Paychex Flex vs Payentry (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Paychex Flex if

• Fits if you want Paychex handling federal, state and local payroll taxes
• Works for teams that plan to add 401(k), benefits or a PEO later

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want a price on the page before booking a call
• Tight if you want phone support on a lower package, as phone and email agents are add-ons
• Not for you if you pay people outside the US, since the pages read cover US payroll only
• Watch out: time and attendance, applicant tracking, state unemployment service and job costing are add-ons
• Watch out: the fee-free offer to April 2027 needs a one-year contract for Foundations or above

Pick Payentry if

• Fits if you are a US business and want a named payroll person to deal with
• Works for firms that also want HR, insurance and retirement help from the same provider

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you want to see prices, because every plan is a consultation
• Skip it if you employ outside the US, as the pages describe US payroll and tax
• Watch out: features and add-ons vary by client, so two quotes may not compare
• Not for you if you want a free plan or trial, since none is listed

Paychex Flex

• No prices are published: Basic, Foundations, Advanced and Complete are each quoted after a form or a sales call.
• Time and attendance, applicant tracking, state unemployment service and job costing are add-ons on some or all packages.
• Online chat support comes with every package; phone and email agents and a dedicated payroll specialist are add-ons on the lower packages.
• The pages read describe US payroll only: federal, state and local tax filing, and W-2 and 1099 forms.

Payentry

• No prices are published; every plan is a Let's Talk consultation.
• Plans are configured with a sales team, so features and add-ons vary by client.
• The pages describe US payroll, tax and reporting.

Paychex Flex

Unlimited payroll runs

Enter hours, salaries, bonuses and time off, then pay by direct deposit, paper check, pay card or tip disbursement, from a computer or the app.

Taxpay tax administration

Calculates, pays and files federal, state and local payroll taxes with the right agencies, and provides W-2s and 1099s online.

AI checks before payday

Automations flag missing time punches and other issues before payroll is due, check employee data and handle timesheet entries.

HR and compliance tools

Depending on the package: OSHA and EEO-1 compliance reports, document management with e-signatures, HR approval workflows and a custom employee handbook.

Employee self-service and Perks

Staff see pay stubs and W-2s in a 24/7 portal and app, and Paychex Flex Perks adds discounts and earned wage access at no extra cost.

Accounting and time integrations

Connects to QuickBooks, Xero, Sage Intacct and NetSuite for accounting, and to scheduling apps such as When I Work and 7shifts.

Payentry

Payroll plan

Unlimited payroll processing, tax filings, new hire reporting, direct deposit, garnishments and year-end W-2 and 1099 forms.

Comprehensive plan

Adds hiring and onboarding modules, WOTC screening, time management, job costing, certified payroll reports and labor law posters.

Comprehensive Plus

Adds workers' compensation reporting and Employee Navigator benefit enrollment.

Employee self-service

An employee portal and mobile application are part of the main Payroll plan.

Partner and association programs

Payroll can be offered under a partner's own brand.

Paychex Flex

Pricing could not be confirmed. See paychex.com.

Payentry

Pricing could not be confirmed. See payentry.com.

Paychex Flex

• Other savings

  Free payroll until April 2027

  New clients with 1 to 250 employees who sign a one-year agreement for Foundations, Advanced or Complete between October 12 and 31, 2026 pay no payroll fees through April 2027.

Payentry

No public discounts listed.