Square Payroll vs Panther 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…
Panther
Starting at $499 /User/Month
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Panther is the premier payroll software solution, designed to automatically calculate paychecks for your team. With payroll as flexible as you need it to be, Panther handles everything from the typical employee and emplo…
Square Payroll leads on user satisfaction with a 5.0-star rating across 15 reviews.
Square Payroll vs Panther — at a glance
| Feature | Square Payroll | Panther |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5.0 / 5 | — |
| Reviews | 15 | — |
| Starting price | $34 /User/Month | $499 /User/Month |
| 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 |
| API | Available | — |
| Support modes | Business Hours | Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | SOC 2 |
| Data residency | US | Global |
Key differences between Square Payroll and Panther
- Pricing: Square Payroll starts at $34 /User/Month, while Panther starts at $499 /User/Month.
- Free trial: Square Payroll offers a free trial; Panther does not.
- Deployment: Square Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; Panther supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
Square Payroll vs Panther — 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 Panther: 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.
Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
Square Payroll typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. Panther tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium 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 | Panther is the premier payroll software solution, designed to automatically calculate paychecks for your team. With payroll as flexible as you need it to be, Panther handles everything from ... Read More about Panther |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability |
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SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 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
- 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
- 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
- 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 |  Panther has not given any software demo yet If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us |
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How do Square Payroll and Panther Compare on Features?
Total Features | 13 Features | 8 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Square Payroll and Panther 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 Panther: 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 Panther 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) | ✓ Yes | — |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | — |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🌐 Global |
Square Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | No reviews available for the product | |
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Rating Distribution | No reviews available for this product | |
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
| No expert review available for this product |
Pros and Cons |
| No pros or cons available for this product |
Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  6 Screenshots |  1 Screenshots |
|---|---|---|
Videos |  1 Videos | No videos available. |
Top Alternatives to Square Payroll and Panther 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 Panther?
- Square Payroll edges out the other on user ratings (5.0 vs -1.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case, so use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Square Payroll and Panther offer a free trial?
- Square Payroll offers a free trial. Panther does not.
- What is the starting price of Square Payroll vs Panther?
- Square Payroll starts at $34 /User/Month. Panther starts at $499 /User/Month.
- 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 Panther?
- Top alternatives to Panther include Papaya Global, JustLogin, Paybooks, OnPay, Square Payroll.