Compare Zenefits Online Payroll Services

• Why Use Zenefits Payroll Service
• Zenefits Plans
• Compare Zenefits Prices
• Compare Zenefits Features
• Compare Zenefits Prices
• Zenefits Integrations
• Payroll Ad Ons
• Zenefits Video Demo
• Zenefits Payroll Screen Shots
• Zenefits Reviews
• Top 5 Zenefits Payroll Complaints
• Zenefits Top Pros

Why Use Zenefits Payroll Service?

Zenefits Payroll Service is part of the Zenefits HR platform. While the online payroll platform isn't the primary product in the software, it's an extremely useful option for business owners who want to take their payroll "in-house." If you've struggled to find a payroll solution that's suitable for your business, plenty of excellent features make Zenefits Payroll Service worth considering.

Zenefits Payroll Service is seamlessly integrated into the Zenefits HR software. The payroll platform prioritizes ease-of-use and intuitive user functions. If you want a simple, reliable payroll solution that can help you manage your staff payments, it's hard to find a more attractive product.

Unlike many other payroll services, Zenefits Payroll Service allows you to run unlimited payrolls. If you have an unorthodox payment schedule or require contractors that are on different pay rotations, this can help you avoid unwanted extra costs. Having access to unlimited payroll runs gives you the flexibility to cater to your staff.

The software interface is extremely intuitive - it won't take long to get used to this payroll platform. You can quickly process payments to both W-2 and 1099 employees, so you have flexibility over your staff contracts. You can also automate payments, as well as federal and state taxes.

While the basic features in Zenefits Payroll Service are incredibly functional, you'll also have access to in-depth payroll capabilities. Tax payment summaries, garnishments reports, deductions, contributions, and a host of other payroll elements are also available.

Again, it's important to note that Zenefits Payroll Service is a component of the Zenefits HR product. This means that all Zenefits Payroll Service users will also benefit from the HR core features. These features include HR onboarding, performance management, staff scheduling, compensation management, and a host of other useful tools.

Zenefits Payroll Service is a relatively new product. Zenefits opened its doors in 2013 and has experienced rapid expansion over the past seven years. Zenefits has since grown into one of the management technology industry's most exciting newcomers.

Zenefits Payroll Plans

To access Zenefits Payroll Service, you'll first need a Zenefits HR plan. As this is not a standalone product, you need the base software product before you can add the payroll solution.

Below, we'll take a closer look at the three base options available to Zenefits HR users. Next, we'll explore the Zenefits Payroll Service plan that you can add to the base Zenefits HR product.

• The Essentials plan is the entry-level option for Zenefits users. It provides record building, employee management features, employee onboarding features, scheduling, integration options, and access to the platform's mobile app. You'll also be able to manage documents and generate HR reports using this basic plan.
• Growth: If you want a few more capabilities, the Growth tier is one level above. It offers all the same features you find in the Essentials plan, as well as performance management and compensation management. If you're trying to find an in-house solution for tracking staff performance, the Growth plan is a good tool.
• Zen: The Zen plan is the top Zenefits HR plan available to business owners. It includes all the core HR features and the "well-being" feature that helps you track staff well-being and happiness. If you're searching for a way to improve staff retention rates, this is a powerful feature.
• Payroll Plan: If you want to use Zenefits Payroll Service, you need to upgrade to the Payroll add-on. This add-on provides the full list of features for Zenefits Payroll Service - you won't need to navigate multiple tiers or subscription levels to get the most out of this platform. This allows you to run, manage, and analyze payroll for your business.

As you can see, you have a lot of freedom to customize your base plan. Zenefits also makes it convenient to access all the payroll benefits in a single add-on. Still, being forced into a base plan for HR services is slightly annoying.

Regardless, compared to a lot of payroll services on the market, it's nice to see a business software provider that's so transparent about pricing, plans, and add-ons. This clarity is rare in the industry - hidden costs are endemic with many HR, payroll, and accounting software providers.

Compare Zenefits Payroll Prices

As previously discussed, Zenefits Payroll Service comes in the form of an add-on. Instead of paying for various payroll plans, you select a Zenefits HR plan and then add the payroll service to the original cost. To illustrate the cost of this platform, we'll begin by examining the prices of the base plans (Zenefits HR).

There are three Zenefits HR plans to choose from. While you can purchase each plan on a month-to-month basis, the annual plans will help you save money by paying upfront. Each of these plans is charged on a per-employee basis. Let's explore the prices below:

Monthly

• Essentials HR Plan: $10/month (per employee)
• Growth HR Plan: $18/month (per employee)
• Zen HR Plan: $27/month (per employee)

Annually

• Essentials HR Plan: $8/month (per employee)
• Growth HR Plan: $14/month (per employee)
• Zen HR Plan: $21/month (per employee)

Once you choose a Zenefits HR plan to proceed with, it's time to add on your payroll service. There is only one payroll add-on available, so you can access all the features by upgrading to this option. Zenefits Payroll Service costs an additional $6/month (per employee), but is currently free for the first year if you sign up for one of the base accounts.

Once your first year with Zenefits ends, you will need to start paying $6 per month (per employee). Unlike other Zenefits HR plans, Zenefits Payroll Service doesn't charge more if you choose to bill month-to-month. If you want access to the company's advisor service, which can help you process payment and manage other HR tasks, the cost is $10 per month (per employee).

While payment plans and options at Zenefits are extremely straightforward, it's slightly disappointing that you can't access Zenefits Payroll Service as a separate product. If you already have an HR solution that takes care of your other employee services, this might not be suitable.

If you're a large business that finds the pricing levels excessive because of the number of employees in your company, you can contact the Zenefits sales team to discuss enterprise solutions. Zenefits is happy to work with large companies to develop bespoke pricing tiers.

Zenefits Features

With so many HR features available on this platform, many people wonder: does Zenefits do payroll? Zenefits Payroll Service is powerful enough to be sold as a separate product, even though it's lumped in with the rest of the Zenefits HR features. Still, don't let the bundling convince you this isn't a robust payroll solution.

In this portion of our comparison, we'll explore Zenefits Payroll Service features. As we've already overviewed the HR benefits of this platform, we'll focus on the payroll-specific features packed into this product:

• Automate Employee Payments and Taxes: The primary purpose of this software is to automate your payment schedules and tax filings. Users can set up payment schedules, as well as process state and federal taxes. It's never been easier to stay on top of your payroll and employment tax obligations.
• In-Depth Reports: You can run detailed reports on staff members. This is an excellent tool if you want to analyze your current hours, staffing, and other employee data. It's easy to generate reports in the central user hub.
• Automated Compliance: Whether it's creating and filing W-2s and 1099s or providing legal pay stubs to employees, Zenefits allows you to comply with local and federal payroll regulations. You don't need to worry about making mistakes.
• Handle Custom Changes and Requests: If people request time off, payment changes, schedule changes, or any other changes, the system can easily handle custom requests. Zenefits isn't a rigid platform - you can mold your payroll to your preferences.
• Quick Onboarding: When you onboard a new staff member with the Zenefits platform, their payment details and personal data will automatically generate in your Zenefits Payroll Service interface. This helps you streamline hiring and paying new staff members - it drastically reduces management legwork.
• Mobile App: Zenefits has a mobile app that you can use to track time, view pay stubs, and perform a variety of other payroll tasks. While it doesn't have the same level of functionality as the web-based platform, it's still a helpful tool when you're on the go.
• Online Tools: The Zenefits website has a range of online tools to help you learn more about the platform. If you ever need help with accessing components of this software, the website's resources can answer your questions.

Zenefits Payroll Integrations

An often-overlooked component of the Zenefits platform is its extensive integration list. If you're searching for an HR or payroll service that can work alongside your business's other software products, this is an excellent choice. Zenefits makes it extremely easy to view eligible integrations and their common uses - they're divided into sub-categories on the company's website.

For example, if you're searching for an accounting service to link to your Zenefits Payroll Service, you can link your account to Xero and QuickBooks. This helps you automate data recording and avoid accounting errors. If you want employee management tools, you can choose between Lessonly, Officevibe, Bonusly, and Gifted.

These are just a handful of the various integrations available at Zenefits. If you'd like to see other popular options, explore the list of integrations below:

• Workato
• Box
• Asana
• G Suite
• Zapier
• Hive
• Lever
• CoPilot 401(k)
• Hotel Engine
• Uber
• BetterWorks
• Zugata
• Embroker

You can find even more Zenefits integrations on the company's website. They keep an updated list of eligible software partners. While many of these integrations don't apply to payroll services, they still offer centralized features.

Zenefits Payroll Ad-Ons

As we've overviewed in multiple parts of this comparison, Zenefits Payroll Service is an add-on to the Zenefits HR software platform. In this regard, there are no specific add-ons for the Zenefits payroll solution. This being said, there are a few additional add-ons for the Zenefits HR product - these can also complement your payroll service.

There are two primary add-ons currently available:

• Advisor Services: If you want additional help processing your payroll or managing your company's HR, it can feel like an uphill battle if you're using your own software. Fortunately, Zenefits offers a useful "Advisor Services" feature that gives you access to payroll and HR specialists. It costs $10 per month (per employee).
• Benefits Admin Using Own Broker: If you want to use a third-party benefits broker, you can do so by paying $5 per month (per employee). Unfortunately, this is a pretty steep price if you're trying to avoid using their in-house brokers. If you're determined to use your own broker, this additional cost is a salient point to consider.

While these add-ons don't offer too much added functionality, you have all the payroll features you need in the core payroll package. Additionally, you have access to the HR features included in your Zenefits base plan.

Zenefits Payroll Screen Shots

Zenefits Payroll Video Demo

Top 5 Zenefits Payroll Complaints

While it's clear there are tons of capabilities and features packed into this affordable payroll service, it's still important to understand the drawbacks. Below, let's explore some key disadvantages and complaints associated with Zenefits Payroll Service:

1. Not a Standalone Product: If you're searching for a standalone payroll service with no added frills, Zenefits might not be the platform for your business. As this is primarily an HR platform, you must purchase the base product before adding the payroll service. If you're searching for a low-cost option with no added features, it's best to look at dedicated payroll services.
2. Mobile App Can Be Buggy: Some users complain that the latest versions of the mobile app feel buggy. If you're seeking a mobile-based payroll provider, Zenefits' app might not be powerful enough to handle your requests. Keep an eye on this component of the service - it may improve as the company ages.
3. Tax Features Aren't Suitable for Some States: While Zenefits doesn't explicitly state they don't work with specific state tax codes, some customers complain that the platform isn't suitable for some states. Make sure to seek clarification that you can automate your state taxes if this is a feature that you require from your payroll service.
4. Setup Process Feels Flawed: While a glance at the Zenefits website will reveal how much the company values intuitive design and transparency, some users claim the setup process for the software wasn't clear. If you don't have any experience using business software, it might be worth seeking more information about the setup process.
5. Relatively New to the Market: While Zenefits boasts one of the fastest-growing teams in the software industry, the company is still less than a decade old. While many top software producers don't have a longstanding reputation in the industry, some business owners may prefer working with longstanding software providers.

Top 5 Zenefits Payroll Pros

While all payroll services have negative aspects, there's no doubt that Zenefits offers a range of excellent features and advantages. Below, let's explore the benefits and positive reviews associated with this fast-growing payroll platform:

1. Extremely Intuitive and Simple to Learn: While some users have complaints about the setup process, there's no doubt that this is an easy platform to use once you're up and running. You can automate payroll, taxes, reports, and a range of other features. All your core tools and data are stored in a central location with your other Zenefits HR functions. This platform is built to streamline your staff management.
2. All-in-One Solution: While some users complain that this isn't a standalone product, others enjoy that there are comprehensive services available to Zenefits users. If you want to access a range of employee management tools in a single software solution, there aren't many products that rival Zenefits. There's a reason this platform has experienced backbreaking growth since its inception in 2013.
3. Unlimited Payroll Runs: Don't limit yourself to a strict payroll structure. With Zenefits Payroll Service, you can make as many payroll runs per month as you need. This is an excellent feature for businesses that use freelancers and other contractors that may operate on different pay schedules.
4. Simple Plan and Add-On Structure: Zenefits does an excellent job of making its plan and add-on structure extremely easy to understand. You pay on a per-employee basis, and you can add extra features if your business requires them. Compared to other services on the market, we enjoy how transparent Zenefits is with their pricing structure.
5. Responsive Development Team: While using a new technology company can have its downsides, there are also some notable advantages. The Zenefits development team has been extremely responsive to user requests, customizations, and a host of other software elements. With large technology companies, you don't typically have the same level of user interaction - many Zenefits Payroll Service clients say the company is constantly adding new features and responding to concerns.