ConnectPay bet that small businesses still want a human on the phone, not a support ticket - then bought dozens of local payroll shops to build a company around that promise.

The dashboards may look similar, but the contract underneath them can move payroll-tax duties, workers' compensation and employer status. Compare the product model before comparing the feature list.

Gusto makes payroll and core HR easy to price. Rippling asks buyers to assemble a broader operating system - and to get a quote before they know what it will cost.