Heartland Payroll vs empeon 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…
empeon
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Empeon is a healthcare-focused human capital management (HCM) platform designed to simplify HR and payroll processes for healthcare organizations of all sizes. Built specifically for providers in hospitals, home care, lo…
Heartland Payroll leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 118 reviews.
Heartland Payroll vs empeon — at a glance
| Feature | Heartland Payroll | empeon |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Category | Payroll Software | Payroll Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud |
| API | — | — |
| Support modes | 24/7 (Live rep) | Business Hours |
| Certifications | — | SOC 2, HIPAA |
| Data residency | US | US |
Key differences between Heartland Payroll and empeon
- Target audience: Heartland Payroll is built for Medium Business and Small Business, while empeon targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
- Deployment: Heartland Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; empeon supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
Heartland Payroll vs empeon — 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 empeon: 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
Heartland Payroll typically suits Medium Business and Small Business. empeon 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 | Empeon is a healthcare-focused human capital management (HCM) platform designed to simplify HR and payroll processes for healthcare organizations of all sizes. Built specifically for ... Read More about empeon |
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Free Trial Availability |
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SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.7/10 | Not Available |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 20-50 employees51-500 employees | 100 to 5,000 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.
- Healthcare-Specific Payroll Capabilities: Empeon handles complex healthcare payrolls, including compliance-heavy tasks like PBJ reporting and HPPD calculations.
- Streamlined Large-Scale Payroll Processing: The system is optimized to handle high-volume payroll batches with ease, making it especially beneficial for large organizations managing hundreds of employees.
- User-Friendly Interface: The platform is intuitive and easy to train teams on, reducing onboarding time and improving day-to-day efficiency for HR and payroll teams.
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
- 100 to 5,000 Employees
- Hospitals, Long-term Care Facilities, Home Healthcare, Individual & Family Services, Assisted Living, Rehabilitation Centers
- HR Manager, Payroll Administrator, Controller, Resident Manager, Healthcare Operations Director, Compliance Officer
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.
- Empeon is highly specialized for healthcare organizations, which may not suit companies outside the healthcare domain seeking a more industry-agnostic HR and payroll solution.
- While API capabilities are being developed, Empeon currently lacks wide integration with third-party systems such as major ERPs or industry-leading scheduling and benefits platforms.
- Users looking for advanced analytics, real-time workforce forecasting, or AI-driven HR insights may find Empeon's reporting features comparatively limited.
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do Heartland Payroll and empeon Compare on Features?
Total Features | 12 Features | 27 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Heartland Payroll and empeon 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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Pricing Page | Pricing information not available | ![]() |
Heartland Payroll vs empeon: 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 empeon Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | — | ✓ Yes |
|---|---|---|
HIPAA | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🇺🇸 US |
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
| 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 |
| Negative Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
Heartland Payroll and empeon Customers
Customers | No Customers information available. | ![]() Anchor Health ![]() Centers Choice ![]() FreedomCare |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots | No screenshots available. | ![]() 4 Screenshots |
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Videos | ![]() 2 Videos | ![]() 1 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Heartland Payroll and empeon in 2026
Alternatives |
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Related Blogs and Articles for Payroll Software
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 empeon?
- Heartland Payroll edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 vs -1.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Heartland Payroll and empeon offer a free trial?
- Neither Heartland Payroll nor empeon currently lists a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Heartland Payroll vs empeon?
- Heartland Payroll starts at Contact for pricing. empeon 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 empeon?
- Top alternatives to empeon include Greenshades, Payce - Ramco Global Payroll, Remote.com, OnPay, Papaya Global.

















