Overview

The service covers recurring payroll and employee-management work, from tax filings and direct deposit to onboarding and attendance. Its combination of software, a dedicated client contact, and guided implementation favors employers looking for support through setup and ongoing operations rather than a self-serve product with a posted price.

Key features

Payroll and HR

Automated calculations, real-time gross-to-net figures, tax filings, and direct deposit address core payroll tasks. Multi-state payroll, contractor payments, and nonprofit tax support extend its fit to employers with different worker types or operations across state lines. HR tools cover onboarding, employee records, forms, approvals, and applicant tracking, which can consolidate routine administration; the right scope depends on the services selected for a custom package.

Timekeeping and reporting

Employees can record time through a mobile app, browser-based clock, or physical clock. Mobile punches support GPS verification, with geofencing as an option. Schedules, overtime, time-off requests, accrual policies, and timesheets give managers several ways to handle attendance workflows. Customizable, downloadable payroll, tax, and benefits reports can be filtered by date, department, or employee, a practical advantage for teams that need to review data across locations or workforce groups.

Support, implementation, and integrations

Each client receives a dedicated point of contact, backed by a support team and direct access to tax specialists. Onboarding specialists guide the transition and use audit checkpoints to review payroll and HR data before the first live pay date. That support is valuable when moving workforce records and payroll processes, though it does not remove the need to confirm which services are included in a quote.

Listed integrations include UKG Screen, UKG Wallet, Schoox, E-Verify, Employee Navigator, Sage Intacct, QuickBooks Online, Hireology, and Greenhouse. PayFWDs says it works with technology providers it describes as secure and monitors customer data around the clock.

Pricing

PayFWDs uses custom pricing tailored to the business, with a demo request required for a quote. Cost depends on employee count, payroll frequency, states worked, time and attendance, HR and benefits, and integrations and reporting. There are no separate lower-cost plans to weigh: buyers need to define their workforce and selected services to compare the proposed price against alternatives. Tax filing, nonprofit tax support, multi-state payroll, contractor payments, and time tracking are included capabilities.

Platforms

PayFWDs supports Android, iOS, and web access. Employees can use the mobile app, while timekeeping also offers a browser-based clock and physical clocks, giving teams a choice of punch method.

Who it's for

PayFWDs is aimed at small businesses, larger organizations, and multi-location teams across industries, and it says it serves businesses in all 50 states from its Louisville, Kentucky headquarters. Employers with multi-state payroll, varied worker types, or a need for implementation and continuing support are its strongest audience. Buyers seeking a clear published price or a simpler payroll setup may be better served by a different option.

Pros and cons

Pros: Payroll, HR, and timekeeping sit together, with multi-state payroll, contractor payments, and nonprofit tax support for varied workforce needs.
Pros: Multiple clocking methods, optional geofencing, and filtered reports support teams that need flexible attendance workflows and segmented payroll views.
Pros: A dedicated contact, tax-specialist access, and pre-payroll audit checkpoints provide support during setup and ongoing operations.
Cons: Custom pricing depends on several workforce and service variables, so buyers cannot compare a published plan price upfront.
Cons: The breadth of payroll, HR, and attendance tools may be more than employers with straightforward needs require.

Alternatives

Payroll4Free is worth considering when a free payroll option for nine or fewer employees paid monthly is the priority; its basic service is advertising-supported. Wave suits buyers who want a free plan for estimates, invoices, bills, and bookkeeping records, with online card payments charged at 2.9% + $0.60 per transaction. Homebase offers a free plan and trial, with separate paid task and tip management add-ons for teams that need those functions.

Rippling is another paid payroll and HR option with custom plan pricing; RUN Powered by ADP offers payroll plans including tax filing and direct deposit, with pricing on request. CDM+, MIP Payroll, and Workday Benefits are also alternatives to compare.

For a focused shortlist, see Nonprofit Payroll Software.

Verdict

Choose PayFWDs if your organization needs payroll, HR, and attendance tools in one service and values guided implementation, tax-specialist access, and support across multiple states or locations. Look elsewhere if a posted price or a simpler, more easily compared plan is essential.

	Justworks	PayFWDs
Free plan	No	No
Free trial	No	No
Paid from	—	—
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Web	Android, iOS, Web
Free plan	No	—
Tax filing included	Yes	Yes
Nonprofit tax support	Yes	Yes
Multi-state payroll	Yes	Yes
Contractor payments	Yes	Yes
Time tracking	Yes	Yes

Justworks vs PayFWDs

Justworks

PayFWDs