Staying on top of the latest payroll systems can be a full-time job. Our payroll software makes it easy for small businesses in South Africa to manage their employees’ pay. We keep updating our payroll software so you always have the latest developments and tools available.
If you are a small business in South Africa and want the easiest payroll system to use and don’t want to spend a fortune, then this is all you will ever need!
Payslip
Payslip develops payroll and HR software. The PayLite software is specifically designed for small business payroll. It’s compulsory to purchase training for each user on purchase, and you can buy support by the hour or in discounted bundles.
Payslip also offers customized outsource payroll services for any size business, where you choose what you want them to do. The team includes experts in taxation, payroll administration, legislative compliance and audits, and computer software specialists.
Quick Payroll
Quick Payroll is the payroll software from Quickbooks Accounting. It is sold through a reseller channel who provide training and support. Additional modules can be added to the basic package for Bargaining Council functionality and multi-country processing. There is also an HR module available.
Sage One Payroll
Sage One Payroll (previously VIP Payroll) is a cloud-based payroll system that is fully SARS compliant. It integrates with Sage Accounting software but can be used as a standalone product. Being on the cloud, it enables you to process payroll wherever you are, provided you have an internet connection. It also makes support easy as the consultants can view your system remotely.
PayDay
PayDay offers payroll software, HR, time and time and attendance software. They also offer an employee self-service module where employees can request documents like payslips and IRP5s. Their software caters to all industries and all size companies. They offer a comprehensive range of training courses for payroll and HR professionals.
Osidon
Osidon markets themselves as a digital accountant working off Zero cloud-based accounting and payroll software. Their services are specifically geared towards entrepreneurs and include payroll services. This could be a good solution if you are also looking for accounting services. Plus, they promise access to discounted legal advice and other business resources.
SimplePay
SimplePay promises their payroll software is so simple to use that you don’t need any knowledge of payroll legislation, nor experience with other payroll systems. The system is cloud-based, and they even offer a 30-day free trial that has all functionality. You can literally start today for free.
TruPay
TruPay is a payroll outsourcing company that offers services throughout Africa. They offer payroll services with full compliance with SARS requirements. They will send employees their payslips via email.
Accace
Accace offers a cloud-based payroll and HR outsourcing solution. Their payroll system’s online portal allows for secure data exchange, payslips distribution, onboarding and leave management or time and attendance functions. This allows for a hybrid solution where managers and employees can handle numerous tasks on their own. Accace also offers comprehensive labour law support.
Praxima
Praxima is an international payroll outsourcing group, offering services in South Africa. Their solution gives employees a self-service portal and offers secure record storage and workflow that allows for different approval levels. This makes it suitable for bigger companies with disbursed workforces.
ADP Run: Best for Scaling Startups Needing Flexible Plans
Overall Score: 3.79 OUT OF 5
What We Like
- Multiple plans to choose from
- Automatic quarterly and annual tax filings
- Advanced HR support available
- Built-in compliance tools that flag potential errors
What’s Missing
- Pricing isn’t transparent
- Setup fee required
- Year-end reporting costs extra
- Benefits, time tracking, and workers’ compensation are add-on products
ADP Run Pricing
- Essential: Custom-priced
- Enhanced: Custom-priced
- Complete: Custom-priced
- HR Pro: Custom-priced
ADP has numerous plan options and products that cater to different-sized businesses. ADP Run is its payroll system for small businesses with up to 49 employees. It comes with all of the essential payroll and payroll tax management tools you need, plus new hire reporting, onboarding, background checks, and access to job postings (via ZipRecruiter). Its higher tiers even come with extra HR support and handholding that you don’t get with your typical small business payroll software like Gusto or Square Payroll. ADP also makes it easy to transition from one plan to the next if your company scales over time and you need additional HR tools.
In our evaluation, ADP Run earned an overall score of 3.79 out of 5. It was rated highly in ease of use, payroll and HR features, reporting, and popularity among users. However, its setup costs and non-transparent fees contributed to its very low rating in our pricing criteria. Users still appreciate its easy-to-use platform, adding that its payroll solution helps simplify employee pay processes. Others, on the other hand, commented that it can be expensive for small businesses.
ADP Run Features
- Fast and accurate payroll and tax filing: In addition to its solid payroll tools, ADP Run offers automated payroll tax payments and filings. While it also handles year-end reporting (W-2s and 1099s), ADP charges extra for this. Its built-in compliance tools also notify you of payroll errors.
- Multiple employee payment options: With ADP Run, you can pay your employees via direct deposit and paychecks and through the Wisely Direct Debit Card. It also offers secure paychecks with check signing and stuffing services. ADP will even deliver the sealed envelopes containing employee paychecks to your office so you can distribute these to your staff.
- Flexible plan options: In addition to ADP Run’s multiple tiers with full-service payroll and access to essential HR tools, ADP has a wide range of products that can cater to midsize and large businesses. It even offers a PEO option, ADP TotalSource, for companies that need to completely outsource their payroll and HR administration.
- Certified, experienced payroll professionals available 24/7: Similar to Paychex, ADP Run allows you to get in touch with payroll and HR experts whenever you need them. You even get legal assistance on employment matters from Upnetic Legal Services—provided you subscribe to its highest tier.
- Recruitment and HR tools: ADP’s partnership with ZipRecruiter makes it possible for you to post open jobs to leading job boards. It also offers background checks, state new hire reporting, and onboarding, in addition to training tools and an online library of HR forms and documents. You won’t get this level of HR support with any other provider on our list except Paychex and Paycor. However, if you need time tracking, pay-as-you-go workers’ compensation, and benefits, these solutions are paid add-ons to ADP Run’s payroll plan.
ADP Run’s Drawbacks
- Pricing isn’t transparent: With ADP, you have to call its sales team to discuss your requirements and request a quote. This can be troublesome for those who want to quickly compare monthly fees between different payroll software, including the features that each provider offers.
- Year-end reporting costs extra: While most of the small business payroll software in this list include W-2 and 1099 reporting, ADP Run charges a fee for this service.
SurePayroll
The jury is still out on SurePayroll’s ability to faithfully serve the needs of small businesses. While some claim it has a user-friendly and intuitive interface, others complain that the user experience is clunky and it takes a while before processes are properly streamlined.
In addition, some users are happy with the broad pre-defined set of fields and variables in the application database, and others despise the complex and long employee registration process. We’re not telling you this to provide you a wishy-washy review that’s neither here nor there. Payroll software has to be flexible and SurePayroll demonstrates their ability to be flexible through their user experience, which is a sign of a good payroll solution.
Key Features:
Benefits management
Check printing
Compensation management
Direct deposit
Employee database
Payroll reporting
Wage garnishment
Tax compliance
Pros & Cons
Mobile access
Easy to use
Can be expensive for large teams
Users complain it is difficult for employees to navigate
Pricing:
Pricing starts at $19/month with an additional $4/user per month.
Free trial: 2 months
Free plan: No
Patriot Payroll: Best for Mom-and-Pop Businesses Wanting a Do-It-Yourself Option
Overall Score: 3.73 OUT OF 5
What We Like
- Affordable
- Offers multiple plans that include full-service payroll and a do-it-yourself (DIY) option
- Unlimited pay runs
- Free payroll setup and expert support
What’s Missing
- Multistate tax filings cost extra
- Lacks benefits options
- Standard lead time for direct deposits is four days
- Very limited HR tools
Patriot Payroll Pricing
- Basic Payroll with DIY tax filings: $10 per month + $4 per employee monthly
- Full Service Payroll: $30 per month + $4 per employee monthly
- Full Service Payroll + HR Software: $36 per month + $6 per employee monthly
- Full Service Payroll + HR + Time and Attendance: $42 per month + $8 per employee monthly
Add-on fees
- Multistate tax filings: $12 monthly for each additional state
- 1099 e-filings (for Basic Payroll subscribers only): $20 for up to five 1099 e-filings; an additional $2 per 1099 is required for six to 35 filings (no additional charge for 36 or more)
Read Full ReviewVisit Patriot Payroll
Patriot Payroll offers a flexible option that others on our list don’t: a choice between full-service payroll and a more affordable DIY version that costs only $10 monthly plus $4 per employee, per month, if you file your own taxes. Both plans come with unlimited payroll runs, multiple pay rates, automated PTO accrual calculations, and customizable deductions and contributions. You can pay employees through direct deposit or manual checks. If you choose its full-service plan, Patriot will pay and file all federal, state, and local taxes. It even has payroll packages that include access to time tracking tools and an HR solution for managing employee information.
Scoring 3.73 out of 5 in our evaluation, Patriot Payroll received perfect marks in reporting, pricing, and popularity among users. It posted the lowest score in HR functionalities because it doesn’t offer new hire onboarding and employee benefits that most of the payroll software in this list provides. However, users still appreciate its reasonably priced plans and helpful support team. Others said that while it has user-friendly and efficient payroll tools, they wished Patriot Payroll offered faster direct deposits and additional integration options.
Patriot Payroll Features
- Self-service plan: You can save the most money if you have a couple of employees and are willing to file payroll taxes on your own using Patriot’s Basic Payroll plan. Priced at only $10 plus $4 per employee monthly, this is the most cost-efficient option among all the payroll providers in this guide.
- Flexible payroll system: In addition to unlimited pay runs, Patriot Payroll supports multiple pay rates, plus you can either use its standard deduction and contribution types or create your own to capture payroll details for garnishments, health insurance options, and retirement plans. Employees and contractor payments are made through direct deposits, but the processing time is four days. If you want fast direct deposits, consider QuickBooks Payroll (its basic Core plan comes with next-day options) and Square Payroll (its Instant Payments feature lets you pay employees instantly).
- Multiple full-service payroll packages: Aside from its standard Full Service option, Patriot has payroll packages that include time tracking and employee information management tools. All plans include one state filing, but if you need to file taxes in multiple states, each additional filing costs $12 monthly.
- Tax penalty guarantee: If you subscribe to one of its Full Payroll plans, Patriot ensures that your taxes will be calculated and filed on time. Any disputes will be resolved and paid for by Patriot for tax filing mistakes that its representatives will commit.
Patriot Payroll’s Drawbacks
- Four-day direct deposits: Unlike Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll, and Square Payroll, which offer multiple direct deposit options—such as next- and same-day options and instant payouts—Patriot’s standard timeline is four days even if you get its higher Full Service Payroll tier.
- Limited HR tools: While its HR and time tracking solutions can help you manage employee information and capture actual hours worked, respectively, Patriot Payroll lacks the onboarding and benefits options that most small business payroll software like Gusto and QuickBooks Payroll offer.
Conclusion
You want a payroll system that is easy to use and gives you the flexibility to do what you want. Our affordable payroll software helps you to save time and money while gaining quality control over the cash flow of your business. When you choose our payroll software, you have access to free support by email or by phone.