Heartland Payroll vs Hive Payroll 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…
Hive Payroll
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.
Spotsaas Analysis
Heartland PayrollHive Payroll
The core difference lies in Heartland Payroll's focus on small to mid-sized businesses across various industries with comprehensive support, while Hive Payroll appears to be a more affordable option without clear specifications on its target audience or features. Ideal buyers for Heartland Payroll are businesses in retail, hospitality, and healthcare with 20-500 employees, whereas Hive Payroll may appeal to cost-conscious users seeking basic payroll services.
- Best for small to mid-sized businesses - Strong support for payroll management - Automated tax filings included - Integrated payment processing - Ideal for retail, hospitality, and healthcare sectors - Suitable for payroll managers and HR directors
- Affordable pricing at $17 - Basic payroll service offering - No specific target company size listed - Limited information on features - Potentially suitable for small businesses - Cost-conscious users may find it appealing
Heartland Payroll vs Hive Payroll — at a glance
| Feature | Heartland Payroll | Hive Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 |
| Reviews | 118 | 1 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | $17 /month |
| Free trial | No | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Medium Business, Small Business | Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Payroll Software | Payroll Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud |
| API | — | — |
| Support modes | 24/7 (Live rep) | Online |
| Certifications | — | SOC 2, GDPR |
| Data residency | US | US |
Key differences between Heartland Payroll and Hive Payroll
- Pricing: Hive Payroll starts at $17 /month. Heartland Payroll pricing is not publicly listed.
- Free trial: Hive Payroll offers a free trial; Heartland Payroll does not.
- User satisfaction: Hive Payroll scores higher with a 5.0-star average.
- Deployment: Heartland Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Hive Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
Heartland Payroll vs Hive Payroll — 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 Hive Payroll: 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.
Medium Business, Small Business
Heartland Payroll typically suits Medium Business and Small 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 | 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 | 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 |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability |
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SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.7/10 | 7.8/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 20-50 employees51-500 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.
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
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.
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do Heartland Payroll and Hive Payroll Compare on Features?
Total Features | 12 Features | 6 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Heartland 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.
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Pricing Page | Pricing information not available |  |
Heartland Payroll vs Hive Payroll: Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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Modes of support |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Heartland Payroll vs Hive Payroll Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | — | ✓ Yes |
|---|---|---|
HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
GDPR | — | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🇺🇸 US |
Heartland Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
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Rating Distribution | ||
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
| Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is very strong across 1 reviews, with consistently positive feedback. 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 |
Media and Screenshots
Screenshots | No screenshots available. |  4 Screenshots |
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Videos |  2 Videos |  1 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Heartland Payroll and Hive 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, Heartland Payroll or Hive Payroll?
- Hive Payroll edges out the other on user ratings (5.0 vs 4.6). That said, the best pick depends on your use case, so use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Heartland Payroll and Hive Payroll offer a free trial?
- Hive Payroll offers a free trial. Heartland Payroll does not.
- What is the starting price of Heartland Payroll vs Hive Payroll?
- Heartland Payroll starts at Contact for pricing. Hive Payroll starts at $17 /month.
- 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 Hive Payroll?
- Top alternatives to Hive Payroll include 247HRM, Paybooks, PayrollPanda, CheckMark Payroll, Heartland Payroll.