Payroll management is today a strategic imperative for companies that prefer to handle complex regulations, changing employee relationships, and increasing calls for efficiency and accuracy. Companies have thus increasingly turned to advanced payroll systems, which combine compliance ability with creative features such as workforce management and cloud capability.
This is the ultimate guidebook for Filipino firms that want to automate their payrolls. Depicting limitations of old-school systems in the Philippines and introducing Best Payroll Software in the Philippines and their most critical advantages will benefit HR leaders, large corporations, and decision-makers with actionable takeaways to embark on change across complex payrolls.
Financial And Compliance Risks Of Outdated Payroll Systems
Regulatory Complexity
Companies must stay current with regulations regarding overtime pay, holiday pay, and mandatory contributions to SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG.Archaic payroll systems cannot handle these complexities in-house, and manual payroll creates compliance risks.
Losses due to Inefficiencies and Errors
Manual pay processing can cause errors in calculations of benefits and deductions and may result in employee dissatisfaction. Payroll errors of underpayment or overpayment typically result in retroactive payments that overwhelm HR resources. Manual systems also find themselves spending 3-4 business days on tax filings and audits, and diverting HR away from strategic functions.
Lack of Visibility and Control
Traditional payroll software is not designed to include real-time reporting capabilities, and HR and finance cannot track payroll runs and tax calculations easily. This causes delays in addressing compliance risk, inefficiency, and inconsistency. Modern payroll services address this by offering single, integrated dashboards that give real-time visibility into payroll data.
Insufficient Integration with Workforce Systems
Classical payroll systems usually do not incorporate workforce management modules such as absence management, payment of employees in the pay cycle, and time management.
All these problems are resolved by using payroll software for the workforce by incorporating seamless automation and integration. With integrated systems, it becomes easy to automatically compute night differential for distant employees with timely payments made with high precision and negligible manual intervention.
Compliance with Outdated Technology
Archaic technology hinders compliance because manual variation of regulatory updates is frequently delayed and incorrect. Delayed updating of tax rates or overtime rules can trigger penalties for non-compliance. Cloud payroll and HR management software ensures timely updates, making the business compliant with current regulations.
Selection Attributes of Payroll Software
Compliance Attributes
The new payroll software in the Philippines should comply with strict Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG contribution rules. Solutions such as Darwinbox provide real-time compliance reporting so that companies remain up to date with existing tax legislations. Companies with complex employee management are best served by automated statutory contribution update functionalities.
User Experience
Employee-focused payroll solutions automate pay processing with ease of use and self-service portals. Employees view payslips, tax deductions, tax adherence, net salaries, and attendance reports, reducing HR’s workload.
A visually attractive interface not only enhances productivity but also reduces the number of mistakes. For example, self-service portals cut down payroll queries by more than 30%.
Workforce Management Integration
Integrated payroll management systems eliminate manual payroll processing by HR, avoiding human error and ensuring proper payment to the workers for overtime, holiday pay computation, and other employee details.
Payroll service providers such as Ramco Systems offer end-to-end solutions for big organizations. Integrated systems are especially useful in non-traditional work schedule industries like retail and hospitality, wherein proper time reporting is required to ensure payroll compliance.
Mobile Accessibility
Since smartphone penetration is over 60% in the Philippines today, mobile-first payroll solutions are no longer a choice but a necessity. A payroll system with mobile app functionality allows employees to view critical payroll data at any time.
Mobile dashboards also make it easier for HR personnel to manage payroll even in field settings. For industries with field workers, mobile access ensures payroll-related questions and updates get processed on time. This degree of accessibility fosters employee trust and guarantees transparency.
Scalability
The speedy growth of Filipino enterprises, thanks to a 15% per annum workforce growth rate, requires payroll software that grows easily.
Scalable payroll software that can handle payroll is necessary, given the Philippines’ rapidly expanding workforce. Scalable payroll solutions such as ADP provide advanced capabilities to manage the requirements of large enterprises.
Scalability refers to the fact that as businesses scale up operations, their payroll infrastructure can accommodate rising complexities without downtime. Multi-country payroll functionality also addresses scalability to businesses involved in regional or global operations.
Top Picked Payroll Software in the Philippines 2025
1. Sprout Solutions
The biggest in-house B2B SaaS provider and most highly valued HR software in the Philippines is Sprout Solutions. Therefore, it knows the ins and outs of local government and HR regulations.
Their cloud solution simplifies and automates complex HR activities, reducing administrative efforts by half. In between, they ensure the well-being of employees through services like employee well-being and urgent financial assistance.
Sprout Solutions enables you to manage the full employee lifecycle at your desk and on the go. Their comprehensive set of tools tackles the central HR and payroll processes, recruiting, performance management, employee engagement, benefit administration, and informed HR insights.
Key features:
- Simplify your payroll system and save tons of time
- Boost worker happiness and engagement with Sprout Pulse
- Manage recruitment and performance management with ease
- Control HR functions anywhere, anytime with the Sprout Mobile app
- Offer instant financial assistance for your employees with InstaCash
Pros:
- Convenient access on the go
- Financial assistance with InstaCash
Cons:
- Custom Pricing can be a bit costly for small businesses
- Learning Curve
Pricing:
Custom pricing
Rating and reviews:
- G2: 4.7/5
- Capterra: 4.7/5
2. GreatDay HR
Created by SunFish DataOn, it has been a reliable solution for the ASEAN market for more than 24 years.
GreatDay addresses all stages of payroll administration and attendance, employee data management, hiring, and performance monitoring. It offers real-time data updates as well as auto-integration for efficient processing and saving time.
GreatDay HR specifically targets small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the Philippines. It features an easy-to-use mobile app and an easy-to-use webpage, which comes with a full-featured HRIS solution that is designed to meet the unique needs of different industries nationwide in the Philippines.
Key features:
- Secure storage and easy update of employee information
- Track attendance through multiple modes, such as geolocation, for accurate timekeeping
- Vacancies and job applicants can be easily tracked and managed to support the hiring process
- Employee performance can be tracked through KPI metrics to measure productivity and effectiveness
- Employees can be mobilized through surveys, an in-house social news feed, employee feedback tools, and chat features to support communication and collaboration
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Comprehensive features
Cons:
- Restrictions on integration
- Not very customisable
- Less responsive customer support
Pricing:
PHP 70/month per employee
Reviews and ratings:
- G2: Too few reviews
- Capterra: NA
3. Clickup
ClickUp is a work management platform that offers project and task management tools plus other features. It claims to be an app that does everything, including time tracking and employee scheduling.
So, while ClickUp is primarily a project and task management software, in this review, I’ll focus on ClickUp’s time tracking and scheduling features and examine if this claim is warranted.
Overall, while I understand that ClickUp includes time tracking, I didn’t like ClickUp’s time tracking capabilities. ClickUp has a lot of complexity to its user interface, and starting a timer isn’t easy or intuitive. In addition, while I liked ClickUp’s timesheets, the platform had no integrations with payroll or accounting platforms to export your time easily. While the platform does have task-scheduling features, it really had no way to schedule employees to work.
Key features:
- Manage your projects and team with unique workflows and active dashboards
- Keep tabs on employees’ billable hours on tasks, sort time entries with tags, and access a timesheet with all your employees’ hours.
- Assign tasks to employees and manage workloads using multiple views like kanban board, Gantt charts, and list view.
- Use ClickUp Brains, an AI assistant, to access data quickly and retrieve steps in the help center.
- Utilize dozens of out-of-the-box integrations, including time tracking apps like Harvest, Toggl, and Everhour.
Pros:
- Example Plan allows you to experience software for free
- Time estimates on tasks
- Customizable reporting dashboards
- Strong security certifications
Cons:
- Complex user interface
- Robotic time tracking
- No payroll or accounting integrations
Pricing:
- Free tier available
- premium plans start at $5 per user per month.
Ratings and reviews:
- G2: 4.7/5
- Capterra: 4.6/5
4. Paychex Flex
An excellent cloud-based HR solution for managing payroll, benefits, and human resources in one place is Paychex Flex.
The program comes with an intuitive interface, a good customer support system, and numerous features beneficial in managing a remote workforce.
In addition, Paychex Flex can integrate easily with other important business systems, like time tracking and accounting software, expanding its use beyond payroll and HR.
Although Paychex can be used by companies of any size, it’s particularly useful for large companies with numerous workers. In addition, it mainly serves US-based operations and can provide limited features for international businesses.
Key features:
- Receive proactive guidance and support from seasoned HR professionals specific to your business needs.
- Recruit and retain top talent with competitive benefits packages, such as health insurance and retirement plans.
- Remain compliant with federal, state, and local laws, minimizing the risk of legal trouble.e
Pros:
- Simple, automated payroll & HR tools
- Scalable plans for small to mid-size businesses
- Excellent mobile app for employers and employees
- QuickBooks, Xero, etc. integration
- 24/7 customer support
- Strong compliance tools
- Employee financial wellness includes
Cons:
- It could be costly for small businesses, particularly with several services.
- Initial setup and feature discovery could take a long time
- Report and workflow customization choices are limited relative to the competition
Pricing:
Custom pricing
Ratings and reviews:
- G2: 4.2/5 (1500+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.2/5 (1500+ reviews)
5. Rippling
Rippling is an HR and payroll software in the Philippines that can process the entire payment cycle in a matter of minutes. Users can monitor changes in gross pay and deductions, compare pay runs, and approve with confidence.
Custom pay types, i.e., bonuses and tips, can be configured on a recurring or a one-off basis. Approved hours, reimbursements, and deductions are reflected in real time. It also connects with accounting software such as Xero, QuickBooks, and NetSuite.
Key Features:
- Automated pay calculations, tax withholdings, and filings
- Time and Attendance Tracking
- Benefits administration
- Customizable Workflows
- Employee Onboarding
Pros:
- Flexibility and scalability
- Broad integration
Cons:
- High learning curve
- Expensive
- Not ideal for medium to large-scale businesses
Pricing:
Available on request
Ratings & Reviews:
- G2: 4.3/5 (Based on 30+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.9/5 (Based on 3,710+ reviews)
6. BambooHR
Bamboo is a Payroll software in the Philippines that makes it easy for more than 150 countries to keep everything HR at their fingertips. From onboarding new workers to keeping an eye on time off and all the in-betweens, BambooHR makes things efficient for you so you save your headaches and hours.
With an intuitive interface and useful features, HR functions become simple and seamless. Also, BambooHR provides advanced performance management tools, benefits administration, and reporting to obtain valuable insights. It can, however, be less than fully tailored for very specialized HR needs.
Key features:
- Streamline recruitment using the Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
- Organize employee time-off requests and balances using time-off tracking
- Enhance employee performance and development through performance review templates
- Access HR functions and employee data in your pocket with the mobile app
Pros:
- Easy to use for employees and HR personnel.
- Enables employees to control personal data, request time off, and view pay stubs.
- Contains applicant tracking, onboarding, performance management, and time-off tracking.
- permits the automation of HR procedures like notifications and approvals.
- Custom dashboards and reports for enhanced decision-making.
- Seamless integration with payroll, benefits, and other third-party apps.
Cons:
- Restricted report and workflow customization in the ‘Essential’ plan
- No price transparency on the company’s website
- Integration of third-party apps with some legacy systems may be an extra effort.
Pricing:
Custom pricing
Ratings and reviews:
- G2: 4.4/5 (2000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (2000+ reviews)
7. HR Easily
HR easily distinguishes itself with an emphasis on computerized, budget-friendly solutions and the optimization of HR work processes. It simplifies the recruitment and administration of the benefits process, reducing errors and ensuring accurate data. Its low-cost subscription model makes HR an efficient and error-free solution for organizations looking to automate HR management.
Key features:
- Improve the accuracy of attendance tracking using facial recognition technology.
- Use HR capabilities anywhere, anytime with the employee and manager mobile app.
- Covers several countries, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, and Hong Kong, and thus is ideal for companies operating in these regions
- Provides real-time support with a live chat service for any HR-related question
Pros:
- Handles payroll, leave, claims, and employee information.
- Easy and user-friendly for HR and employees.
- Handle HR activities on the go.
- Customize features according to company requirements.
- Assists in being compliant with local regulations.
- Economical for small to mid-sized companies.
Cons:
- It might not satisfy the sophisticated HR requirements of bigger businesses.
- Fewer customization options than some rivals
Pricing:
- By Modules: From $1.5/month per employee
- Full Suite: $10/month per employee
Ratings and reviews:
- G2: Too few reviews
- Capterra: NA
8. Deel Software
Deel is a global payroll and compliance platform that simplifies the process of hiring and paying local employees and contractors around the globe. Hire remote talent anywhere in the world with Deel, remain compliant, and pay workers locally. It’s your single source of truth for frictionless, stress-free remote workforce management.
Key features:
- Process payroll for full-time staff across over 150 countries, being compliant with local tax regimes and regulations.
- Streamline contractor payments via bank transfers, PayPal, and cryptocurrency solutions.
- Offer localized incentives and rewards to employees, including health cover and pension schemes
- Integrate with shared accounting and HR tools, such as QuickBooks, Xero, and BambooHR.
Pros:
- Streamlined payments
- Flexibility
Cons:
- International payroll processing is expensive, especially for small businesses or newly formed startups.
- First-time installation is clunky and time-consuming, especially for companies with a large number of foreign employees.
Pricing:
On request
Ratings and reviews:
- G2: 4.8/5 (3000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (500+ reviews)
9. Zoho People
Zoho People is an HR cloud solution that is tailored to enhance the employee experience and is therefore unique compared to others.
Since it can match the changing needs of the modern workforce, it has numerous features that are aimed at automating the HR function while the workers’ well-being and growth are always at its core.
From performance management to HR planning and induction, Zoho People is your go-to guide in building a valued and empowered workforce.
Key features:
- Maintain a centralized employee database for easy administration
- Use integrated biometric devices to automatically record time and attendance.
- Create and evaluate goals using performance management tools
- Automatically calculate payroll with smooth payroll integration
- Change information and submit requests independently through the employee self-service portal
Pros:
- Manages leave, attendance, performance, and employee records.
- Customize processes according to your organization’s requirements.
- Enables staff to manage data and requests.
- Smooth integration with other Zoho applications.
- Affordable for small and mid-sized companies.
Cons:
- Though Zoho People has a high level of customization, it may be complicated and time-consuming for users with low technical expertise.
- Integration with third-party applications outside of the Zoho universe could require technical know-how.
Pricing:
- Essential HR: $1.25/month/user
- Professional: $2.00/month/user
- Premium: $3.00/month/user
- Enterprise: $4.50/month/user
Ratings and reviews:
- G2: 4.4/5 (300+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5 (200+ reviews)
10. Payroll.PH
Payroll.ph is a Philippine payroll system to ease the management of payroll for companies and organizations. The system has customizable HR, timekeeping, and payroll settings.
It also converts payroll processing, such as allowances, government contributions, taxes, and loans, into an efficient, quick process. Payroll.ph enables businesses to generate government reports, HR documents, payslips, certificates, and bank transmittals easily.
Key Features:
- Streamlined payroll processing with salary, tax, and deduction automation
- One-click payroll management
- Document management software to archive contracts, payslips, and compliance documents
- Integrated HRIS for tracking employee information, job changes, and leave entitlements
Pros:
- Local tax compliance
- Good level of safety
- Robust servers
Cons:
- Limited support outside of Australia
- Limited configurability
- May have limited integration with other company systems
Pricing:
On request
Ratings & Reviews
- G2: 4.4/5 (300+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5 (200+ reviews)
Conclusion
Payroll software is an integral application for Philippine businesses, promoting automatic processing of salaries, compliance, and the effectiveness of the payroll. Employee self-service portals, compliance reporting, integration with HR, as well as tax and statutory automation, payroll software streamlines the administration of the payroll and lessens errors.
For companies on the lookout for the best payroll software in the Philippines, the most important thing is to find a secure, scalable, and legally compliant one. Small business or a multinational company, payroll automation ensures compliance, accuracy, and worker satisfaction.
FAQs
1. How does payroll work in the Philippines?
Employers are required to pay wages every two weeks, with periods not exceeding 16 days. The country also requires a 13th-month pay benefit, where employees receive an additional month’s salary as a bonus.
2. What are the payroll regulations in the Philippines?
Employers in the Philippines must pay their employees no more than 16 days apart, either every other week or twice a month. It is illegal for employers to pay only monthly, but legal to pay weekly if preferred.
3. What is the HR and payroll system?
Human resources mainly deals with managing the relations of workers, whereas payroll is responsible for employees’ monetary compensation and payment. Even though these divisions have distinct functions, they share common responsibilities.
4. Is payroll included in bookkeeping?
Payroll and bookkeeping are not the same. While bookkeeping involves maintaining track of all financial activities within a corporation, payroll involves paying employees.
