Paystub Generator vs. Payroll Software: Which One Do You Need?

Managing payroll is one of the most essential aspects of managing any business. For a mid-sized enterprise, the choice comes down to two options: either use an online paystub generator or use expensive payroll software.

This guide helps you in choosing which is best for your business: a check stub generator or payroll software. Let us compare them: paystub generator vs payroll software.

What is a Paystub Generator?

A pay stub generator is commonly known as a tool that lets individuals and freelancers generate customized paycheck stubs for their employees.

An online paystub generator is the route to creating pay stubs, which makes it easier for freelancers and self-employed individuals to send accurate data to their employees.

It is 100% free to use, which is already being used by many firms and individuals who need help in creating pay stubs for their employees and business.

An online pay stub generator can help save time, maintain accurate documentation, and provide transparency to employees.

What is Payroll Software?

Payroll software is a tool which calculates and manages compensation of employees which includes taxes and deductions. It makes the whole payroll process easier, reduces errors as well as saves time.

This tool helps in maintaining compliance with tax and labor laws and making sure that the employees are paid correctly which helps businesses in avoiding penalties.

Paycheck Stub Generator: Pros & Cons

A online paystub generator is significant as it helps in maintaining accurate documentation and provides transparency to employees.

Pros & Cons of paycheck stub generator:

Pros:

• Professional look:
  • The generated paystub will be a professional one, as it will be well-polished for you to understand the details provided on the paystub, as well as to show it as proof of income.
  • A pay stub generator makes sure that the pay stub has a professional look, which will comply with the latest laws and regulations to make an impression on clients.

• Record-keeping:
  • The paystub generator is online, so the generated stub’s recording and retrieval of data is highly accessible for users.
  • On top of that, the users can grab information quickly by accessing the system without having to look for pay stubs in the folders manually.

• Time-saving:
  • A paystub generator is run by a digital system. Therefore, there is no need for manual effort anymore, which saves a lot of time that would be allocated for other things, such as improvement in the company.
• Wage calculation:
  • A paystub generator is fully controlled by a computer, which means that its calculations are perfect as long as the formulas are inserted correctly into the fields and are compatible with each other.
• Cost-effective:
  • A paystub generator is cost-effective and affordable for freelancers and self-employed individuals to calculate and audit their pay stubs for their employees.
  • If an online pay stub generator is highly recommended and has a high rating, it is definitely recommended for small and mid-sized businesses.

Cons:

• Issues in accuracy:
  • If you have typed in incorrect details, the paystub that is generated may not showcase the actual payroll calculations.
• Data security risks:
  • Using these tools means sharing important employee information, which can be risky if the online check stub generator is not secure.
• Limited features:
  • There is a basic feature and not an advanced feature, such as direct deposit tracking or multi-state payroll.
• No full access:
  • In a free pay check generator, you mostly do not have full access to all the features of the tool.
• Manual effort required:
  • With this generator, you have to put manual effort into consideration, as you have to insert all the earnings and deductions manually, as it takes a long time in this process.

Payroll Software: Pros & Cons

Payroll alternatives for small business eases the payroll process, reduces manual effort, andmanages employee payments easily. 

Pros & Cons of payroll software:

Pros:

• Efficiency:
  • Payroll software increases efficiency by automating manual tasks associated with payroll processing.
  • This automation allows the HR department to focus on a more strategic approach rather than going through repetitive tasks.

• Accuracy & compliance:
  • Payroll software ensures high accuracy, which helps businesses in complying with tax laws and regulations.
  • This is vital in avoiding penalties and maintaining the trust of employees and regulatory bodies.

• Cost savings:
  • Payroll software can lead to significant cost savings by reducing the need for manual work and eliminating errors, which can result in financial penalties.

• Data security:
  • Payroll software offers high security features to protect employees’ data from unauthorized access, which is essential for maintaining privacy and security.
• Employee self-service:
  • Most of the payroll software includes an employee self-service portal, which will permit employees to access the payroll information and update personal information without the HR team’s intervention.

Cons:

• High cost:
  • This is one of the most significant disadvantages of payroll software. This is considered a high-cost burden, especially for small business payroll alternatives with limited financial resources.
• Learning slope:
  • With new payroll software as your guiding angle, you have to learn about it, particularly for those who are not familiar with technology.
  • This transition can lead to temporary disruption in the payroll process and overall workflow.

• Maintenance:
  • Payroll software requires regular maintenance and updates to run smoothly and comply with evolving regulations.
  • This ongoing process can be a huge burden on the shoulders of the business, both financially and operationally.

• Depending on technology:
  • Fully relying on technology means businesses have become fully dependent on technology for their payroll processing needs.

Paystub generator vs Payroll software

Factors	Paycheck stub generator	Payroll software
Purpose	Used to generate digital stubs.	It helps in managing a full payroll cycle.
Scope	Limited use.	Comprehensive in nature.
Cost	Low cost.	Subscription-based.
Stability	Best suited for freelancers and small business owners.	Best suited for medium sized businesses and large corporations.

FAQs

Q.1 What is the main role of a payroll?

The main working role of a payroll include: calculating and distributing employee pay, bonus and commission payments based on the working time and performance of other factors.

Q.2 How accurate is a payroll?

Payroll accuracy is defined as the accurate calculation and distribution of employees salary, including correct hours worked, tax withholdings and benefit deductions.

Q.3 If a payroll is incorrect what happens?

Payroll errors can lead to some incorrect W-2 forms for your employees. This can cause issues for them while filing their income tax.  

Key Takeaways

The choice between online chek stub generator and full payroll software depends on your business, compliance requirements and the size of the budget. If you are a freelancer, contractor, or small business with only a few employees, then a Paychek Stub Generator is a quick, inexpensive option that handles basic wage documentation. 

On the other hand, if you manage a growing team, automatic tax filing, compliance tracking, and employee self-service facilities are required, payroll software provides the required scalability and efficiency for you. You can generate check stubs online by using Stubbuilder’s own tool for getting professional paystubs.