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Paychex Flex vs Payroll Mate

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Our analysts compared Paychex Flex vs Payroll Mate based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Payroll Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Overview Pricing Benefits & Features User Ratings Analyst Summary Screenshots
Paychex Flex Software Tool
Payroll Mate Software Tool
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Product Basics

Paychex Flex is a cloud-based compensation and HR solution with the capability to serve thousands of employees. While there is an essential core version that mainly handles financials, it runs a wide range of departments and tasks. Some of its functions include payment management, benefits, talent management, time clocks, attendance, workforce management and more.


It’s a scalable option with unique versions for small, medium and large businesses with different versions for groups of varying sizes, including one to nine, 10 to 49, and 50 to thousands. It also has distinct user roles for workers, managers or administrators. A winner of multiple industry awards, its automation cuts down on time doing manual operations like processing payments, auto calculating taxes and staying up to date with current rates and compliance.
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Payroll Mate is an on-premise payroll and accounting software that helps prepare pay runs, compensate employees, print pay stubs, calculate taxes, generate reports, process tax forms and more.

It helps control payroll-related functionalities with the help of easier access to staff information, comprehensive reports, compliance to minimum wage laws, instant data backups, holiday and sick leave tracking, employee onboarding, password protection and other business-related functionalities. The product works flexibly with various accounting software including Intuit QuickBooks, Sage Peachtree and Microsoft Accounting.
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$39 Monthly
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$219 One-Time
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Tailored to your specific needs
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Product Assistance

Documentation
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Live Online
Videos
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Documentation
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Videos
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Email
Phone
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FAQ
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Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
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24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Better Organization: Centralize important files and payroll data in one centralized location, making it easier to access. Assign user roles through administration; organizations control the dissemination of sensitive data.
  • Greater Accuracy: Run auto calculations for taxes and direct deposit and sync the general ledger making it easy to plug the information into an integrated accounting program. Creates a streamlined, easy way to manage all of the relevant data.
  • Increased Efficiency: Save time and work by decreasing the amount of manually input data. Record attendance within the application, making payment more straightforward. Auto-calculate local, state and federal taxes saving tons of manpower and time.
  • Better Scalability: Grow the platform as the company experiences exponential growth. Go from workplaces with as few as two employees to workforces that number in the thousands. Each level comes with more functionality and increased administrative and HR control over the processes.
  • More Open Communication: Use notifications, mass emails and electronic bulletin boards to promote an easy flow of information. Communicate enrollment reminders, announcements or company news seamlessly. Ensure employees, managers, executives, contractors, remote workers and other employees are all on the same page.
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  • Automated Compliance: Calculate error-free net pay, social security tax, medicare, local payroll taxes and more automatically. Prepare 941, 944, 940, W2 and W3 payroll forms and a number of state payroll forms. 
  • Secure: Send regular reminders to users to backup company data each time the software is closed to avoid data loss. 
  • Accessibility: Export report data in PDF, CSV, JPEG, BMP and other formats. 
  • Offline Mode: Manually update software in case of no internet access. 
  • Flexible: Register different jobs and rates on the same check for an employee in case of changing job functions. Supports payroll generation for seasonal and part-time employees. 
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  • Online Payroll: Handle payroll management. Automatically calculate taxes, payments and files. View critical data, including the cash required for upcoming paydays. Use safeguards such as notifications to prevent errors. Employees can access direct deposit and pay stub information directly. Last, administrators can access documentation and records like cash requirements, the payroll journal and tax deposit notices.
  • Tax Administration: Calculate taxes, add hours to each pay period, file returns and set up direct deposit.
  • Mobile: Access information on W-2s, direct deposit and other important information. For organizations that want to use the solution’s attendance functionality, workers can easily punch in and out on the app. Run it on smartphones and tablets with iOS or Android. It requires iOS 12.0 or higher and an Android OS of 7.0 or higher to run.
  • Reporting: Comes with over 160 dashboards and reports. Access reporting for payroll journals, department summaries, notices of tax deposits and cash requirements. For businesses looking for more robust options, look into the workforce management options.
  • Multiple Versions: Choose from a variety of purchase options to select the option that best meets business needs. The packages include:
    • Small Business Payroll: Use for businesses with under 50 workers. Use payment processing and access to the mobile app. Calculate state, federal and local taxes. Finish onboarding, complete forms, edit personal info and see compensation data. Provide direct deposit, pay cards and paper check for payment options. For businesses with multiple worker types, offer payment hourly, by salary or by contract. Provide help with labor compliance, garnishment payments, new hire reporting and over 160 reports for analytics.
    • Mid-Sized Business Payroll: Use for businesses with 10 to 49 employees. Handle applicant tracking, attendance, recruiting, onboarding, hiring, health benefits, retirement, health insurance and other similar administrative tasks. Expand the platform HR capabilities by including HR record management, an events calendar and reporting and analytics for the department.
    • Enterprise Payroll Management: Use for 50 to over 1,000 workers. Provide more robust HR abilities in addition to compensation management. Works for hiring, recruiting, training, compliance, handling offboarding, applicant tracking, time and attendance, health benefits, HR record management, an events calendar, retirement and expanded HR analytics.
  • Benefits: Complete the benefits management process. Run enrollment and analyze data. Manage group health insurance, retirement, section 125 plans, FSAs, POPs, retirement and more. Update information in real time and change benefit data easily. Give employers more control over invoices, benefit costs and bill reconciliations. Work with financial advisers and educate staff about the retirement plan offerings.
  • Compliance: Keep up with new tax laws and determine the status of essential laws like the Affordable Care Act.
  • Workplace Analytics: Analyze data and create a staff and workforce strategy. Create reports for analytics, HR, payroll and benefits. Generate customized reports for more detail. Provide accountants, financial advisors or bookkeepers with the access they need. Access the quick answers function, giving info on total earnings, net pay, tax liability and hours without pulling a full report. View live reporting to see information as it happens. Export information in various file types, including CSV, fixed-width, PDF and XLS. Send data to third-party software where users can add fields, adjust formatting or even build graphs.
  • Time and Attendance: Provide several options for tracking time and clocking in and out. It integrates with other solutions to track labor costs.
    • Time Kiosk: Allow employers to turn a tablet into a time clock where employees can punch in and out, do job transfer and register lunches and breaks.
    • TrueShift: Offer a time clock that has automated tracking and reporting, making it easy to import to payroll. Use biometric technology to prevent buddy punching. Track up to 500 workers per clock and connect to up to 32 other clocks. Punch in via web or mobile and use a backup camera to verify punches and keep compliant. It can track overtime pay and other wage requirements. Print and email timecard reports and clock in or out with a fingerprint, proximity badge, web punch or PIN entry.
    • InVision Iris Recognition Time Clock: Use iris recognition to ensure employees are working. Integrate with the rest of the HR and time and attendance. Prevent rework and cut down on errors. It works with contacts, goggles, glasses and face masks up to 15 inches away. Track up to 50,000 workers. Unlike a retinal scanner, it doesn’t store images. Instead, encrypt templates to guarantee privacy.
  • Online Learning: Use the built-in learning system. Provide eight free courses to users and customize/build current training, classes, quizzes and videos. Promote skill acquisition, up-skilling and career development. Run classes for on and offsite students. Use the calendar to schedule an in-person training, track transcripts and create content. Access the additional content libraries for purchase and provide surveys so employers can get feedback. Subjects include business, HR compliance, leadership, management, sales, software and workplace safety.
  • Payment Options: Gives options for paying employees, including same-day ACH capability, direct deposit, paper checks and pay cards.
  • Accounting: Manage payment and HR data with the accounting-specific dashboard. Access a library of resources, including tax forms and CPE courses. Import files through the general ledger service and post payroll data through the enterprise solution. Integrate with Sage Intacct, QuickBooks and Xero. Upload or download many files for one or multiple companies from one location.
  • Workers Compensation: Handle workers’ compensation covering medical expenses and lost wages while still ensuring stable cash flow. Provide insurance plans from A-rated national carriers.
  • Onboarding: Give new employees paperwork to fill out online. Customize the experience with personalized messages, welcome videos or other information about the company culture.
  • Payroll Protection: Let managers extend funds from a bank account for up to seven days without services being interrupted or charges for insufficient funds. Process two same-day ACH requests for a last-minute payroll, correcting pay or adding an employee. Help build business credit, deal with fraud, gain small business loans and more.
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  • Payroll Management: Process payrolls, print checks, calculate salaries, prepare paystubs and more on a centralized platform. Categorize checks, add or delete employees and allow users to access personal information. 
  • Direct Deposits: Save time and costs by simply sending quick, direct deposits into the beneficiary's account. Automatically generates an ACH file to send to the bank and process payments for employees. 
  • Time-Tracking: Calculate working hours, leaves and absences, paid time offs and more for each employee. When creating a payroll check, the software calculates editable vacation and sick hours earned and used. 
  • Automation: Comes with a built-in tax calculator for payroll and paychecks in accordance with federal and state withholdings. Tax tables and formulas are updated regularly and pushed via a flexible touch-free-auto-update mechanism. 
  • Security: Use the password-protected access system to maintain confidentiality. Mask employees' social security numbers on pay stubs to avoid unauthorized access to the personal information of specific employees by other individuals. 
  • Agriculture Payroll: Benefit from agricultural business tools to manage payroll for farm workers and labor contractors. File IRS annual tax form 943, pay workers' salaries, add payroll income based on the chosen business model while staying in compliance with IRS regulations. 
  • Fringe Benefits: Supports fringe benefits to employees for the performance of services, like when an employee uses a business vehicle to commute to and from work. 
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Product Ranking

#6

among all
Payroll Software

#103

among all
Payroll Software

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User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 2205 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 244 reviews
83%
of users recommend this product

Paychex Flex has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 83% when considering 2205 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

94%
of users recommend this product

Payroll Mate has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 94% when considering 244 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

4.5 (24)
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4.2 (1114)
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4.1 (976)
4.67 (122)
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4.7 (122)
3.8 (91)
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Awards

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Payroll Mate stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

User-Friendly: Just under 50% of reviews said the user experience was good and the interface worked well.
Good Support: Around 40% had good interactions with customer service and were happy with their level of care.
Proper Functionality: One-third of reviewers felt that the system was fully equipped with the tools they needed and especially liked the efficient payroll processing, benefits management, the transparency employees had on their payments and the PTO features.
Value for Price: Around 20% of reviews felt happy with the price and said it was well worth it.
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Ease of Use: Many users find Payroll Mate intuitive and easy to navigate, even for those with limited accounting experience. They appreciate the straightforward interface and clear instructions, making it simple to set up and manage payroll tasks.
Affordable Pricing: Compared to other payroll software options, Payroll Mate is often praised for its competitive pricing, especially for small businesses and freelancers. Users appreciate the value for money, especially when considering the features and functionality offered.
Reliable Support: Users consistently highlight the responsive and helpful customer support provided by Payroll Mate. They appreciate the availability of phone, email, and online resources to address any questions or issues promptly.
Time-Saving Features: Payroll Mate automates many payroll tasks, such as calculating taxes and generating paychecks, saving users significant time and effort. Users appreciate the ability to streamline their payroll process and focus on other aspects of their business.
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Issues with Features: Just under 40% of reviewers felt the features were lacking. The biggest concerns were that the UI was difficult to learn initially and the reporting wasn’t sophisticated enough.
Time and Attendance Systems: Over 20% of users had problems with the punching system or the biometric clocks.
Poor Customer Service: While users felt that the customer service was helpful overall, they noted a high rate of turnover with their reps which often led to gaps in service.
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Limited Mobile Functionality: Some users have reported that the mobile app is not as robust as the desktop version, making it difficult to manage payroll on the go. For example, some users have found that they cannot access certain features or that the app is slow and buggy.
Customer Support Issues: Several users have expressed frustration with the customer support experience, citing long wait times and unhelpful responses. For instance, some users have reported that they were unable to get their questions answered or that the support team was not able to resolve their issues.
Integration Challenges: Some users have encountered difficulties integrating Payroll Mate with other business software, such as accounting programs. For example, some users have reported that the integration process was complex or that the software did not work as expected.
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Paychex Flex is a solid payroll processing system best liked for its ease of use, positive customer service interactions, fair price and useful functionality. However, it comes with several drawbacks as well. While it’s easy to use, the onboarding takes time and can be initially frustrating. The customer service is good but the high turnover with representatives can be trying. A small but significant percentage had problems with the time and attendance features, either having issues with their punches not being registered or issues with the physical biometric clocks. Overall, it seems best for small and medium businesses looking to automate their payroll. Any organization with multiple types of workers, complex pay rules or many different kinds of income to report should be sure to demo the system carefully and may want to find a more complex option.

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Payroll Mate is a desktop-based payroll software that's been around for a while, and it's been a popular choice for small businesses. But is it still a good option in today's market? Users praise Payroll Mate for its affordability and ease of use. It's a standalone program, so you don't need to rely on the cloud or a monthly subscription. This is a big selling point for businesses that are concerned about security or prefer to have complete control over their data. Payroll Mate also offers a wide range of features, including the ability to calculate taxes, print checks, and generate tax forms. It's compatible with popular accounting software like QuickBooks and Sage 50, making it easy to integrate into your existing systems. However, Payroll Mate has its drawbacks. Some users have complained about the software's interface, which they find outdated and clunky. Others have noted that the software can be slow and prone to errors. Payroll Mate also lacks some of the advanced features found in cloud-based payroll solutions, such as mobile access and real-time reporting. Overall, Payroll Mate is a good option for small businesses that are looking for a simple, affordable payroll solution. It's not the most feature-rich or user-friendly option on the market, but it gets the job done. If you're a small business owner who prefers to keep things simple and manage your payroll in-house, Payroll Mate might be a good fit for you.

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