If you’ve decided to outsource your payroll to allow for more time to focus on your core business, you’ve probably found that there are plenty of vendors to choose from. As part of your research, you likely saw that Paychex is one of the largest national payroll companies. But if you’re reading this, you’re also considering Complete Payroll Solutions as a potential partner.
Complete Payroll Solutions has been providing outsourced payroll to thousands of clients for over 18 years. While we understand that may make us seem partial when talking about vendors, we also know we’re not necessarily the best fit for everyone. To help you reach a decision, we’ll provide an unbiased comparison of both companies.
In this article, we’ll discuss how Paychex and Complete Payroll Solutions measure up in several areas, including:
- Payroll Packages
- Cost
- Additional Offerings
- Ease of Implementation
- Ongoing Customer Support
After reading this, you’ll understand the key differences between the two vendors so you can make the best choice for your company.
Paychex Vs. Complete Payroll Solutions
As you evaluate Paychex versus Complete Payroll Solutions, it’s a good idea to compare their offerings in several key areas.
Payroll Packages
Both Paychex and Complete Payroll Solutions provide package options to meet the needs of any size business. To make a comparison easier, here we’ll review the payroll features in Paychex 3 options with Complete Payroll Solutions’ 4 packages.
PAYCHEX
| Paychex Go | Paychex Flex Select | Paychex Flex Enterprise | |
| Number of Employees | Any | Any | Any |
| Online Payroll | X | X | X |
| Mobile App | X | X | |
| Direct Deposit | X | X | X |
| Tax Filing | X | X | X |
| General Ledger | X | X | X |
| W-2s and 1099s | X | X | X |
| Reporting | Standard | Standard | Custom |
| Garnishment Payment Services | X | ||
| Accounting Software Integration | X |
COMPLETE PAYROLL SOLUTIONS
| Xpress | Workforce | Workforce Plus | Complete Benefits | |
| Number of Employees | 1-20 | Any | Any | Any |
| Online Payroll | X | X | X | X |
| Mobile App | X | X | X | X |
| Direct Deposit | X | X | X | X |
| Tax Filing | X | X | X | X |
| General Ledger | X | X | X | |
| Self-Service | X | X | X | X |
| Robust Reporting | X | X | X | X |
As you’ll see, payroll services in the packages from both Paychex and Complete Payroll Solutions are similar since the vendors were, first and foremost, payroll companies. However, there are a couple of minor differences. For example, with all of our packages, Complete Payroll Solutions offers a mobile app for submitting your payroll on the go; with Paychex, that option is available at the Flex Select or Flex Enterprise level.
Cost
When selecting a payroll vendor, we know that cost is one of the biggest factors to consider. While generally you can expect to pay about $150-$200 per employee per year, each payroll provider charges slightly differently and includes various services in their base price so you’ll want to get firm quotes to make an accurate comparison between Paychex and Complete Payroll Solutions.
PAYCHEX
At Paychex, you’ll need to contact the company to get a quote for the payroll package that’s right for you. You can start the process to get a free quote online. You’ll just need to enter some general information about your company and a sales rep will be in touch.
COMPLETE PAYROLL SOLUTIONS
Complete Payroll Solutions offers transparent pricing to make it easier for you to identify which package is the best option for your budget. Our four payroll packages are priced as follows:
- Xpress: A flat rate of $69 per month for 1-10 employees and $89 per month for 11-20 employees
- Workforce: $12 per employee per month plus a $70 base fee
- Workforce Plus: $12 per employee per month plus a $135 base fee
- Complete Benefits: $12 per employee per month plus a $150 base fee
Additional Offerings
The payroll packages from both Paychex and Complete Payroll Solutions include additional features to help your business in other areas as well. This flexibility allows you to pick and choose what other services, if any, you want to include in your package, such as time and attendance, HR, and benefits support. We compare these additional features below.
PAYCHEX
| Paychex Go | Paychex Flex Select | Paychex Flex Enterprise | |
| Time & Labor | |||
| Time & Attendance Tracking | X | X | X |
| HR | |||
| New Hire Reporting | X | X | X |
| HR Forms | X | X | X |
| Labor Posters | X | X | X |
| Onboarding | X | ||
| Background Screening | X | ||
| Learning Management System | X | X | |
| Benefits | |||
| Workers’ Comp Payment Service | X | ||
| SUI Services | X | ||
| Employee Financial Wellness | X | X |
COMPLETE PAYROLL SOLUTIONS
| Xpress | Workforce | Workforce Plus | Complete Benefits | |
| Time & Labor | ||||
| Time & Attendance Tracking | X | X | X | |
| Time Off Requests | X | X | X | |
| Basic Scheduling | X | X | X | |
| HR | ||||
| Document Storage | X | X | X | |
| HR Forms | X | X | X | |
| Labor Posters | X | X | ||
| Handbook Builder | X | X | X | |
| Onboarding | X | X | X | |
| Basic HRIS | X | X | X | |
| Applicant Tracking/Recruitment | X | X | X | |
| HR Helpline | ||||
| Benefits | ||||
| Workers’ Comp Administration | X | X | X | X |
| Health Insurance Administration | X | |||
| COBRA Administration | X |
While both companies offer similar time and labor services, where the offerings differ slightly is in HR and benefits support.
In terms of HR assistance, Paychex includes labor law posters in all of its packages as well as background screenings in Flex Enterprise. At Complete Payroll Solutions, we offer labor law posters[SR1] only in Workforce Plus or Complete Benefits and background screenings are an a la carte option rather than included in any of the payroll packages. Complete Payroll Solutions, however, includes onboarding, HRIS, and applicant tracking and recruiting in three of our tiers while Paychex only offers onboarding in its Flex Enterprise package
For benefits support, Complete Payroll Solutions features workers’ compensation administration in all of its packages; Paychex only provides this in its Flex Enterprise option. In addition, at the highest tier, Complete Benefits, we offer health insurance administration for traditional medical plans and pre-tax benefits as well as compliance assistance.
Ease of Implementation
With either Paychex or Complete Payroll Solutions, getting started with your payroll vendor is easy and quick. The main factors that will impact how long it takes to get ready to run your first payroll are whether you’re a new business, the number of employees, the scale of your implementation, and the time of year.
PAYCHEX
Paychex’s website says they can have you up and running within 48 hours of signing up. According to Paycheck, they’ll help you collect the necessary paperwork such as:
- Your tax ID number
- Employees’ personal, payment and tax information
- Your company’s tax information
- Your bank account details
You’ll also have to provide signed tax documents and a service agreement with Paychex. Throughout the process, Paychex says it offers one-to-one customer service.
COMPLETE PAYROLL SOLUTIONS
Complete Payroll Solutions can also set up new clients in about 2 or 3 days for smaller and mid-sized businesses. Like Paychex, Complete Payroll Solutions will simply need to collect some basic company and employee information from you to get started. To help with the process, you’ll be assigned a new client representative who will help you every step of the way until you run your first payroll.
Ongoing Customer Support
With any payroll vendor, you may have some questions as you run payroll. In these cases, you’ll want to make sure you have the level of support you need to address your issues promptly so your payroll is timely and accurate. Both Paychex and Complete Payroll Solutions offer expert customer service.
PAYCHEX
With any Paychex package, you get 24/7 access to US-based customer service centers staffed with highly trained specialists. These professionals are available 24/7/365 over the phone or online chat.
In addition, Paychex has offices in 31 states as well as abroad in Denmark, Germany and Sweden.
COMPLETE PAYROLL SOLUTIONS
With Complete Payroll Solutions, your dedicated new client representative will stay with you through your first payroll, at which point you’ll be assigned a permanent certified payroll specialist. With this approach, you’ll have access to the same contact who knows you and your business each time you call. These individuals are available by phone Monday through Friday.
We also have office locations throughout the Northeast if you want the option to speak with someone face-to-face.
Is Paychex or Complete Payroll Solutions the best choice for me?
When comparing Paychex and Complete Payroll Solutions, you’ll see that they are both payroll companies that offer additional time and labor, HR, and benefit administration services. But there are some differences between the companies that may make one a better choice for you.
Paychex could be a good choice if you:
- Are comfortable with a do-it-yourself approach to payroll
- Have international operations since Paychex is in the US and three other countries
- Would like the option of Professional Employer Organization (PEO) services
Complete Payroll Solutions would be an ideal partner if you:
- Want transparent pricing so you can better budget
- Prefer personalized customer service from the same payroll professional
- Are looking for a more consultative approach during the sales process rather than requesting information and a quote online
- Want integrated options like health insurance administration under the same roof
If it sounds like Complete Payroll Solutions may be a fit for you, visit our pricing page for more details on our options.