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The Best Payroll Software For Large Businesses & Enterprises

Check out these payroll software options that have unique features and strong integrations, perfect for large businesses and enterprise companies.

    Davina Ward
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Advertiser Disclosure: Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity.
large businesses payroll

Finding the best payroll software for large businesses and enterprises isn’t easy. Payroll software for large businesses and enterprises has to have the features to keep up payroll obstacles like figuring out how to run payroll across multiple states to managing payroll taxes and forms for thousands of employees.

That’s why we reviewed all of the top products on the market and put together a list of only the best large business and enterprise payroll software options. We break down each payroll software’s features, pricing, and more, so that you can choose the perfect payroll option for your business.

Let’s dive in!

Learn More About Our Top Picks

CompanyBest ForNext StepsBest For
ADP Payroll

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  • Overall best payroll software for large businesses
  • Custom pricing
  • Easy to use & includes advanced reporting
  • Overall best payroll software for large businesses
  • Custom pricing
  • Easy to use & includes advanced reporting

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Paycom

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  • Best payroll software for growing businesses
  • Custom pricing
  • Includes self-service employee app
  • Best payroll software for growing businesses
  • Custom pricing
  • Includes self-service employee app

Visit Site

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Paychex

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  • Best payroll & HR software combo for large businesses
  • Custom pricing
  • Dedicated payroll support specialist available
  • Best payroll & HR software combo for large businesses
  • Custom pricing
  • Dedicated payroll support specialist available

Visit Site

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Rippling

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  • Best PEO for large businesses
  • Custom pricing
  • Includes HR & IT support
  • Best PEO for large businesses
  • Custom pricing
  • Includes HR & IT support

Visit Site

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NetSuite ERP & SRP

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  • Best enterprise payroll software
  • Custom pricing
  • Includes a full ERP or SRP with strong features & accounting
  • Best enterprise payroll software
  • Custom pricing
  • Includes a full ERP or SRP with strong features & accounting

Visit Site

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Workday

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  • Best enterprise HCM software with payroll
  • Custom pricing
  • Includes international payroll support
  • Best enterprise HCM software with payroll
  • Custom pricing
  • Includes international payroll support

Visit Site

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Read more below to learn why we chose these options.

The 6 Best Payroll Software For Large Businesses

Payroll software for large businesses and enterprise should be able to handle the needs of your large business, including payroll processing, HR tools, employee management, payroll tax support, and scalability. The top payroll software for large businesses include ADP, Paycom, Paychex, and more.

1. ADP: Overall Best Payroll Software For Large Businesses

ADP Payroll


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Pros

  • Scalable
  • Customizable payroll packages
  • Strong employee management tools
  • Extensive HR resources and support

Cons

  • Lacks pricing transparency
  • Fee-heavy pricing

ADP is an HR and payroll solution designed for businesses of all sizes.

ADP enables businesses to easily run payroll with features that include auto-scheduled payroll runs, direct deposit, paper check printing, time tracking, employee management, HR support, and much more. ADP Payroll earns our best overall payroll software for enterprise businesses because of its customizable service packages, global reach, tax support, payroll reliability, and wealth of HR tools.

ADP Features

ADP Payroll’s features cover all the basics of payroll processing from direct deposit to wage garnishments. However, the software’s full feature scope extends well beyond basic payroll processing, including add-on services and those solutions available within its payroll packages.

Here’s a look at what ADP is capable of:

  • Auto-scheduled payroll
  • Run payroll in all 50 states
  •  Support for international payroll (ADP Global Payroll)
  • Employee management tools
  • Time and attendance tracking
  • Reporting
  • Onboarding support
  • PTO
  • Benefits administration
  • PTO management and tracking

ADP Pricing

For businesses with over 50 employees, ADP offers four payroll pricing packages at an undisclosed cost. These packages range from offering payroll basics at the lowest tier to full-service payroll, HR tools, recruiting and onboarding solutions, and talent optimization tools at the highest tier.

Is ADP Right For You?

For businesses that want to enhance every area of employee management, from recruiting to training elite teams, ADP is a good choice. As our selection for the best overall payroll software for large businesses, ADP Payroll boasts a plethora of payroll processing features that combine with the platform’s HR and talent management tools to create an all-in-one solution.

Get Started With ADP Payroll

Read our in-depth review

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2. Paycom: Best Payroll Software For Growing Businesses

Paycom


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Pros

  • Scalable
  • Employee self-service mobile app
  • Dedicated customer support specialist

Cons

  • Non-transparent pricing
  • Management interface isn’t user-friendly
  • Poor integrations

Paycom is cloud-based software offering a suite of HR and payroll solutions for businesses across multiple industries. Paycom operates under an employee-first model in which payroll management processes can be delegated to employees and contractors to streamline the process and allow managers to take on higher-value tasks.

Paycom dashboard

Paycom Features

Paycom offers an impressive range of functionality across the payroll and HR categories. These features are on par with those that are offered by other enterprise payroll software solutions, plus a few standout features and processes.

Here’s a breakdown of Paycom’s most notable features:

  • Employee and manager mobile apps
  • Benefits administration
  • Compliance support
  • Multiple payment methods
  • Employees manage their payroll
  • AI-powered payroll oversight management
  • Advanced reporting
  • Expense management
  • Payroll tax support

Paycom Pricing

There are no published prices for Paycom’s large business payroll software. If you are interested in trialing or getting a quote for Paycom’s software, you’ll need to reach out to schedule a demo with a Paycom sales rep.

Is Paycom Right For You?

If your business is looking to streamline the payroll process by allowing employees and contractors to manage their own payroll, Paycom will work perfectly. This approach to payroll is unique to Paycom but may help to reduce friction during the payroll process and improve the employee experience within your business. However, if your business is currently using another third-party software solution that you want to continue using post-implementation, Paycom may not be the best option as it doesn’t list any integration support.

Get Started With Paycom

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3. Paychex: Best Combined Payroll & HR For Large Businesses

Paychex


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Pros

  • Dedicated payroll specialist support option
  • Robust HR features
  • Excellent selection of reports
  • Scalable

Cons

  • Lacks pricing transparency
  • Excessive extra costs and fees

Paychex is cloud-based software offering payroll and HR solutions for businesses of all sizes, including features such as tax support, benefits administration, time tracking, reports, and much more. Through its Paychex Flex packages, Paychex enables enterprises to pay employees and contractors, while supporting and managing their workforce with extensive HR features.

Paychex Features

Paychex’s payroll features are comparable with other solutions in this category. Enterprise businesses using Paychex will have all the essentials necessary to run payroll for their company. However, as Paychex is notorious for its fees, these essentials may come at an added cost. The software stands out for its excellent HR features that are designed to take employees from hired to retired within the same company. Here’s a look at Paychex’s best payroll features for enterprise businesses:

  • Several mobile apps for management and employees
  • Payroll tax and compliance support
  • Access to a payroll specialist
  • Time and attendance tracking (extra cost)
  • New-hire reporting
  • General ledger reports
  • Direct deposit, paper checks, paycards, and other payment options
  • Pay employees and contractors

Paychex Pricing

Paychex does not publish pricing for its payroll packages for mid- to enterprise-sized businesses. There are three plans; each offering essential payroll processing solutions and HR support. As you move up the tiers, you’ll find enhanced solutions, tools, and support on all levels.

Is Paychex Right For You?

Paychex is a good choice for growing businesses looking for a scalable payroll and HR solution. As payroll software, Paychex has everything your business needs to run payroll from pretty much anywhere with an internet connection. However, it’s the software’s focus on HR and onboarding tools that sets it apart from the pack.

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4. Rippling: Best PEO Payroll Software For Large Businesses

Rippling


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Pros

  • Federal, state, and local tax filing
  • Pay international employees and contractors
  • Option for full PEO services
  • Many integrations

Cons

  • Non-transparent pricing
  • No free trial

Ripping is a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) offering benefits administration, full-service payroll, IT, and HR solutions for businesses of all sizes. Rippling Payroll’s most impressive payroll features include an employee mobile app, automatic tax filing, compliance support, international payments, and more.

However, as a standalone product, Rippling Payroll lacks benefits administration, built-in time tracking, HR support, and hiring tools. However, each of these features can be purchased as separate service packages allowing customers to customize their payroll package.

Rippling Features

If your business is looking for a standalone payroll solution without too many bells and whistles, Rippling is a solid option. You’ll have everything you need to easily run and manage payroll for your businesses, plus Rippling will handle your company’s payroll taxes and compliance. Rippling Payroll’s top features include:

  • Pay employees and contractors
  • Run payroll in all 50 states and internationally
  • Garnishments
  • Job costing
  • Pay via direct deposit or paper checks
  • Employee mobile app
  • New-hire, W-2, W-4, and 1099 filing
  • 400+ integrations (QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, and more)

Rippling Pricing

Rippling doesn’t publish its pricing online beyond stating that its rates start at $8/month per person. You’ll need to get a quote to determine what pricing would look like for your business, but you can expect a per person per month fee and/or a monthly base fee.

Is Rippling Right For You?

Rippling is best for a large company looking for PEO services or a single solution combining HR, payroll, and IT services. The software’s standalone payroll service is functional on its own, but really shines as a part of the complete HR, IT, and benefits administration solution that Rippling offers. However, if your large business is in need of payroll and HR-focused solutions without the PEO caveat, it may be best to look elsewhere.

Get Started With Rippling

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5. NetSuite Payroll: Best Enterprise Payroll Software

NetSuite ERP & SRP


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Pros

  • Auto-schedule payroll
  • Unlimited payroll runs
  • Support from APA certified professionals

Cons

  • No support for international workers
  • Outdated interface

NetSuite’s payroll solution, NetSuite SuitePeople Payroll is a full-service payroll solution offering payroll processing, tax support, reporting, and more for enterprises. The service supports paying both contractors and employees in the US and US subsidiaries with an EIN (depending on your service package). Businesses that are already using NetSuite’s solutions can purchase licensing for SuitePeople Payroll as an add-on module, but it can be purchased as an add-on for new customers, too.

NetSuite Payroll Features

Despite being housed within an outdated interface, NetSuite SuitePeople Payroll’s features are robust and should serve any large business and enterprise well. There are plenty of features, ranging from a plethora of reports to real-time general ledger postings. Here’s a look at NetSuite Payroll’s best features:

  • 100+ standard reports and KPIs
  • Multiple pay rates and schedules
  • Deductions
  • Direct deposit and local check printing
  • Supplemental pay
  • Employee portal
  • Federal, state, and local tax filing
  • 1099 and W-2 forms prepared, sent, and filed

NetSuite Payroll Pricing

NetSuite pricing is unpublished, but you can expect your costs to start at around $10,000/year on the low end. As NetSuite Payroll is offered as an add-on module, you’ll need to pay for its licensing in addition to the ERP’s base pricing. Overall, NetSuite is a high-cost software system designed for large businesses and enterprises that can afford it.

Is NetSuite Payroll Right For You?

NetSuite Payroll earned our pick for the best enterprise payroll software as a result of its extensive services customization, enterprise-focused design, and integrated ecosystem that would allow large businesses to build up a complete business management suite beyond payroll.

It’s worth noting that NetSuite also made our list of best accounting software for larger businesses, so it’s an all-around high-ranking solution for enterprises. However, if your business isn’t locked into the NetSuite ecosystem, it may be worth it to look for other standalone payroll software solutions that integrate with your current tech stack.

Get Started With NetSuite ERP & SRP

Read our in-depth review

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6. Workday: Best Enterprise HCM Software With Payroll

Workday


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Pros

  • Suite of integrated business management solutions
  • Advanced payroll automation
  • Employee self-service through a mobile app
  • International payroll support

Cons

  • Doesn’t support contractor payments
  • Complaints of the long implementation process

Workday is a cloud-based enterprise management solution offering a suite of business solutions ranging from finance to workforce management. As Workday is specifically designed for use by large businesses and enterprises, its payroll solution is well-equipped to handle the challenges associated with enterprise payroll.

Workday Features

Although Workday boasts an entire suite of business solutions, the solution is well fleshed out and boasts advanced features to manage and pay employees throughout their career with your business. Workday’s payroll solution includes a ton of automations and the flexibility to work for a variety of larger businesses.

Here’s a look at some of Workday’s best payroll features:

  • Automatic pay calculations
  • Job costing
  • Run recurring audits and reports
  • Pay-On-Demand service for employees
  • Journal lines posted to general ledger
  • Support for international payments
  • Year-end processing

Workday Pricing

Workday does not publish its pricing online. Moreover, it’s unclear as to whether the payroll solution is offered as a standalone product or must be purchased as a package with the software’s other solutions. For pricing estimates, reach out to Workday’s sales team.

Is Workday Right For You?

Workday is best for enterprise businesses looking for payroll processing integrated within human capital management (HCM) software solutions. If your business doesn’t require HCM software, you should consider a different large business payroll software option that will work with the tools you already have.

Get Started With Workday

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Which Payroll Software Is Right For Your Large Business Or Enterprise?

When considering the right enterprise payroll software solution for your business, it’s essential to consider your business’s payroll needs and challenges (think: where does your current solution fall short?). With a detailed list of payroll needs, you’ll be able to narrow down your options to those software options that can fulfill them.

To help get you started, here’s a list of features to consider when choosing a payroll software:

  • Auto-schedule payroll
  • Payroll processing oversight
  • Third-party software integrations
  • Payment options (direct deposit, paper checks, etc)
  • Software suite add-ons
  • Tax support
  • Reliability
  • HR administration
  • Employee management

Overall, the right payroll solution is one that works for your business. Fortunately, there are plenty of options on the market, so it’s very likely that you’ll find payroll software that meets your business’s needs.

If you’d like to take a deeper dive into the industry’s leading payroll software vendors, check out our payroll software reviews.

Large Business & Enterprise Payroll Software FAQs

What payroll systems do large companies use?

Large businesses and enterprises use payroll solutions that best fit their business’s needs. The most popular large business and enterprise payroll software options include NetSuite Payroll, ADP Payroll, Paycom, Rippling, and Paychex.

What is the best enterprise payroll software?

Our pick for the best enterprise payroll software is NetSuite’s payroll solution which offers scalability, customization, and a suite of other well-integrated business management solutions. Other best enterprise payroll software options include ADP and Rippling.

Which payroll software is best for growing businesses?

Our pick for the best payroll software for growing businesses is Paycom, as Paycom’s scalability, customization, and a solid selection of other business management solutions are among the best in the industry. ADP Payroll and Paychex are also great options.

What do big companies use for payroll?

Big companies use software designed for large business payroll, such as ADP, Rippling, and NetSuite Payroll, to handle their payroll needs. While NetSuite is a solution dedicated to enterprise businesses only, ADP and Rippling have payroll packages that serve smaller businesses and can grow with your business.

What is ADP Enterprise HR?

ADP Enterprise HR is a combined payroll and HR software solution designed to be used by large businesses with over 1,000 employees looking for a custom-tailored option. If your business is already using ADP Payroll, you may consider upgrading to this solution as it grows to over 1,000 employees.

What is the differences between Workday and ADP?

While both ADP and Workday offer payroll and HR solutions, there are two major differences between the two software options, including optimal business size and contractor payment support. Workday is designed for enterprise businesses only and doesn’t offer contractor payments, while ADP is a scalable solution designed for use by businesses of any size and does support contractor payments.

In Summary: The 6 Best Payroll Software For Large Businesses

  1. ADP Payroll:
    • Overall best payroll software for large businesses
    • Custom pricing
    • Easy to use & includes advanced reporting
  2. Paycom:
    • Best payroll software for growing businesses
    • Custom pricing
    • Includes self-service employee app
  3. Paychex:
    • Best payroll & HR software combo for large businesses
    • Custom pricing
    • Dedicated payroll support specialist available
  4. Rippling:
    • Best PEO for large businesses
    • Custom pricing
    • Includes HR & IT support
  5. NetSuite ERP & SRP:
    • Best enterprise payroll software
    • Custom pricing
    • Includes a full ERP or SRP with strong features & accounting
  6. Workday:
    • Best enterprise HCM software with payroll
    • Custom pricing
    • Includes international payroll support
Davina Ward

Davina Ward

Expert Analyst & Reviewer
A New York native, Davina earned her BA in English from SUNY Geneseo in 2018. After graduating, she began her career as a freelance writing generalist before finding a niche writing about SaaS. Davina unironically enjoys testing and reviewing software on her free time but otherwise can be found oscillating between hobbies every few weeks or so — most recently, longboarding.
Davina Ward
View Davina Ward's professional experience on LinkedIn.

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Merchant Maverick’s ratings are editorial in nature, and are not aggregated from user reviews. Each staff reviewer at Merchant Maverick is a subject matter expert with experience researching, testing, and evaluating small business software and services. The rating of this company or service is based on the author’s expert opinion and analysis of the product, and assessed and seconded by another subject matter expert on staff before publication. Merchant Maverick’s ratings are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.

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