VETTED SAAS
Alternatives · HR and Payroll

Best Paylocity alternatives

The HR and payroll tools we would weigh against Paylocity when you want published pricing, one platform for IT too, or a lighter HR system to run.

Paylocity is a capable mid market HCM that brings payroll, benefits, time and talent together with an engagement layer many teams like. Companies compare it for three reasons. The pricing is quote based and bundled, so a tool with published per person prices is easier to budget. Some teams want HR, payroll and IT on one record rather than an HR suite alone. And smaller teams often want a lighter system of record they can run without heavy implementation. The four below cover those exits: the all in one platform, the simple payroll default, the legacy payroll giant that scales, and the HR first system for smaller teams. Each carries our editorial score and a verified entry price so you can match the tradeoff to your team.

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Reviewed by ·Updated FEBRUARY 2026·How we vet
The shortlist

Four HR and payroll tools we would weigh first

HR and Payroll 91 Rippling One platform for HR, payroll, benefits, IT and spend. Read verdict → HR and Payroll 92 Gusto Full service small business payroll with published prices. Read verdict → HR and Payroll 86 ADP Deep payroll and HR that scales from small to enterprise. Read verdict → HR and Payroll 83 BambooHR HR first system of record for small and midsize teams. Read verdict →
At a glance

How they compare

Scores are editorial assessments against our HR and Payroll rubric. Price from as of June 2026; check the vendor for current pricing.

Tool Best for Price from Score
Gusto Simple full service US payroll $49 92
Rippling One platform for HR, payroll and IT $8 91
ADP Payroll that scales to enterprise Quote 86
BambooHR HR first for small and midsize teams $10 83
Decision framework

Which one fits you

Rippling you want HR, payroll, benefits and IT on one employee record, will consolidate several tools onto one platform, and prefer a modern system to a traditional mid market HCM.
Gusto payroll is the priority for a small team and you want full service US payroll and benefits with published per person prices rather than a quote based bundle.
ADP you want payroll and HR depth that scales from a few employees to enterprise, with hands on service and a long compliance record, and you accept quote based pricing like Paylocity's.
BambooHR you are a small or midsize team that wants a clean HR system of record with onboarding, time off and reporting, and would rather add payroll than run a full HCM.
Common questions

Paylocity alternatives FAQ

What is the best Paylocity alternative?

It depends on why you are leaving. Rippling is the best all in one platform, Gusto the best simple payroll, ADP the best payroll that scales to enterprise, and BambooHR the best HR first system for smaller teams. Scores are editorial; pricing verified June 2026.

Is there a cheaper alternative to Paylocity?

Paylocity is quote based, reported around $20 to $40 per user per month. On published entry prices, Rippling starts near $8 per user, BambooHR Core near $10 per employee and Gusto at a $49 base plus $6 per person. The cheapest real total depends on headcount and modules. Verified June 2026; check vendors for current pricing.

Which Paylocity alternative has published pricing?

Gusto, Rippling and BambooHR all publish entry prices, where Paylocity and ADP quote each deal. That makes Gusto and Rippling easier to budget, though a custom Paylocity or ADP quote can still win on a larger or more complex team.

Is Paylocity or Rippling better for a growing team?

Paylocity is a full mid market HCM with a strong engagement layer and hands on implementation. Rippling scales further by combining HR, payroll and IT on one record, and its modular pricing rewards consolidating several tools onto it. The right pick depends on whether IT and device management matter to you.

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