Best Payroll Software For Agriculture

Agriculture is the backbone of the global economy, sustaining communities and driving industries forward. Unlike conventional businesses, farms must navigate seasonal labor shifts and intricate tax regulations, such as Form 943 compliance for agricultural employers.  

Given these challenges, without an efficient system in place, payroll can become an overwhelming maze of calculations and filings. This is why farm owners need the best payroll software for agriculture to ensure compliance and accommodate the complexities of agricultural employment.  

Below are nine top-tier farm payroll solutions, each designed to optimize payroll management and support the unique needs of agricultural businesses. 

Here are the top 9 payroll solutions for agriculture, selected based on crucial factors that will be explored further in this blog: 

• OnPay Payroll 
• SurePayroll by Paychex 
• QuickBooks  
• Gusto  
• Patriot Payroll 
• Paycor 
• Deel 
• BambooHR 
• factoHR 

OnPay Payroll is a full-service solution designed specifically for farms and ranches. It recognizes distinct challenges faced by agriculture employees, providing farm owners with a reliable solution that prioritizes efficiency and accuracy. 

Unique Features 

OnPay Payroll excels in streamlining farm payroll operations, offering automated Form 943 filings while ensuring seamless compliance with agricultural wage laws. It also integrates with QuickBooks and Xero for smooth bookkeeping. Furthermore, it supports W-2 employees and 1099 contractors, allowing flexible payroll management.  

With unlimited pay runs, employee self-onboarding, and agriculture-specific compensation insurance for workers, it helps farm owners protect their workforce while staying compliant with industry regulations. 

Pros And Cons Of OnPay Payroll 

Pros 

• Easy integration with accounting software allows businesses to sync financial data effortlessly 
• Unlimited pay runs at no extra charge, which is particularly beneficial for industries with fluctuating payment schedules 
• Comprehensive employee onboarding to minimize administrative workload 

Cons 

• The documentation feature can be improved 
• Mobile app offers limited features compared to the desktop version 

Pricing 

The software offers varying pricing plans, starting at a $49/month base fee + $6/worker/month. 

SurePayroll offers businesses a streamlined, cost-effective solution for managing wages with ease. Built with simplicity in mind, it plays an important role in wage management. Thus, it ensures smooth payroll processing while ensuring businesses remain compliant. 

Unique Features 

Managing farm payroll can be a big challenge for businesses but SurePayroll streamlines payroll management with automated tax filings. This results in eliminating manual errors and guaranteeing adherence to fluctuating regulations.  

The software also offers a no-penalty tax filing guarantee, shielding businesses from fines due to late or incorrect submissions. Moreover, it provides free onboarding support, making payroll setup effortless, and offers live phone and chat assistance, ensuring direct access to expert guidance whenever needed. 

Pros And Cons Of SurePayroll 

Pros 

• It manages all nanny tax obligations and filings, requiring users to simply enter weekly hours 
• Sends prompt notifications to guarantee paychecks are issued on time 
• The mobile app enables users to handle payroll effortlessly, enhancing both flexibility and convenience 

Cons 

• Limited customization options for reports 
• Some users report issues with the customer support service 

Pricing 

The vendor offers multiple pricing plans, catering to the diverse requirements of organizations. These include: 

• Non-tax Filing - $20/month + $4/employee  
• Full-Service - $29/month + $7/employee  
• Full-Service Household - $39/employee/month + $10/additional employee 

3. QuickBooks  

In the agricultural sector, where managing wages for seasonal and full-time workers can be complex, QuickBooks offers a streamlined solution. It simplifies payroll processing, allowing farm owners to focus on their operations rather than getting tangled in administrative tasks.  

Unique Features 

QuickBooks facilitates financial management for agribusinesses by offering cash flow tracking and automated tax compliance to keep operations running smoothly. With bank integration, farmers can effortlessly monitor transactions and expenses, while inventory management tools help track livestock, machinery, and supplies. Furthermore, the mobile app provides on-the-go access to financial data, streamlining farm bookkeeping for greater efficiency and ease. 

Pros And Cons Of QuickBooks 

Pros 

• Streamlines bookkeeping and report generation with precision and ease 
• Delivers reliable and in-depth financial statement functionality, widely valued by users 
• Offers exceptional customization, making it ideal for tracking specialized expenditures 

Cons 

• The software may require additional setup for complex farm operations 
• Lacks two-step authentication for better security   

Pricing 

There are multiple pricing plans, catering to the diverse requirements of organizations. These include: 

• Simple Start - $35/month  
• Essentials - $65/month 
• Plus -$99/month 
• Advanced - $235/month 

Handling payroll efficiently is crucial for businesses looking to balance compliance, accuracy, and employee satisfaction. Gusto transforms this process with its intuitive automation, ensuring smooth financial management. It is mainly designed for small and medium-sized businesses as well as freelance contractors. The platform enhances payroll operations, simplifying remuneration tasks for effortless processing.  

Unique Features 

Gusto redefines payroll accuracy with its smart time-tracking system, ensuring employees' hours are recorded with precision. By automating clock-in and clock-out tracking, businesses can minimize payroll discrepancies and maintain efficiency without manual errors. The software also offers dynamic reporting customization, allowing users to tailor insights to match specific financial and operational goals. Whether analyzing workforce trends or optimizing pay structures, this software provides businesses with a streamlined approach to unlimited payrolls, fostering accuracy and confidence in every transaction. 

Pros And Cons Of Gusto 

Pros 

• Enables users to quickly access vital information, such as taxes, pay stubs, and benefits 
• Prioritizes an app-first experience, enhancing usability and delivering a smooth, modern interface 
• Functions as a centralized platform for essential employee tasks and expense report management 

Cons 

• Limited features are available in the simple plan 
• Customer support falls short  

Pricing 

There are multiple pricing plans, targeting the diverse requirements of organizations. These include:  

• Simple - $49/month + $6/person/month 
• Plus - $80/month + $12/person/month 
• Premium - $180/month + $22/person/month 

Patriot Payroll is an advanced cloud-based, automated payroll solution tailored for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). It offers multiple solutions to streamline payroll management and tax processing. Moreover, with its user-friendly interface and automation capabilities, this software covers all the needs of consumers by providing them with an efficient and accurate payroll solution. 

Unique Features 

Patriot Payroll provides detailed reporting tools that help track labor expenses and tax liabilities, keeping farm finances transparent and organized. Additionally, its net-to-gross payroll tool ensures fair and efficient payroll for wages, bonuses, and benefits. 

Pros And Cons Of Patriot Payroll 

Pros 

• Intuitive interface simplifies payroll setup, ensuring a hassle-free experience 
• Responsive customer support provides reliable assistance and effective solutions 
• Continuously adapts to tax and regulatory updates, helping businesses stay compliant without requiring specialized tax knowledge 

Cons 

Limited third-party integrations 

Pricing 

There are several pricing plans based on the needs of your organization. These include:  

• Basic Payroll - $17/month + $4/worker 
• Full-Service Payroll - $37/month + $5/worker 

6. Paycor 

Paycor supports mid-sized farms with a powerful payroll, optimizing workforce management and payroll processing. With its user-friendly design, this software streamlines payroll management while maintaining complete compliance with agricultural regulations. 

Unique Features 

Managing payroll for farms can be complex, but Paycor software streamlines the operations of agribusinesses to prevent multiple risks and errors. It offers multi-state tax filing support, ensuring compliance for farms operating across different regions. Furthermore, its real-time payroll calculations eliminate batch processing delays, making payroll management effortless. 

Pros And Cons Of Paycor 

Pros 

• Automates payroll processing to boost efficiency 
• Features a compliance dashboard with proactive tax alerts 
• Includes an employee self-service portal for easy access 

Cons 

• The mobile app lacks full functionality compared to the desktop version 
• It conflicts with some security applications, requiring users to submit missed punches later 

Pricing 

It starts from $19-27/employee/month, depending on the size of your company and the modules included in your scope. 

Disclaimer: The pricing information is sourced from third-party websites and is subject to change. 

Managing an international workforce in the agricultural sector comes with multiple challenges, like varying labor laws, tax regulations, and currency conversions. Deel eliminates these complexities, allowing farms to onboard employees and contractors seamlessly while staying compliant with local regulations. 

Unique Features 

Deel simplifies payroll for farms with multi-currency payment support, ensuring smooth transactions for international employees. It offers contractor management tools, allowing farms to pay seasonal workers efficiently. Additionally, its integrated reporting and analytics help farm owners track payroll expenses and optimize workforce management. 

Pros And Cons Of Deel 

Pros 

• Processes global payroll seamlessly, including multi-currency support 
• Supports flexible payments, even cryptocurrency transactions 
• Delivers excellent customer support with multilingual assistance 

Cons 

• Waiting time for the queries is a bit longer 
• Users mention that it takes time to launch the app 

Pricing 

Deel Global Payroll starts at $29/employee/month. 

BambooHR transforms agricultural payroll management with automation, precision, and compliance-driven efficiency. Designed for farms, it streamlines wage calculations and payroll disbursements, ensuring accuracy without administrative burdens. With its intuitive framework, it optimizes payroll workflows, allowing agribusinesses to focus on productivity rather than paperwork. 

Unique Features 

BambooHR integrates payroll, benefits administration, and employee time tracking into a single platform, reducing manual work for farm owners. It also provides customizable reporting, allowing farms to analyze payroll expenses and workforce trends. Furthermore, its employee feedback tracking helps farms improve workforce retention. 

Pros And Cons Of BambooHR 

Pros 

• Offers an all-in-one solution for HR and payroll needs 
• Ensures compliance with local payroll laws and regulations 
• Automates tax filing and payroll provider duties 

Cons 

• No visibility of total annual vacation days 
• Limited customization options for payroll settings 

Pricing 

The vendor offers multiple pricing plans, catering to the diverse requirements of organizations. These include: 

• Core - $6/employee/month 
• Pro - $9/employee/month 

Disclaimer: The pricing information is sourced from third-party websites and is subject to change.   

When it comes to SMBs, payroll isn’t just about numbers, it’s about keeping operations streamlined. Thus, for this purpose, factoHR steps in as a dynamic payroll solution to scale with growing businesses while ensuring seamless workforce management.  

Unique Features 

factoHR simplifies payroll with automated salary calculations, ensuring accurate payments for farm employees. It offers a mobile app for payroll management, allowing farm owners to process payroll on the go. Its multi-entity management feature supports farms with multiple locations, ensuring seamless payroll processing across different regions. 

Pros And Cons Of factoHR 

Pros 

• Automates salary calculations to ensure pinpoint accuracy 
• Maintains compliance with agricultural labor laws and regulations 
• Provides a mobile app for convenient payroll management 

Cons 

• Limited third-party integrations 
• Complex feature set for new users 

Pricing 

There are several pricing plans based on the needs of your organization. These include: 

• Core - $125/month + $2/additional employee/month
• Premium - $175/Month + $3/additional employee/month
• Ultimate - $225/Month + $4/additional employee/month 

Certain features are essential to choose the right payroll software solution for agriculture, especially when managing seasonal workers and farm contractors. Below are the must-have features you should prioritize. 

1. Compliance With Agricultural Tax Laws 

Farms must adhere to various tax regulations, which apply specifically to agricultural employers. The right payroll software should automate tax filings, deductions, and compliance tracking to prevent errors and penalties.  

2. Seasonal And Full-Time Workforce Management 

Agriculture relies heavily on seasonal labor, so payroll software should allow flexible pay structures that accommodate changing workforce demands, ensuring accurate wage calculations. 

3. Seamless Integration With Accounting And HR Systems 

A farm’s payroll system should integrate smoothly with QuickBooks, Xero, or other accounting tools, simplifying financial management and reducing administrative workload.  

4. Time Tracking And Payroll Reporting 

Payroll accuracy is crucial in agriculture. Software with built-in time tracking ensures proper wage calculations while payroll reporting tools help farm owners analyze expenses and maintain financial transparency.  

5. Ease Of Use And Customer Support 

Since farmers may not have extensive accounting expertise, payroll software must have a user-friendly interface with reliable customer support to assist with setup and troubleshooting.  

By selecting a payroll solution tailored to agriculture, farm owners can reduce administrative burdens, ensure compliance, and optimize workforce management, leading to more efficient farm operations. 

Here are some key benefits farm owners can expect when choosing the right payroll solution: 

• Compliance with agricultural tax laws ensures adherence to regulations, minimizing legal risks and penalties 
• Efficient seasonal workforce management supports flexible payroll structures for seasonal and contract workers, adapting to changing farm labor needs 
• Accurate time tracking and reporting monitor labor hours while providing detailed payroll insights to help farms optimize expenses and workforce productivity 
• Integration with accounting and financial tools syncs with farm management software, simplifying financial record-keeping and bookkeeping 
• Improved payment efficiency facilitates direct deposits and automated payments, ensuring farmworkers are paid accurately and on time 
• Scalability for growing farms adapts to expanding operations, supporting workforce growth, and long-term financial stability