Our Full Review
Paylocity is what ADP would be if it were built in 2020 instead of 1949. Cloud-native, mobile-first, with a UI that doesn't make you want to throw your laptop. For mid-market companies tired of legacy HR software, Paylocity is the modern alternative.
Who Should Use Paylocity?
Paylocity is ideal for:
- Mid-market companies (50-1,000 employees) outgrowing Gusto but wanting better UX than ADP
- Growing businesses needing talent management (recruiting, performance reviews) integrated with payroll
- Companies with mobile/deskless workers who need strong mobile app experience
- Organizations focused on culture wanting social features and employee engagement tools
- Multi-location businesses with complex pay structures
Who Should Look Elsewhere?
- Companies under 50 employees — Too expensive and complex (use Gusto or BambooHR)
- Global/international teams — Paylocity is U.S.-focused (use Rippling or Deel)
- Enterprise (1,000+) — Consider Workday or UKG at that scale
- Budget-conscious SMBs — Premium pricing reflects premium features
Core Payroll
Paylocity's payroll is enterprise-grade:
- Unlimited payroll runs (any frequency)
- Multi-state and multi-jurisdiction tax compliance
- Automatic tax calculations and filings
- Direct deposit, paper checks, pay cards
- Garnishments handled automatically
- Year-end tax forms (W-2, 1099, W-3, etc.)
- Tax penalty guarantee
HR & Talent Management
This is where Paylocity differentiates from pure payroll providers:
- Applicant tracking: Post jobs, manage candidates, interview scheduling
- Onboarding: Digital I-9, W-4, e-signatures, welcome workflows
- Performance management: Goals, reviews, 360 feedback, compensation planning
- Succession planning: Identify high-potentials and fill leadership gaps
- Learning management: Training courses, certifications, compliance training
- Engagement surveys
Community & Culture Features
Paylocity includes social/engagement tools many competitors lack:
- Company newsfeed: Announcements, birthdays, anniversaries
- Employee recognition: Peer-to-peer kudos, manager shoutouts
- Document library: Company policies, handbooks accessible to all
- Employee directory with org chart
- Mobile app push notifications for important updates
These features improve engagement—especially for deskless workers who may not check email regularly.
Time & Attendance
Robust time tracking built-in:
- Web, mobile, and kiosk time clocks
- Geofencing and GPS tracking
- Scheduling with shift swaps
- PTO requests and accrual tracking
- Overtime alerts and compliance
- Syncs directly to payroll
Benefits Administration
Comprehensive benefits management:
- Carrier integrations (health, dental, vision, life, disability)
- Benefits enrollment with decision support tools
- COBRA administration
- FSA/HSA administration
- 401(k) integration
- ACA compliance tracking and reporting
Mobile Experience
Paylocity's mobile app is best-in-class for payroll platforms:
- Clean, modern interface
- Clock in/out with GPS verification
- View schedules and swap shifts
- Request time off and view balances
- Access paystubs and tax documents
- Complete learning modules
- Participate in company newsfeed
Adoption rates are high because the app is genuinely pleasant to use.
Reporting & Analytics
Strong reporting capabilities:
- 200+ standard reports
- Custom report builder
- Real-time dashboards
- Headcount and turnover analytics
- Labor cost analysis
- Compliance reports (EEO-1, VETS-4212, etc.)
Integrations
Paylocity connects with major business tools:
- Accounting: QuickBooks, NetSuite, Sage Intacct
- Benefits: Major insurance carriers and brokers
- Retirement: Fidelity, Vanguard, Principal
- ATS: Greenhouse, Lever (limited)
Pricing
Paylocity doesn't publish pricing. Expect:
- Core Payroll + HR: ~$10-15/employee/month
- Full Platform (with Talent): ~$18-25/employee/month
For 100 employees: $1,000-2,500/month depending on modules.
Comparable to ADP/Paychex but with better UX. Implementation fees: $2,000-7,000.
The Bottom Line
Paylocity is the best mid-market payroll/HCM platform for companies that value user experience. It's not the cheapest, but it's the one employees will actually use without complaining.
If you're comparing Paylocity vs ADP/Paychex, demo all three. Paylocity will win on interface and mobile experience. ADP might win on brand recognition and global reach. Paychex might win on price (slightly).
For growing companies (50-500 employees) that want modern HR software without stepping up to enterprise platforms, Paylocity hits the sweet spot.