Square Payroll vs Paylocity Web Pay 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…
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,…
Square Payroll leads on user satisfaction with a 5.0-star rating across 15 reviews.
Spotsaas Analysis
Square PayrollPaylocity Web Pay
The core difference lies in the target company size and complexity of services offered; Square Payroll is tailored for small to medium service businesses with straightforward payroll needs, while Paylocity Web Pay caters to larger organizations requiring more comprehensive HR and payroll solutions. Ideal buyers for Square Payroll are business owners and managers in service industries, whereas Paylocity Web Pay is best suited for HR and finance professionals in mid-sized to larger businesses across various sectors.
- Best for small to medium service businesses - Ideal for companies with 1-100 employees - Simple payroll and time tracking features - Effortless integration with Square POS - Suitable for hourly or tipped employees - Targeted at business owners and payroll managers
- Designed for mid-sized to large organizations - Ideal for companies with 50-1,000 employees - Comprehensive HR and payroll solutions - Suitable for various industries including healthcare and technology - Targeted at HR directors and finance controllers - Offers advanced features for complex payroll needs
Square Payroll vs Paylocity Web Pay — at a glance
| Feature | Square Payroll | Paylocity Web Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5.0 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 |
| Reviews | 15 | 1,198 |
| Starting price | $34 /User/Month | Contact for pricing |
| Free trial | Yes | No |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | 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 Paylocity Web Pay
- Pricing: Square Payroll starts at $34 /User/Month. Paylocity Web Pay pricing is not publicly listed.
- Free trial: Square Payroll offers a free trial; Paylocity Web Pay does not.
- Target audience: Square Payroll is built for Large Enterprises and Medium Business, while Paylocity Web Pay targets Medium Business and Small Business.
- User satisfaction: Square Payroll scores higher with a 5.0-star average.
- Deployment: Square Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; Paylocity Web Pay supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
Square Payroll vs Paylocity Web Pay — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
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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
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Square Payroll vs Paylocity Web Pay: 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.
Medium Business, Small Business
Square Payroll typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. Paylocity Web Pay 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 | 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 | 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 |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability |
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SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.8/10 | 8.6/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 1-100 employeesMedium Business | 50–1,000 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.
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.
- Integrated Employee Self-Service: Lets employees easily access pay stubs, tax forms, and benefits information via a mobile-friendly portal.
- Reporting & Analytics: Provides real-time insights into payroll data and labor costs to help drive strategic HR and financial decisions.
- Complete Payroll Automation: Simplifies payroll processing with automatic tax filings, wage calculations, and compliance management.
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, manufacturing, retail, financial services, technology, and education
- Payroll Managers, HR Directors, Finance Controllers, Operations Managers, and Benefits Coordinators
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.
- 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.
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How do Square Payroll and Paylocity Web Pay Compare on Features?
Total Features | 13 Features | 28 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Square Payroll and Paylocity Web Pay 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 Paylocity Web Pay: 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 Paylocity Web Pay 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 Buyer sentiment is very strong across 1155 reviews, with consistently positive feedback. 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 Paylocity Web Pay Customers
Customers | No Customers information available. |  NWEA |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  6 Screenshots |  4 Screenshots |
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Videos |  1 Videos |  3 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Square Payroll and Paylocity Web Pay 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 Paylocity Web Pay?
- Square Payroll edges out the other on user ratings (5.0 vs 4.7). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Square Payroll and Paylocity Web Pay offer a free trial?
- Square Payroll offers a free trial. Paylocity Web Pay does not.
- What is the starting price of Square Payroll vs Paylocity Web Pay?
- Square Payroll starts at $34 /User/Month. Paylocity Web Pay 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 Paylocity Web Pay?
- Top alternatives to Paylocity Web Pay include Deel, OnPay, Greenshades, APS Payroll, Gusto.