Heartland Payroll vs Access Payroll Software Comparison
Heartland Payroll
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Medium Business
- Small Business
Heartland Payroll is a payroll management software for small and medium sized companies. It handles all your payroll processing requirements such as bi-weekly, monthly or yearly paychecks, cost accounting and tracking of…
Access Payroll Software
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Access makes it easy to manage payroll with the most comprehensive and accurate payroll software in the cloud. With an intuitive interface and powerful features, we are designed to help HR professionals save time and avo…
Heartland Payroll leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 118 reviews.
Heartland Payroll vs Access Payroll Software — at a glance
| Feature | Heartland Payroll | Access Payroll Software |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 / 5 | — |
| Reviews | 118 | — |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Payroll Software | Payroll Software |
| Integrations | — | 4+ apps |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud |
| API | — | — |
| Support modes | 24/7 (Live rep) | Online |
| Certifications | — | SOC 2 |
| Data residency | US | Global |
Key differences between Heartland Payroll and Access Payroll Software
- Target audience: Heartland Payroll is built for Medium Business and Small Business, while Access Payroll Software targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
- Deployment: Heartland Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Access Payroll Software supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
Heartland Payroll vs Access Payroll Software — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
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.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
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Heartland Payroll vs Access Payroll Software: Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for small to mid-sized businesses needing streamlined payroll with strong support.
- You run a retail, hospitality, or healthcare business with 20-500 employees.
- You want automated tax filings and integrated payment processing to reduce manual work.
- You value responsive, knowledgeable payroll specialists for personalized customer support.
- Your company is a large enterprise with complex payroll needs requiring high customization.
- You need a highly customizable payroll entry and reporting system beyond standard options.
Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
Heartland Payroll typically suits Medium Business and Small Business. Access Payroll Software 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 | Heartland Payroll is a payroll management software for small and medium sized companies. It handles all your payroll processing requirements such as bi-weekly, monthly or yearly paychecks, ... Read More about Heartland Payroll | Access makes it easy to manage payroll with the most comprehensive and accurate payroll software in the cloud. With an intuitive interface and powerful features, we are designed to help HR ... Read More about Access Payroll Software |
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Free Trial Availability |
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SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.7/10 | 7.2/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 20-50 employees51-500 employees | 50–500 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
- Integrated Payments & Payroll: Combines payroll with Heartland's payment processing, simplifying employee compensation and business transactions.
- Compliance & Tax Filing: Automates federal, state, and local tax filings, helping reduce compliance risks and administrative workload.
- User-Friendly Platform: Designed to simplify payroll with easy-to-use dashboards, direct deposit options, and responsive customer support.
- Better Employee Experience: Employees can access payslips, leave balances, and personal information anytime through the self-service portal. This improves transparency and reduces dependency on HR support.
- Time Savings Through Automation: Routine payroll tasks—payment processing, compliance updates, payslip generation, and data syncing—run automatically. HR teams spend less time on admin and more time on high-value work.
- Accurate and Consistent Payroll Runs: Access Payroll automates calculations for salaries, overtime, deductions, and taxes. This reduces manual work and minimizes errors, so every pay cycle is processed correctly.
Best fit
- 20–500 employees
- Retail, hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, and small to mid-sized businesses
- Payroll Managers, HR Directors, Finance Officers, Business Owners, and Operations Managers
- 50–500 employees
- SMEs in professional services, retail, healthcare, education, and non-profits.
- HR Directors, People Operations Managers, Talent Managers, Payroll Specialists, and CFOs
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- Businesses seeking deeper integration between payment processing and payroll may explore other all-in-one providers.
- Companies requiring advanced HR management, benefits administration, or time tracking may consider broader HCM platforms.
- Firms with multi-state or complex compliance needs might look for payroll solutions specializing in regulatory support.
- Mobile-driven teams shift to tools that deliver a smoother, more complete payroll experience on the go.
- Companies needing deeper payroll analytics choose platforms with stronger reporting and forecasting capabilities.
- Teams relying on multiple HR or finance tools move away due to integration limitations.
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do Heartland Payroll and Access Payroll Software Compare on Features?
Total Features | 12 Features | 12 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Heartland Payroll and Access Payroll Software 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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Heartland Payroll vs Access Payroll Software: Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Heartland Payroll vs Access Payroll Software Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | — | ✓ Yes |
|---|---|---|
HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🌐 Global |
Heartland Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | No reviews available for the product | |
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Rating Distribution | No reviews available for this product | |
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Users appreciate the user-friendly platform and strong customer service but note onboarding challenges and portal access issues. What buyers like
Common complaints
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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 |
| Negative Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
Integrations
Integration with other apps | No Integration information available. |
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Heartland Payroll and Access Payroll Software Customers
Customers | No Customers information available. |  NHS Digital  Jamie Oliver Restaurant  Neves |
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Media and Screenshots
Videos |  2 Videos |  1 Videos |
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Top Alternatives to Heartland Payroll and Access Payroll Software in 2026
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, Heartland Payroll or Access Payroll Software?
- Heartland Payroll edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 vs -1.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case, so use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Heartland Payroll and Access Payroll Software offer a free trial?
- Neither Heartland Payroll nor Access Payroll Software currently lists a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Heartland Payroll vs Access Payroll Software?
- Heartland Payroll starts at Contact for pricing. Access Payroll Software starts at Contact for pricing.
- What are the top alternatives to Heartland Payroll?
- Top alternatives to Heartland Payroll include QuickBooks Payroll, OnPay, Square Payroll, Patriot Payroll, SurePayroll.
- What are the top alternatives to Access Payroll Software?
- Top alternatives to Access Payroll Software include SumoPayroll, Microkeeper, Heartland Payroll, SurePayroll, Fingercheck.