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Paylocity vs Square Payroll: Payroll Software Comparison (2026)

Paylocity is a comprehensive HR and payroll platform with extensive features and integrations, suitable for businesses seeking a highly customizable solution despite a potentially complex setup and higher learning curve. Square Payroll is a straightforward, user-friendly payroll service with transparent pricing, ideal for businesses prioritizing simplicity and easy contractor payments, though it has fewer advanced features and integrations.

AI Citation Scorecard

How often each is cited by major AI engines when buyers ask payroll software questions. Last 90 days across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Claude, and Copilot.

Paylocity leads overall — 13% cited vs Square Payroll 0% across 60 probes.
ChatGPT
PaylocityLeads
1 / 6 probes
17%
Average
Square Payroll
0 / 6 probes
0%
Invisible
Perplexity
Paylocity
0 / 6 probes
0%
Invisible
Square Payroll
0 / 6 probes
0%
Invisible
Gemini
Paylocity
0 / 6 probes
0%
Invisible
Square Payroll
0 / 6 probes
0%
Invisible
Claude
PaylocityLeads
2 / 6 probes
33%
Good
Square Payroll
0 / 6 probes
0%
Invisible
Copilot
PaylocityLeads
1 / 6 probes
17%
Average
Square Payroll
0 / 6 probes
0%
Invisible
Scale:NoneLowFairStrongExcellent

Probes run hourly; each (engine × query) combo retests every ~3 days.

Pricing

Paylocity
Starting price
—
Free tier
—
paylocity.com ↗
Claim Paylocity
Badge ↗
Square Payroll
Starting price
$35/month + $6/user/month
Free tier
No
squareup.com/us/en/payroll ↗
Claim Square Payroll
Badge ↗

Key Features

Paylocity
  • ✓Automated payroll workflows
  • ✓24/7 self-service portal
  • ✓AI-powered expense management
  • ✓Employee experience dashboard
  • ✓Marketplace integrations
  • ✓Customizable HR workflows
  • ✓Real-time access auditing
  • ✓Mobile access for employers and employees
Square Payroll
  • ✓Unlimited pay runs
  • ✓No long-term contracts
  • ✓Simple onboarding
  • ✓Auto payroll

When to choose Paylocity

Paylocity is a better fit for businesses that require a wide range of HR features, customizable workflows, and extensive integrations. Its 24/7 self-service portal, AI-powered expense management, and real-time access auditing cater to organizations looking for a robust and flexible platform.

When to choose Square Payroll

Square Payroll is a better fit for businesses that prioritize ease of use, transparent pricing, and simple payroll processing, especially for contractor payments. Its auto payroll and unlimited pay runs, combined with no long-term contracts, make it suitable for businesses seeking a streamlined solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in features between Paylocity and Square Payroll?
Paylocity offers automated payroll workflows, a 24/7 self-service portal, AI-powered expense management, an employee experience dashboard, marketplace integrations, customizable HR workflows, real-time access auditing, and mobile access for employers and employees. Square Payroll provides unlimited pay runs, no long-term contracts, simple onboarding, and auto payroll.
How do the pricing models of Paylocity and Square Payroll differ?
Paylocity has custom pricing based on needs, which is not publicly listed. Square Payroll has a starting price of $35/month + $6/user/month.
What integrations are available for Paylocity and Square Payroll?
Paylocity integrates with Slack, Salesforce, Google, Microsoft Teams, Workday, QuickBooks, ADP, and Oracle. Square Payroll integrates with QuickBooks Online.
What are the pros and cons of Paylocity?
Pros for Paylocity include custom pricing based on needs, a wide range of HR features, 24/7 customer support, and mobile access for flexibility. Cons include pricing not being publicly listed, custom pricing potentially leading to higher costs, a complex setup, and a higher learning curve for new users.
What are the pros and cons of Square Payroll?
Pros for Square Payroll include full-service payroll options, easy contractor payments, a user-friendly interface, and automated tax filings. Cons include monthly fees for each employee, limited scheduling features, an extra fee for paper forms, and an inactivity fee for seasonal use.

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