As a small business owner, one of the most important aspects of managing your employees is ensuring that everyone gets paid accurately and on time. However, payroll processing can be a complex and time-consuming task that takes your attention away from other important business activities, but it doesn’t have to be.
SurePayroll is an online payroll processing company that offers small businesses an easy and affordable way to manage their payroll. We review SurePayroll and how it can benefit small businesses. We explore everything you need to know, from features like unlimited payroll and payroll tax calculations, to help you decide if SurePayroll is the right solution for your business.
Pros
- Available plans starting at $19.99 per month plus $4 per employee
- Simple payroll for employees
- Mobile app for small businesses
- Centralized HR and business forms
Cons
- You have to enter information to get a quote
- Customer support is not available 24/7
What Is SurePayroll?
SurePayroll is an online payroll and tax solution designed for small businesses. This online payroll company was founded in 2000. It is a subsidiary of Paychex, Inc., which it acquired in 2011. However, the solution is different from Paychex Flex.
Anyone looking to simplify payroll management and automate repetitive processes will find this tool to be an ideal solution. It offers flexible payroll options, unlimited payrolls, and payroll tax calculations so you can keep your employees happy and manage your small business with ease.
For more information on pricing, contact their sales representatives. Users report that their plans range from an affordable $19.99 to $29.99 per month, plus a $4 per-employee fee.
SurePayroll can be a good option if you want to ensure that everyone in your organization gets paid on time. However, it’s important to note that while SurePayroll has features designed for HR professionals, it’s not as comprehensive as other payroll services designed specifically for HR professionals.
How SurePayroll Works
SurePayroll caters to a variety of groups, including:
- Small businesses: SurePayroll helps small businesses streamline their payroll processes, including 401(k) plan withholding, W-2 employee and 1099 contractor payments, FSA and HSA account funding, and payroll deductions. It also offers training and compliance reporting to ensure compliance with all federal and state payroll regulations.
- Nanny and Caregiver Services: This platform is also a convenient payroll solution for employers who hire nannies, caregivers, or other home workers. With SurePayroll, employers who offer childcare services can quickly pay their employees and manage payroll taxes. This makes it easier to comply with state and federal labor laws and avoid costly penalties.
- Benefits and Human Resources: SurePayroll offers human resources and benefits management services in addition to payroll processing. These services include onboarding, time and attendance tracking, and employee benefits management, allowing companies to manage all aspects of their employee needs.
- Accountants: SurePayroll also offers payroll services for accountants who have clients who need payroll processing. Accountants can use the SurePayroll platform to manage the payroll needs of multiple clients from a single account. It’s easier to provide payroll services and ensure accuracy for all clients.
What Sets SurePayroll Apart
This award-winning solution supports W-2 employees and 1099 contractors, manages 401(k) withholdings, and manages Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) funds.
Key software features include:
- Mobile app for payroll processing
- New employee reports and general ledger support
- Easy direct deposit setup
- Tax calculation and filing
SurePayroll is easy to set up and learn in minutes. You can automate recurring payroll tasks, make necessary changes, and receive reminders before processing.
SurePayroll Features
Ease of Use
SurePayroll is easy to use and reliable for small businesses that need to process payments quickly. The platform’s simple and intuitive interface makes it easy to set up, manage payroll, and file tax returns.
The software also offers a step-by-step guide through the payroll process and access to a representative who can help new users enter employee hours, review payroll reports, and make necessary adjustments.
Compliance
SurePayroll understands the importance of regulatory compliance and offers a variety of resources to help customers stay informed. It provides free compliance guides, labor law compliance, and access to business forms such as I-9 forms and job applications. It also includes notifications and reminders to ensure customers are aware of regulatory updates.
Onboarding
SurePayroll includes a compliance assistant that guides users through the entire process. Once you create an account, the app will guide you through all the necessary paperwork. From there, you’ll need to fill out five sections to set up your payroll. This includes personal information, company information, employee information, federal and state taxes, and a payroll bank account.
Tax Filing
SurePayroll lets you calculate, pay, and file payroll taxes. Its full-service plan also offers state and local tax reporting for an additional $9.99 per month. Some states have more complex tax regulations at the jurisdictional level, but the platform can help small business owners navigate these complexities. SurePayroll processes over 6,000 active taxes across the United States.
Time Tracking
SurePayroll’s integration with timesheets allows businesses to easily track employee hours and automatically import the data into their payroll system.
With the integration with Stratustime, employees can clock in and out using web-based timesheets, online timesheet entry, and a mobile web app. Hours and payments are updated automatically, helping users avoid data entry errors and manual work.
SurePayroll also supports integration with time and attendance companies such as Redcort, Homebase, OnTheClock, and TimeWolf.
Benefits Administration
To manage benefits, companies can offer employee compensation with flexible payment options, health insurance, and pre-employment screening. They can also provide their employees with 401(k) benefits, determine certain retirement plan services, and build a qualified workforce.
Analytics and Reporting
SurePayroll includes payroll reports that allow for greater transparency during payroll processing. These reports include salary summaries, monthly, quarterly, and annual totals, date ranges, cash claims, checkbooks, taxable wages, and withholdings.
Accessibility
SurePayroll has a mobile app for Apple and Android. Here, you can access the same features you would on a laptop or desktop computer. This includes compensation for employees and independent contractors, access to pay stubs, and control over pay deadlines and holidays. On the other hand, employers can log into the portal to view their payroll details, find pay stubs, check pay rates, and monitor tax information.
SurePayroll Pricing and Plans
SurePayroll offers two main types of payroll services: tax-free and full-service. Both plans offer unlimited payroll, automated payroll, new employee reports, direct deposit, and live support.
Since SurePayroll only offers quote-based pricing, it can be difficult for growing businesses to calculate the cost. As your business grows, pricing may change and new features may be added.
SurePayroll Tiered Pricing and Plans
| No Tax Filing | Full Service | |
|---|---|---|
Starting Price | $19.99 per month, plus $4 per employee per month | $29.99 per month, plus $5 per employee per month |
U.S. Payroll | ✔ | ✔ |
Global Payroll | X | X |
Onboarding | ✔ | ✔ |
Tax Filing | ✔ | ✔ |
Benefits Administration | Available as an add-on | Available as an add-on |
Time Tracking | Available as an add-on | Available as an add-on |
Expense Management | Not stated | Not stated |
Auto Payroll | ✔ | ✔ |
No Tax Filing Plan
The “No Tax Filing Plan” is ideal for small business owners who want to manage unlimited payroll reports and do their own tax filing. Some of its most popular features include direct deposit, online pay stubs, payroll taxes, and live chat support. Managing employees with your HR consultant, creating new hire reports, and creating multiple pay rates and bonuses is also easy.
Full Service Plan
The “Full Service” plan is ideal for businesses looking for comprehensive payroll and tax preparation services. This option includes everything in the “No Tax Preparation” plan, plus two-day payroll processing. You can also choose additional features, such as local tax filing and multiple state tax filing.
SurePayroll Customer Service and Support
SurePayroll offers live phone support during select hours, Monday through Friday and Saturday. It also offers a comprehensive FAQ section for software-related questions and resources for payroll and tax information.
Additional Features Worth Noting
SurePayroll offers live phone support through its US-based support team via chat, email, or phone. Users have access to an experienced customer service team and a dedicated sales and enrollment specialist to support their business needs. SurePayroll integrates with leading accounting software, including Zoho Books, Xero, AccountEdge, and Intuit.
In addition, SurePayroll offers integrations with accounting software, local tax filing, and time and attendance software. Some services have additional fees.
SurePayroll Alternatives and How They Compare
| SurePayroll | Namely | Paycor | Gusto | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Forbes Advisor Ratings |  | | |  |
Starting Price | $19.99 per month, plus $4 per employee per month | Quote-based | $199 per month, plus $8 per employee per month | $40 per month plus $6 per month per person |
U.S. Payroll | ✔ | Yes, with higher-tiered plan | ✔ | ✔ |
Global Payroll | No | Yes, with higher-tiered plan | Add-on | No |
Direct Deposit | Yes, employees and contractors | No | ✓ | ✔ |
Onboarding | ✔ | ✔ | ✓ | ✔ |
Tax Filing | ✔ | ✔ | ✓ | ✔ |
Benefits Administration | ✔ | Offered as add-on | ✓ | ✔ |
Time Tracking | Available as an add-on | Yes, with higher-tiered plan | ✔ | Yes, via an integration |
SurePayroll’s most basic plan costs $19.99 plus $4 per employee per month However, it includes additional features for integrations, so you can pay more or less depending on the features you use. SurePayroll compares relatively well to its industry competitors. It includes core features like tax preparation, benefits management, reporting, workflow automation, and third-party integrations.
SurePayroll vs. Namely
Namely is a comprehensive HR software platform that offers a variety of benefits management, reporting, performance management, and time tracking features. However, core features like payroll, direct deposit, time tracking, expense management, and analytics are only available in the higher-tier plans.
SurePayroll, on the other hand, offers benefits management features in its most basic plan, including affordable 401(k) plans, health insurance, and workers’ compensation coverage for small businesses.
SurePayroll vs. Paycor
SurePayroll and Paycor are both cloud-based payroll and HR software solutions designed for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), but they differ in their features and approach. Paycor offers industry-specific solutions for industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and hospitality, while SurePayroll focuses on general business needs.
SurePayroll vs. Gusto
Gusto is a comprehensive payroll and benefits platform for small businesses and startups. It offers automated or manual payroll for employees and contractors, self-service profiles, and two-day direct deposit starting at $40 plus $6 per person per month. It also includes the Gusto Wallet banking platform, which allows employees to receive their paychecks the same day and access spending and savings accounts.
Is SurePayroll Right for Me?
SurePayroll is a trusted payroll services provider with over two decades of experience. It is ideal for small businesses with a ready-made solution that is easy to set up and manage. It includes an employee self-service portal, human resources library, reporting, and all the essential features that small businesses need.
SurePayroll is ideal for:
- For small businesses: SurePayroll is ideal for small businesses that need a simple and efficient payroll solution. It’s ideal for businesses looking to save time and effort, get an affordable option, and get help with tax compliance.
- Accountants: SurePayroll offers an accounting partner program with basic payroll and HR capabilities. There are options to white label the platform, use payroll, and integrate it with existing services.
- Home-based employers: Unlike most payroll platforms, SurePayroll offers features for home-based employers who have caregivers, nannies, or other home workers. It also includes Schedule H, or Home Employment Tax, which home-based employers must report to the IRS.
SurePayroll is not recommended.
- Customers looking for transparent pricing: SurePayroll requires customers to submit an inquiry to get pricing information. This is a disadvantage for individuals and small businesses looking to expand, as prices can easily change as they grow.
- Large Enterprises: Startups and fast-growing online businesses may prefer other solutions that make it easier to transition to enterprise platforms.
