Heartland Payroll vs Zenefits 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…
Zenefits
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Free Trial
- Medium Business
- Small Business
Zenefits is an all-in-one HR, payroll, and benefits administration platform for growing companies that want to consolidate onboarding, time-off tracking, payroll processing, and compliance management in a single system.…
Heartland Payroll leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 118 reviews.
Spotsaas Analysis
Heartland PayrollZenefits
The core difference between Heartland Payroll and Zenefits lies in their target industries and functionalities; Heartland is tailored for small to mid-sized businesses in sectors like retail and hospitality, while Zenefits focuses on medium-sized tech and consulting firms with a comprehensive HR management system. Ideal buyers for Heartland Payroll are businesses with 20-500 employees seeking strong payroll support, whereas Zenefits is best suited for medium businesses looking for an all-in-one HR solution.
- Best for small to mid-sized businesses - Focus on retail, hospitality, and healthcare sectors - Offers automated tax filings - Integrated payment processing features - Ideal for payroll managers and HR directors - Supports businesses with 20-500 employees
- Best for medium-sized businesses - Focus on technology and consulting sectors - Provides all-in-one payroll and HR management - Automated payroll tax updates - User-friendly interface on desktop and mobile - Ideal for HR managers and payroll administrators
Heartland Payroll vs Zenefits — at a glance
| Feature | Heartland Payroll | Zenefits |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Reviews | 118 | 520 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| 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, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac |
| API | — | Available |
| Support modes | 24/7 (Live rep) | Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | — | SOC 2, GDPR |
| Data residency | US | US |
Key differences between Heartland Payroll and Zenefits
- Free trial: Zenefits offers a free trial; Heartland Payroll does not.
- User satisfaction: Heartland Payroll scores higher with a 4.6-star average.
- Deployment: Heartland Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Zenefits supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.
Heartland Payroll vs Zenefits — 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
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
Free PDF comparison
Download this Heartland Payroll vs Zenefits 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.
Heartland Payroll vs Zenefits: 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 for medium businesses needing streamlined, all-in-one payroll and HR management.
- You want automated payroll tax updates and compliance tracking.
- Your team values a user-friendly interface on both desktop and mobile.
- You need robust integrations with productivity and applicant tracking systems.
- You require highly customizable payroll features beyond standard options.
- You need rapid, responsive customer support with minimal wait times.
Heartland Payroll: Best for small to mid-sized businesses needing streamlined payroll with strong support. Zenefits: Best for medium businesses needing streamlined, all-in-one payroll and HR management.
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 | Zenefits is an all-in-one HR, payroll, and benefits administration platform for growing companies that want to consolidate onboarding, time-off tracking, payroll processing, and compliance ... Read More about Zenefits |
|---|---|---|
Free Trial Availability |
| |
SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.7/10 | 9.5/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 20-50 employees51-500 employees | 50-500 employeesMedium 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.
- Zenefits simplifies HR processes by bringing payroll, benefits administration, compliance, and employee onboarding into one intuitive platform—saving you time and reducing paperwork.
- With its user-friendly dashboard, you'll gain clear visibility into your workforce data, helping you make smarter decisions faster and improve overall organizational efficiency.
- Zenefits automates compliance tracking to keep you confidently ahead of changing regulations, so you can focus less on administrative tasks and more on strategic initiatives.
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
- Technology, SaaS, Consulting, Fintech, Martech, Revtech
- HR Managers, HR Directors, Payroll Administrators, Benefits Coordinators, 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.
- Businesses might seek alternatives if they require more specialized HR features or deeper integrations than Zenefits currently offers, aiming for enhanced customization and flexibility.
- Users experiencing budget constraints could look for alternative solutions offering similar functionality at a lower price, ensuring cost-effective management of HR processes.
- Companies with complex payroll or compliance needs across multiple regions may explore other platforms providing stronger regional compliance support and tailored payroll management capabilities.
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.
- 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.
How do Heartland Payroll and Zenefits Compare on Features?
Total Features | 12 Features | 16 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Heartland Payroll and Zenefits 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
Pricing Plans |
|
|
Pricing Page | Pricing information not available |  |
Heartland Payroll vs Zenefits: Other Details
Organization Types supported |
|
|
|---|---|---|
Platforms Supported |
|
|
Modes of support |
|
|
API Support |
|
|
Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Heartland Payroll vs Zenefits Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | — | ✓ Yes |
|---|---|---|
HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
GDPR | — | ✓ Yes |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | — | ✓ Yes |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | — | ✓ Yes |
Data Encryption | — | ✓ Yes |
Audit Logs | — | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🇺🇸 US |
Heartland Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
|---|---|---|
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 Users generally appreciate Zenefits for its comprehensive HR and payroll features and ease of use, though some express frustration with customer support and occasional performance issues. What buyers like
Common complaints
|
Pros and Cons |
|
|
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 Zenefits Customers
Customers | No Customers information available. |  AON  Cedars-Sinai  Feedonomics |
|---|
Media and Screenshots
Screenshots | No screenshots available. |  5 Screenshots |
|---|---|---|
Videos |  2 Videos | No videos available. |
Top Alternatives to Heartland Payroll and Zenefits in 2026
Alternatives |
|---|
Add another option to compare side by side
Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.Compare similar software options
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 Zenefits?
- Heartland Payroll edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 vs 4.5). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Heartland Payroll and Zenefits offer a free trial?
- Zenefits offers a free trial. Heartland Payroll does not.
- What is the starting price of Heartland Payroll vs Zenefits?
- Heartland Payroll starts at Contact for pricing. Zenefits 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 Zenefits?
- Top alternatives to Zenefits include Heartland Payroll, Square Payroll, APS Payroll, Patriot Payroll, Remote.com.