Square Payroll vs APS Payroll Comparison
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…
APS Payroll
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
APS Payroll is a payroll and HR management platform for mid-sized businesses that need customizable reporting, employee self-service, and third-party integrations alongside core payroll processing. Its report builder let…
Square Payroll leads on user satisfaction with a 5.0-star rating across 15 reviews.
Square Payroll vs APS Payroll — at a glance
| Feature | Square Payroll | APS Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5.0 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 |
| Reviews | 15 | 340 |
| Starting price | $34 /User/Month | Contact for pricing |
| Free trial | Yes | No |
| 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 | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS |
| API | Available | Available |
| Support modes | Business Hours | Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | — |
| Data residency | US | US |
Key differences between Square Payroll and APS Payroll
- Pricing: Square Payroll starts at $34 /User/Month. APS Payroll pricing is not publicly listed.
- Free trial: Square Payroll offers a free trial; APS Payroll does not.
- User satisfaction: Square Payroll scores higher with a 5.0-star average.
- Deployment: Square Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; APS Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
Square Payroll vs APS 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 | Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
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Square Payroll vs APS Payroll: Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
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.
Best for medium businesses needing reliable, integrated payroll and HR management.
- You are a medium-sized healthcare, nonprofit, or professional services organization.
- You want a unified payroll and HR platform with attendance and recruiting features.
- You value strong integration with Sage Intacct and responsive customer support.
- You require highly customizable deduction fields and benefits management.
- You need rapid, seamless QuickBooks integration and extensive benefits carrier connections.
Square Payroll: Best for small to medium service businesses needing simple payroll and time tracking. APS Payroll: Best for medium businesses needing reliable, integrated payroll and HR management.
Description | 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 | APS Payroll is a payroll and HR management platform for mid-sized businesses that need customizable reporting, employee self-service, and third-party integrations alongside core payroll ... Read More about APS Payroll |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability |
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SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.8/10 | 8.7/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 1-100 employeesMedium Business | 50-1,000 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
- 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.
- Unified Payroll & HR Platform: Offers a centralized system for payroll, HR, attendance, and recruiting, improving efficiency across employee management.
- Compliance & Tax Automation: Manages payroll tax calculations, filings, and payments across federal, state, and local jurisdictions with accuracy.
- Customizable Reporting & Analytics: Provides reliable, real-time insights into workforce data to support informed HR and finance decisions.
Best fit
- 1–100 employees
- Retail, food service, salons, hospitality, and other service-based small businesses
- Business Owners, Payroll Managers, Accountants, Restaurant Managers, and HR Assistants
- 50–1,000 employees
- Healthcare, nonprofits, education, professional services, manufacturing, and hospitality
- HR Directors, Payroll Managers, Finance Leaders, Operations Managers, and Compliance Officers
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- 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.
- Companies needing international payroll support may consider platforms with global compliance capabilities.
- Businesses seeking highly customizable HR workflows or advanced talent management tools might opt for full-suite HCM systems.
- Organizations prioritizing rapid deployment and out-of-the-box integrations could explore more plug-and-play solutions.
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do Square Payroll and APS Payroll Compare on Features?
Total Features | 13 Features | 12 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Square Payroll and APS 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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Square Payroll vs APS Payroll: Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Square Payroll vs APS Payroll Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | — |
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HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
GDPR | ✓ Yes | — |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | — |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | — |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🇺🇸 US |
Square Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
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Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | 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
| Buyer sentiment Buyers generally praise APS Payroll for its ease of use, integration capabilities, and customer support, though some express concerns about implementation delays and limited customization. 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 |
Square Payroll and APS Payroll Customers
Customers | No Customers information available. |  Central Christian  Antoine’s Restaurant  Faith Promise Church |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  6 Screenshots | No screenshots available. |
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Videos |  1 Videos |  3 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Square Payroll and APS 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, Square Payroll or APS Payroll?
- Square Payroll edges out the other on user ratings (5.0 vs 4.7). That said, the best pick depends on your use case, so use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Square Payroll and APS Payroll offer a free trial?
- Square Payroll offers a free trial. APS Payroll does not.
- What is the starting price of Square Payroll vs APS Payroll?
- Square Payroll starts at $34 /User/Month. APS Payroll starts at Contact for pricing.
- What are the top alternatives to Square Payroll?
- Top alternatives to Square Payroll include OnPay, APS Payroll, Heartland Payroll, QuickBooks Payroll, Justworks.
- What are the top alternatives to APS Payroll?
- Top alternatives to APS Payroll include OnPay, Square Payroll, Patriot Payroll, SurePayroll, Heartland Payroll.