Head to head

Paycom vs Paylocity

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

Paycom

Sales-quoted

HR and payroll software built on a single database, covering payroll, time, talent and HR. Pricing is a custom quote.

Where Paycom fits

  • US employers that want payroll and HR in one system
  • Companies replacing several HR point tools
  • Teams that want employees to review their own payroll
  • Buyers ready for a scoped sales process

Paylocity

Sales-quoted

US HR, payroll and workforce platform that also covers finance and IT tools. Pricing is sales-quoted.

Where Paylocity fits

  • Midsize US employers that want HR and payroll together
  • Hourly-hiring teams that want Grayscale automation
  • Companies replacing several HR point tools
  • Teams that will build on documented APIs

At a glance

DetailPaycomPaylocity
Starting priceSales-quotedSales-quoted
Free tier–No–No
MCP server–No–No
Public API✓Yes✓Yes
Listed underBenefits administration, HRIS, Payroll, Time & attendanceATS, Benefits administration, HRIS, Payroll, Time & attendance

Where they pull apart

Paycom

Stands out: Every tool runs on one employee database, and the Beti feature has employees check and approve their own payroll before it runs.

Watch out: There is no public price. The quote depends on headcount and which tools you add to the required Core package.

Not the right fit for

  • Buyers who need a published per-employee price
  • Very small teams that want low-cost self-serve payroll

Paylocity

Stands out: One platform covers HR, payroll, recruiting, finance and IT, and Paylocity added Grayscale's AI recruiting automation in 2026.

Watch out: There is no public per-employee price. You need a sales conversation, and implementation and module choice shape the total.

Not the right fit for

  • Buyers who need a published price
  • Companies that mainly need global EOR hiring

Pros and cons

Paycom

  • Payroll, HR and time on one database
  • Employees check their own payroll
  • Recruiting and onboarding included
  • No public price
  • Sales process before any number
  • Module choices drive total cost

Paylocity

  • HR, payroll, finance and IT in one
  • Grayscale recruiting automation added
  • Documented APIs for integrations
  • No public price
  • Sales process before any number
  • Aimed at US employers

What each one costs

Paycom

Sales-quoted

Sales-quoted. No public rate card on the vendor site. Every client starts on the Core package, the Complete package adds the full set of tools, and the quote scales with headcount. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Paylocity

Sales-quoted

Sales-quoted. No public rate card on the vendor site. The quote depends on headcount and the modules you choose. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Common questions

Can you try Paycom or Paylocity for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing.

Not the pair you wanted?

All Paycom alternatives All Paylocity alternatives Every Benefits administration tool

Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 19 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?