Paylocity Web Pay vs Zenefits vs Heartland Payroll vs Patriot Payroll Comparison
Paylocity Web Pay
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Medium Business
- Small Business
Paylocity Web Pay is a cloud-based payroll software that helps businesses reduce time spent on managing payroll and effortlessly process employee information. The system offers features like time and attendance tracking,…
Zenefits
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Free Trial
- Medium Business
- Small Business
Zenefits Payroll handles all your company's payroll needs. The software is automatically updated with payroll tax tables, so there's no need for you to manually file quarterly updates. Zenefits helps you manage employees…
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…
Paylocity Web Pay vs Zenefits vs Heartland Payroll vs Patriot Payroll — at a glance
| Feature | Paylocity Web Pay | Zenefits | Heartland Payroll | Patriot Payroll |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 |
| Reviews | 2,242 | 1,605 | 258 | 3,876 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing | $14 /Month |
| Free trial | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Free version | No | No | No | No |
| Best for | Medium Business, Small Business | Medium Business, Small Business | Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Payroll Software | Payroll Software | Payroll Software | Payroll Software |
| Integrations | — | — | — | 11+ apps |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud |
| API | Available | Available | — | Available |
| Support modes | Business Hours, Online | Business Hours, Online | 24/7 (Live rep) | Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | — | SOC 2, GDPR | — | — |
| Data residency | US | US | US | US |
Key differences between Paylocity Web Pay and Zenefits
- Free trial: Zenefits offers a free trial; Paylocity Web Pay does not.
- Deployment: Paylocity Web Pay supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; Zenefits supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.
Compare Paylocity Web Pay vs Zenefits vs Heartland Payroll vs Patriot Payroll — and walk away knowing which one fits.
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 | Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Medium Business, Small Business
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.
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.
Paylocity Web Pay typically suits Medium Business and Small Business. Zenefits tends to fit Medium Business and Small Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.
Description | Paylocity Web Pay is a cloud-based payroll software that helps businesses reduce time spent on managing payroll and effortlessly process employee information. The system offers features ... Read More about Paylocity Web Pay | Zenefits Payroll handles all your company's payroll needs. The software is automatically updated with payroll tax tables, so there's no need for you to manually file quarterly updates. ... Read More about Zenefits | 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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Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.6/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.8/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||||
Best Company Size | 50–1,000 employees | 50-500 employeesMedium businesses | 20-50 employees51-500 employees | 1-100 employeesSmall to medium businesses |
Get pricing help | 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 Employee Self-Service: Empowers employees with easy access to pay stubs, tax forms, and benefits information via a mobile-friendly portal.
- Robust Reporting & Analytics: Provides real-time insights into payroll data and labor costs to help drive strategic HR and financial decisions.
- Comprehensive Payroll Automation: Streamlines payroll processing with automatic tax filings, wage calculations, and compliance management.
- Zenefits streamlines HR processes by bringing payroll, benefits administration, compliance, and employee onboarding into one intuitive platform—saving you valuable time and reducing paperwork headaches.
- 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.
- Integrated Payments & Payroll: Combines payroll with Heartland’s payment processing, streamlining 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
- 50–1,000 employees
- Healthcare, manufacturing, retail, financial services, technology, and education
- Payroll Managers, HR Directors, Finance Controllers, Operations Managers, and Benefits Coordinators
- 50 - 500 employees
- Technology, SaaS, Consulting, Fintech, Martech, Revtech
- HR Managers, HR Directors, Payroll Administrators, Benefits Coordinators, Operations Managers
- 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
- Small businesses with straightforward payroll needs may prefer more simplified, budget-friendly solutions.
- Companies requiring extensive global payroll support might seek providers with international compliance expertise.
- Organizations wanting fully integrated talent management and benefits administration may explore full HCM suites.
- 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.
- 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.
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How do Paylocity Web Pay, Zenefits, Heartland Payroll and Patriot Payroll Compare on Features?
Total Features | 28 Features | 16 Features | 12 Features | 10 Features |
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Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Paylocity Web Pay, Zenefits, 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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Other Details
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | — | ✓ Yes | — |
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HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No |
GDPR | — | ✓ Yes | — |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | — | ✓ Yes | — |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | — | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Encryption | — | ✓ Yes | — |
Audit Logs | — | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🇺🇸 US | 🇺🇸 US |
Paylocity Web Pay vs Zenefits vs Heartland Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||||
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Rating Distribution | ||||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 1155 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. 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
| 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 | 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 | 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. |
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List of Customers
Customers |  NWEA |  AON  Cedars-Sinai  Feedonomics | No Customers information available. | No Customers information available. |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  4 Screenshots |  5 Screenshots | No screenshots available. |
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Videos |  3 Videos | No videos available. |  2 Videos |
Alternatives
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, Paylocity Web Pay or Zenefits?
- Paylocity Web Pay and Zenefits are closely matched with equal user ratings of 4.1. The right choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific Payroll Software needs.
- Do Paylocity Web Pay and Zenefits offer a free trial?
- Zenefits offers a free trial. Paylocity Web Pay does not.
- What is the starting price of Paylocity Web Pay vs Zenefits?
- Paylocity Web Pay starts at Contact for pricing. Zenefits starts at Contact for pricing.
- What are the top alternatives to Paylocity Web Pay?
- Top alternatives to Paylocity Web Pay include Patriot Payroll, Paychex Flex, Paycor, Freshbooks, WebHR.
- What are the top alternatives to Zenefits?
- Top alternatives to Zenefits include Patriot Payroll, Paychex Flex, Paycor, Freshbooks, BambooHR.