Paycom vs Paylocity: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Paycom and Paylocity comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Paylocity wins this matchup. Our overall HRIS pick is BambooHR. Our free HRIS pick is Paycom. Pick Paycom if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Paycom
One powerful HR and payroll software that puts employee data at your command.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Paylocity requires payment)
- • You want eliminates data reentry and app hopping due to single database
- • You want significantly reduces time spent on payroll and time-off approvals
Paylocity
Unify HR, Finance, & IT for simplified operations and empowered teams.
Best for you if:
- • You want good payroll platform
- • You want hR features
| At a Glance | Paycom | Paylocity |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | $5/moBase HR |
Best For | HRIS | HRIS |
Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Paycom or Paylocity?
Choose Paycom if
One powerful HR and payroll software that puts employee data at your command.
- You want a fully free tool (Paylocity requires payment)
- You want eliminates data reentry and app hopping due to single database
- You want significantly reduces time spent on payroll and time-off approvals
Choose Paylocity if
Unify HR, Finance, & IT for simplified operations and empowered teams.
- You want good payroll platform
- You want hR features
| Feature | Paycom | Paylocity |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 8,674 reviews | ★4.4/5 8,205 reviews |
| Categories | HRISPayroll | HRISPayroll |
In-Depth Analysis
Paycom
One powerful HR and payroll software that puts employee data at your command.
Paycom's 'Weekly Updates' tier is free, offering valuable compliance and HR resources without any direct cost.
Watch out
Add-on module costs for advanced features
Strengths
- +Eliminates data reentry and app hopping due to single database.
- +Significantly reduces time spent on payroll and time-off approvals.
- +Empowers employees with self-service capabilities, improving data accuracy.
- +Robust security measures with ISO and SOC certifications and Tier IV data centers.
- +Dedicated client service ensures personalized support and quick issue resolution.
Weaknesses
- -No free trial or freemium option mentioned.
- -Specific pricing details are not publicly available on the website.
Key features
Paylocity
Unify HR, Finance, & IT for simplified operations and empowered teams.
Paylocity's pricing, particularly for the "Full Suite" at $22-32/user/month plus significant implementation fees, appears expensive compared to many market alternatives.
Watch out
Implementation fees (10-20% of annual)
Strengths
- +Good payroll platform
- +HR features
- +Good UI
- +Fair pricing
- +Good support
Weaknesses
- -Per-employee pricing
- -Learning curve
- -Implementation time
- -Feature gaps
- -Contract commitment
Key features
Pricing: Paycom vs Paylocity
| Plan | Paycom | Paylocity |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Weekly Updates | $5 Base HR |
| Tier 2 | N/A | 22-32 Full Suite |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Paycom pricing and Paylocity pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Paycom is free. Paylocity is paid.
Go with: Paycom
Want the highest-rated option?
Paycom: 4.5/5 (8,674 reviews). Paylocity: 4.4/5 (8,205 reviews).
Go with: Paycom
Value user reviews?
Paycom: 8,674 reviews (4.5/5). Paylocity: 8,205 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Paycom
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Paycom is free. Paylocity is paid. Go with Paycom if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are hris tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Paycom is rated higher: 4.5/5 vs 4.4/5.
Key Takeaways
Paylocity
- Our pick for this comparison
Paycom
- Completely free
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.4/5
- Larger review base (8,674 reviews)
The Bottom Line
Paylocity wins this matchup. Our overall HRIS pick is BambooHR. Our free HRIS pick is Paycom. That said, Paycom is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Paycom or Paylocity better?
Paylocity is rated in our evaluation. Paycom is free and Paylocity is paid.
What are Paycom and Paylocity used for?
Paycom: One powerful HR and payroll software that puts employee data at your command.. Paylocity: Unify HR, Finance, & IT for simplified operations and empowered teams..
What does Paycom cost vs Paylocity?
Paycom is completely free. Paylocity is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.