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Remote vs Hive Payroll vs Patriot Payroll vs Paychex Flex Comparison

Last updated:

Remote

4.6(353 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Remote, the leading payroll software, revolutionizes payment management with its comprehensive platform. With Remote, you can effortlessly handle global contractor payments, employer of record services, and payroll for i…

Hive Payroll

5.0(1 reviews)

Starting at $17 /month

  • Free Trial
  • Medium Business
  • Small Business

The Hive Payroll Software is powerful and simple to use, providing a complete range of payroll services for single or multi-site businesses. From calculating and issuing payslips to taking care of your statutory obligati…

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…

Hive Payroll leads on user satisfaction with a 5.0-star rating across 1 reviews.

Remote vs Hive Payroll vs Patriot Payroll vs Paychex Flex — at a glance

FeatureRemoteHive PayrollPatriot PayrollPaychex Flex
Rating4.6 / 55.0 / 54.7 / 53.7 / 5
Reviews35313,8763,034
Starting priceContact for pricing$17 /month$14 /MonthContact for pricing
Free trial No Yes Yes No
Free version No No No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessMedium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business
CategoryPayroll SoftwarePayroll SoftwarePayroll SoftwarePayroll Software
Integrations11+ apps
PlatformsSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS
APIAvailable
Support modesOnlineOnlineBusiness Hours, Online24/7 (Live rep)
CertificationsSOC 2SOC 2, GDPRSOC 2, GDPR
Data residencyGlobalUSUSUS

Key differences between Remote and Hive Payroll

  • Pricing: Hive Payroll starts at $17 /month. Remote pricing is not publicly listed.
  • Free trial: Hive Payroll offers a free trial; Remote does not.
  • Target audience: Remote is built for Large Enterprises and Medium Business, while Hive Payroll targets Medium Business and Small Business.
  • User satisfaction: Hive Payroll scores higher with a 5.0-star average.
  • Deployment: Remote supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Hive Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

Compare Remote vs Hive Payroll 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.

Remote - Payroll Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert
Hive Payroll
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Remote

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business

Hive Payroll

Best for

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.

Remote typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. Hive Payroll 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

Remote, the leading payroll software, revolutionizes payment management with its comprehensive platform. With Remote, you can effortlessly handle global contractor payments, employer of ... Read More about Remote

The Hive Payroll Software is powerful and simple to use, providing a complete range of payroll services for single or multi-site businesses. From calculating and issuing payslips to taking ... Read More about Hive 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

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

  • Not Available
  • Starts from $17 , monthly
  • Starts from $14
  • Not Available

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial
  • No free trial

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

7.3/10

7.8/10

8.8/10

9.2/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

Best Company Size

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

Remote

No key benefits available yet.

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

Remote

No best-fit guidance available yet.

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

Remote

No alternatives guidance available yet.

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

No software demo available

Remote has not given any software demo yet

If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us

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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 Remote, Hive Payroll, Patriot Payroll and Paychex Flex Compare on Features?

Total Features

4 Features

6 Features

10 Features

29 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare Remote, Hive Payroll, 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

          • Not Available
          • $17 , monthly
          • $14
          • Not Available

          Pricing Plans

          • Not Available
          • Standard

            $17

            /month

            • Payroll

            • Payroll Processing

            • Leave Management

            Show more +

          • Premium

            $29

            /month

            • Payroll

            • Payroll Processing

            • Leave Management

            Show more +

          • Ultimate

            $46

            /month

            • Payroll

            • Payroll Processing

            • Leave Management

            Show more +

          • Not Available
          • Not Available

          Pricing Page

          Remote pricing
          Hive Payroll 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

          • Not 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

          ✓ Yes
          ✓ Yes

          HIPAA

          ✗ No
          ✗ No

          GDPR

          ✓ Yes

          Single Sign-On (SSO)

          Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

          Data Encryption

          Audit Logs

          Data Residency

          🌐 Global
          🇺🇸 US

          Remote vs Hive Payroll vs Patriot Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison

          User Ratings

          Rating Distribution

          822

          215

          31

          4

          12

          1

          0

          0

          0

          0

          2845

          164

          24

          15

          22

          568

          136

          25

          9

          33

          Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

          Buyer sentiment

          Buyer sentiment is very strong across 1084 reviews, with consistently positive feedback.

          What buyers like

          • Outstanding customer support with fast, accurate, and personalized responses across chat and email, fostering trust and satisfaction.
          • User-friendly interface and intuitive platform, making onboarding, payroll, and administrative processes straightforward and efficient.
          • Seamless global hiring and management solution with EOR services that handle legal, compliance, and payroll complexities for various countries.

          Common complaints

          • Response times for support, while often fast, can occasionally fall short of user expectations in some instances.
          • The platform may not meet advanced or niche requirements for specific users, leading to occasional misalignments with business needs.
          • Limited customization capabilities in some areas, like handling special employee requests or edge cases, can be a challenge.

          Buyer sentiment

          Buyer sentiment is very strong across 1 reviews, with consistently positive feedback.

          What buyers like

          • Hive Payroll is intuitively laid out, allowing even non-tech-savvy users to process payroll without a steep learning curve.
          • Supports end-to-end payroll functions including payslip generation and compliance with legal obligations.
          • Efficiently manages payroll across multiple locations, ideal for businesses with distributed teams.

          Common complaints

          • The visual layout could use modernization to enhance the overall user experience.
          • May not fully accommodate complex pay scales or non-standard compensation models.
          • No dedicated mobile app or optimized mobile interface limits flexibility for on-the-go payroll tasks.

          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

          • Streamlined global payroll processes

          • Expert legal support for compliance

          • Simplified tax management

          • May be costly for small teams

          • Setup can be time-consuming

          • Efficient payroll processing for multiple sites.

          • Simplifies statutory obligations for businesses.

          • Quick and easy payslip generation.

          • Customization may be limited for specific needs.

          • Lacks a mobile application for on-the-go access.

          • 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

          No Customers information available.

          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.

          Hive Payroll

          4 Screenshots

          Videos

          No videos available.

          video-0

          1 Videos

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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, Remote or Hive Payroll?
          Hive 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 Remote and Hive Payroll offer a free trial?
          Hive Payroll offers a free trial. Remote does not.
          What is the starting price of Remote vs Hive Payroll?
          Remote starts at Contact for pricing. Hive Payroll starts at $17 /month.
          What are the top alternatives to Remote?
          Top alternatives to Remote include Patriot Payroll, Paychex Flex, Paycor, Freshbooks, Pilot.
          What are the top alternatives to Hive Payroll?
          Top alternatives to Hive Payroll include Patriot Payroll, Paychex Flex, Paycor, Payroo, CheckMark Payroll.

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