Access People HR vs Hive Payroll vs Patriot Payroll vs Paychex Flex Comparison
Access People HR
Starting at $2.41 /user/month
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Access PeopleHR is a cloud-based HR and payroll software platform designed for UK businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises. Built for HR professionals, operations teams, and people managers, the platfo…
Hive Payroll
Starting at $17 /month
- Free Trial
- Medium Business
- Small Business
The Hive Payroll Software is powerful and simple to use, providing a complete range of payroll services for single or multi-site businesses. From calculating and issuing payslips to taking care of your statutory obligati…
Patriot Payroll
Starting at $14 /Month
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
The Patriot's secure payroll solution is designed to lower the total cost of payroll administration, while helping you reduce your staffs' workload. With its fully integrated interface with Patriot's fund accounting and…
Paychex Flex
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Large Enterprises
Paychex Flex is a cloud-based payroll software for mid- to large-sized employers, delivering the tools you need to run your business and support your people. This payroll system provides everything you need in just one s…
Hive Payroll leads on user satisfaction with a 5.0-star rating across 1 reviews.
Access People HR vs Hive Payroll vs Patriot Payroll vs Paychex Flex — at a glance
| Feature | Access People HR | Hive Payroll | Patriot Payroll | Paychex Flex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.0 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 | 3.7 / 5 |
| Reviews | 271 | 1 | 3,876 | 3,034 |
| Starting price | $2.41 /user/month | $17 /month | $14 /Month | Contact for pricing |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Free version | No | No | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business |
| Category | HR Software | Payroll Software | Payroll Software | Payroll Software |
| Integrations | 5+ apps | — | 11+ apps | — |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS |
| API | Available | — | Available | — |
| Support modes | Online | Online | Business Hours, Online | 24/7 (Live rep) |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | SOC 2, GDPR | — | SOC 2, GDPR |
| Data residency | UK | US | US | US |
Key differences between Access People HR and Hive Payroll
- Pricing: Access People HR starts at $2.41 /user/month, while Hive Payroll starts at $17 /month.
- Target audience: Access People HR is built for Large Enterprises and Medium Business, while Hive Payroll targets Medium Business and Small Business.
- User satisfaction: Hive Payroll scores higher with a 5.0-star average.
- Deployment: Access People HR supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; Hive Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
Compare Access People HR vs Hive Payroll vs Patriot Payroll vs Paychex Flex — and walk away knowing which one fits.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most HR Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert | Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
Medium Business, Small Business
Best payroll software for small businesses needing simple, affordable solutions.
- You run a small to medium business with up to 100 employees.
- You want a user-friendly, streamlined payroll system with strong US-based support.
- You need integration with fund accounting and compliance tools for payroll automation.
- You require advanced, highly customizable payroll features for complex business needs.
- You are a large enterprise scaling beyond small to medium business capabilities.
Best for mid-sized businesses needing integrated payroll and HR compliance.
- You manage a company with 51-1000 employees requiring streamlined payroll and tax filing.
- You want a cloud-based platform with employee self-service for paystubs and tax forms.
- You value integrated payroll and HR management with strong customer support.
- You are a freelancer or very small business needing transparent, upfront pricing.
- You require highly customizable payroll workflows to fit unique business processes.
Access People HR typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. Hive Payroll tends to fit Medium Business and Small Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.
Description | Access PeopleHR is a cloud-based HR and payroll software platform designed for UK businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises. Built for HR professionals, operations teams, ... Read More about Access People HR | The Hive Payroll Software is powerful and simple to use, providing a complete range of payroll services for single or multi-site businesses. From calculating and issuing payslips to taking ... Read More about Hive Payroll | The Patriot's secure payroll solution is designed to lower the total cost of payroll administration, while helping you reduce your staffs' workload. With its fully integrated interface with ... Read More about Patriot Payroll | Paychex Flex is a cloud-based payroll software for mid- to large-sized employers, delivering the tools you need to run your business and support your people. This payroll system provides ... Read More about Paychex Flex |
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Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.0/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||||
Best Company Size | 50–500 employees | — | 1-100 employeesSmall to medium businesses | 51-500 employees501-1000 employees |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Where each option fits best
See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.
Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.
Key strengths
- All-In-One HR Solution for Workforce Management: Access People HR combines a wide range of HR services, including HR essentials, outsourced payroll, and performance review solutions, into one unified platform. This enables businesses to manage their entire workforce in a centralized, easy-to-use system.
- Comprehensive HR Management with Cloud-Based Storage: Access People HR simplifies employee management by providing a secure, cloud-based platform to store and organize all HR-related data. This eliminates the need for paper-based records, offering HR teams an efficient and streamlined solution to manage employee information.
- Enhanced Automation of HR Tasks: With features like automated performance reviews, applicant tracking, and self-service HR, Access People HR automates routine tasks, saving time and reducing administrative burden. This allows HR teams to focus on more strategic initiatives while increasing overall efficiency.
No key benefits available yet.
- Flexible Payroll Options: Choose between basic and full-service payroll, depending on whether you want to handle tax filing yourself or let Patriot do it.
- Easy-to-Use Interface: Designed with small business owners in mind, the platform simplifies payroll processing with intuitive navigation and clear workflows.
- Affordable Pricing & U.S. Support: Offers competitive rates with no hidden fees and access to expert, U.S.-based customer support when needed.
- Streamlined HR Management: With Paychex Flex, managers can effortlessly handle payroll, benefits, and compliance all in one platform. This not only saves time but also reduces the risk of errors—ensuring you can focus on strategic initiatives.
- Employee Empowerment: Employees appreciate the self-service capabilities that allow them to access pay stubs, manage benefits, and request time off at their convenience. This not only boosts engagement but also fosters a culture of responsibility and ownership.
- Scalable Solutions: Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, Paychex Flex grows with you. Its flexible architecture allows you to tailor features that fit your company’s unique needs, ensuring you’re always equipped for what lies ahead.
Best fit
- 50–500 employees
- SMEs in professional services, retail, healthcare, education, and non-profits.
- HR Directors, People Operations Managers, Talent Managers, Payroll Specialists, and CFOs
No best-fit guidance available yet.
- 1–100 employees
- Retail, construction, professional services, healthcare, nonprofit, and manufacturing
- Small Business Owners, Accountants, Payroll Managers, Office Managers, and HR Coordinators
- 1 to 1,000 employees
- HR Services, Professional Services, Retail, Healthcare, and Nonprofit Organizations
- HR Managers, Payroll Administrators, Business Owners, and Operations Managers
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- Some users find Access People HR less scalable for larger or rapidly growing businesses. As their headcount and HR complexity increase, they seek platforms that can flexibly handle more employees, multiple locations, and diverse compliance requirements.
- Companies with unique or complex HR workflows often look for alternatives offering greater customization. Access People HR’s more standardized approach can feel restrictive for businesses needing tailored approval processes, onboarding sequences, or review cycles.
- Integration challenges lead some organizations to explore other platforms. When seamless connectivity with specific payroll, benefits providers, or productivity software is critical, broader integration ecosystems become a deciding factor.
No alternatives guidance available yet.
- Small businesses looking for simple payroll solutions with affordable, transparent pricing and U.S.-based support.
- Companies needing basic or full-service payroll options with the flexibility to manage taxes internally or outsource.
- Businesses prioritizing user-friendly software without the complexity of enterprise-level platforms.
- Users may seek alternatives to Paychex Flex due to its pricing structure, as smaller businesses or startups often find the costs prohibitive compared to other payroll solutions that offer similar services at lower rates.
- Some businesses might require more customizable features than Paychex Flex provides, leading them to explore platforms that allow for tailored payroll configurations to better meet their unique operational needs.
- Integration capabilities with existing accounting or HR systems can be a concern; users may prefer alternatives that offer seamless connectivity to their preferred software tools for streamlined operations and data management.
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How do Access People HR, Hive Payroll, Patriot Payroll and Paychex Flex Compare on Features?
Total Features | 14 Features | 6 Features | 10 Features | 29 Features |
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Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Access People HR, Hive Payroll, Patriot Payroll and Paychex Flex on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
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Other Details
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
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HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
GDPR | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | — | — |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | — | — |
Data Encryption | — | — |
Audit Logs | — | — |
Data Residency | 🇬🇧 UK | 🇺🇸 US |
Access People HR vs Hive Payroll vs Patriot Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||||
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Rating Distribution | ||||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 502 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is very strong across 1 reviews, with consistently positive feedback. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Overall, users praise Patriot Payroll for its ease of use, affordability, and strong customer support, with minor setup challenges noted. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of use and comprehensive features, tempered by concerns about pricing transparency and some feature inflexibility. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
Integrations
Integration with other apps | No Integration information available. | No Integration information available. |
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List of Customers
Customers |  Ascot  Royal Air Force Museum  Kuoni | No Customers information available. | No Customers information available. |  Wells Fargo  First Citizens Bank  Huntington National Bank |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  4 Screenshots |  4 Screenshots |
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Videos |  2 Videos |  1 Videos |
Alternatives
Alternatives |
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Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, Access People HR or Hive Payroll?
- Hive Payroll edges out the other on user ratings (5.0 vs 4.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Access People HR and Hive Payroll offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Access People HR and Hive Payroll offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Access People HR vs Hive Payroll?
- Access People HR starts at $2.41 /user/month. Hive Payroll starts at $17 /month.
- What are the top alternatives to Access People HR?
- Top alternatives to Access People HR include Hibob HRIS, Oyster, Paychex Flex, Paycor, BambooHR.
- What are the top alternatives to Hive Payroll?
- Top alternatives to Hive Payroll include Patriot Payroll, Paychex Flex, Paycor, Payroo, CheckMark Payroll.