your employees are taken care of. They provide access to benefits and leadership and development training, among other things.

Pricing:

TriNet charges a flat fee per employee per month (PEPM) to make sure costs are predictable and that you’ll know what to expect when you scale. A big bonus is that most of their contracts come with flexible terms without having to be locked in long term.⁶

4. Rippling

Rippling is an innovative platform that combines payroll, HR management, and an IT cloud, making it a one-stop shop for small businesses looking to simplify their employee management processes. Known for its modular format, Rippling is an excellent choice for businesses looking for a complete workforce platform.⁷

The global payroll management features are Rippling’s best advantage. No matter where your employees are, payroll processing for international workers doesn’t have to be difficult. As well, as hybrid and remote work continue to be the norm, IT management integration means that small businesses don’t need to source out a separate solution.

And although Rippling is brimming with features, its intuitive interface works even for those with limited technical expertise.

Pricing:

Rippling offers a modular pricing model, allowing businesses to choose and pay for the features they want. The base plan for payroll services starts at $8 per employee per month, with additional fees for add-on features such as benefits administration, time and attendance management, and more. Simply tell Rippling what services you need, and they’ll send you a custom quote.⁸

5. Deel

Deel is a payroll platform that assists you to run payroll in over 90 countries. It’s a user-friendly solution to simplify the payroll process and compliance management. Deel’s in-house payroll team helps process all your payments directly.⁹

Deel also offers a wide range of services to help businesses with their payroll, including government declaration, tailored compliance management, and tax filings. In addition to its payroll services, Deel also has HR tools, including contract management and compliance tracking.⁹

Features	Price
In-house payroll team for support, government declaration service, tax filing, onboarding/offboarding, pay everyone with just one invoice	For payroll services, you can get started for free.¹⁰

Deel also partners with Wise. Wise gives you the mid-market exchange rate when paying international employees and contractors. This translates to no hidden fees, multi-currency support and a fair conversion rate.

6. Globalization Partners

Globalization Partners (GP) are a leading supplier of international payroll services. They help businesses expand their global workforce without a need for a local entity. Its cutting-edge Global Employment Platform and team of experts offers a solution to the complex and time-consuming process of managing payroll across multiple countries.¹¹

GP’s tiered solutions provide you with the flexibility and scalability you need to navigate the complexities of the global market, regardless of business size. Their cloud-based platform ensures easy communication and integration across all of your global payroll processes, such as onboarding and offboarding.

Globalization Partners has also joined forces with Wise, making low-cost international transfers possible. Companies now have immediate access in the G-P platform to a payment system that guarantees fairness and pay transparency for all talent.

G-P Contractor will now deliver flexible payment options and a straightforward view into the entire payments process.

Your money will be exchanged at the mid-market rate, free of hidden markups and fees. This gives businesses more control and autonomy over their international payments. A variety of payment methods are also supported, such as credit, bank transfer, debit, ACH, wire and international wire.¹¹

Features	Price
Cloud-based platform, dedicated support from experienced payroll experts, integration with HR systems, scalable solutions, currency exchange and transfer services	Will depend on the solution, but have to request a quote. Plans include G-P Meridian Suite, G-P Meridian Prime, G-P Meridian Core, and their Contractor and Recruit products.¹¹

7. Lano

Lano’s platform has a strong focus on hiring and paying a global team. Regardless of where your employee is located, if they’re contractors or full-time employees, they’ll take care of the compliance aspect so you can expand your business internationally.

Apart from multi-currency payroll processing, invoicing, automated tax filing, and providing an employee self-service portal, they help you turn contractors into employees and relocate and retain employees. Their numerous case studies show how companies of a variety of sizes sped up their global growth with Lano.

Pricing: ¹²

All prices are stated in euros, and pricing varies a lot depending on what you’re looking for. The platform offers Payroll Consolidation from 2.50€ with a setup fee starting from €250 per provider. But if you’re searching for global solutions, the Employer of Record plan starts from €550 per employee per month, the Contractor Management is €20 per contractor per month, and multi-country payroll starts from €300 per month for 1 - 5 employees (one-time setup fee from €1000 per provider) or from €30 per employee per month if you have more than 5 employees.

8. Workday

Workday is a versatile cloud-based platform with a suite of human capital management (HCM) and financial management solutions. Among its extensive range of services, Workday provides a powerful payroll system designed to cater to the needs of organizations of all sizes, including small businesses.¹³

The Workday payroll solution has a high degree of flexibility and customization. You can enjoy anytime audits, built-in reporting and analytics, HR transactions that go right to payroll, and a pay-on-demand feature, especially for the US. Partnering with experts like OneSource Virtual and Alight, businesses can dial their payroll services up or down with fully outsourced payroll solutions or a managed payroll service provider.

As well, the payroll platform seamlessly integrates with other Workday modules, such as human resources and time tracking. This ensures a smooth flow of data between different functions and minimizes the need for manual data entry.

Pricing:

If you’re interested in learning more about Workday for your organization, you can reach out to their sales team.

9. Multiplier

Multiplier puts a focus on thriving in global markets. They provide payroll solutions that simplify conducting payroll for international employees, while also following the often complex tax laws, pensions, and other factors. The solution can be described as comprehensive, as it combines onboarding, payments, and benefit processes in one place for easy access.¹⁴

One unique feature about Multiplier is local contract creation, where you get multilingual compliant contracts from legal experts. And when it comes to the numbers, you will get a breakdown of the related costs to a new hire in regard to their location.

Features	Price
Continuous payroll processing, anytime audits, mobile-first employee experience, HR transactions that go right to payroll¹⁴	Request a custom quote.¹⁴

Multiplier and Wise Platform have teamed up to streamline global payroll for international businesses. Our integration enables Multiplier's clients to send payouts to its freelancers and contractors in 57 currencies around the world as part of Multiplier's optimized payments infrastructure, reducing transaction times and providing real-time visibility into payment progress.

Payroll Frequently Asked Questions

If you have general questions about doing payroll for your business, check out our answers to some frequently asked questions below.

What is the best software for payroll calculation?

Choosing the best software for payroll calculation really depends on what your business needs. That said, Wise Business is an excellent option for businesses with a global workforce, as they offer features like batch payments and real-time exchange rates, ensuring accurate and efficient payroll calculation.

If you're looking for an all-in-one solution that covers payroll, HR, and benefits administration, you might want to consider a platform like Rippling. To make the right choice, you should go for one that best aligns with your goals.

Does Google have a payroll app?

As of now, Google itself doesn't have a dedicated payroll app. But, there are many payroll apps available on the Google Play Store and some that integrate with Google Workspace applications, like Sheets and Calendar.

From our list, Rippling and Workday are known to integrate with Google Workspace. Rippling's platform integrates with Google Workspace to provide collaboration automation.¹⁵

Similarly, Workday provides integration with Google Workspace applications to improve productivity across teams. These payroll apps help businesses manage their payroll and HR tasks more effectively within a familiar environment.

How can I run payroll?

Running a payroll can be pretty simple once you've got the right tools and processes in place. First things first, you'll need to gather essential information like your employees' working hours, their salary or hourly rates, and any tax-related details. Next, find a reliable payroll software or service that's the perfect fit for your business. These tools will help you calculate each employee's gross pay, deductions (think taxes and benefits), and net pay.

Once you've double-checked and confirmed those payroll calculations, go ahead and pay your employees, whether that's through direct deposit, checks, or other methods. And, of course, remember to keep records and file your payroll taxes with the right government agencies.

Can Excel calculate payroll?

Excel can be a handy tool for calculating payrol, especially if you’re just starting your business. You can set up a spreadsheet to track employee hours, calculate gross pay based on salary or hourly rates, and even factor in deductions like taxes and benefits.

While it may require some initial setup and manual data input, Excel's formulas and functions can help you automate the calculations. But as your business grows, you’ll likely need to consider transitioning to a dedicated payroll software or service for a more streamlined and efficient experience.

Are there free payroll apps?

There are plenty of free payroll apps out there, but keep in mind they might come with some limitations compared to their paid counterparts. These free options are often more suitable for small businesses or startups with a limited budget.

What are some payroll apps for employees?

Employee-friendly features make it easier for your team members to access their payroll information. Some popular ones include Gusto and QuickBooks Payroll. These apps provide employee self-service portals where your team can access their payslips, track working hours, and even manage their tax information. It's a great way to keep everyone in the loop and empower your employees to take control of their payroll details.

What is a good free payroll app for iPhone?

Finding a good free payroll app for your iPhone can make it easy to manage your business on the go. Payroll Guru helps you calculate payroll checks and deductions, while HoursTracker is great for tracking employee hours and earnings. Paycheck Free, on the other hand, helps to calculate net pay and paycheck information.

What are some payroll apps that work with QuickBooks?

Finding payroll apps that work with QuickBooks can seamlessly connect your accounting and payroll processes. One great option is Wise (formerly Wise), which helps you handle payroll for a global workforce.

In addition to Wise, you can also check out Gusto and Time Tracker by eBillity. Gusto is a popular payroll and HR platform that syncs effortlessly with QuickBooks, while Time Tracker is designed for tracking employee hours, resulting in data that can be exported to QuickBooks for payroll processing.

What is a good free payroll app for Android?

For Android users, one option to consider is Payroll Calculator, which allows you to calculate salary, deductions, and net pay quickly and easily. While free apps can be great for basic payroll calculations, they often have limitations or offer limited features, unlike more comprehensive payroll solutions.

How Wise Business Helps You Save On Overseas Payroll

Wise Business can help you save on international payroll. One of the most useful features we offer is batch payments, which allows you to pay up to 1000 invoices in one go. This is perfect for small businesses that are supporting a global team's payroll, saving a ton of time and hassle.

Some important Wise Business account features:

Mid-market rate: Get the rate you deserve with not hidden fees on transfers Global Account: Send money in 70+ currencies and hold balances in 40+ Batch payments: Send 1000 invoices in one click Wise Business API: Recurring payments and automatic payouts Permissions: Give give different permissions to your team Auto-conversions: Don't like the current currency exchange rate? Set your rate, and Wise sends the transfer at the perfect moment No minimum balance requirements and monthly fees: Learn more about fees here

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Learn more:

International Payroll: The 14 Best Services You Should Know

Digital Payments for Business: Benefits, Solutions, Advice (2023)

The 12 Quickbooks Payroll Alternatives and Competitors

Bluesnap Competitors and Alternatives

Nium Competitors and Alternatives

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**Sources:**

1. https://www.nfib.com/content/press-release/homepage/new-nfib-tax-survey-high-taxes-remain-a-significant-burden-on-small-businesses/
2. https://www.papayaglobal.com/
3. https://www.papayaglobal.com/pricing/
4. https://www.trinet.com/hr-services/payroll
5. https://www.rippling.com/
6. https://www.rippling.com/pricing
7. https://www.deel.com/global-payroll
8. https://www.deel.com/pricing
9. https://www.globalization-partners.com/
10. https://www.lano.io/pricing
11. https://www.workday.com/en-us/products/payroll/overview.html
12. https://www.usemultiplier.com/pricing
13. https://www.rippling.com/app-shop/app/gsuite