Quick Overview
- 1#1: Gusto - All-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR platform with seamless time tracking for small to medium businesses.
- 2#2: Rippling - Unified workforce platform automating payroll, time tracking, IT, and HR in one system.
- 3#3: ADP - Comprehensive payroll and HCM solutions with robust time and attendance tracking for businesses of all sizes.
- 4#4: Paychex - Full-service payroll processing integrated with time tracking and HR management tools.
- 5#5: QuickBooks Payroll - Intuit's payroll service with QuickBooks Time for accurate employee time tracking and automated payments.
- 6#6: Paylocity - Modern HCM platform delivering payroll, time and labor management, and employee self-service.
- 7#7: UKG - Cloud workforce management software excelling in timekeeping, scheduling, and integrated payroll.
- 8#8: BambooHR - User-friendly HR platform with add-on payroll and employee time off and attendance tracking.
- 9#9: Homebase - Scheduling and time clock app with payroll integrations for hourly and shift-based teams.
- 10#10: Deputy - Employee scheduling, time clock, and payroll connectivity for frontline workforces.
We ranked these tools based on key factors including robust time tracking capabilities, integration with core business functions (HR, benefits, scheduling), user-friendliness, and overall value, ensuring they deliver reliable performance across diverse operational needs.
Comparison Table
Payroll and time clock software are critical for efficiently managing employee payments and tracking work hours, with tools ranging from user-friendly platforms to enterprise solutions. This comparison table examines leading options like Gusto, Rippling, ADP, Paychex, QuickBooks Payroll, and more, equipping readers to evaluate features, pricing, and usability tailored to their business needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gusto All-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR platform with seamless time tracking for small to medium businesses. | enterprise | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Rippling Unified workforce platform automating payroll, time tracking, IT, and HR in one system. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 3 | ADP Comprehensive payroll and HCM solutions with robust time and attendance tracking for businesses of all sizes. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 4 | Paychex Full-service payroll processing integrated with time tracking and HR management tools. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 5 | QuickBooks Payroll Intuit's payroll service with QuickBooks Time for accurate employee time tracking and automated payments. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | Paylocity Modern HCM platform delivering payroll, time and labor management, and employee self-service. | enterprise | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 7 | UKG Cloud workforce management software excelling in timekeeping, scheduling, and integrated payroll. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 8 | BambooHR User-friendly HR platform with add-on payroll and employee time off and attendance tracking. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 9 | Homebase Scheduling and time clock app with payroll integrations for hourly and shift-based teams. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 10 | Deputy Employee scheduling, time clock, and payroll connectivity for frontline workforces. | specialized | 7.9/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 | 7.4/10 |
All-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR platform with seamless time tracking for small to medium businesses.
Unified workforce platform automating payroll, time tracking, IT, and HR in one system.
Comprehensive payroll and HCM solutions with robust time and attendance tracking for businesses of all sizes.
Full-service payroll processing integrated with time tracking and HR management tools.
Intuit's payroll service with QuickBooks Time for accurate employee time tracking and automated payments.
Modern HCM platform delivering payroll, time and labor management, and employee self-service.
Cloud workforce management software excelling in timekeeping, scheduling, and integrated payroll.
User-friendly HR platform with add-on payroll and employee time off and attendance tracking.
Scheduling and time clock app with payroll integrations for hourly and shift-based teams.
Employee scheduling, time clock, and payroll connectivity for frontline workforces.
Gusto
enterpriseAll-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR platform with seamless time tracking for small to medium businesses.
Hands-off payroll compliance where Gusto files all federal, state, and local taxes automatically
Gusto is an all-in-one payroll and HR platform designed primarily for small to medium-sized businesses, offering automated payroll processing, tax filing, and compliance in all 50 states. It features robust time tracking tools including mobile time clocks, GPS verification, scheduling, and PTO management that integrate seamlessly with payroll runs. Beyond core payroll and time functions, Gusto provides employee onboarding, benefits administration, and performance management to streamline HR tasks.
Pros
- Full-service payroll with automatic tax calculations, filings, and direct deposits
- Integrated time tracking with GPS clock-in/out, scheduling, and overtime alerts
- Intuitive mobile app and dashboard accessible for both admins and employees
Cons
- Higher per-employee costs for larger teams compared to basic payroll-only tools
- Advanced HR analytics and custom reporting require premium plans
- Limited customization for complex union or multi-state payroll scenarios
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses needing an integrated payroll, time tracking, and HR solution without in-house expertise.
Pricing
Starts at $40/month + $6 per person/month (Simple plan); Plus plan at $80 + $12/person/month includes time tracking; Premium is custom quote.
Rippling
enterpriseUnified workforce platform automating payroll, time tracking, IT, and HR in one system.
Instant data sync where time punches, schedules, and PTO automatically populate payroll runs with built-in compliance for all 50 US states and 100+ countries
Rippling is a unified HR, payroll, and IT platform that excels in automating payroll processing and time tracking for businesses of all sizes. It features mobile time clocks with GPS geofencing, facial recognition, scheduling, and PTO tracking, seamlessly integrating time data directly into payroll calculations for accurate, compliant pay runs. Supporting payroll in over 100 countries, it handles multi-state taxes, benefits deductions, and onboarding in one system, minimizing errors and admin time.
Pros
- Seamless integration of time tracking with payroll for automatic calculations and compliance
- Robust global and multi-state payroll support with automated tax filings
- Mobile app with GPS, geofencing, and scheduling for accurate time clocking
Cons
- Higher pricing can be steep for very small teams under 50 employees
- Initial setup and customization require time and expertise
- Advanced features often need add-on modules, increasing costs
Best For
Mid-sized and growing companies needing an integrated platform for HR, payroll, time tracking, and compliance across multiple locations or countries.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting at $8 per employee per month for core HR/IT, with payroll and time tracking included or as low-cost add-ons ($5+ per employee/month depending on complexity and locations).
ADP
enterpriseComprehensive payroll and HCM solutions with robust time and attendance tracking for businesses of all sizes.
GPS-enabled mobile time clock with geofencing to ensure accurate, tamper-proof time tracking from any location
ADP provides comprehensive cloud-based payroll and time clock software through platforms like ADP RUN and Workforce Now, handling payroll processing, tax compliance, direct deposits, and employee time tracking via mobile apps and kiosks. It integrates time and attendance with scheduling, overtime calculations, and labor cost analytics for efficient workforce management. Designed for scalability, it supports businesses from small teams to enterprises with robust reporting and HR integrations.
Pros
- Industry-leading payroll accuracy and automated tax compliance
- Advanced time tracking with GPS geofencing and biometric clock-ins to prevent fraud
- Scalable integrations with HR, benefits, and 400+ third-party apps
Cons
- Complex pricing structure requires custom quotes
- Steep learning curve for non-expert users
- Overkill and costly for very small businesses under 10 employees
Best For
Mid-sized to large businesses needing integrated, compliant payroll processing and reliable time clock features with enterprise-grade scalability.
Pricing
Custom quotes based on employee count and features; starts at ~$59/month + $4-$10 per employee for small business plans, higher for advanced suites.
Paychex
enterpriseFull-service payroll processing integrated with time tracking and HR management tools.
Automated payroll tax filing across all 50 states with guaranteed accuracy
Paychex is a comprehensive payroll and HR software platform that provides end-to-end payroll processing, including accurate calculations, direct deposits, and tax compliance. It integrates robust time and attendance tracking with mobile clock-in/out, GPS verification, and scheduling tools to streamline workforce management. Designed for small to mid-sized businesses, it offers employee self-service portals and reporting dashboards for efficient oversight.
Pros
- Extensive payroll compliance and multi-state tax handling
- Integrated time clock with geofencing and PTO tracking
- 24/7 customer support and dedicated account managers
Cons
- Custom pricing can be expensive for very small teams
- Interface feels dated compared to newer competitors
- Onboarding process can take longer for complex setups
Best For
Mid-sized businesses seeking reliable, compliant payroll and time tracking with strong HR integrations.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting around $80/month base + $5-$6 per employee/pay period, with add-ons for advanced features.
QuickBooks Payroll
enterpriseIntuit's payroll service with QuickBooks Time for accurate employee time tracking and automated payments.
Deep integration of payroll, time tracking, and accounting data for automated workflows and real-time insights
QuickBooks Payroll, from Intuit, is a robust solution for small to medium-sized businesses, automating payroll processing, tax calculations, filings, and direct deposits while integrating seamlessly with QuickBooks accounting software. It includes time tracking via QuickBooks Time (formerly TSheets), offering mobile clock-in/out, GPS geofencing, scheduling, and timesheet approvals. This makes it a one-stop shop for managing employee hours, wages, and compliance needs efficiently.
Pros
- Seamless integration with QuickBooks for unified accounting and payroll
- Full-service tax filing, payments, and next-day direct deposit guarantees
- Advanced time tracking with GPS, geofencing, scheduling, and mobile accessibility
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers add up quickly for larger teams
- Steep learning curve for users not already on QuickBooks
- Time clock syncing can occasionally lag with complex setups
Best For
Small to medium businesses already using QuickBooks that need integrated payroll processing and employee time tracking.
Pricing
Core ($50 base + $6/employee/mo), Premium ($80 + $9/emp), Elite ($125 + $11/emp); QuickBooks Time add-on starts at $20/base + $10/user/mo.
Paylocity
enterpriseModern HCM platform delivering payroll, time and labor management, and employee self-service.
Time Intelligence with AI-driven scheduling forecasts and automated labor cost insights
Paylocity is a comprehensive cloud-based HR and payroll platform that excels in automating payroll processing, tax compliance, and direct deposits for businesses of various sizes. Its Time & Labor module provides robust time clock functionality, including mobile clock-in/out with GPS geofencing, biometric verification, scheduling, and PTO management. The platform integrates seamlessly with broader HR tools like benefits administration and performance tracking, offering real-time analytics and employee self-service portals for pay stubs and time-off requests.
Pros
- Comprehensive payroll automation with multi-state tax support
- Intuitive mobile app for time tracking with geofencing and biometrics
- Strong integrations and employee self-service capabilities
Cons
- Custom quote-based pricing can be expensive for small businesses
- Steeper learning curve for advanced HR modules
- Occasional reports of system updates causing temporary disruptions
Best For
Mid-sized businesses needing an all-in-one payroll, time clock, and HR solution with mobile accessibility.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically $20-$40 per employee per month depending on features and company size.
UKG
enterpriseCloud workforce management software excelling in timekeeping, scheduling, and integrated payroll.
AI-powered workforce management with predictive scheduling and anomaly detection in time data
UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group) offers robust payroll and time clock software through platforms like UKG Pro and UKG Ready, automating payroll processing, tax compliance, and employee time tracking for businesses of varying sizes. It supports clock-in/out via mobile apps, kiosks, and biometrics, with features like scheduling, shift bidding, and real-time labor analytics. The solution integrates deeply with HR, benefits, and ERP systems, ensuring accurate pay runs and regulatory adherence across multiple countries.
Pros
- Highly accurate payroll processing with multi-country compliance and error-checking
- Advanced time tracking including geofencing, biometrics, and AI-driven forecasting
- Extensive integrations and customizable reporting for enterprise-scale operations
Cons
- Complex implementation process that can take months for larger setups
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users and admins
- Premium pricing that may overwhelm small businesses
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises with complex, distributed workforces needing integrated payroll, time tracking, and compliance tools.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing; UKG Ready starts around $40-100 per employee/month for SMBs, while UKG Pro is custom enterprise-level (often $10K+ annually minimum).
BambooHR
enterpriseUser-friendly HR platform with add-on payroll and employee time off and attendance tracking.
Automatic payroll syncing with time tracking and HR data for error-free processing
BambooHR is a comprehensive HR platform with integrated payroll processing and time tracking features tailored for small to medium-sized businesses. It offers mobile clock-in/out, time-off management, and automated payroll runs that sync employee data across HR functions. While not a standalone payroll or time clock specialist, it excels in unifying these tools with onboarding, performance tracking, and reporting.
Pros
- Intuitive, modern interface loved by users
- Strong mobile app for employee clock-ins and time-off requests
- Seamless data sync between HR, time, and payroll modules
Cons
- Payroll limited to US market only
- Add-on pricing increases costs for basic payroll/time needs
- Lacks advanced scheduling or geofencing in time tracking compared to specialists
Best For
Small to mid-sized US businesses wanting integrated HR alongside payroll and basic time tracking.
Pricing
Quote-based; core HR starts at ~$6-12 per employee/month, payroll add-on ~$40 base + $4-6 per employee/month.
Homebase
specializedScheduling and time clock app with payroll integrations for hourly and shift-based teams.
GPS geofencing and photo verification on the time clock to ensure accurate, fraud-resistant time tracking from the worksite.
Homebase is a workforce management platform tailored for small businesses, providing scheduling, time clock, and payroll tools to streamline operations for hourly employees. Employees can clock in and out via a mobile app with geofencing and photo verification to prevent time theft, while managers approve timesheets that feed directly into payroll processing. It also includes team messaging, hiring, and compliance features, making it a comprehensive solution for shift-based industries like retail and hospitality.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited scheduling and time clock for one location
- Intuitive mobile app for quick clock-ins with geofencing and anti-buddy punch measures
- Seamless payroll integration that auto-populates from timesheets
Cons
- Payroll and advanced features require paid add-ons
- Reporting and analytics are basic compared to enterprise tools
- Scalability limitations for businesses with multiple locations or complex needs
Best For
Small businesses in retail, restaurants, or services with hourly shift workers needing affordable time tracking and simple payroll.
Pricing
Free basic plan; Essentials starts at $29.99 per location/month (billed annually); Payroll add-on from $39/month + $6 per active employee.
Deputy
specializedEmployee scheduling, time clock, and payroll connectivity for frontline workforces.
Geofencing-enabled time clock for location-verified clock-ins/outs
Deputy is a workforce management platform specializing in employee scheduling, time tracking, and task management, with strong capabilities for time clock functionality via mobile apps, kiosks, and geofencing. It supports payroll processes through seamless integrations with systems like QuickBooks, Xero, Gusto, and ADP, enabling accurate timesheet exports and labor costing. While not a standalone payroll processor, it streamlines the payroll workflow for industries like retail and hospitality by combining attendance data with scheduling insights.
Pros
- Robust time clock with geofencing and kiosk options to prevent buddy punching
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling with labor forecasting
- Seamless payroll integrations for quick timesheet exports
Cons
- Lacks native payroll processing, relying on third-party integrations
- Pricing scales up quickly for multi-location businesses
- Advanced reporting requires higher-tier plans
Best For
Medium-sized businesses in retail, hospitality, or field services needing integrated scheduling and time tracking that feeds directly into payroll systems.
Pricing
Starts at $3.50/active user/month (Essentials), $5.25/active user/month (Plus), with Enterprise custom pricing; free for very small teams.
Conclusion
Across the top tools, Gusto leads as a standout choice, blending seamless time tracking with payroll, benefits, and HR into one comprehensive platform. Rippling excels for its unified approach to workforce and IT automation, while ADP impresses with robust, scalable HCM solutions—each offering distinct value for different business needs. Together, these tools showcase the best in efficient payroll and time management.
Don’t miss out—dive into Gusto today to discover why it’s the top pick, and unlock simplified, stress-free workforce operations.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison