NEWJoin 1M+ SaaS Professionals|Get Weekly Insights, Trends & Expert PicksSubscribe Free →

Spotsaas logo

Microkeeper vs Remofirst vs Patriot Payroll vs Paychex Flex Comparison

Last updated:

Microkeeper

4.5(106 reviews)

Starting at $2.25 /User/Month

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Microkeeper is a user-friendly payroll software that connects you with the world of business payroll processing: delivering quick online setup, automated time keeping and more. Payroll processing has never been easier or…

Remofirst

Starting at $25 per person/month

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Remofirst is a comprehensive platform designed to simplify the process of hiring, onboarding, and managing remote teams across the globe. With its all-in-one software, businesses can efficiently onboard new employees whi…

Patriot Payroll

4.7(3,876 reviews)

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…

Paychex Flex

3.7(3,034 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Freelancers / Consultants
  • Large Enterprises

Paychex Flex is a cloud-based payroll software for mid- to large-sized employers, delivering the tools you need to run your business and support your people. This payroll system provides everything you need in just one s…

Microkeeper leads on user satisfaction with a 4.5-star rating across 106 reviews.

Microkeeper vs Remofirst vs Patriot Payroll vs Paychex Flex — at a glance

FeatureMicrokeeperRemofirstPatriot PayrollPaychex Flex
Rating4.5 / 54.7 / 53.7 / 5
Reviews1063,8763,034
Starting price$2.25 /User/Month$25 per person/month$14 /MonthContact for pricing
Free trial Yes Yes Yes No
Free version No No No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business
CategoryPayroll SoftwarePayroll SoftwarePayroll SoftwarePayroll Software
Integrations11+ apps
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOSSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS
APIAvailableAvailable
Support modesBusiness Hours, OnlineOnlineBusiness Hours, Online24/7 (Live rep)
CertificationsGDPRGDPRSOC 2, GDPR
Data residencyAUGlobalUSUS

Key differences between Microkeeper and Remofirst

  • Pricing: Microkeeper starts at $2.25 /User/Month, while Remofirst starts at $25 per person/month.
  • Deployment: Microkeeper supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; Remofirst supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

Compare Microkeeper vs Remofirst vs Patriot Payroll vs Paychex Flex — and walk away knowing which one fits.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

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.

Microkeeper - Payroll Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert
Remofirst - Payroll Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Microkeeper

Best for Australian shift-based businesses needing compliant, all-in-one payroll and HR.

Choose if
  • You operate a 10-500 employee business in Australia requiring automated Fair Work award compliance.
  • You want a simple, user-friendly platform combining payroll, rostering, timesheets, and HR tasks.
  • You need integrated real-time attendance tracking with GPS clock-ins and digital timesheets.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your company is outside Australia and needs localized payroll compliance for other regions.
  • You require a highly modern or customizable user interface with advanced design aesthetics.

Remofirst

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business

Patriot Payroll

Best payroll software for small businesses needing simple, affordable solutions.

Choose if
  • 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.
Consider alternatives if
  • You require advanced, highly customizable payroll features for complex business needs.
  • You are a large enterprise scaling beyond small to medium business capabilities.

Paychex Flex

Best for mid-sized businesses needing integrated payroll and HR compliance.

Choose if
  • You manage a company with 51-1000 employees requiring streamlined payroll and tax filing.
  • You want a cloud-based platform with employee self-service for paystubs and tax forms.
  • You value integrated payroll and HR management with strong customer support.
Consider alternatives if
  • You are a freelancer or very small business needing transparent, upfront pricing.
  • You require highly customizable payroll workflows to fit unique business processes.

Microkeeper typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. Remofirst 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

Microkeeper is a user-friendly payroll software that connects you with the world of business payroll processing: delivering quick online setup, automated time keeping and more. Payroll ... Read More about Microkeeper

Remofirst is a comprehensive platform designed to simplify the process of hiring, onboarding, and managing remote teams across the globe. With its all-in-one software, businesses can ... Read More about Remofirst

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

Paychex Flex is a cloud-based payroll software for mid- to large-sized employers, delivering the tools you need to run your business and support your people. This payroll system provides ... Read More about Paychex Flex

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $2.25
  • Starts from $25
  • Starts from $14
  • Not Available

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

8.7/10

7.3/10

8.8/10

9.2/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

Best Company Size

10-50 employees51-500 employees
50 to 500 employees.
1-100 employeesSmall to medium businesses
51-500 employees501-1000 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.

Strengths

Key strengths

Microkeeper

  • All-in-One Australian Payroll & HR: Combines payroll, time tracking, rostering, onboarding, and superannuation management in one localised platform.
  • Automated Award Interpretation: Automatically applies Australian Fair Work awards to ensure accurate employee pay and compliance.
  • Streamlined Workforce Management: Offers real-time attendance, GPS clock-ins, and digital timesheets for efficient labour tracking and scheduling.

Remofirst

  • Streamlined Global Workforce Management: With Remofirst, you can effortlessly manage a distributed team across multiple countries, ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations without the usual headaches.
  • Simplified Payroll Solutions: Enjoy hassle-free payroll processing that adapts to various currencies and tax regulations. You'll appreciate how it minimizes administrative burdens while ensuring your employees are paid accurately and on time.
  • Enhanced Employee Experience: Remofirst prioritizes user-friendly interfaces for both administrators and employees. Your team will appreciate the self-service options that empower them to manage their information easily, fostering a more engaged workforce.

Patriot Payroll

  • 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.

Paychex Flex

  • Streamlined HR Management: With Paychex Flex, managers can effortlessly handle payroll, benefits, and compliance all in one platform. This not only saves time but also reduces the risk of errors—ensuring you can focus on strategic initiatives.
  • Employee Empowerment: Employees appreciate the self-service capabilities that allow them to access pay stubs, manage benefits, and request time off at their convenience. This not only boosts engagement but also fosters a culture of responsibility and ownership.
  • Scalable Solutions: Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, Paychex Flex grows with you. Its flexible architecture allows you to tailor features that fit your company’s unique needs, ensuring you’re always equipped for what lies ahead.
Best fit

Best fit

Microkeeper

  • 10–500 employees
  • Trades, construction, hospitality, retail, healthcare, and other shift-based sectors in Australia
  • Payroll Officers, Operations Managers, HR Administrators, Business Owners, and Compliance Managers

Remofirst

  • 50 to 500 employees.
  • Specific industries include SaaS, Consulting, and Fintech.
  • Typical users are HR Managers, Payroll Specialists, Compliance Officers, and Operations Managers.

Patriot Payroll

  • 1–100 employees
  • Retail, construction, professional services, healthcare, nonprofit, and manufacturing
  • Small Business Owners, Accountants, Payroll Managers, Office Managers, and HR Coordinators

Paychex Flex

  • 1 to 1,000 employees
  • HR Services, Professional Services, Retail, Healthcare, and Nonprofit Organizations
  • HR Managers, Payroll Administrators, Business Owners, and Operations Managers
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

Microkeeper

  • Businesses outside Australia may seek payroll platforms with compliance support tailored to their local tax systems.
  • Companies requiring more advanced HR modules like learning management or succession planning might prefer larger HCM platforms
  • Organizations with highly complex workforce structures could benefit from industry-specific payroll systems.

Remofirst

  • Users may seek alternatives to Remofirst due to varying pricing structures, particularly if they find that other solutions offer more competitive rates for similar features or services tailored to their needs.
  • Some businesses might require specialized features or integrations not supported by Remofirst, prompting them to explore other platforms that cater specifically to their unique operational requirements.
  • Companies experiencing rapid growth may need a more scalable solution than Remofirst provides, leading them to consider alternatives that can better accommodate their evolving workforce and global expansion.

Patriot Payroll

  • 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.

Paychex Flex

  • Users may seek alternatives to Paychex Flex due to its pricing structure, as smaller businesses or startups often find the costs prohibitive compared to other payroll solutions that offer similar services at lower rates.
  • Some businesses might require more customizable features than Paychex Flex provides, leading them to explore platforms that allow for tailored payroll configurations to better meet their unique operational needs.
  • Integration capabilities with existing accounting or HR systems can be a concern; users may prefer alternatives that offer seamless connectivity to their preferred software tools for streamlined operations and data management.

Software Demo

Demo

Need a second opinion?

Get shortlist 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.

How do Microkeeper, Remofirst, Patriot Payroll and Paychex Flex Compare on Features?

Total Features

9 Features

12 Features

10 Features

29 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare Microkeeper, Remofirst, Patriot Payroll and Paychex Flex 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

          Starting From

          • $2.25
          • $25
          • $14
          • Not Available

          Pricing Plans

          • Not Available
          • Employer of Record

            $199

            per person/month

            • Employ with one click in 180+ countries

            • Streamlined international payroll

            • tax filings

            Show more +

          • Contractors

            Free

            • Onboard new contractors in seconds

            • Free identity checks

            • Contract generation and management

            Show more +

          • Premium Contractors

            $25

            per person/month

            • Automate payment processing across 150+ countries and a wide range of currencies

            • One click invoice creation

            • No minimums

            Show more +

          • Not Available
          • Not Available

          Pricing Page

          Microkeeper pricing
          Remofirst pricing
          Patriot Payroll pricingPaychex Flex pricing

          Other Details

          Organization Types supported

          • Freelancers
          • Large Enterprises
          • Medium Business
          • Small Business
          • Individuals
          • Freelancers
          • Large Enterprises
          • Medium Business
          • Small Business
          • Individuals
          • Freelancers
          • Large Enterprises
          • Medium Business
          • Small Business
          • Individuals
          • Freelancers
          • Large Enterprises
          • Medium Business
          • Small Business
          • Individuals

          Platforms Supported

          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Mobile - Android
          • Mobile - iOS
          • Installed - Windows
          • Installed - Mac
          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Mobile - Android
          • Mobile - iOS
          • Installed - Windows
          • Installed - Mac
          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Mobile - Android
          • Mobile - iOS
          • Installed - Windows
          • Installed - Mac
          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Mobile - Android
          • Mobile - iOS
          • Installed - Windows
          • Installed - Mac
          • Browser Based (Cloud)

          Modes of support

          • 24/7 (Live rep)
          • Business Hours
          • Online
          • 24/7 (Live rep)
          • Business Hours
          • Online
          • 24/7 (Live rep)
          • Business Hours
          • Online
          • 24/7 (Live rep)
          • Business Hours
          • Online

          API Support

          • Available
          • Not Available
          • Available
          • Not Available
          Get help choosing
          Get help choosing

          Security & Compliance

          Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

          SOC 2

          HIPAA

          ✗ No
          ✗ No

          GDPR

          ✓ Yes
          ✓ Yes

          Single Sign-On (SSO)

          Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

          Data Encryption

          ✓ Yes

          Audit Logs

          Data Residency

          🇦🇺 AU
          🌐 Global

          Microkeeper vs Remofirst vs Patriot Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison

          User Ratings

          No reviews available for the product

          Rating Distribution

          66

          22

          1

          0

          1

          33

          20

          2

          1

          1

          2845

          164

          24

          15

          22

          568

          136

          25

          9

          33

          Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

          Buyer sentiment

          Overall, users appreciate Microkeeper’s ease of use, time-saving automation, and comprehensive payroll and HR features, though some note occasional downtime and UI design limitations.

          What buyers like

          • Ease of use
          • Time-saving automation
          • All-in-one payroll and HR functionality

          Common complaints

          • App downtime
          • Lack of clarity in superannuation and payslip updates

          What buyers like

          • Easy-to-navigate and user-friendly platform, ensuring smooth use for administrators and employees alike.
          • Exceptional customer service and support, with quick responses to queries and a dedicated account manager available for assistance.
          • Seamless and efficient onboarding process, making it simple for businesses to hire remotely.

          Common complaints

          • Initial setup process can be tricky or confusing for some users without prior experience in EOR operations.
          • Certain areas of the platform or system may feel disorganized initially but can become smooth with time and familiarity.
          • Feedback indicates some rare dissatisfaction with process transparency or communication in specific cases.

          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

          • Ease of use
          • Customer support
          • Affordability

          Common complaints

          • Initial learning curve
          • Limited advanced features

          Buyer sentiment

          Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of use and comprehensive features, tempered by concerns about pricing transparency and some feature inflexibility.

          What buyers like

          • Ease of use
          • Comprehensive payroll and tax compliance
          • Employee self-service capabilities

          Common complaints

          • Pricing opacity
          • Limited payroll process flexibility

          Pros and Cons

          • All-in-one platform consolidating payroll, rostering, timesheets, and HR tasks

          • Intuitive and user-friendly interface requiring minimal training

          • Automated award interpretation ensuring compliance with Australian labor laws

          • Occasional app or feature downtime causing minor disruptions

          • Updates to superannuation or payslip summaries sometimes lack clarity for employees

          • Easy-to-navigate and user-friendly platform, ensuring smooth use for administrators and employees alike.

          • Exceptional customer service and support, with quick responses to queries and a dedicated account manager available for assistance.

          • Seamless and efficient onboarding process, making it simple for businesses to hire remotely.

          • Initial setup process can be tricky or confusing for some users without prior experience in EOR operations.

          • Certain areas of the platform or system may feel disorganized initially but can become smooth with time and familiarity.

          • User-friendly interface that simplifies payroll tasks

          • Excellent and responsive U.S.-based customer support

          • Affordable pricing with no hidden fees

          • Learning curve for newcomers during initial setup

          • Limited advanced features for larger or complex businesses

          • Comprehensive payroll and tax compliance support including federal and state regulations

          • Employee self-service portal for paystubs and tax forms

          • Accessible cloud-based platform allowing anytime, anywhere access

          • Pricing is quotation-based and not publicly disclosed, complicating budgeting

          • Some users report a learning curve requiring training to use all features effectively

          Positive Reviews

          No reviews available for the product

          No reviews available for the product

          No reviews available for the product

          No reviews available for the product

          Integrations

          Integration with other apps

          No Integration information available.

          No Integration information available.

          No Integration information available.

          List of Customers

          Customers

          Red Rooster

          Red Rooster

          Quality Hotel

          Quality Hotel

          TELSTRA

          TELSTRA

          No Customers information available.

          No Customers information available.

          Wells Fargo

          Wells Fargo

          First Citizens Bank

          First Citizens Bank

          Huntington National Bank

          Huntington National Bank

          Media and Screenshots

          Screenshots

          No screenshots available.

          Remofirst Dashboard

          4 Screenshots

          Videos

          video-0

          3 Videos

          video-0

          1 Videos

          Expand your shortlist

          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, Microkeeper or Remofirst?
          Microkeeper edges out the other on user ratings (4.5 vs -1.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
          Do Microkeeper and Remofirst offer a free trial?
          Yes, both Microkeeper and Remofirst offer a free trial.
          What is the starting price of Microkeeper vs Remofirst?
          Microkeeper starts at $2.25 /User/Month. Remofirst starts at $25 per person/month.
          What are the top alternatives to Microkeeper?
          Top alternatives to Microkeeper include Patriot Payroll, Paychex Flex, Paycor, Freshbooks, Rippling.
          What are the top alternatives to Remofirst?
          Top alternatives to Remofirst include Patriot Payroll, Paychex Flex, Paycor, Pilot, Carrom.

          Grow your pipeline with buyers who are already looking for you

          254,000+ buyers use Spotsaas every month to evaluate and shortlist software. Get in front of them — for free, or with a managed growth plan built around your category.