Hive Payroll vs Square Payroll Comparison
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…
Square Payroll
Starting at $34 /User/Month
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Square Payroll is payroll software for small businesses and sole proprietors, particularly those already running payments or point-of-sale through Square's ecosystem. It automates pay runs, tax filings, and direct deposi…
Spotsaas Analysis
Hive PayrollSquare Payroll
The core difference lies in Hive Payroll's lack of specified target audience and features, making it a more generic option, while Square Payroll is tailored for small to medium service businesses with specific needs for payroll and time tracking. Ideal buyers for Hive Payroll are those seeking a basic payroll solution without specific requirements, whereas Square Payroll is best suited for business owners and managers in service industries looking for seamless integration with Square's ecosystem.
- Basic payroll solution - Price: $17 - No specified target audience - No listed features - Suitable for various business types - Generic offering
- Best for small to medium service businesses - Price: $34 - Targeted at businesses with 1-100 employees - Ideal for retail, food service, and hospitality - Seamless integration with Square POS - Designed for business owners and payroll managers
Hive Payroll vs Square Payroll — at a glance
| Feature | Hive Payroll | Square Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5.0 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 |
| Reviews | 1 | 15 |
| Starting price | $17 /month | $34 /User/Month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Payroll Software | Payroll Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS |
| API | — | Available |
| Support modes | Online | Business Hours |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | SOC 2, GDPR |
| Data residency | US | US |
Key differences between Hive Payroll and Square Payroll
- Pricing: Hive Payroll starts at $17 /month, while Square Payroll starts at $34 /User/Month.
- Target audience: Hive Payroll is built for Medium Business and Small Business, while Square Payroll targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
- Deployment: Hive Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Square Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
Hive Payroll vs Square 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
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Hive Payroll vs Square Payroll: Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Medium Business, Small Business
Best for small to medium service businesses needing simple payroll and time tracking.
- You run a small to medium business with hourly or tipped employees.
- You want effortless integration with Square POS and existing payroll providers.
- You need a simple, user-friendly payroll system with built-in time tracking.
- You require advanced payroll reporting, customization, or analytics.
- You manage complex pay structures, multiple locations, or international staff.
Hive Payroll typically suits Medium Business and Small Business. Square Payroll 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 | 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 | Square Payroll is payroll software for small businesses and sole proprietors, particularly those already running payments or point-of-sale through Square's ecosystem. It automates pay runs, ... Read More about Square Payroll |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability | ||
SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 7.8/10 | 8.8/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | — | 1-100 employeesMedium Business |
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
No key benefits available yet.
- Seamless Integration with Square POS: Syncs easily with Square’s point-of-sale system, making it ideal for hourly or tipped workers in service industries.
- Contractor & Employee Support: Easily pay W-2 employees and 1099 contractors with direct deposit and generate tax forms from a single dashboard.
Best fit
No best-fit guidance available yet.
- 1–100 employees
- Retail, food service, salons, hospitality, and other service-based small businesses
- Business Owners, Payroll Managers, Accountants, Restaurant Managers, and HR Assistants
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
No alternatives guidance available yet.
- Businesses already using Square for POS may seek deeper payroll integrations or industry-specific HR features.
- Employers needing more advanced reporting, analytics, or benefits management might explore broader HR platforms.
- Companies managing multi-state or international employees could require tools with expanded compliance capabilities.
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do Hive Payroll and Square Payroll Compare on Features?
Total Features | 6 Features | 13 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Hive Payroll and Square 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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Hive Payroll vs Square 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 |
Hive Payroll vs Square Payroll Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
|---|---|---|
HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
GDPR | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | — | ✓ Yes |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | — | ✓ Yes |
Data Encryption | — | ✓ Yes |
Audit Logs | — | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🇺🇸 US |
Hive Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is very strong across 1 reviews, with consistently positive feedback. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Users appreciate Square Payroll's ease of use, integration capabilities, and time-saving automation, though some desire more advanced features for larger or more complex businesses. 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 |
Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  4 Screenshots |  6 Screenshots |
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Videos |  1 Videos |  1 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Hive Payroll and Square 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, Hive Payroll or Square Payroll?
- Hive Payroll and Square Payroll are closely matched with equal user ratings of 5.0. The right choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific Payroll Software needs.
- Do Hive Payroll and Square Payroll offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Hive Payroll and Square Payroll offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Hive Payroll vs Square Payroll?
- Hive Payroll starts at $17 /month. Square Payroll starts at $34 /User/Month.
- What are the top alternatives to Hive Payroll?
- Top alternatives to Hive Payroll include 247HRM, Paybooks, PayrollPanda, CheckMark Payroll, Heartland Payroll.
- What are the top alternatives to Square Payroll?
- Top alternatives to Square Payroll include OnPay, APS Payroll, Heartland Payroll, QuickBooks Payroll, Justworks.