Square Payroll vs TimeTrex Comparison: Reviews, Features, Pricing & Alternatives in 2026

Detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right solution for your team

Updated Apr 2026 8 min read

Square Payroll

0.0 (0 reviews)

Square Payroll is a full-service payroll software that automates tax filings, employee payments, and benefits management for small businesses using integrated time tracking and point-of-sale data.

Starting at Free
Free Trial NO FREE TRIAL
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TimeTrex

0.0 (0 reviews)

TimeTrex is a comprehensive workforce management software providing automated payroll, time and attendance tracking, and employee scheduling to help you streamline human resources and labor cost management.

Starting at Free
Free Trial 30 days

Quick Comparison

Feature Square Payroll TimeTrex
Website squareup.com timetrex.com
Pricing Model Subscription Freemium
Starting Price Free Free
FREE Trial ✘ No free trial ✓ 30 days free trial
Free Plan ✘ No free plan ✓ Has free plan
Product Demo ✓ Request demo here ✓ Request demo here
Deployment saas mobile saas on-premise mobile desktop
Integrations Square POS QuickBooks Online Xero Homebase Deputy TSheets 7shifts Guideline SimplyInsured AP Intego QuickBooks Sage AccountEdge Xero Microsoft Dynamics ADP Paychex Ceridian
Target Users solopreneur small-business small-business mid-market enterprise
Target Industries retail restaurant professional-services manufacturing healthcare retail
Customer Count 0 0
Founded Year 2009 2003
Headquarters San Francisco, USA West Kelowna, Canada

Overview

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Square Payroll

Square Payroll simplifies how you pay your team by automating the most complex parts of business ownership. You can pay employees and contractors in just a few clicks, whether they are hourly or salaried. The platform automatically calculates, files, and pays your federal and state payroll taxes, ensuring you stay compliant without manual paperwork. Because it integrates directly with Square POS, your team's hours sync automatically, eliminating the need for manual data entry or messy spreadsheets.

You can manage everything from a single dashboard, including workers' compensation, health insurance, and 401(k) plans. The system supports flexible payment options like Instant Payments, allowing you to send funds to employees the same day they work. Whether you are running a single coffee shop or managing multiple retail locations, you get a straightforward tool that handles the back-office heavy lifting so you can focus on growing your business.

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TimeTrex

TimeTrex is an all-in-one workforce management platform designed to handle your most tedious HR tasks. You can automate everything from employee scheduling and time tracking to complex payroll processing and tax calculations. It eliminates the need for manual data entry by syncing your team's hours directly with your payroll system, ensuring your staff is paid accurately and on time every single cycle.

You can manage your entire workforce through a single interface, whether you have five employees or five thousand. The platform helps you stay compliant with local labor laws by automatically calculating overtime and tracking leave entitlements. It is particularly effective for businesses in manufacturing, healthcare, and retail where shift management and precise labor costing are critical to maintaining your bottom line.

Overview

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Square Payroll Features

  • Automated Tax Filings Let the software calculate, file, and pay your state and federal payroll taxes automatically to ensure total compliance.
  • Time Card Sync Import employee hours directly from Square POS or the Team App to eliminate manual data entry errors.
  • Instant Payments Access your funds immediately and pay your team the same day they work using your Square Balance.
  • Benefits Integration Offer and manage health insurance, 401(k) plans, and workers' comp directly through your payroll dashboard.
  • Contractor Payments Pay your independent contractors via direct deposit and let the system generate and file 1099-NEC forms.
  • Employee Mobile App Give your team a dedicated app to track their hours, view pay stubs, and manage their tax forms.
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TimeTrex Features

  • Automated Payroll. Calculate federal, state, and local taxes automatically so you can process payroll in minutes instead of hours.
  • Employee Scheduling. Create complex shift schedules with drag-and-drop ease and notify your team of changes instantly via email or text.
  • Time & Attendance. Track employee hours accurately using web browsers, mobile apps, or physical biometric hardware to eliminate buddy punching.
  • Leave Management. Manage vacation requests and sick leave through an automated approval workflow that updates your accruals in real-time.
  • Labor Costing. Track labor expenses across different projects or departments to see exactly where your budget is going every day.
  • Recruitment Tracking. Post job openings and manage your entire hiring pipeline from application to onboarding within a single system.
  • Expense Tracking. Review and approve employee business expenses and mileage claims directly through the integrated self-service portal.
  • Document Management. Store and organize your employee records, certifications, and contracts in a secure, centralized digital filing cabinet.

Pricing Comparison

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Square Payroll Pricing

Contractors Only
$0
  • $5 per person paid monthly
  • No monthly base fee
  • Direct deposit included
  • 1099-NEC generation and filing
  • Self-service contractor account
T

TimeTrex Pricing

Community Edition
$0
  • On-premise installation
  • Unlimited employees
  • Time & Attendance tracking
  • Employee Scheduling
  • Basic Payroll processing
  • Employee Self-Service

Pros & Cons

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Square Payroll

Pros

  • Seamless integration with Square Point of Sale
  • Automatic tax filing saves hours of manual work
  • Simple and transparent per-employee pricing model
  • Easy setup process for new business owners

Cons

  • Customer support can be difficult to reach
  • Limited advanced HR features for large corporations
  • Account freezes can occasionally delay payroll processing
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TimeTrex

Pros

  • Extremely flexible configuration for complex union rules
  • Community edition is free for unlimited users
  • Comprehensive all-in-one suite reduces software bloat
  • Robust reporting provides deep insights into labor costs

Cons

  • Interface feels dated compared to modern apps
  • Initial setup requires significant time and effort
  • Steep learning curve for non-technical administrators
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