7 Best Payroll Software Solutions in New Zealand (2024)

If you’re on the hunt for the best online payroll software for your SME, we thought we’d make a quick guide to help you out. Of course, we’re at the top, but we had to be honest; we think we’re the best. We hope you find it useful.

1. Employment Hero Payroll

Founded in 2014, Employment Hero is a cloud-based, all-in-one HR and payroll software that services over 300,000 businesses globally. It’s designed to help businesses effectively navigate the complexities of payroll management, and empowers organisations to focus on what matters most – their people.

Key features

We’re an integrated HR and payroll platform, offering various features aimed at simplifying the payroll process and employee management in New Zealand. Some key features of our payroll include:

Automated payroll software: No need to process payroll manually or manage complex payroll tasks. From automatically creating pay runs and importing timesheets, to managing pay rate changes and tracking bank holidays, our software tackles tedious tasks for you.

IRD payroll reporting: Take the pain out of pay runs with our automated IRD reporting. With every payroll cycle, key information is sent to Inland Revenue so that you can be sure you’re meeting your reporting obligations.

Automated Kiwisaver deductions and contributions: Our online portal makes it easy for employees to choose their own set Kiwisaver deductions. That information is then automatically shared with our payroll system, so that the correct calculations are made with every pay run.

Holiday pay calculation: Our payroll software simplifies leave management with instant reports on balances and clear holiday pay calculations. Use standard or custom leave allowance templates, such as the 52-week average report, for streamlined adjustments for all your employees.

Time and attendance: Access comprehensive attendance reports to resolve any uncertainties about shifts worked – benefit from real-time employee location tracking and alerts for missed shifts. Our employee self-service portal submits timesheets when employees clock out, simplifying the review process for managers.

Rota and shift management: Allocate shifts based on skills, encourage staff shift swapping, and automate timesheets with logged work times. Use data-driven insights to schedule the right number of staff during busy periods and easily create schedules with ready-made templates.

Custom pay conditions: Automate pay calculations, bulk pay rate increases, and date-triggered wage adjustments to streamline the payroll process, eliminate errors, and save time.

Best for

We’re an all-in-one online payroll solution that helps SMEs streamline payroll processes with automated calculation and pay employees easily. You can enjoy the flexibility of running payroll from anywhere using our digital system and we’ll help you submit all required information to IRD in good time.

With automated cloud backups, you can rest easy knowing your data is safe. We also have numerous accounting, payroll and payment integrations, so we’ll fit into your existing tech stack with ease; and you can reap the benefits of our recruitment and HR software all in the same place, if you’d like!

2. Xero

Xero Payroll is an integrated payroll solution offered by Xero, a popular accounting software provider.

Key features

Some key features of Xero Payroll include:

Automated pay runs: Easily create and automate pay runs, including options for weekly, bi-weekly or monthly pay schedules.

Self-service employee portal: Employees can access their payslips, update personal details and apply for leave through the employee portal, reducing administrative tasks for HR.

Tax and statutory compliance: Xero Payroll helps in automating tax calculations and deductions, ensuring compliance with IRD regulations. It keeps track of PAYE (Pay As You Earn) and Kiwisaver contributions.

Reporting: Access various reports related to payroll, including PAYE summaries, employee earnings, tax and more.

Integration with Xero Accounting: Seamlessly integrate payroll data with Xero’s accounting software for a complete financial picture of the business.

Mobile access: The platform is accessible via mobile devices, allowing for on-the-go management and approvals.

Security and compliance: Xero maintains high-security standards for payroll data, ensuring encryption and compliance with data protection regulations.

Best for

Xero Payroll is suited to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), offering user-friendly online payroll management tailored to their needs. Its strength lies in simplicity and accessibility, making it ideal for SMEs with straightforward payroll requirements.

Xero Payroll’s intuitive interface, automated processes and integration with Xero Accounting suit smaller enterprises seeking an efficient cloud-based payroll solution. While capable of handling larger businesses, its focus on streamlined functionalities makes it particularly beneficial for smaller entities aiming for straightforward and manageable payroll processes without extensive complexities.

3. PayHero

PayHero is a payroll software designed primarily for businesses in New Zealand, offering automated payroll processing, compliance management with local tax regulations, and employee management functionalities.

Key features

Payroll processing: Automate payroll calculations, including wages, taxes, and deductions.

Employee management: Track employee details, working hours, leave balances, and personal information.

Leave management: PayHero manages and tracks employee leave entitlements, requests, and approvals.

Compliance and reporting: Ensure compliance with New Zealand payroll regulations and generate necessary reports for tax filings.

Integration: PayHero integrates with accounting software to streamline financial processes.

Timesheets: Employees can submit timesheets electronically for accurate record-keeping.

Employee self-service: A portal for employees to access pay stubs, update personal information, and submit leave requests.

Automated reminders: The platform sends reminders for important payroll deadlines, tax filings, and compliance requirements.

Customisation: PayHero has customisable settings to align with specific business needs and policies.

Best for

PayHero excels in automating payroll calculations, ensuring compliance with New Zealand’s intricate payroll regulations, and facilitating smooth integration with accounting software. Its user-friendly interface and robust features cater to small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking efficient and accurate payroll processing.

Additionally, PayHero’s employee self-service portal empowers staff to manage their details and leave requests, easing the administrative burden on HR teams.

4. PaySauce

PaySauce is a payroll and employee management software that offers automated payroll processing, compliance management, and integrated features to streamline HR operations. It caters to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in New Zealand.

Key features

Payroll processing: Automate payroll calculations including wages, taxes, and deductions.

Employee management: Manage employee details, working hours, leave balances, and personal information.

Leave management: Organise employee leave entitlements, requests, and approvals.

Integration: Integrates with accounting software to streamline financial processes.

Compliance and reporting: Ensure compliance with New Zealand payroll regulations and generate reports for tax filings.

Timesheets: Employees can submit timesheets electronically for accurate record-keeping.

Employee self-service: Provides a portal for employees to access pay stubs, update personal information, and submit leave requests.

Best for

SMEs benefit from PaySauce’s ability to automate payroll calculations, manage employee details, handle leave requests, and generate reports for tax filings.

Moreover, PaySauce offers a scalable payroll solution that can adapt to business growth. It offers integrations with accounting software, allowing companies to tailor the platform to meet their specific needs while ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency in managing payroll.

5. ADP

ADP (Automatic Data Processing) is a global provider of human resources management software and services, specialising in payroll processing for businesses of various sizes. It offers cloud-based platforms and tools to manage payroll, employee benefits, time tracking, and HR tasks efficiently.

Key features

Payroll processing: Automate payroll calculations, tax deductions, and direct deposits.

HR management: Track employee information, benefits administration, and performance management.

Time and attendance: Manage employee work hours, attendance tracking, and scheduling.

Benefits administration: Handle employee benefits enrollment, management, and compliance.

Talent management: The platform supports recruitment, onboarding, and training processes.

Compliance assistance: Ensure compliance with local tax regulations and employment laws.

Reporting and analytics: ADP generates reports and insights for payroll, HR, and workforce analytics.

Employee self-service: Employees can access pay stubs, update information, and manage benefits.

Best for

ADP Workforce Now is particularly beneficial for medium to large enterprises requiring comprehensive HR and payroll management tools.

However, SMEs can benefit from ADP’s adaptable platforms that offer flexible options for payroll, employee management, and compliance, allowing them to manage their HR tasks efficiently as they expand and evolve.

6. iPayroll

iPayroll is a cloud-based payroll software service used in New Zealand, offering streamlined payroll processing, employee management, and compliance functionalities.

Key features

Payroll processing: Automate calculations for wages, taxes, and deductions.

Employee management: Track employee details, working hours, leave balances, and personal information.

Leave management: Handle employee leave entitlements, requests, and approvals.

Compliance and reporting: Ensure compliance with New Zealand’s payroll regulations.

Employee self-service: iPayroll provides a portal for employees to access payslips, update personal information, and submit leave requests.

Timesheets: Timesheets can be submitted electronically for accurate record-keeping.

Customisation: iPayroll has customisable settings to align with specific business needs and policies.

Best for

iPayroll caters primarily to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) operating in New Zealand, offering a user-friendly and comprehensive payroll service.

Its features are well-suited for businesses seeking an efficient, automated payroll system combined with compliance management and employee self-service functionalities.

7. FlexiTime

FlexiTime is an online payroll and time management software, providing features such as automated payroll processing, time tracking, leave management, and compliance assistance.

Key features

Payroll processing: Automate payroll calculations, tax deductions, and pay runs.

Time tracking: Manage employee work hours, including clock-ins, breaks, and overtime.

Compliance assistance: Ensure adherence to New Zealand’s payroll regulations.

Employee self-service: FlexiTime has a portal for employees to access pay information, submit timesheets, and manage personal details.

Reporting and analytics: Generate reports on payroll, timesheets, and leave data for analysis and decision-making.

Mobile access: The platform is accessible via mobile devices, allowing for on-the-go management and approvals.

Integration capabilities: Integrate FlexiTime with accounting software and other systems for seamless data exchange.

Best for

FlexiTime is best suited for businesses with a mobile or remote workforce. Its mobile accessibility and employee self-service features empower staff to manage their time, submit timesheets, and access payroll information conveniently from various devices.

This makes FlexiTime a good choice for SMEs aiming to efficiently manage payroll and time-related tasks, while accommodating the modern workforce’s flexibility and mobility requirements.

What should you look for when choosing a payroll solution?

HR and payroll software integration

Selecting an online payroll solution that seamlessly integrates with HR software can significantly enhance efficiency. Look for systems that offer a cohesive platform, integrating payroll and HR software functionalities. Streamlining data across both areas eliminates redundancies, simplifies processes and provides a comprehensive view of employee information, from attendance records to salary details. This integration ensures consistency and accuracy in managing payroll and HR tasks.

Pricing and cost

Understanding the pricing structure of payroll software is crucial. Don’t just go with a favourite first – assess other payroll software solutions to check whether the pricing aligns with your business needs and budget. Some systems may charge based on the number of employees, while others might offer tiered pricing based on features. Consider hidden costs, such as fees for additional services or support. Ensure the chosen solution not only fits your current financial capabilities but also remains scalable as your business grows.

Ease of implementation

Ease of implementation plays a pivotal role in transitioning to a new payroll system. Opt for payroll providers that offers a smooth onboarding process, providing adequate training and support. Look for user-friendly interfaces and straightforward setup procedures. Assess the vendor’s support resources, including documentation, tutorials and customer service, to facilitate a hassle-free transition for your team.

Automatic tax filing

Efficient payroll software should automate payroll tax filing processes. Look for systems that handle tax calculations and deductions accurately, ensuring compliance with local tax regulations. Ensure the software facilitates direct submission of tax reports and payments to relevant authorities, simplifying the often complex and time-sensitive tax filing procedures.

Global online payroll management

For businesses with an international presence or remote employees, selecting payroll software that supports global payroll management is crucial, like Employment Hero’s Global Teams Employer of Record (EOR) service. Consider systems that accommodate multi-currency payments, comply with diverse tax laws across regions, and offer localisation features. An ideal solution should provide centralised control while adapting tƒo various regulatory requirements and currencies, ensuring smooth payroll operations worldwide.

Automate payroll processes with Employment Hero

Automate as much of your payroll processes as you like by harnessing the power of a fully integrated online payroll software and HR platform. Run payroll reports in a few clicks, and never lose a timesheet or leave request again. Our award-winning payroll management software is recognised globally for providing outstanding product and customer experience. So why not join the league of successful businesses who’ve transformed their payroll operations with the best payroll software.

Reach out to a member of our team today.