Top 10 CheckMark Payroll Alternatives 2026

What reviewers like about Heartland Payroll

• The self-service portal is intuitive and easy to navigate, offering features for payroll entry, custom reporting, and data access.
• Dedicated payroll specialists are knowledgeable, friendly, and responsive, resolving issues efficiently.
• Payroll automation eliminates the need for manual calculations by handling taxes, deductions, and filings at local, state, and federal levels.

Where Heartland Payroll falls short

• Onboarding processes can be disorganized and manual, leading to errors and requiring additional oversight.
• Frequent turnover of payroll representatives affects continuity and consistency for some customers.
• Employees often face challenges accessing the portal, with issues like account lockouts or subpar mobile experience.

What reviewers like about OnPay

• OnPay stands out for its intuitive design, making it easy for supervisors, managers, and payroll specialists to navigate and execute payroll tasks efficiently
• It supports both hourly and salaried employees, allowing companies to manage diverse workforce needs under one system.
• By automating key payroll functions, OnPay helps organizations cut down on the time and expenses typically involved in payroll operations.

Where OnPay falls short

• While great for SMBs, larger companies might find customization options less robust for complex payroll needs.
• OnPay focuses on payroll and may require additional tools for functions like recruitment or performance management.
• As a cloud-based solution, internet connectivity is required, which might be a constraint in certain environments.

What reviewers like about Square Payroll

• Square Payroll integrates effortlessly with existing payroll providers, making it an ideal plug-and-play solution without the need for major system overhauls.
• Its simple and intuitive design makes payroll management easy even for business owners or HR teams with limited technical expertise.
• Built-in time tracking allows accurate logging of hours worked, which improves payroll precision and reduces manual errors.

Where Square Payroll falls short

• While great for small businesses, it may lack some of the advanced reporting, analytics, or customization features needed by larger enterprises.
• Full functionality may be best realized when used within the broader Square ecosystem, limiting flexibility for companies using other systems.
• Businesses with multiple locations, international staff, or intricate pay structures might find the platform’s simplicity somewhat restrictive.

What reviewers like about Microkeeper

• Consolidates payroll, rosters, timesheets, and HR tasks into one platform.
• Does not require extensive training to get started.
• Automates payroll processing and other repetitive administrative tasks, saving time.

Where Microkeeper falls short

• Occasional app or feature downtime causes minor disruptions.
• Superannuation or payslip summary updates sometimes lack clarity or employee-facing visibility.
• App design and layout are considered less modern by some users.

What reviewers like about APS Payroll

• Integration with Sage Intacct simplifies operations and reduces manual work.
• Extremely user-friendly, with clear features for both admins and employees.
• Excellent customer service with responsive, knowledgeable, and dedicated support teams.

Where APS Payroll falls short

• Implementation can be disorganized with some inconsistencies and delays in setup or onboarding.
• Customization is limited in certain features like deduction fields, reporting, and benefits management.
• Reporting features can be challenging for new users until they gain familiarity with the system.

What reviewers like about Zenefits

• Handles onboarding, offboarding, payroll, and benefits administration in one workflow, reducing paperwork.
• Desktop and mobile interfaces are accessible with minimal training.
• Connects with productivity tools, scheduling systems, and ATS platforms for cross-platform workflows.

Where Zenefits falls short

• Customer support response times are slow, with limited availability during urgent situations.
• Some features have no customization options, restricting configuration for specific business needs.
• Occasional glitches and slow performance on certain browsers frustrate users.

What reviewers like about Paybooks

• Paybooks offers a robust suite of payroll functionalities that can handle end-to-end payroll processing, making it suitable for a wide range of organizational needs.
• The platform’s ability to support multiple companies and tax jurisdictions makes it an ideal solution for businesses with diverse operational setups or those operating in multiple regions.
• Organizations can choose between on-premise deployment for tighter data control or cloud hosting for easier access and maintenance.

Where Paybooks falls short

• Due to its high level of customization, setting up Paybooks to suit specific business structures and jurisdictions can be time-consuming without expert assistance.
• The broad feature set may require training for HR teams unfamiliar with enterprise-level payroll solutions.
• While Paybooks excels in payroll, it may lack comprehensive modules for broader HR tasks such as recruitment, performance reviews, or employee engagement.

What reviewers like about ADP Payroll Services

• User-friendly interface, making it accessible even for non-technical users.
• Reliable payroll processing with accurate and timely payment delivery.
• All-in-one platform consolidating payroll, tax filing, and HR-related services.

Where ADP Payroll Services falls short

• Periodic customer service complaints regarding responsiveness and reliability.
• Reported issues with glitches or inaccuracies in the system, especially during tax season.
• The setup process can seem overwhelming without the help of the dedicated support team.

What reviewers like about Justworks

• International payroll capabilities
• Real-time benefits administration
• Mobile app for convenience

Where Justworks falls short

• Higher cost for small businesses
• Limited customization options
• Complex setup process

What reviewers like about PrimePay

• Customer service is responsive, with representatives frequently singled out for praise.
• Interface requires minimal technical expertise to use.
• Employee self-service options reduce HR workload.

Where PrimePay falls short

• Lack of dedicated account representatives for some users, leading to inefficiencies and inconsistent problem resolution.
• Issues with updated features such as cloud registration, resulting in errors and frustration.
• Complexity in some functionalities, such as tax reporting and transaction tracking, needs further refinement.