NEWJoin 2M+ software buyers|Get Weekly Insights, Trends & Expert PicksSubscribe free →

CheckMark Payroll vs Hive Payroll Comparison

Last updated:

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…

Hive Payroll

5.0(1 reviews)

Starting at $17 /month

  • Free Trial
  • Medium Business
  • Small Business

Hive Payroll is payroll software for single-site and multi-site businesses that need payslip generation, deductions management, and statutory compliance handled without separate tools for each function. It consolidates p…

Hive Payroll leads on user satisfaction with a 5.0-star rating across 1 reviews.

CheckMark Payroll vs Hive Payroll — at a glance

FeatureCheckMark PayrollHive Payroll
Rating4.2 / 55.0 / 5
Reviews61
Starting price$449$17 /month
Free trial Yes Yes
Free version No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessMedium Business, Small Business
CategoryPayroll SoftwarePayroll Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/Cloud
API——
Support modesOnlineOnline
CertificationsSOC 2SOC 2, GDPR
Data residency—US

Key differences between CheckMark Payroll and Hive Payroll

  • Pricing: CheckMark Payroll starts at $449, while Hive Payroll starts at $17 /month.
  • Target audience: CheckMark Payroll 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: CheckMark Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Hive Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

CheckMark Payroll vs Hive 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.

CheckMark Payroll - Payroll Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert
Hive Payroll
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert

Free PDF comparison

Download this CheckMark Payroll vs Hive Payroll comparison

Get the full side-by-side as a PDF — these picks plus the top Payroll Software tools, with verified ratings, pricing and features.

  • Side-by-side on pricing, features & ratings
  • Plus the category top 10, scored & ranked
  • Emailed to you — no on-screen download

No file downloads on screen — we email it to you. One-click unsubscribe anytime.

CheckMark Payroll vs Hive Payroll: Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

CheckMark Payroll

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business

Hive Payroll

Best for

Medium Business, Small Business

CheckMark Payroll 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

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

Hive Payroll is payroll software for single-site and multi-site businesses that need payslip generation, deductions management, and statutory compliance handled without separate tools for ... Read More about Hive Payroll

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $449
  • Starts from $17 , monthly

Free Trial Availability

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

8.2/10

7.8/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.17

(6)
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Software Demo

Demo

Need a second opinion?

Get decision help from a software advisor

Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.

Spotsaas advisor
Get decision help from a software advisor
  • Independent advice — matched to your business
  • Understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors
  • Free 15-min call with a software advisor.

Step 1 of 4

How big is your team?

We tailor recommendations to companies your size.

Trusted by teams at

How do CheckMark Payroll and Hive Payroll Compare on Features?

Total Features

8 Features

6 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare CheckMark Payroll and Hive 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

      • $449
      • $17 , monthly

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Standard

        $17

        /month

        • Payroll

        • Payroll Processing

        • Leave Management

        Show more +

      • Premium

        $29

        /month

        • Payroll

        • Payroll Processing

        • Leave Management

        Show more +

      • Ultimate

        $46

        /month

        • Payroll

        • Payroll Processing

        • Leave Management

        Show more +

      Pricing Page

      CheckMark Payroll pricing
      Hive Payroll pricing

      CheckMark Payroll vs Hive 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

      • Not Available
      • Not Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      CheckMark Payroll vs Hive Payroll Security & Compliance

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

      SOC 2

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      HIPAA

      ✗ No
      ✗ No

      GDPR

      —
      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes
      —

      Data Residency

      —
      🇺🇸 US

      CheckMark Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      3

      3

      0

      0

      0

      1

      0

      0

      0

      0

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      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.

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyer sentiment is very strong across 1 reviews, with consistently positive feedback.

      What buyers like

      • Hive Payroll is intuitively laid out, allowing even non-tech-savvy users to process payroll without a steep learning curve.
      • Supports end-to-end payroll functions including payslip generation and compliance with legal obligations.
      • Efficiently manages payroll across multiple locations, ideal for businesses with distributed teams.

      Common complaints

      • The visual layout could use modernization to enhance the overall user experience.
      • May not fully accommodate complex pay scales or non-standard compensation models.
      • No dedicated mobile app or optimized mobile interface limits flexibility for on-the-go payroll tasks.

      Pros and Cons

      • 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.

      • Efficient payroll processing for multiple sites.

      • Simplifies statutory obligations for businesses.

      • Quick and easy payslip generation.

      • Customization may be limited for specific needs.

      • Lacks a mobile application for on-the-go access.

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

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

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      No screenshots available.

      Hive Payroll

      4 Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      1 Videos

      video-0

      1 Videos

      Top Alternatives to CheckMark Payroll and Hive Payroll in 2026

      Expand your comparison

      Add another option to compare side by side

      Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.

      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, CheckMark Payroll or Hive Payroll?
      Hive Payroll edges out the other on user ratings (5.0 vs 4.2). That said, the best pick depends on your use case, so use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do CheckMark Payroll and Hive Payroll offer a free trial?
      Yes, both CheckMark Payroll and Hive Payroll offer a free trial.
      What is the starting price of CheckMark Payroll vs Hive Payroll?
      CheckMark Payroll starts at $449. Hive Payroll starts at $17 /month.
      What are the top alternatives to CheckMark Payroll?
      Top alternatives to CheckMark Payroll include Heartland Payroll, OnPay, Square Payroll, Microkeeper, APS Payroll.
      What are the top alternatives to Hive Payroll?
      Top alternatives to Hive Payroll include 247HRM, Paybooks, PayrollPanda, CheckMark Payroll, Heartland Payroll.