Paylocity vs Paychex
Best for
Small and mid-market U.S. organizations that want a unified payroll and HR/HCM platform with strong employee self-service.
Small and mid-sized businesses wanting bundled payroll, HR and benefits or PEO with dedicated service representatives.
Strong when
Employee experience, mobile adoption and a single system of record spanning HR and, increasingly, finance are priorities.
Reliable full-service payroll, automated tax compliance and HR outsourcing or PEO are priorities.
Validate before buying
Reviewers cite support consistency during peak times; implementation/setup fees apply and global payroll is integration-based rather than native.
Reviewers frequently cite annual price increases, expiring discounts and per-payroll billing that can be cost-prohibitive for very small firms.
Pricing
Per-employee-per-month and quote-based; a demo request is required for a customized quote.
Custom-quote for most tiers; the entry Paychex Flex Essentials plan is publicly listed.
Implementation
Setup and implementation fees apply and vary by company size and configuration.
Onboarding with dedicated account and service representatives.
Employees
5001-10000
10000+
Headquarters
Schaumburg, Illinois
Rochester, New York; Cincinnati, Ohio
Founded
1997
1971
Categories
PayrollHCM
PayrollHCMPEO(Professional Employer Organization)
Core capabilities
Payroll and tax filingHRISBenefits administrationTime and attendanceTalent managementOnboarding and performanceEmployee self-service and mobileEmployee engagement / community
Payroll and tax filingHR management and outsourcingPEOBenefits administrationTime and attendanceRetirement / 401(k)InsuranceEmployee self-service and mobile
Decision snapshots reflect verified profiles where available. Paylocity · Paychex