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APS Payroll vs CheckMark Payroll Comparison

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APS Payroll

4.7(340 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

APS Payroll is a payroll and HR management platform for mid-sized businesses that need customizable reporting, employee self-service, and third-party integrations alongside core payroll processing. Its report builder let…

CheckMark Payroll

4.2(6 reviews)

Starting at $449

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

CheckMark Payroll is a desktop payroll application for small business owners who want to run payroll in-house without outsourcing. It handles check printing, W-2 generation, and federal tax reports directly from the user…

APS Payroll leads on user satisfaction with a 4.7-star rating across 340 reviews.

APS Payroll vs CheckMark Payroll — at a glance

FeatureAPS PayrollCheckMark Payroll
Rating4.7 / 54.2 / 5
Reviews3406
Starting priceContact for pricing$449
Free trial No Yes
Free version No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryPayroll SoftwarePayroll Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOSSaaS/Web/Cloud
APIAvailable—
Support modesBusiness Hours, OnlineOnline
Certifications—SOC 2
Data residencyUS—

Key differences between APS Payroll and CheckMark Payroll

  • Pricing: CheckMark Payroll starts at $449. APS Payroll pricing is not publicly listed.
  • Free trial: CheckMark Payroll offers a free trial; APS Payroll does not.
  • User satisfaction: APS Payroll scores higher with a 4.7-star average.
  • Deployment: APS Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; CheckMark Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

APS Payroll vs CheckMark Payroll — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Payroll 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.

APS Payroll - Payroll Software
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CheckMark Payroll - Payroll Software
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APS Payroll vs CheckMark Payroll: Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

APS Payroll

Best for medium businesses needing reliable, integrated payroll and HR management.

Choose if
  • You are a medium-sized healthcare, nonprofit, or professional services organization.
  • You want a unified payroll and HR platform with attendance and recruiting features.
  • You value strong integration with Sage Intacct and responsive customer support.
Consider alternatives if
  • You require highly customizable deduction fields and benefits management.
  • You need rapid, seamless QuickBooks integration and extensive benefits carrier connections.

CheckMark Payroll

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business

APS Payroll typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. CheckMark Payroll tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

APS Payroll is a payroll and HR management platform for mid-sized businesses that need customizable reporting, employee self-service, and third-party integrations alongside core payroll ... Read More about APS Payroll

CheckMark Payroll is a desktop payroll application for small business owners who want to run payroll in-house without outsourcing. It handles check printing, W-2 generation, and federal tax ... Read More about CheckMark Payroll

Entry Level Pricing

  • Not Available
  • Starts from $449

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

8.7/10

8.2/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.69

(340)

4.17

(6)

Best Company Size

50-1,000 employeesMedium Business
—
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.

Strengths

Key strengths

APS Payroll

  • Unified Payroll & HR Platform: Offers a centralized system for payroll, HR, attendance, and recruiting, improving efficiency across employee management.
  • Compliance & Tax Automation: Manages payroll tax calculations, filings, and payments across federal, state, and local jurisdictions with accuracy.
  • Customizable Reporting & Analytics: Provides reliable, real-time insights into workforce data to support informed HR and finance decisions.
Best fit

Best fit

APS Payroll

  • 50–1,000 employees
  • Healthcare, nonprofits, education, professional services, manufacturing, and hospitality
  • HR Directors, Payroll Managers, Finance Leaders, Operations Managers, and Compliance Officers
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

APS Payroll

  • Companies needing international payroll support may consider platforms with global compliance capabilities.
  • Businesses seeking highly customizable HR workflows or advanced talent management tools might opt for full-suite HCM systems.
  • Organizations prioritizing rapid deployment and out-of-the-box integrations could explore more plug-and-play solutions.

Software Demo

Demo

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How do APS Payroll and CheckMark Payroll Compare on Features?

Total Features

12 Features

8 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

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Compare APS Payroll and CheckMark Payroll 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.

Pricing Option

      Starting From

      • Not Available
      • $449

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      APS Payroll pricing
      CheckMark Payroll pricing

      APS Payroll vs CheckMark Payroll: Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Available
      • Not Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      APS Payroll vs CheckMark Payroll Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      SOC 2

      —
      ✓ Yes

      HIPAA

      ✗ No
      ✗ No

      Data Encryption

      —
      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🇺🇸 US
      —

      APS Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      290

      56

      6

      0

      0

      3

      3

      0

      0

      0

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyers generally praise APS Payroll for its ease of use, integration capabilities, and customer support, though some express concerns about implementation delays and limited customization.

      What buyers like

      • Ease of use
      • Customer support
      • Integration with third-party software

      Common complaints

      • Implementation delays
      • Limited customization options

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyer sentiment is positive across 6 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction.

      What buyers like

      • Offers multiple check printing formats so businesses can customize how employee paychecks are printed.
      • The ability to print paychecks, reports, and federal tax forms directly from your own printer gives businesses full control over payroll operations without relying on third parties.
      • Reduces the administrative burden of payroll processing, making it suited for small to mid-sized businesses.

      Common complaints

      • The product focuses primarily on check printing and payroll processing, and may not include broader HR functionalities like onboarding, time tracking, or benefits administration.
      • Some functions, such as data entry or record updates, may require manual intervention, which can be time-consuming and prone to user error.
      • The product description suggests a desktop-based system, which may lack modern cloud features like remote access, automatic updates, or mobile support.

      Pros and Cons

      • Integration with Sage Intacct reduces manual work

      • User-friendly interface for admins and employees

      • Responsive and knowledgeable customer support

      • Implementation can be disorganized with delays

      • Limited customization in deduction fields, reporting, and benefits

      • Multiple check printing options enhance flexibility.

      • User-friendly interface simplifies payroll tasks.

      • Affordable pricing makes it accessible for SMBs.

      • Limited online features may hinder some users.

      • Basic customer support may not meet all needs.

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Used APS Payroll or CheckMark Payroll? Tell buyers what actually differs.

      APS Payroll and CheckMark Payroll Customers

      Customers

      Central Christian

      Central Christian

      Antoine’s Restaurant

      Antoine’s Restaurant

      Faith Promise Church

      Faith Promise Church

      No Customers information available.

      Media and Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      video-0

      1 Videos

      Top Alternatives to APS Payroll and CheckMark Payroll in 2026

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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, APS Payroll or CheckMark Payroll?
      APS Payroll edges out the other on user ratings (4.7 vs 4.2). That said, the best pick depends on your use case, so use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do APS Payroll and CheckMark Payroll offer a free trial?
      CheckMark Payroll offers a free trial. APS Payroll does not.
      What is the starting price of APS Payroll vs CheckMark Payroll?
      APS Payroll starts at Contact for pricing. CheckMark Payroll starts at $449.
      What are the top alternatives to APS Payroll?
      Top alternatives to APS Payroll include OnPay, Square Payroll, Patriot Payroll, SurePayroll, Heartland Payroll.
      What are the top alternatives to CheckMark Payroll?
      Top alternatives to CheckMark Payroll include Heartland Payroll, OnPay, Square Payroll, Microkeeper, APS Payroll.