Running a recruitment agency means juggling countless moving parts, from sourcing top talent and managing client relationships to ensuring compliance with labor laws. But one area that often becomes a silent time-drain is payroll management.
With a rotating roster of temporary placements, contract workers, and full-time staff, recruitment agencies face unique payroll complexities that traditional solutions just can't handle efficiently. That’s where specialized payroll software for recruitment agencies comes in. It can save them hours each week and significantly reduce costly errors.
That said, the key lies in finding the right payroll software, which can be overwhelming with so many options available. To help you navigate the options, we have curated a list of the nine best payroll software for recruitment agencies.
Nine Best Payroll Software For Recruitment Agencies
- Gusto HR Software – Best for user-friendly automation and compliance support
- Rippling HR – Best for global payroll capabilities
- Deel – Best for global hiring and compliance
- Patriot Payroll – Best for payroll processing for small businesses
- OnPay Payroll – Best for flexible payroll with strong tax compliance and HR tools
- Justworks – Best for PEO services combining payroll, benefits, and multi-state compliance
- Paylocity HR & Payroll – Best for integrated HR, payroll, and talent management in one platform
- UKG PRO – Best for enterprise-grade HR and payroll with advanced analytics
- Papaya Global – Best for global workforce management and cross-border payroll compliance
Software | Our Ratings | Top Features | Free Trial | Price |
Gusto | 4.5 ★★★★★ |
| No | Multiple pricing plans, starting from $49/month + $6/person/month. Add-ons available. |
Rippling | 4.9 ★★★★★ |
| No | Modular pricing plan. Contact us for a quote. |
Deel | 4.8 ★★★★★ |
| No | Modular pricing plans, with global payroll starting from $29/employee/month |
Patriot | 5 ★★★★★ |
| Yes | Basic and Full Service payroll plans, starting from $17 + $4/worker |
OnPay | 4.7 ★★★★★ |
| No | Simple pricing plan with a base price of $49/month + $6/person/month |
Justworks | 4.4 ★★★★ |
| No | Multiple pricing plans, with payroll starting from $50/month (base fee) + $8/employee/month |
Paylocity | 4.2 ★★★★ |
| No | Modular pricing. Contact us for a customized pricing plan |
UKG Pro | 4.1 ★★★★ |
| No | Customized pricing plans. Get in touch for a personalized quote |
Papaya Global | 2 ★★ |
| No | Modular pricing plan, starting from $5/employee/month |
Gusto is a cloud-based payroll platform particularly well-suited for small to medium-sized organizations. It offers features like automated payroll processing, tax calculations, and benefits management. Gusto also provides tools for onboarding, time tracking, and compliance management, making it an all-in-one solution for startups and growing businesses.
The software's automation and compliance features are beneficial for recruitment agencies managing multiple contractors and employees across various jurisdictions and countries. It has a user-friendly interface that simplifies payroll processing, which helps deal with complex payroll scenarios common in recruitment.
Top Features
- Global payroll
- Built-in time tracking
- Unlimited payroll processing
- Talent management
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Offers centralized access to paystubs, paid time off (PTO), tax info, and benefits
- Supports flexible feature options, allowing users to only pay for what they need
- Can be integrated with over 100 third-party applications and systems
Cons
- Leave management is restricted to administrators only
- Lacks integrated document signing during onboarding
Pricing
Gusto offers a subscription-based pricing model, starting from $49/month + $6/person/month.
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Rippling is an all-in-one human resource (HR) and information technology (IT) platform that integrates payroll, benefits, and employee data management. It offers features such as automated payroll, compliance tracking, and device management.
The software's ability to manage both HR and IT needs makes it ideal for recruitment agencies that require seamless onboarding and offboarding processes, especially when dealing with remote or tech-savvy candidates.
Top Features
- Global payroll
- Multiple pay rates
- Compensation management
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Automated approach to both payroll and HR management simplifies processes and saves time
- Streamlined hiring flow with step-by-step guidance makes onboarding easy and efficient
- Centralized platform makes onboarding, document access, task completion, and training modules easy to navigate
Cons
- Uploaded receipts occasionally fail to attach to transactions and get stuck in drafts
- Navigating all the features can be challenging at first, especially for new users
Pricing
The vendor offers modular pricing plans, which can be customized according to the organization’s unique requirements.
Deel specializes in global payroll and compliance solutions, enabling businesses to hire and pay employees and contractors in 150 countries. It offers features like automated payroll, tax compliance, and contract management.
For recruitment agencies with international placements, Deel provides a streamlined solution to manage cross-border payroll and compliance, ensuring adherence to local labor laws and regulations.
Top Features
- 350+ in-house experts
- 24/7 support
- Global reporting
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Sends timely notifications with clear details on payments, exchange rates, and fees, enhancing transparency and tracking
- Simplifies international contract and payment management, enabling global scaling without complex legal challenges
- Offers virtual cards that make purchasing globally effortless and convenient
Cons
- Some advanced settings and reports are hard to find and lack customization options
- Withdrawal options could be improved, as the availability of payout methods varies by country and may involve higher fees in certain regions
Pricing
Deel offers modular pricing plans, with global payroll starting from $29/employee/month.
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Patriot offers a powerful payroll solution with features like automated tax calculations, direct deposit, and employee self-service portals. It caters to small and mid-sized businesses with straightforward payroll needs.
Patriot's cost-effective and easy-to-use platform is suitable for recruitment agencies looking to manage payroll for a smaller workforce without complex requirements.
Top Features
- 3-step payroll process
- Unlimited payrolls
- Free direct deposit
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Simplifies employee setup for both salaried and hourly workers, with easy adjustments for withholdings
- Automates key features, streamlining workflows and significantly boosting efficiency
- Effectively handles complicated state payroll taxes, making compliance easier
Cons
- Processing payroll for different types of employees can be complex, involving multiple steps
- Lacks flexibility for quick adjustments to salaried amounts, requiring manual corrections to ensure accurate net pay calculations
Pricing
The vendor offers two pricing plans, Basic Payroll and Full Service Payroll, starting from $17/month + $4/worker.
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
OnPay is a cloud-based payroll service that provides features such as automated payroll processing, tax filing, and benefits administration. It also offers HR tools like employee self-service and compliance tracking.
The platform's comprehensive features make it suitable for recruitment agencies that need to manage payroll and HR tasks for a diverse workforce, including remote and temporary employees.
Top Features
- Multi-state payroll
- Multiple pay rates and schedules
- Unlimited payroll runs
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Offers a user-friendly dashboard with powerful reporting features for clear insights
- Provides strong control over the payroll process, ensuring flexibility and confidence in payroll management
- Simplifies employee onboarding and allows easy customization of pay types and rates
Cons
- Offers a limited range of time tracking services for integration
- Changing pay frequency during special runs, such as employee termination, can be a bit tricky
Pricing
The vendor offers a simple pricing plan, with a base price of $49/month + $6/person/month.
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Justworks operates as a professional employer organization (PEO), streamlining HR, payroll, and compliance tasks. It provides automated payroll processing, benefits administration, and multi-state compliance support.
Recruitment agencies benefit from the software's ability to simplify compliance across various regions, automate payroll and tax filings, and offer competitive benefits packages that help agencies attract top talent.
Top Features
- Custom pay schedules
- Off-cycle payments
- Integrated time tracking
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Has a responsive team that provides thorough guidance for complex tax situations, offering clear solutions
- Allows employees to easily manage their time tracking, PTO requests, benefits, and more
- Offers a centralized platform that streamlines team management, payroll, benefits, time off, expense reimbursements, and access to key documents
Cons
- The mobile app can be slow to load paystub details at times, resulting in delays
- Certain admin tools feel limited, particularly in bulk actions and document management
Pricing
Justworks offers three pricing plans, with payroll starting from $50/month (base fee) + $8/employee/month.
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Paylocity delivers a comprehensive platform that includes payroll, HR, benefits administration, time tracking, and talent management. Its intuitive interface and automation capabilities enhance operational efficiency.
Recruitment agencies find Paylocity advantageous because its automated payroll and HR processes save time and reduce errors. Moreover, its integrated talent management tools assist in recruiting and onboarding, while employee self-service portals improve communication and engagement.
Top Features
- On demand payment
- Global payroll
- Garnishment managed services
Pros And Cons
Pros
- The platform’s helpful knowledge base makes it easy to understand and navigate its features
- Allows users to easily track and manage all employee documentation in one place
- Provides a comprehensive suite of modules that cover all core HR functions
Cons
- Paylocity’s reporting tools can feel clunky, with options that are either too vague or overly complex
- Customization options could be improved, as some features may not fully align with every company’s practical needs
Pricing
The vendor offers a modular structure, with pricing customized to businesses’ unique requirements.
UKG Pro is a human capital management (HCM) solution offering payroll, HR, talent acquisition, and benefits administration, with AI-driven insights and employee engagement tools.
It is well-suited for recruitment agencies with its powerful recruiting tools that streamline talent acquisition. The platform also offers advanced analytics that aid in workforce planning and decision-making, along with centralized benefits administration that simplifies employee management.
Top Features
- Expert tax filing support
- Advanced pay insights
- Financial well-being
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Combines easy access to payment details and clock-in/out management, all within a single platform
- Secure VPN protects personal information, enhancing data privacy and security
- Offers customization options that let users tailor the software to their specific needs
Cons
- Mobile app is prone to crashes, which hinders overall functionality and user experience
- Compensation management setup can be challenging for administrators, requiring more time and effort than expected
Pricing
The vendor offers customized pricing plans catering to the unique requirements of different organizations.
Papaya Global specializes in global payroll and workforce management, supporting payments in over 160 countries. It provides a unified platform for managing international employees and ensures compliance with local regulations, along with tools for contractor management and benefits administration.
This makes it the right choice for recruitment agencies that hire and manage international talent, helping them stay compliant with local laws and streamline global payroll processes to reduce administrative burden.
Top Features
- Split payments
- Worker wallets
- Fraud prevention
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Makes payroll processing much more efficient, streamlining the entire process
- Papaya’s payroll experts are highly efficient in quickly resolving issues, ensuring smooth operations
- Onboarding new employees is seamless, saving time and making it easy for new joiners to register on the portal
Cons
- With the wide range of features, it can take time to explore and fully utilize the platform’s potential
- Invoices lack sufficient detail, making it more challenging to fully understand the breakdown of charges and transactions
Pricing
The vendor offers a modular pricing structure, starting from $5/employee/month.
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
On the whole, selecting the ideal payroll software for your recruitment agency goes beyond just streamlining payroll processes; it’s about finding a solution that enhances your agency’s agility, compliance, and overall efficiency. The nine payroll software options we've highlighted offer diverse features, each tailored to meet the unique demands of recruitment businesses.
If you’re still unsure which platform best suits your company’s needs, reach out to us for personalized guidance.