Cost-Effective Payroll Software Options for Startups

Payroll Software

It has now emerged as an issue at a global level, data security. It’s because start-ups desperately or hurriedly or to save cost, select any name displayed over Google as their payroll software and it’s been suggested as the top area for improvement for payroll over the next two to three years (38%). Data security is a major concern and one of the primary factors for this is the incompetent software selection. Many of the start-ups tend to make this mistake which makes them stand still when data breach occurs.

While we surveyed, we also found that bookkeeping, payroll processing, and time tracking are the top 3 tasks SMBs want to get rid of. A report also says that 71% of small business or start-up owners are now actively looking for professional assistance with their financial and administrative complex tasks. More than two-fifths (41%) of the start-ups or small business owners say that security concerns are the foremost barrier while they plan to implement payroll software. This sounds a bit bizarre because most payroll software promise their systems to be equipped with complex security.

Also Read: A Step-by-Step Guide to singapore cpf contribution 2025

Every business aims for high accuracy in calculations, reduced human error, time and attendance monitoring, compliance management, seamless integration with HR systems, reporting and analytics features, which directly improves employee satisfaction and minimizes payroll processing time via automation. But how could you trust someone with the utmost crucial data of your employees and of your accounts, remains a question specifically for start-ups, this guide will get answers to your questions.

Key Features Of Payroll Softwares To Consider

You might have come across multiple options for Payroll softwares but to choose one for your accounting & compliance needs, you must count-in some crucial features and then decide, understand below;

High Security Standards

Checking and verifying the security standards and levels of a payroll software can’t be ignored.

Whether you are selecting a payroll software accessed and used via the cloud or run on-premises, payroll security is a must to safeguard your IP.

Integrations

Payroll software integrations with your organisation’s features and softwares will truly make it an automation software. Automating of the payroll steps starting from calculating employee wages, issuing bulk payments will only take off the lad from the manual team. The payroll software must be highly adaptive to local workforce management tools, like time and attendance management to ensure that the human effort is only limited to tap open the app only.

Customer Support

Any such automation like Payroll is always attached with various aspects and no organisation can afford to address every of them. While your employees scroll through to know their leave balance, company policies, attendance and downloading payslips, there must be someone from the service provider itself to guide on any complexities and assist with solutions upfront for simple and seamless operations.

Access To Data And Features

Putting payroll on complete automation is conceived with a simple idea to organize employees and payrolls efficiently. The payroll software which you select if is not easy to maneuver and UI is complexed then the whole agenda to adopt it could fail. An ideal payroll software must be well featured with an intuitively-structured dashboard offering multiple functions for viewing, analyzing and extracting a range of data quickly and easily.

Compliance Support

One of the crucial factors to be taken care of diligently and you must make sure that the payroll system you are paying for is helping your businesses be in compliance to the statutory rules with the local payroll. Timely and updation and implementation of the latest legal regulations related to tax laws and payroll regulations, notifying admin filing important payroll reports, and maintaining reports for the same.

Best Cost-effective Payroll Softwares For Start-ups

Understand your needs and read through the top cost-effective options listed below;

SME Payroll

A Multi-Award Winning & AI-enabled HR & Payroll Platform Empowering HR in Singapore. All-in-one, easy-to-use AI-enabled HRMS Platform Empowering HR offering total automated solutions with various pre-approved grants PSG, Tech-And-GO, Digi-TAC. Trusted by over 100,000+ Users in Singapore.

Key Features

  • Full-Service Payroll: SME automates payroll processing, including IRAS, IR8A and other tax filings, direct deposits along with simple options for customisation.
  • Employee Benefits, Compliance Management, Employee Self-Service, Integration Options, Employee, Leaves, Claim, Payroll, Appraisal, Timesheet, Schedule, Announcements, Reminders & Alerts, Workflow

Best For

Small to large-sized businesses, which needs a simple yet efficient payroll and HR solution with easy-to-use features and 24*7 support.

Gusto

‍‍Gusto is another comprehensive payroll software service provider that provides payroll processing, benefits and compliance management. It mainly suits small to medium-sized businesses looking for an all-in-one solution.

Key Features

  • Full-Service Payroll: Gusto automates payroll processing, including tax filings, direct deposits.
  • Employee Benefits, Compliance Management, Employee Self-Service, Integration Options.

Best For

Small to medium-sized businesses seeking a comprehensive payroll and HR solution with simple features and support.

QuickBooks Payroll

QuickBooks Payroll is a known payroll processing software that easily integrates with local accounting software which makes it ideal for businesses which have already integrated QuickBooks for their accounting needs.

Key Features

  • Seamless Integration: Directly integrates with QuickBooks online for one stop payroll and accounting management.
  • Automated Payroll, Tax Penalty Protection, Employee Portal, Customizable Payroll Reports

Best For

Businesses of all small-medium sizes that are already using QuickBooks for accounting and need to streamline payroll processing.

ADP Workforce Now

ADP Workforce Now is another cloud-based HR and payroll solution curated for medium to large businesses. It contains a set of simple tools for managing payroll, HR, benefits, and compliance.

Key Features

  • Comprehensive Payroll Services: Automates payroll processing which includes tax filing and compliance management.
  • HR Management, Benefits Administration, Compliance Monitoring, Customizable Dashboards

Best For

Medium to large businesses that require their load of complex accounting operations to be handled easily.

Paychex Flex

‍Paychex Flex provides comprehensive payroll and HR management solutions for businesses of all almost medium sizes. The platform is mainly popular for its flexibility and a set of features, which are easy to operate and intuitive.

Key Features

  • Flexible Payroll Processing: Paychex Flex gives options for customization, payroll processing options which include direct deposit, paper checks, and paycards.
  • HR Management Tools, Tax Services, Employee Benefits, Mobile Access

Best For

Businesses of medium sizes, seeking for a flexible payroll and HR management solution with varying features.

Also Read: How to Check Your Foreign Worker Levy Status

Why Select SME Payroll Software?

SME is a multi-Award-Winning HR & Payroll Software Solution in Singapore. SMEPAYROLL core platform has been built with Scalability- Integrity -Security which makes it a one stop and complete HRMS system for all your company’s needs. An Intuitive, feature-rich, affordable HR & Payroll platform containing features like Payroll, Performance Appraisal, Statutory Compliance, Recruitment, Timesheet, Scheduler, Leave, Claims, Onboarding, Talent Management, Mobile Apps & Chatbots. Understand SME payroll key features explained below;

Enabling HR with tools

The most secure Cloud based HR Software platform which helps you bring people together. With a shared company calendar, everyone in your company will always be up to date on events, holidays, and company announcements. Company information, and an employee directory are also made accessible to your team at any time, along with secured access to personal details, SME Payroll payslips, benefits allowance, leave and expense claim requests.

Empowering Integrations

Powers up your workflow with integrations by offering a wide range of applications and services from third-party integrations to extend in one HR software Singapore platform. Enables any organisation to simply add the evolving HRMS with XERO, QuickBooks, Google Calendar, Disprz, Actatek, Synergita, Avvanz

Up to 50% funding

It’s correct, and exclusive too. SMEPAYROLL is an IMDA-approved HRIS system, HR & payroll software provider for the Singapore PSG Grant. Which only in the market offers upfront 50% funding and many other benefits and discounts.

SMEPAYROLL Mobile App

It’s no more about computers now when you can experience the convenience of accessing HR services on the go. The ultimate easy and intuitive app comes with Geo-location & Geo-fencing attendance, People Directory, Leave, Claim, Pay slip, Company policy, Incident Reporting, Schedule, etc.

Conclusion

Putting some complex and repetitive tasks of your business administration on automation is going to get you faster results, accuracy and growth. The question is, how you proceed with your needs and if you get insights and form data driven decisions you would probably understand with deeper details on how you should form a strategy in order to get the things done. This is not something which is required in this case of selecting the best payroll software for your start-up, this goes right with every strategic move for your anticipations to get materialized as desired. Before you rely on any payroll software, talk to them and understand how they would handle your data and know the type and level of security they have integrated.

 

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Why Smepayroll

Customer Testimonials

Find out how our clients thrive using one of the best singapore's payroll software.

Yin Kang

“I find this software very user-friendly and is suited for computer users of all proficiency levels. For myself, every month it only takes me 10 -15 minutes to do up the payroll for the entire company.”

Yin Kang
HR - Goh Boon Kok
Jenny Foo

"We are happy and satisfied with SMEPayroll software and the better tech support provided for the user. This software is user friendly and the support team is very responsive and helpful. Highly recommended!"

Jenny Foo
HR & Admin Manager - U Pins
Lucas Seah

"SMEPayroll is a very powerful tool and I thank the SME Payroll account manager for actively assisting me several times. The software is also regularly updated base on the requirements of Singapore law."

Lucas Seah
MD - Execllence Singapore
Jennifer R. Crizaldo

"SMEPayroll is so simple to use that I didn’t even need to look at the instructions, it was self-explanatory and user-friendly. I would have no hesitation in recommending SMEPayroll to any business looking for excellence in product and service."

Jennifer R. Crizaldo
HR Officer - Cem Pyramid
Vishal Attal

"We have been using SME Payroll product for more than 4 years now. We are impressed with simple ways of processing payroll, bank & CPF payroll feeds and continuous updates to the system. Keep up the good work!"

Vishal Attal
Director - Kaira Global
Kalavathi

"With reference to the payroll as a client, we are satisfied with the software. Its veryuser-friendly, easy to use & the support is very efficient. After the payroll has been install in the company our job has really been smooth & efficient. We wish SMEPayroll to continue like the same."

Kalavathi
Accounts - CKR Contract Services
Katherine

"I have been working with SME Payroll software for years now and I have been highly satisfied. When there is any issue with regards to upgrades, the team is just a phone call away. They are comfortable to work remotely and fix pretty much any problem in that manner. Working with a reliable system is important. This is why you would want to work with SMEPayroll."

Katherine
Principal - The Little House (Montessori)
Surjit Mehendale

"We are using SMEPayroll since the year 2008 the year in which we incorporated Goodwood. It is running very well and it’s very user-friendly. We are satisfied with your support team as well. They are prompt in their responses. They provide us updates periodically which we really appreciate. Keep it up and all the best to A&B for its future way."

Surjit Mehendale
A/C Manager - Goodwood Ship
Jono Law

"I am very glad that the support team has been giving very good support. The support team is supportive and has been providing my company an excellent tech support. The support team is understanding, patience and provides me with a very detailed understanding of the software usage. I just want to say thank you to the support team for his excellence service."

Jono Law
A/C Manager - Absolute Career Enterprise
Michelle Ng

"SMEPayroll provided a comprehensive training session for us to learn how to operate the system. With the use of the software, we were able to generate payrolls faster and more efficiently. SMEPayroll also comes with “Alerts and Reminders” which sends compliance updates automatically when declared, and has eased the overall HR process for us as an SME."

Michelle Ng
Manager - Pink Apple
Hans Van Roosmalen

"SMEPAYROLL has proven to be the right choice for us. It offers more than sufficient modules and possibilities, inclusive departments, leave management, progress management, e-filing of CPF and IRAS and much more. The support of the helpdesk is quick and to the point and the people are always willing to go the extra mile to help and advise."

Hans Van Roosmalen
MD - Wolero
Susan Ling

"SME payroll is user friendly and easy to use. It has comprehensive features as it includes leave, birthday, passport expiry reminders etc. IT support is also prompt and usually solves my issues within a day or 2 providing me with a smooth and uninterrupted experience. SME Payroll also listens to our needs and feedback and is quick to update and incorporate changes in the system when necessary."

Susan Ling
CA - Timeplus Business Concepts
Kellie Webster

"We are very happy with the SMEPayroll software and feel that the tech support provided is fast, efficient and helpful."

Kellie Webster
Office Manager - The Butcher
Lorena Cruz

"Sales and after-sales customer service are commendable. Technical support is also very supportive."

Lorena Cruz
A/C Executive - Duprex (S)
Fatima Gani

"We are happy to use SME payroll for our office. They are very supportive."

Fatima Gani
Employee - Vulpes Investment Management
FV Soma

"We are writing to appreciate your Company for providing us SMEPayroll software that is well supporting our administrative and accounting function for our business requirement. Our accounts department has been using the SMEPayroll for many years. We wish to comment on the fact that despite our relatively high transaction volume, we are pleased and satisfied with the performance of the software in terms of its overall reliability and user-friendly Features that even our marketing department is able to extract figure for their planning and monthly report."

V Soma
Director - Glomax Maintenance
ArulJ

"We Thankful to you for your Great Support on these much of days and in upcoming period also. I really appreciate your Supporting team, whenever we request for Clarification – within a few Minutes we will get Clarified reply from either in call or by TeamViewer. Over Telephone call also your team will reply to our queries in very polite and respectful manner with Clear picture, it’s really appreciable. We are more comfort proceed our payroll process in SME payroll."

Arul.J
Admin Executive - Universal Solution

case studies

Below are a few of the case studies showcasing our commitment to deliverables.

Singapore Petroleum Corporation

SMEPayroll customized solution enabled SPC in providing a solution to all its40 service stations making it convenient for the stations to manage the payroll as well as HR activities as an individual entity, with global management for the head office.

Glomax Maintenance Services

GMS’s Management team possesses a wealth of experience spanning several decades. GMS needed an HR & Payroll solution that could accommodate various scenarios and options, as a family-orientedculture GMS didn’t want to leave any employee behind.

Snip Avenue

Snip Avenue has been using SME payroll for about 8 years to date. SME Payroll is a user-friendly software that suits the needs and wants of our requirements. We would highly recommend the use of SME Payroll.

SMEPayroll Reviews

Below are a few of the client reviews showcasing our commitment to deliverables.

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MARY-ANN AC

Jovie is quick in helping us when we're encountering issues with the system. She is fast to respond and have a patience to explain why we encountered the problem. thumbs up for her.

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felcia ang

Sam is very helpful and efficient! I always look for him if I need help with smepayroll portal and he will always try his his best to give me a quick solution. Thank you Sam.

K

Ke Min Boon

I would like to thank you Sam for helping me. Very fast response and he also will try his best to solve all the problem for me.

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Divya Gupta

Satisfied with it. I recommend this product to everyone. It is very convenient and customer service is very reactive.

A

Amy Tiong

We are very happy with the SMEPayroll software and feel that the tech support provided is fast, efficient and helpful. Smepayroll is very user friendly and easy to use. "I want to give 5 stars for Mr Amandeep Singh for the Mesmeric and Best support "

S

Sarena Duran

Good Product & Service, Being using it for over 5 years and very satisfied. Thanks to the SMEPayroll Team.

M

Maki Kuratani

I can get answer soon after i drop inquiries. If I am not sure how to solve the issue, they can always support me by remote control and show me how to do it. it can help me to understand the system more. They are very helpful.

G

Gloria Barroga

The support of the help desk is quick and to the point and the people are always willing to go the extra mile to help and advice..We are very happy with the SMEPayroll software and feel that the tech support provided is fast, efficient and helpful Personally i want to thank Mr Amandeep Singh for his dedication to the clients relationship and best ever support.

J

Judith

Reliable and operational for Payroll work. All standard formulas that are according to MOM laws. Mr Amandeep singh is so supportive and best ever giving in instant and best support.

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Waleed Bin Afzal

We are using the SME Payroll from the past one year and it is a complete packaged application that covers all the major pain points of the end user regarding HR and Payroll. The support team for SME payroll is also very active in responding to any query raised from the end user. They are so humble to serve you for your query. And it would be a little biased if I will not mention the name of Amandeep. He is the man who mostly interacted with me to resolve any of my issues regarding SME. He is such a kind, humble person that always makes it sure to address all the issues of the end user efficiently. He is one gem of a person really. Keep rocking man!

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Yuzhu

Our company,SAINTMARC PL. have been using the SMEPAYROLL software from Jan 2016.The system is user-friendly and meets all our requirements of a HR/payroll software. Features that we find extremely useful are: - Employee records are easily stored and retrievable, and it allows us to attach scanned images of NRIC,Certificates,etc. The dashboard provides a good overview of important dates, e.g pending employee confirmation and pass expiry dates - Monthly payroll becomes a breeze.The system is able to compute different salary rates on weekday,weekends and public holidays, among others.It generates the CPF and bank IBG files,in a format that is compatible with CPF Board and the bank for easier submission - The year-end IR8A submission is made simpler,as it will generate the IR8A for all employees.Their system is compatible with IRAS. Overall,the software is straightforward and after the sessions of training prior to using it, we were able to use it effectively.On top of that, SMEPAYROLL has for two year provided timely assistance any time we have inquiries or issues.Their trainers have been extremely helpful and attentive to our needs. We will continue to use the SMEPAYROLL software for a long time.

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