Best Payroll Software For NC State

Running a business in North Carolina (NC) comes with its unique blend of opportunities and challenges, and managing payroll is no exception. For example, every business in the state must adhere to many payroll regulations, such as state income tax withholding, unemployment insurance (UI) tax filings, and minimum wage compliance.  

With the right payroll software, these tasks can be automated, saving time, reducing errors, and helping businesses avoid penalties. However, the key lies in finding the software that aligns with your business requirements. 

To help you with his, we have handpicked 9 best payroll platforms for Tar Heel state that excel in automation, state-specific compliance, user experience, and value for money. 

Paychex Flex is a scalable payroll and HR platform designed to support businesses of all sizes. With a cloud-based interface and mobile access, it offers full-service payroll processing, automatic tax filing, employee self-service, and customizable HR tools. The software is especially known for its compliance expertise, making it a popular choice in highly regulated industries like healthcare and manufacturing.

For employers in North Carolina, Paychex Flex simplifies compliance with the state tax and labor regulations. Businesses can also take advantage of Paychex’s localized HR support and worker’s compensation integration, both of which are essential for navigating the state's evolving employment laws.

Standout Features

• Over 30 self-service actions
• Flexible payroll processing
• Automated tax management
• Workforce planning and analytics

Pros And Cons

Pricing

The vendor offers three quote-based pricing plans; Select, Pro, and Enterprise. The pricing depends on the business’s size and specific needs.

RUN Powered by ADP is a comprehensive payroll and HR solution mainly designed for small businesses. It ensures accurate payroll processing, automated tax filings, and optional services like employee benefits management and workers’ compensation.

The platform also features a smart dashboard, employee onboarding tools, and access to certified HR advisors, making it a one-stop shop for businesses seeking both automation and expert guidance.

With labor laws and payroll regulations often varying at the state level, ADP’s compliance alerts and legal updates help North Carolina employers stay ahead of any changes. Additionally, its strong HR support is useful for small business owners in the state who need localized policy templates and legal guidance.

Standout Features

• Garnishment payment service
• Live HR support
• Proactive Compliance alerts
• Employee handbook wizard

Pros And Cons 

Pricing

The software offers four different plans, all available at custom pricing, catering to the diverse requirements of different organizations. These include Essential Payroll, Enhanced Payroll, Complete Payroll & HR+, and HR Pro Payroll & HR.

QuickBooks provides full-service payroll, automatic tax calculations, benefits management, and year-end W-2/1099 filings. Featuring an intuitive interface, it allows managers to run payroll in just a few clicks.

For NC businesses operating on tight schedules, the same-day and next-day direct deposit options can be particularly valuable in retaining talent and maintaining smooth operations. QuickBooks also keeps users updated on changes to the latest tax regulations, helping them avoid penalties and late filings.

Standout Features

• Step-by-step assistance
• Team management tools
• Auto payroll processing

Pros And Cons 

Pricing 

Small businesses can choose from different QuickBooks Payroll pricing plans depending on their individual requirements. These include: 

• Payroll Core + Simple Start - $85/month + $6/employee/month
• Payroll Core + Essentials - $115/month + $6/employee/month
• Payroll Premium + Plus - $184/month + $9/employee/month

The vendor also offers payroll-only plans, available at custom pricing.

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.

OnPay is an all-in-one HR platform that combines payroll, HR tools, and benefits administration in a clean and intuitive interface. With unlimited monthly payroll runs and automated tax filings, the software is well-regarded for delivering enterprise-grade features without complexity. 

Businesses in NC benefit from OnPay's compliance features, as it helps them stay on top of regulations, including the state’s specific tax requirements and labor laws. 

Standout Features

• Multiple pay rates and schedules 
• Custom and pre-built reports 
• Unemployment insurance withholding 
• Multi-state payroll 

Pros And Cons

Pricing

The vendor offers a simple pricing structure, with a base fee of $49/month + $6/employee/month. Users can get an estimated monthly cost based on the number of employees.

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.

Rippling is an all-in-one workforce management platform that unifies payroll, HR, benefits administration, IT, and more under one system. Known for its powerful automations and integration capabilities, the platform enables businesses to automate onboarding, manage devices and apps, and run global or domestic payroll with ease. 

In North Carolina, Rippling stands out by ensuring all state-level payroll regulations are handled automatically. Furthermore, the software's ability to support both local and remote employees makes it an excellent choice for businesses in NC with hybrid or distributed teams. 

Standout Features 

• Compliance automation
• Error-free, automated payroll
• Customizable payroll
• Unlimited payroll processing

Pros And Cons

Pricing 

Rippling offers a modular pricing structure. It starts at as low as $8/month; users can get a simple per-employee, per-month pricing or a monthly base fee estimate tailored to the company’s individual requirements.  

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.

SurePayroll, by Paychex, is a simplified payroll solution ideal for small companies and household businesses. It provides full-service payroll, tax filing, and year-end documentation, all managed through an intuitive cloud-based platform. The software also includes features like automatic payroll runs, mobile access, and customer support specifically trained to help small employers navigate their payroll needs without unnecessary complexity. 

North Carolina businesses benefit from SurePayroll’s local tax filing support, which helps them maintain compliance with local regulations. Furthermore, it offers a no penalty tax filing guarantee, ensuring peace of mind for small businesses in the state.

Standout Features

• Free two-day direct deposit
• Multi-state payroll
• HR management
• Compliant with IRS payroll guidelines

Pros And Cons

Pricing

The vendor offers two pricing plans for small businesses: 

• No Tax Filing ($20/month + $4/employee) 
• Full Service ($29/month + $7/employee) 

There’s also a specialized, full-service plan for Nanny and Household, costing $39/month (Includes one employee plus $10/additional employee).  

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.

Paycor is a comprehensive HR and payroll solution tailored to support small, mid-sized, and growing companies. It offers powerful analytics, payroll automation, timekeeping, recruiting tools, and employee performance management, making it an all-in-one platform.

For North Carolina employers, Paycor helps maintain compliance with all state payroll laws. Its time and attendance tools are particularly helpful for businesses that must stay compliant with the state's wage-and-hour laws, such as restaurants, retailers, and manufacturing companies.

Paycor’s compliance solutions also help ensure employment policies and procedures meet local and federal requirements, reducing legal risk for employers across the state.

Standout Features

• Expense management
• Flexible pay options
• Earned wages access
• Tax compliance alerts

Pros And Cons

Pricing

The vendor offers four pricing plans for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees; Basic, Essential, Core, and Complete. All of these plans are available at custom pricing. Companies with more than 50 employees can get personalized pricing plans tailored to their unique requirements.  

Patriot is a full-service payroll solution specifically designed for small businesses. With a clean and user-friendly interface, it helps companies manage payroll, taxes, and HR management across the US. The time-tracking feature further enhances its functionality, as it integrates directly with the payroll module. 

NC businesses can benefit from Patriot's full-service payroll functionality for local payroll tax management. It handles key tax forms, such as NCUI 101 (North Carolina Quarterly Contribution and Wage Detail for State Unemployment Insurance and NC NC-5Q (North Carolina Quarterly Withholding Return for Semiweekly Payers). 

Standout Features 

• 3-step payroll process 
• Off-cycle payroll options 
• HR compliance center 
• Time and attendance add-on 

Pros And Cons

Pricing 

Patriot software offers two modules: Accounting Software and Payroll Software. Here’s the pricing structure for payroll services: 

• Basic Payroll ($17/month + $4/employee) 
• Full-Service Payroll ($37/month + $5/employee) 
• Users can opt for the Accounting Basic plan starting at $20/month. 

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.

Gusto is a modern payroll and HR solution designed for small to mid-sized businesses that want to offer big-company benefits. It offers full-service payroll, employee benefits management, automated tax filing, onboarding tools, and employee self-service portals. 

Businesses across the US, including North Carolina, benefit from Gusto's strong compliance features. Furthermore, Gusto’s benefits administration tools are useful for companies that want to offer competitive healthcare, and retirement plans while managing costs. 

Standout Features 

• Unlimited payroll 
• Insights and reporting 
• Automated tax filings 
• AutoPilot 

Pros And Cons 

Pricing 

The software offers three pricing plans: 

• Simple ($49/month + $6/employee/month) 
• Plus ($80/month + $12/employee/month) 
• Premium ($180/month + $22/employee/month) 

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change. 

On the whole, efficient payroll management is a cornerstone of any successful business operation, especially in today’s complex regulatory environment. The payroll platforms covered provide valuable tools to automate key processes, simplify compliance, and offer employees convenient access to their pay information, making them suitable for modern businesses. However, in the end, it all boils down to your business’s unique requirements. 

Evaluating your business needs against the features and limitations of each option will ensure you find the best fit to support growth and regulatory requirements. Reach out to us for personalized guidance on how to choose the best payroll software for NC state.