We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. It never changes a score or a ranking. How we make money
Paychex bundles payroll and HR, with HR advisory and PEO services among its selling points, but our published material lists no starting price. The Reddit feedback here needs context: one thread discusses selling Paychex services as an employee, not using them as a customer. It raises concerns about sales pressure and turnover, but does not establish payroll or HR problems for customers. For small teams, broader HR bundles or industry-specific payroll needs, these seven options offer different fits and tradeoffs.
01Why people leave Paychex
Hard-to-compare pricing
Our published material gives no Paychex starting price. If you need a clearer baseline, alternatives here list starting prices from $8 to $49 or require a quote.
A different service model
In a payroll-provider discussion, commenters suggested local service bureaus or QuickBooks Online. Those were general suggestions, not complaints about Paychex.
Reddit raises sales concerns
A thread about selling Paychex services includes allegations of pressure and turnover. It is employee feedback, not customer evidence about payroll or HR.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Small teams and benefits
JustworksJustworksJustworks is a fit if you want payroll and HR together but also want bundled benefits administration. It is listed for small US teams and companies hiring internationally, so it may suit a broader mix of needs than basic payroll. The listed starting price is $8, giving you a comparison point Paychex’s listing does not provide.
Trade-off: Budget for possible benefits cost increases.
7.2/10from
$8/mo - Small, one-state teams
GustoGustoGusto is listed for small teams running payroll in one state, with time tracking and HR tools available alongside payroll. That makes it a reasonable alternative if your Paychex setup feels broader than you need but you still want payroll and HR together. Its listed starting price is $49; check per-person pricing before comparing totals.
Trade-off: Per-person pricing and support complaints temper the case.
6.3/10from
$49/mo - QuickBooks users
QuickBooks Online PayrollQuickBooks Online PayrollIf your business already uses QuickBooks accounting, QuickBooks Online Payroll is listed for payroll tax filing and contractor-only payroll for up to 20. That makes it worth comparing when you want payroll tied to your existing accounting setup rather than another broad HR bundle. The listed starting price is $25, but per-employee pricing affects the comparison.
Trade-off: Per-employee pricing and reported issues are worth checking.
5.8/10from
$25/mo - Straightforward payroll
SurePayrollSurePayrollSurePayroll is listed for small businesses with straightforward payroll and employers wanting automatic tax filing. It is also listed for households paying one in-home employee. If you do not need Paychex’s broader HR or PEO options, its $20 listed starting price gives you a lower entry point to investigate.
Trade-off: Verify the price and plan details before moving.
6.2/10from
$20/mo - Automated HR and payroll
PaycomPaycomPaycom is listed for organizations consolidating HR and payroll, teams seeking employee self-service, and buyers wanting automated payroll workflows. It is the closer comparison if you want to keep a combined HR-payroll system rather than move to payroll alone. Pricing is not listed, so request a quote before treating it as a cost alternative.
Trade-off: A quote is needed to judge its value.
6.5/10from
Custom - HR, finance and IT
PaylocityPaylocityPaylocity is listed for employers consolidating HR and payroll workflows, including teams wanting finance and IT alongside HR. Consider it if your reason for leaving Paychex is a need to compare a broader set of functions, not simply find the lowest payroll price. Pricing is not listed, so get a detailed quote.
Trade-off: Get a detailed quote and service commitments.
5.9/10from
Custom - Guided benefits enrollment
isolvedisolvedisolved is listed for buyers seeking HR and payroll together and teams interested in guided benefits enrollment. That makes it a relevant option if you want to preserve a combined system while comparing another provider. Its pricing is not listed, and the published material notes thin user feedback, so ask detailed questions before switching.
Trade-off: Custom pricing and thin user feedback leave questions open.
5.8/10from
Custom
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Paychex Paychex (current) | 6.2 | Custom | No | Businesses wanting payroll and HR together |
| Justworks Justworks | 7.2 | $8/mo | No | Small US teams needing payroll and HR |
| Gusto Gusto | 6.3 | $49/mo | No | Small teams running payroll in one state |
| QuickBooks Online Payroll QuickBooks Online Payroll | 5.8 | $25/mo | No | Businesses already using QuickBooks accounting |
| SurePayroll SurePayroll | 6.2 | $20/mo | No | Small businesses with straightforward payroll |
| Paycom Paycom | 6.5 | Custom | No | Organizations consolidating HR and payroll |
| Paylocity Paylocity | 5.9 | Custom | No | Employers consolidating HR and payroll workflows |
| isolved isolved | 5.8 | Custom | No | Buyers seeking HR and payroll together |
Questions people ask
How much does Paychex cost?
Our published material does not list a Paychex starting price, so we cannot give a reliable baseline. The alternatives listed here start at $8 for Justworks, $20 for SurePayroll, $25 for QuickBooks Online Payroll and $49 for Gusto. Those starting prices are not a full quote or a like-for-like total.
Which Paychex alternative is best for a small business?
It depends on what you need. Justworks is listed for small US teams needing payroll and HR; Gusto is listed for small teams running payroll in one state; SurePayroll is listed for straightforward small-business payroll. Compare the listed starting price with your actual plan needs before choosing.
Do Reddit users report Paychex payroll problems?
The published Reddit thread is about a sales role at Paychex, not customers using its payroll or HR services. Commenters raise concerns about sales pressure and turnover, but that does not establish customer product problems. A separate payroll-provider discussion includes general suggestions such as local service bureaus, not specific Paychex complaints.