Paycom vs Square Payroll Comparison
Paycom
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Paycom helps organizations manage HR and payroll through built-in decisioning logic and full-solution automation. By automating routine decisions and workflows, Paycom helps reduce manual work, streamline processes and i…
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…
Square Payroll leads on user satisfaction with a 5.0-star rating across 15 reviews.
Spotsaas Analysis
PaycomSquare Payroll
The core difference lies in the scale and complexity of their offerings: Paycom is designed for medium businesses requiring comprehensive HR and payroll solutions, while Square Payroll caters to small to medium service businesses seeking straightforward payroll and time tracking. Ideal buyers for Paycom are HR and payroll professionals in larger organizations, whereas Square Payroll is best suited for small business owners and managers in service industries.
- Best for medium businesses with 50-5000 employees - Integrated HR and payroll management - Ideal for healthcare, finance, and manufacturing sectors - Supports seamless employee data flow - Suitable for various HR roles including managers and specialists - Notable for its single database system
- Best for small to medium businesses with 1-100 employees - Simple payroll and time tracking features - Ideal for service-based industries like retail and hospitality - Effortless integration with Square POS - Designed for business owners and payroll managers - Affordable pricing at $34 per month
Paycom vs Square Payroll — at a glance
| Feature | Paycom | Square Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 |
| Reviews | 1,246 | 15 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | $34 /User/Month |
| Free trial | No | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Payroll Software | Payroll Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Browser Based (Cloud) | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS |
| API | — | Available |
| Support modes | Business Hours | Business Hours |
| Certifications | SOC 2, ISO 27001 | SOC 2, GDPR |
| Data residency | — | US |
Key differences between Paycom and Square Payroll
- Pricing: Square Payroll starts at $34 /User/Month. Paycom pricing is not publicly listed.
- Free trial: Square Payroll offers a free trial; Paycom does not.
- User satisfaction: Square Payroll scores higher with a 5.0-star average.
- Deployment: Paycom supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Browser Based (Cloud); Square Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
Paycom 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
Other options
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
Free PDF comparison
Download this Paycom vs Square Payroll 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.
Paycom vs Square Payroll: Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for medium businesses needing integrated, automated HR and payroll management.
- You manage payroll and HR for 50 to 5000 employees in healthcare, finance, or manufacturing.
- You want a single database system that ensures seamless employee data flow across HR functions.
- You need real-time workforce insights and automatic compliance updates to reduce administrative risk.
- Your company relies heavily on niche third-party HR software requiring deep integration.
- You are a very small business with simple payroll needs and limited budget transparency.
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.
Paycom: Best for medium businesses needing integrated, automated HR and payroll management. Square Payroll: Best for small to medium service businesses needing simple payroll and time tracking.
Description | Paycom helps organizations manage HR and payroll through built-in decisioning logic and full-solution automation. By automating routine decisions and workflows, Paycom helps reduce manual ... Read More about Paycom | 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 |
|---|---|---|
Entry Level Pricing |
|
|
Free Trial Availability |
| |
SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.8/10 | 8.8/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 50-5000 employeesMedium Business | 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
- Simplify your HR and payroll tasks—Paycom's intuitive software handles everything from payroll processing to employee onboarding, giving you more time to focus on strategic initiatives.
- I appreciate Paycom's real-time data insights; executives and managers can quickly view critical workforce metrics, letting them make smarter, informed decisions.
- Reduce compliance risk—Paycom automatically updates with the latest regulatory requirements, helping administrators stay compliant.
- 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
- 50 - 5,000 employees
- Healthcare, Financial Services, Manufacturing, Retail, Hospitality, Education, Consulting
- HR Managers, Payroll Specialists, Benefits Administrators, Talent Acquisition Specialists, Finance Managers, Operations Managers
- 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
- Users might seek alternatives if Paycom's pricing structure is not cost-effective for smaller businesses, prompting them to find solutions offering more flexible or scalable pricing options.
- Companies requiring extensive customization or integration with existing software may consider alternatives if Paycom's capabilities don't align with their specialized technical needs.
- Organizations experiencing difficulties with Paycom's customer support might prefer alternative providers known for more responsive or personalized client service.
- 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 |
|---|
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 Paycom and Square Payroll Compare on Features?
Total Features | 84 Features | 13 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Paycom 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.
Pricing Option | ||
|---|---|---|
Starting From |
|
|
Pricing Plans |
|
|
Pricing Page |  |  |
Paycom vs Square Payroll: Other Details
Organization Types supported |
|
|
|---|---|---|
Platforms Supported |
|
|
Modes of support |
|
|
API Support |
|
|
Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Paycom vs Square Payroll Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
|---|---|---|
HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
GDPR | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
ISO 27001 | ✓ Yes | — |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | — | 🇺🇸 US |
Paycom User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights Paycom's ease of use, robust features, and excellent customer service, with some concerns about integration limitations. 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
|
Pros and Cons |
|
|
Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  2 Screenshots |  6 Screenshots |
|---|---|---|
Videos |  2 Videos |  1 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Paycom and Square Payroll 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
Related Blogs and Articles for Payroll Software
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, Paycom or Square Payroll?
- Square Payroll edges out the other on user ratings (5.0 vs 4.6). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Paycom and Square Payroll offer a free trial?
- Square Payroll offers a free trial. Paycom does not.
- What is the starting price of Paycom vs Square Payroll?
- Paycom starts at Contact for pricing. Square Payroll starts at $34 /User/Month.
- What are the top alternatives to Paycom?
- Top alternatives to Paycom include Gusto, Greenshades, Paylocity Web Pay, greytHR, Paychex Flex.
- What are the top alternatives to Square Payroll?
- Top alternatives to Square Payroll include OnPay, APS Payroll, Heartland Payroll, QuickBooks Payroll, Justworks.