Payroll alternatives

Looking for alternatives to Paycor?

3 curated alternatives to Paycor, each chosen for a specific reason — with the trade-offs spelled out.

Why people look for Paycor alternatives

Paycor competes with payroll providers that also offer HR bundles. Alternatives differ in how many HR tools come built in, how tax filing is packaged and whether pricing is published.

Onboarding with E-Verify and the HR Support Center start at the Essential plan, not Basic
Paycor Analytics and electronic GL per run are included from the Complete plan upward
Time and scheduling, benefits administration and recruiting are optional add-ons on small-business plans
Performance reviews, surveys and automated workflows are limited to the top HCM tier

Paycor alternatives ecosystem

Curated alternatives, the category they share and the buying guides Paycor appears in. Every node links to its page.

How close is each alternative?

Placed by our editorial taxonomy (subcategory and category), not by a computed similarity score.

← More similarMore different →

Same subcategory

None in this set

Same category, different approach

Different category

None in this set

Alternative explorer

Pick an alternative to see why it made the list, how it differs from Paycor, and a side-by-side snapshot.

#1 · Small-business payroll and HR

RUN Powered by ADP

Not yet scored

ADP's payroll platform for businesses with 1 to 49 employees, with tax filing on every package and HR support on higher tiers.

Why it's on this list

RUN Powered by ADP similarly layers HR onto payroll across four packages, but pricing is provided by quote.

Strengths

  • Tax filing and year-end forms included on every package
  • Multiple pay options, including a pay card and checks

Watch out for

  • RUN is positioned for businesses with 1 to 49 employees
Paycor compared with RUN Powered by ADP
PaycorRUN Powered by ADP
PricingVaries — see official pricingVaries — see official pricing Pricing not yet verified
Best forGrowing businesses planning to add HR tools, Employers who want earned wage access for staffUS businesses with 1 to 49 employees, Owners who want payroll plus HR help desk support
Free planNot verifiedNot verified
Free trialNot verifiedNot verified
#2 · Online payroll and HR platform

Gusto

Not yet scored

Online payroll that calculates and remits payroll taxes, pays staff and contractors, and connects to a wide range of business apps.

Why it's on this list

Gusto focuses on tax remittance, flexible pay runs and app integrations for US small employers.

Strengths

  • Handles federal, state and local payroll tax remittance
  • Supports both regular and off-cycle payroll runs

Watch out for

  • Payroll tax handling is described for US federal, state and local agencies
Paycor compared with Gusto
PaycorGusto
PricingVaries — see official pricingVaries — see official pricing Pricing not yet verified
Best forGrowing businesses planning to add HR tools, Employers who want earned wage access for staffUS small businesses paying employees and contractors, Teams that want payroll linked to other business apps
Free planNot verifiedNot verified
Free trialNot verifiedNot verified
Visit Gusto Official vendor siteGusto review
#3 · Small-business payroll software

Patriot Software Payroll

Not yet scored

Straightforward payroll with a choice between doing your own tax filings or letting Patriot file federal, state and local taxes for you.

Why it's on this list

Patriot is a simpler option with a Basic plan for self-filers and a Full Service plan where Patriot files taxes.

Strengths

  • Choice between self-filing Basic and done-for-you Full-Service payroll
  • Full-Service covers federal, state and local filings in all 50 states and D.C.

Watch out for

  • Tax filing covers US federal, state and local agencies
Paycor compared with Patriot Software Payroll
PaycorPatriot Software Payroll
PricingVaries — see official pricingVaries — see official pricing Pricing not yet verified
Best forGrowing businesses planning to add HR tools, Employers who want earned wage access for staffVery small US businesses, Owners comfortable filing their own payroll taxes
Free planNot verifiedNot verified
Free trialNot verifiedNot verified