NEWJoin 2M+ software buyers|Get Weekly Insights, Trends & Expert PicksSubscribe free →

Zenefits vs Patriot Payroll Comparison

Last updated:

Zenefits

4.5(520 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Free Trial
  • Medium Business
  • Small Business

Zenefits is an all-in-one HR, payroll, and benefits administration platform for growing companies that want to consolidate onboarding, time-off tracking, payroll processing, and compliance management in a single system.…

Patriot Payroll

4.9(2,950 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…

Patriot Payroll leads on user satisfaction with a 4.9-star rating across 2,950 reviews.

Spotsaas Analysis

ZenefitsPatriot Payroll

The core difference between Zenefits and Patriot Payroll lies in their target market, with Zenefits catering to medium businesses seeking comprehensive HR and payroll solutions, while Patriot Payroll focuses on small businesses looking for simple and affordable payroll services. Ideal buyers for Zenefits include HR professionals in medium-sized companies, whereas small business owners and accountants would benefit most from Patriot Payroll.

- Best for medium businesses with 50-500 employees - Offers all-in-one payroll and HR management - Features automated payroll tax updates - User-friendly interface on desktop and mobile - Suitable for various industries including technology and consulting - Ideal for HR Managers and Payroll Administrators

- Best for small businesses with 1-100 employees - Provides simple and affordable payroll solutions - Strong US-based customer support - User-friendly and streamlined payroll system - Suitable for industries like retail and healthcare - Ideal for small business owners and accountants

Zenefits vs Patriot Payroll — at a glance

FeatureZenefitsPatriot Payroll
Rating4.5 / 54.9 / 5
Reviews5202,950
Starting priceContact for pricing$14 /Month
Free trial Yes Yes
Free version No No
Best forMedium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryPayroll SoftwarePayroll Software
Integrations11+ apps
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - MacSaaS/Web/Cloud
APIAvailableAvailable
Support modesBusiness Hours, OnlineBusiness Hours, Online
CertificationsSOC 2, GDPR
Data residencyUSUS

Key differences between Zenefits and Patriot Payroll

  • Pricing: Patriot Payroll starts at $14 /Month. Zenefits pricing is not publicly listed.
  • Target audience: Zenefits is built for Medium Business and Small Business, while Patriot Payroll targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
  • User satisfaction: Patriot Payroll scores higher with a 4.9-star average.
  • Deployment: Zenefits supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; Patriot Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

Zenefits vs Patriot Payroll — find the better fit before you commit.

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.

Zenefits - Payroll Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert
Patriot Payroll - Payroll Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert

Free PDF comparison

Download this Zenefits vs Patriot Payroll comparison

Get the full side-by-side as a PDF — these picks plus the top Payroll Software tools, with verified ratings, pricing and features.

  • Side-by-side on pricing, features & ratings
  • Plus the category top 10, scored & ranked
  • Emailed to you — no on-screen download

No file downloads on screen — we email it to you. One-click unsubscribe anytime.

Zenefits vs Patriot Payroll: Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Zenefits

Best for medium businesses needing streamlined, all-in-one payroll and HR management.

Choose if
  • 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.
Consider alternatives if
  • You require highly customizable payroll features beyond standard options.
  • You need rapid, responsive customer support with minimal wait times.

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.

Zenefits: Best for medium businesses needing streamlined, all-in-one payroll and HR management. Patriot Payroll: Best payroll software for small businesses needing simple, affordable solutions.

Description

Zenefits is an all-in-one HR, payroll, and benefits administration platform for growing companies that want to consolidate onboarding, time-off tracking, payroll processing, and compliance ... Read More about Zenefits

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

Entry Level Pricing

  • Not Available
  • Starts from $14

Free Trial Availability

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

9.5/10

8.8/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.87

(2950)

Best Company Size

50-500 employeesMedium businesses
1-100 employeesSmall to medium businesses
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

Zenefits

  • Zenefits simplifies HR processes by bringing payroll, benefits administration, compliance, and employee onboarding into one intuitive platform—saving you time and reducing paperwork.
  • 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.

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.
Best fit

Best fit

Zenefits

  • 50 - 500 employees
  • Technology, SaaS, Consulting, Fintech, Martech, Revtech
  • HR Managers, HR Directors, Payroll Administrators, Benefits Coordinators, Operations Managers

Patriot Payroll

  • 1–100 employees
  • Retail, construction, professional services, healthcare, nonprofit, and manufacturing
  • Small Business Owners, Accountants, Payroll Managers, Office Managers, and HR Coordinators
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

Zenefits

  • 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.

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.

Software Demo

Demo

Need a second opinion?

Get decision help from a software advisor

Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.

Spotsaas advisor
Get decision help from a software advisor
  • Independent advice — matched to your business
  • Understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors
  • Free 15-min call with a software advisor.

Step 1 of 4

How big is your team?

We tailor recommendations to companies your size.

Trusted by teams at

How do Zenefits and Patriot Payroll Compare on Features?

Total Features

16 Features

10 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare Zenefits 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.

Pricing Option

      Starting From

      • Not Available
      • $14

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      Zenefits pricing
      Patriot Payroll pricing

      Zenefits vs Patriot Payroll: Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • 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)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Available
      • Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Zenefits vs Patriot Payroll Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      SOC 2

      ✓ 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
      🇺🇸 US

      Zenefits User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      394

      102

      19

      13

      17

      2925

      164

      24

      15

      22

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      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

      • Ease of use
      • Integration capabilities
      • Streamlined HR processes

      Common complaints

      • Customer support delays
      • Limited customization

      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

      Pros and Cons

      • Streamlines HR processes including onboarding, payroll, and benefits administration

      • User-friendly interface accessible on desktop and mobile

      • Robust integrations with productivity tools and ATS systems

      • Slow customer support response times with limited availability

      • Limited customization options for some features

      • 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

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Used Zenefits or Patriot Payroll? Tell buyers what actually differs.

      Integrations

      Integration with other apps

      No Integration information available.

      Zenefits and Patriot Payroll Customers

      Customers

      AON

      AON

      Cedars-Sinai

      Cedars-Sinai

      Feedonomics

      Feedonomics

      No Customers information available.

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      trinet zenefits

      5 Screenshots

      Patriot payroll

      4 Screenshots

      Videos

      No videos available.

      video-0

      3 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Zenefits and Patriot Payroll in 2026

      Expand your comparison

      Add another option to compare side by side

      Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.

      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, Zenefits or Patriot Payroll?
      Patriot Payroll edges out the other on user ratings (4.9 vs 4.5). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Zenefits and Patriot Payroll offer a free trial?
      Yes, both Zenefits and Patriot Payroll offer a free trial.
      What is the starting price of Zenefits vs Patriot Payroll?
      Zenefits starts at Contact for pricing. Patriot Payroll starts at $14 /Month.
      What are the top alternatives to Zenefits?
      Top alternatives to Zenefits include Heartland Payroll, Square Payroll, APS Payroll, Patriot Payroll, Remote.com.
      What are the top alternatives to Patriot Payroll?
      Top alternatives to Patriot Payroll include APS Payroll, Heartland Payroll, QuickBooks Payroll, OnPay, Square Payroll.