Heartland Payroll vs Patriot 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…
Patriot Payroll
Starting at $14 /Month
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
The Patriot's secure payroll solution is designed to lower the total cost of payroll administration, while helping you reduce your staffs' workload. With its fully integrated interface with Patriot's fund accounting and…
Patriot Payroll leads on user satisfaction with a 4.9-star rating across 2,950 reviews.
Spotsaas Analysis
Heartland PayrollPatriot Payroll
The core difference between Heartland Payroll and Patriot Payroll lies in their target company size and complexity of features; Heartland is tailored for small to mid-sized businesses with more comprehensive payroll needs, while Patriot focuses on simple and affordable solutions for smaller businesses. Ideal buyers for Heartland Payroll are businesses in retail, hospitality, and healthcare with 20-500 employees, whereas Patriot Payroll is best suited for small businesses with up to 100 employees seeking user-friendly payroll management.
- Best for small to mid-sized businesses - Strong support for payroll managers and HR directors - Automated tax filings included - Integrated payment processing features - Ideal for retail, hospitality, and healthcare sectors - Suitable for companies with 20-500 employees
- Best for small businesses - Affordable pricing at $14 per month - User-friendly interface for easy navigation - Strong US-based customer support - Ideal for businesses with up to 100 employees - Suitable for various industries including retail and nonprofit
Heartland Payroll vs Patriot Payroll — at a glance
| Feature | Heartland Payroll | Patriot Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 / 5 | 4.9 / 5 |
| Reviews | 118 | 2,950 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | $14 /Month |
| Free trial | No | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Payroll Software | Payroll Software |
| Integrations | — | 11+ apps |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud |
| API | — | Available |
| Support modes | 24/7 (Live rep) | Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | — | — |
| Data residency | US | US |
Key differences between Heartland Payroll and Patriot Payroll
- Pricing: Patriot Payroll starts at $14 /Month. Heartland Payroll pricing is not publicly listed.
- Free trial: Patriot Payroll offers a free trial; Heartland Payroll does not.
- Target audience: Heartland Payroll is built for Medium Business and Small Business, while Patriot Payroll targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
- User satisfaction: Patriot Payroll scores higher with a 4.9-star average.
- Deployment: Heartland Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Patriot Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
Heartland Payroll vs Patriot 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 Patriot 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.
Best payroll software for small businesses needing simple, affordable solutions.
- You run a small to medium business with up to 100 employees.
- You want a user-friendly, streamlined payroll system with strong US-based support.
- You need integration with fund accounting and compliance tools for payroll automation.
- You require advanced, highly customizable payroll features for complex business needs.
- You are a large enterprise scaling beyond small to medium business capabilities.
Heartland Payroll: Best for small to mid-sized businesses needing streamlined payroll with strong support. Patriot Payroll: Best payroll software for small businesses needing simple, affordable solutions.
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 | The Patriot's secure payroll solution is designed to lower the total cost of payroll administration, while helping you reduce your staffs' workload. With its fully integrated interface with ... Read More about Patriot 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 | 8.8/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 20-50 employees51-500 employees | 1-100 employeesSmall to medium businesses |
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.
- Flexible Payroll Options: Choose between basic and full-service payroll, depending on whether you want to handle tax filing yourself or let Patriot do it.
- Easy-to-Use Interface: Designed with small business owners in mind, the platform simplifies payroll processing with intuitive navigation and clear workflows.
- Affordable Pricing & U.S. Support: Offers competitive rates with no hidden fees and access to expert, U.S.-based customer support when needed.
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
- 1–100 employees
- Retail, construction, professional services, healthcare, nonprofit, and manufacturing
- Small Business Owners, Accountants, Payroll Managers, Office Managers, and HR Coordinators
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.
- Small businesses looking for simple payroll solutions with affordable, transparent pricing and U.S.-based support.
- Companies needing basic or full-service payroll options with the flexibility to manage taxes internally or outsource.
- Businesses prioritizing user-friendly software without the complexity of enterprise-level platforms.
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do Heartland Payroll and Patriot Payroll Compare on Features?
Total Features | 12 Features | 10 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Heartland Payroll and Patriot 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 Patriot Payroll: 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 Patriot Payroll Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
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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 Overall, users praise Patriot Payroll for its ease of use, affordability, and strong customer support, with minor setup challenges noted. 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 |
Integrations
Integration with other apps | No Integration information available. |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots | No screenshots available. |  4 Screenshots |
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Videos |  2 Videos |  3 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Heartland Payroll and Patriot Payroll 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 Patriot Payroll?
- Patriot Payroll edges out the other on user ratings (4.9 vs 4.6). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Heartland Payroll and Patriot Payroll offer a free trial?
- Patriot Payroll offers a free trial. Heartland Payroll does not.
- What is the starting price of Heartland Payroll vs Patriot Payroll?
- Heartland Payroll starts at Contact for pricing. Patriot Payroll starts at $14 /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 Patriot Payroll?
- Top alternatives to Patriot Payroll include APS Payroll, Heartland Payroll, QuickBooks Payroll, OnPay, Square Payroll.