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It's a split decision.
Choose Paylocity if you want HR, payroll, finance and IT tools together, plus real-time dashboards. Choose Paychex if payroll and HR services, benefits, compliance or advisory support are the priority. Neither publishes starting prices or offers a listed free plan, so get quotes based on your needs before switching. Our review scores are close—6.2 for Paychex and 5.9 for Paylocity—so they do not settle the choice; compare scope and service commitments.
01Side by side
| Paylocity | Paychex | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Quote-only; starting price not published | Quote-only; starting price not published |
| Free plan | No free plan listed | No free plan listed |
| Best for | Employers wanting HR, payroll, finance and IT together | Businesses needing payroll, HR, benefits and compliance |
| Core strength | One platform spanning HR, payroll, finance and IT | Payroll, tax administration and HR services |
| Learning curve | Not published | Not published |
| Integrations/data | Real-time dashboards; integration details not published | HR Analytics add-on; integration details not published |
| Team/seat costs | Seat limits and costs not published | Rates vary by employee count; amounts not published |
| Support | Expert support; published review support score: 4.5 | Advisory support; PEO includes dedicated HR and payroll support |
Paylocity Choose Paylocity if
- Choose Paylocity if you want finance and IT alongside HR and payroll.
- Choose Paylocity if real-time dashboards matter to your team.
- Choose Paylocity if you want customizable HR, payroll, talent and finance modules.
Paychex Choose Paychex if
- Choose Paychex if payroll tax filing and year-end processing are priorities.
- Choose Paychex if you need benefits, compliance or HR advisory services.
- Choose Paychex if you want a PEO option with HR and payroll support.
02Pricing compared
Neither provider publishes a starting price or lists a free plan or free trial. Paylocity pricing is quote-based, with a custom option for organizations choosing HR, payroll, talent or finance modules. Its monthly and annual rates, seat limits, usage limits and add-on costs are not published.
Paychex also uses quote-only pricing; monthly and annual rates are not published. Its listed options range from Basic payroll and HR to HR Pro and HR PEO, with features varying by plan. Paychex says pricing depends on employee count and business needs. It also lists add-ons such as time and attendance, talent management and benefits, but their prices are not published.
Ask both vendors for an itemized quote that matches your modules, employee count and service needs. Compare total costs and service commitments before switching; public pricing does not settle which will cost less.
03Features and depth
Paylocity’s pitch is breadth across departments. Its platform brings HR, payroll, finance and IT together, with payroll and tax filing, workforce management, spend management, asset management, access control and service support. The company also lists a mobile app and real-time dashboards with guided actions. Its custom modules cover HR, payroll, talent and finance; the available package and limits need to be confirmed in a quote.
Paychex centers on payroll and HR services, with benefits and compliance support. Its listed payroll plans include unlimited payroll processing and year-end W-2 and 1099 processing, though inclusions vary by plan. Other listed capabilities include time and attendance, recruiting and onboarding, 401(k), health insurance and PEO services. Add-ons include HR analytics, applicant tracking, workers’ comp and advanced scheduling.
Choose Paylocity if finance and IT tools in the same platform matter. Choose Paychex if payroll, HR services, benefits or advisory support are the priority. Confirm which features are included, optional or separately priced.
04Ease of use and learning curve
The available information does not establish which platform is easier to learn. Paylocity describes its payroll platform as intuitive and promotes a mobile app, dashboards and guided actions, but the published information does not detail onboarding, training or implementation. Paychex offers digital software alongside advisory support, but its plan descriptions do not specify how much guidance each customer receives.
Our review scores are close: Paychex scores 6.5 for ease of use and Paylocity 6.0. Those scores are a signal, not a guarantee for your team or setup. Ask each provider to walk through the workflows your staff will use, and get implementation and support commitments in writing before signing.
Questions people ask
Is Paychex a good company to work for?
The published information describes Paychex as a payroll, HR, benefits and compliance provider; it does not assess Paychex as an employer. The included review score is a product comparison score, not a workplace rating. For an employment decision, look for employee-focused reviews and information about the specific role and location.
How do I change my direct deposit on Paylocity?
The available Paylocity information does not give steps for changing direct deposit. It confirms that Paylocity has a mobile app, but not whether or how that app handles bank-detail changes. Check your employer’s Paylocity instructions or contact its payroll or HR team before changing payment details.
Are Paychex and Paylocity the same company?
No. Paychex and Paylocity are presented as separate providers in this comparison. Both offer payroll and HR capabilities, but their listed scope differs: Paylocity also brings finance and IT tools into its platform, while Paychex lists benefits, compliance, advisory and PEO services.
How much does Paychex payroll cost per month?
Paychex does not publish monthly payroll rates or a starting price in the published pricing information. Its pricing is quote-only and depends on employee count and business needs. Ask for a quote that specifies the plan, included services, add-ons and any implementation or support costs.