Paychex Flex vs eBacon

Last Updated:

Our analysts compared Paychex Flex vs eBacon based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Payroll Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Paychex Flex Software Tool

Product Basics

Paychex Flex is a cloud-based compensation and HR solution with the capability to serve thousands of employees. While there is an essential core version that mainly handles financials, it runs a wide range of departments and tasks. Some of its functions include payment management, benefits, talent management, time clocks, attendance, workforce management and more.


It’s a scalable option with unique versions for small, medium and large businesses with different versions for groups of varying sizes, including one to nine, 10 to 49, and 50 to thousands. It also has distinct user roles for workers, managers or administrators. A winner of multiple industry awards, its automation cuts down on time doing manual operations like processing payments, auto calculating taxes and staying up to date with current rates and compliance.
read more...

eBacon is a comprehensive software solution designed to streamline payroll and compliance management, particularly for businesses in the construction industry. It excels in handling complex payroll tasks, including certified payroll, fringe benefits, and union reporting. The software is most suited for construction companies due to its ability to manage prevailing wage requirements and ensure compliance with government regulations.

Key benefits of eBacon include reducing administrative burdens, minimizing errors, and ensuring timely and accurate payroll processing. Popular features encompass automated payroll calculations, detailed reporting, and seamless integration with existing accounting systems. Users appreciate its intuitive interface and robust support, which significantly enhance operational efficiency.

Compared to similar products, eBacon stands out for its specialized focus on the construction sector and its comprehensive compliance tools. Pricing details are not readily available, so it is recommended to contact SelectHub for a customized quote based on specific business needs.

read more...
$39 Monthly
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
$1,000 Monthly
Free Trial is unavailable →
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Better Organization: Centralize important files and payroll data in one centralized location, making it easier to access. Assign user roles through administration; organizations control the dissemination of sensitive data.
  • Greater Accuracy: Run auto calculations for taxes and direct deposit and sync the general ledger making it easy to plug the information into an integrated accounting program. Creates a streamlined, easy way to manage all of the relevant data.
  • Increased Efficiency: Save time and work by decreasing the amount of manually input data. Record attendance within the application, making payment more straightforward. Auto-calculate local, state and federal taxes saving tons of manpower and time.
  • Better Scalability: Grow the platform as the company experiences exponential growth. Go from workplaces with as few as two employees to workforces that number in the thousands. Each level comes with more functionality and increased administrative and HR control over the processes.
  • More Open Communication: Use notifications, mass emails and electronic bulletin boards to promote an easy flow of information. Communicate enrollment reminders, announcements or company news seamlessly. Ensure employees, managers, executives, contractors, remote workers and other employees are all on the same page.
read more...
  • Time Savings: Automates repetitive payroll tasks, freeing up valuable hours for your HR team.
  • Compliance Assurance: Ensures adherence to federal, state, and local labor laws, reducing the risk of costly fines.
  • Accurate Reporting: Generates precise payroll reports, aiding in financial planning and audits.
  • Employee Self-Service: Allows employees to access their payroll information and update personal details, reducing administrative workload.
  • Integration Capabilities: Seamlessly integrates with existing accounting and HR systems, streamlining data flow and reducing errors.
  • Cost Efficiency: Reduces the need for manual payroll processing, lowering operational costs.
  • Enhanced Security: Protects sensitive payroll data with advanced encryption and secure access controls.
  • Customizable Solutions: Offers tailored payroll solutions to meet the unique needs of different industries and business sizes.
  • Real-Time Updates: Provides instant updates on payroll status and changes, ensuring timely and accurate payments.
  • Scalability: Easily adapts to the growing needs of your business, supporting an expanding workforce without additional complexity.
read more...
  • Online Payroll: Handle payroll management. Automatically calculate taxes, payments and files. View critical data, including the cash required for upcoming paydays. Use safeguards such as notifications to prevent errors. Employees can access direct deposit and pay stub information directly. Last, administrators can access documentation and records like cash requirements, the payroll journal and tax deposit notices.
  • Tax Administration: Calculate taxes, add hours to each pay period, file returns and set up direct deposit.
  • Mobile: Access information on W-2s, direct deposit and other important information. For organizations that want to use the solution’s attendance functionality, workers can easily punch in and out on the app. Run it on smartphones and tablets with iOS or Android. It requires iOS 12.0 or higher and an Android OS of 7.0 or higher to run.
  • Reporting: Comes with over 160 dashboards and reports. Access reporting for payroll journals, department summaries, notices of tax deposits and cash requirements. For businesses looking for more robust options, look into the workforce management options.
  • Multiple Versions: Choose from a variety of purchase options to select the option that best meets business needs. The packages include:
    • Small Business Payroll: Use for businesses with under 50 workers. Use payment processing and access to the mobile app. Calculate state, federal and local taxes. Finish onboarding, complete forms, edit personal info and see compensation data. Provide direct deposit, pay cards and paper check for payment options. For businesses with multiple worker types, offer payment hourly, by salary or by contract. Provide help with labor compliance, garnishment payments, new hire reporting and over 160 reports for analytics.
    • Mid-Sized Business Payroll: Use for businesses with 10 to 49 employees. Handle applicant tracking, attendance, recruiting, onboarding, hiring, health benefits, retirement, health insurance and other similar administrative tasks. Expand the platform HR capabilities by including HR record management, an events calendar and reporting and analytics for the department.
    • Enterprise Payroll Management: Use for 50 to over 1,000 workers. Provide more robust HR abilities in addition to compensation management. Works for hiring, recruiting, training, compliance, handling offboarding, applicant tracking, time and attendance, health benefits, HR record management, an events calendar, retirement and expanded HR analytics.
  • Benefits: Complete the benefits management process. Run enrollment and analyze data. Manage group health insurance, retirement, section 125 plans, FSAs, POPs, retirement and more. Update information in real time and change benefit data easily. Give employers more control over invoices, benefit costs and bill reconciliations. Work with financial advisers and educate staff about the retirement plan offerings.
  • Compliance: Keep up with new tax laws and determine the status of essential laws like the Affordable Care Act.
  • Workplace Analytics: Analyze data and create a staff and workforce strategy. Create reports for analytics, HR, payroll and benefits. Generate customized reports for more detail. Provide accountants, financial advisors or bookkeepers with the access they need. Access the quick answers function, giving info on total earnings, net pay, tax liability and hours without pulling a full report. View live reporting to see information as it happens. Export information in various file types, including CSV, fixed-width, PDF and XLS. Send data to third-party software where users can add fields, adjust formatting or even build graphs.
  • Time and Attendance: Provide several options for tracking time and clocking in and out. It integrates with other solutions to track labor costs.
    • Time Kiosk: Allow employers to turn a tablet into a time clock where employees can punch in and out, do job transfer and register lunches and breaks.
    • TrueShift: Offer a time clock that has automated tracking and reporting, making it easy to import to payroll. Use biometric technology to prevent buddy punching. Track up to 500 workers per clock and connect to up to 32 other clocks. Punch in via web or mobile and use a backup camera to verify punches and keep compliant. It can track overtime pay and other wage requirements. Print and email timecard reports and clock in or out with a fingerprint, proximity badge, web punch or PIN entry.
    • InVision Iris Recognition Time Clock: Use iris recognition to ensure employees are working. Integrate with the rest of the HR and time and attendance. Prevent rework and cut down on errors. It works with contacts, goggles, glasses and face masks up to 15 inches away. Track up to 50,000 workers. Unlike a retinal scanner, it doesn’t store images. Instead, encrypt templates to guarantee privacy.
  • Online Learning: Use the built-in learning system. Provide eight free courses to users and customize/build current training, classes, quizzes and videos. Promote skill acquisition, up-skilling and career development. Run classes for on and offsite students. Use the calendar to schedule an in-person training, track transcripts and create content. Access the additional content libraries for purchase and provide surveys so employers can get feedback. Subjects include business, HR compliance, leadership, management, sales, software and workplace safety.
  • Payment Options: Gives options for paying employees, including same-day ACH capability, direct deposit, paper checks and pay cards.
  • Accounting: Manage payment and HR data with the accounting-specific dashboard. Access a library of resources, including tax forms and CPE courses. Import files through the general ledger service and post payroll data through the enterprise solution. Integrate with Sage Intacct, QuickBooks and Xero. Upload or download many files for one or multiple companies from one location.
  • Workers Compensation: Handle workers’ compensation covering medical expenses and lost wages while still ensuring stable cash flow. Provide insurance plans from A-rated national carriers.
  • Onboarding: Give new employees paperwork to fill out online. Customize the experience with personalized messages, welcome videos or other information about the company culture.
  • Payroll Protection: Let managers extend funds from a bank account for up to seven days without services being interrupted or charges for insufficient funds. Process two same-day ACH requests for a last-minute payroll, correcting pay or adding an employee. Help build business credit, deal with fraud, gain small business loans and more.
read more...
  • Certified Payroll Reporting: Automatically generates certified payroll reports that comply with federal, state, and local regulations.
  • Time Tracking Integration: Seamlessly integrates with various time tracking systems to ensure accurate payroll calculations.
  • Prevailing Wage Compliance: Ensures that all payroll calculations meet prevailing wage requirements for government contracts.
  • Fringe Benefit Management: Manages fringe benefits efficiently, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other employee benefits.
  • Automated Deductions: Automatically calculates and applies deductions for taxes, garnishments, and other withholdings.
  • Multi-State Payroll Processing: Handles payroll processing for employees working in multiple states, ensuring compliance with varying state laws.
  • Customizable Reporting: Offers a range of customizable reports to meet specific business needs and compliance requirements.
  • Employee Self-Service Portal: Provides employees with access to their payroll information, including pay stubs and tax documents.
  • Direct Deposit: Facilitates direct deposit payments to employees' bank accounts, streamlining the payroll process.
  • Job Costing: Tracks labor costs by job or project, providing detailed insights into project profitability.
  • Mobile Access: Allows users to access payroll information and perform tasks from mobile devices, enhancing flexibility and convenience.
  • Compliance Alerts: Sends alerts for compliance deadlines and requirements, helping businesses stay on top of regulatory changes.
  • Integration with Accounting Software: Integrates with popular accounting software like QuickBooks, ensuring seamless financial management.
  • Audit Trail: Maintains a detailed audit trail of all payroll transactions, supporting transparency and accountability.
  • Support for Union Payroll: Manages union-specific payroll requirements, including dues and benefits calculations.
read more...

Product Ranking

#6

among all
Payroll Software

#57

among all
Payroll Software

Find out who the leaders are

User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 2205 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 20 reviews
83%
of users recommend this product

Paychex Flex has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 83% when considering 2205 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

91%
of users recommend this product

eBacon has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 91% when considering 20 user reviews from 1 recognized software review sites.

4.5 (24)
n/a
4.2 (1114)
n/a
4.1 (976)
4.53 (20)
3.8 (91)
n/a

Awards

we're gathering data

eBacon stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

User-Friendly: Just under 50% of reviews said the user experience was good and the interface worked well.
Good Support: Around 40% had good interactions with customer service and were happy with their level of care.
Proper Functionality: One-third of reviewers felt that the system was fully equipped with the tools they needed and especially liked the efficient payroll processing, benefits management, the transparency employees had on their payments and the PTO features.
Value for Price: Around 20% of reviews felt happy with the price and said it was well worth it.
Show more
Easy to Use: eBacon's user interface is designed to be straightforward and easy to navigate, making payroll processing less of a chore for users.
Time-Saver: eBacon can significantly reduce the time spent on payroll tasks, especially certified payroll, freeing up time for other important business operations.
Accuracy Boost: eBacon helps minimize costly payroll errors, ensuring employees are paid correctly and on time, which boosts morale.
Show more
Issues with Features: Just under 40% of reviewers felt the features were lacking. The biggest concerns were that the UI was difficult to learn initially and the reporting wasn’t sophisticated enough.
Time and Attendance Systems: Over 20% of users had problems with the punching system or the biometric clocks.
Poor Customer Service: While users felt that the customer service was helpful overall, they noted a high rate of turnover with their reps which often led to gaps in service.
Show more
Limited Customization: eBacon lacks flexibility in tailoring the software to specific business needs beyond its core features.
Trust Account Glitches: Some users have reported issues with the accuracy and reliability of eBacon's trust account feature, causing confusion and requiring manual workarounds.
Mobile App Shortcomings: The absence of a dedicated mobile app limits employee access to pay stubs and other payroll information, potentially causing inconvenience.
Post-Implementation Support: A few users have expressed dissatisfaction with the responsiveness and effectiveness of customer support after the initial software implementation phase.
Show more

Paychex Flex is a solid payroll processing system best liked for its ease of use, positive customer service interactions, fair price and useful functionality. However, it comes with several drawbacks as well. While it’s easy to use, the onboarding takes time and can be initially frustrating. The customer service is good but the high turnover with representatives can be trying. A small but significant percentage had problems with the time and attendance features, either having issues with their punches not being registered or issues with the physical biometric clocks. Overall, it seems best for small and medium businesses looking to automate their payroll. Any organization with multiple types of workers, complex pay rules or many different kinds of income to report should be sure to demo the system carefully and may want to find a more complex option.

Show more

User reviews from the past year suggest that eBacon, particularly its certified payroll processing, is a significant time-saver, with some users claiming a reduction from days to just 20 minutes for specific tasks. This efficiency stems from eBacon's intuitive design and robust reporting capabilities, which streamline complex payroll processes, especially for construction companies dealing with prevailing wage requirements. Users specifically praise eBacon's superiority over competitors like Paychex in understanding and managing certified payroll, highlighting a key differentiator. This specialized focus is crucial for businesses operating in sectors with stringent compliance regulations, as accurate and timely payroll processing is paramount for maintaining employee morale and avoiding legal ramifications. However, while eBacon receives accolades for its core functionalities, some users express that certain aspects need improvement. For instance, the trust account feature, while innovative, is reportedly prone to glitches and lacks user-friendly clarity. Additionally, limited customization options and the absence of benefits administration in specific geographical areas, like California, are drawbacks for some users. Despite these areas for improvement, eBacon is generally lauded for its efficiency and effectiveness in handling intricate payroll tasks. Its strength lies in simplifying certified payroll, making it particularly well-suited for construction companies or businesses navigating the complexities of prevailing wage requirements.

Show more

Screenshots

Top Alternatives in Payroll Software


ADP Workforce Now

APS Payroll

Gusto

Namely

OnPay

Patriot Payroll

Paychex

Paycom

Paycor

Paylocity

Payroll4Free

QuickBooks Payroll

Rippling

TriNet

Workday HCM

Related Categories

WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more...

Compare products
Comparison Report
Just drag this link to the bookmark bar.
?
Table settings