The 14 Best HR Payroll and Accounting Integrations [2026 Updated]

Manually entering payroll data into your accounting software every pay period is time-consuming and a recipe for errors. Integrating your HR and payroll platform directly with your accounting system automates this process, saving hours of work and ensuring your financial records are always accurate. This article breaks down the 14 best HR, payroll, and accounting integrations for 2026 so you can find the right fit for your business.

Here are the 14 leading HR Payroll and Accounting Integrations for 2026:

1. Gusto & QuickBooks Online

This is arguably the most popular and seamless integration for U.S.-based small to medium-sized businesses. Gusto is known for its user-friendly payroll, benefits, and HR platform. When connected to QuickBooks Online, it posts detailed journal entries automatically after each payroll run, mapping everything from wages and reimbursements to employee and employer taxes without any manual work. The setup process is simple, and mapping to your chart of accounts is straightforward, making it a go-to choice for businesses that want a reliable, "set it and forget it" solution.

• Pros:
  • Extremely easy to set up and manage directly within Gusto.
  • Automates journal entries for payroll, taxes, benefits, and reimbursements.
  • Syncs instantly after each payroll run, keeping books up-to-date.
  • Provides detailed, mapped entries, not just a lump-sum entry.
• Cons:
  • Primarily designed for U.S.-based businesses with limited international capabilities.
  • Advanced job costing features may require manual adjustments.
• Pricing:
  • The integration is free with any Gusto plan. Gusto pricing starts at $40 per month plus $6 per employee.

Who it's best for: Small and medium-sized businesses in the U.S. that use QuickBooks Online and want a deeply integrated, user-friendly payroll solution.

2. ADP & Xero

ADP is a powerhouse in the payroll industry, serving businesses of all sizes from small shops to global enterprises. Its integration with Xero's popular accounting software helps businesses automate their payroll accounting. The connector pushes payroll information into Xero, creating bills and journal entries automatically. Given ADP's vast reach, this integration is particularly useful for companies with more complex needs, including multi-state or international employees, who also prefer Xero's accounting interface.

• Pros:
  • Supports a wide range of business sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises.
  • Can handle multi-region payroll compliance and reporting.
  • Offers customizable workflows and data mapping to fit specific accounting needs.
  • ADP provides robust compliance support for taxes and filings.
• Cons:
  • Setup can be more complicated compared to simpler, SMB-focused tools.
  • Pricing is often opaque and requires a custom quote, which can be higher than competitors.
• Pricing:
  • Integration costs are typically included in your ADP plan, but ADP pricing is tiered and quote-based depending on the number of employees and features needed.

Who it's best for: Growing businesses and established companies that need the compliance and scalability of ADP and use Xero for their accounting.

3. Paychex & NetSuite

For mid-market and enterprise companies running on Oracle NetSuite's ERP, the Paychex integration provides a powerful connection for payroll and financials. This integration automates the creation of journal entries in NetSuite, ensuring that complex payroll data, including multi-departmental costs and allocations, is reflected accurately in the general ledger. It eliminates the risks associated with manual file uploads and provides a single source of truth for financial reporting, tailored for the complexity of an enterprise environment.

• Pros:
  • Deep integration with an enterprise-level ERP system.
  • Handles complex accounting, including multi-currency and multi-subsidiary payroll.
  • High degree of automation that reduces manual reconciliation in enterprise settings.
  • Offers detailed reporting capabilities directly within NetSuite.
• Cons:
  • Requires professional assistance for proper setup and data mapping.
  • The total cost of both Paychex and NetSuite is significant, making it unsuitable for small businesses.
• Pricing:
  • Offered with custom quotes for both the Paychex plan and the NetSuite integration service.

Who it's best for: Mid-market to enterprise-level companies that use NetSuite as their core financial system and need a robust, scalable payroll partner.

4. Zenefits & Sage

Zenefits is an all-in-one HR platform that's strong in benefits administration and employee management, with payroll as a core feature. Its integration with Sage accounting software allows businesses to sync payroll data, including wages, taxes, and benefits costs, into their Sage general ledger. This is a great combination for businesses that want a modern HR platform to manage the entire employee lifecycle (onboarding, benefits, time-off) and ensure that financial data flows smoothly into their accounting system.

• Pros:
  • Connects a full-featured HR platform to a capable accounting system.
  • Automates the flow of detailed benefits and payroll data.
  • Reduces redundant data entry between HR and finance departments.
  • Easy-to-use interface for both Zenefits and Sage.
• Cons:
  • Regional support for some Sage versions can be limited.
  • Some advanced features may require higher-tier plans on both platforms.
• Pricing:
  • The integration is available with Zenefits' subscription plans, which are priced on a per-employee, per-month basis.

Who it's best for: Businesses looking for a strong benefits and HR management platform that connects directly to their existing Sage accounting software.

5. BambooHR & QuickBooks

BambooHR is a recognized leader in HR software, focused on managing employee data, onboarding, and performance. While payroll is an add-on, its core strength is being the central system for all employee information. The QuickBooks integration allows employee time-off data and payroll reports to be synced over, reducing the manual work required to get this information into your books. It's ideal for HR-driven companies that see their employee management system as the source of truth.

• Pros:
  • Excellent for maintaining a single, reliable source for employee records.
  • Syncs time tracking data for accurate payroll processing and job costing.
  • Good for businesses that prioritize HR functions like performance management and employee satisfaction.
• Cons:
  • Payroll is a separate, additional product (TRAXPayroll).
  • The integration may not be as deep or real-time as systems like Gusto.
  • You need to be on specific plan tiers to access full integration capabilities.
• Pricing:
  • BambooHR pricing is custom-quoted based on company size. The payroll add-on and integration features come at an additional cost.

Who it's best for: Companies that want to build their operations around a central HR system like BambooHR and integrate payroll data into QuickBooks.

6. Rippling & Xero

Rippling is a powerful, unified platform that combines HR, IT, and Finance—its goal is to manage all employee data in one place, from payroll and benefits to app provisioning and computer hardware. Its integration with Xero is incredibly fast and detailed. Because Rippling manages the full employee lifecycle, it automatically updates payroll in real-time as compensation, deductions, or benefits change, then syncs those details directly into Xero without any delay. It's built for tech-savvy businesses that want deep automation.

• Pros:
  • Data syncs in real-time between Rippling and Xero.
  • Posts detailed journal entries that are automatically mapped to your chart of accounts.
  • Automates workflows beyond payroll, including linking employee spending to the general ledger.
  • Supports both domestic and international payroll.
• Cons:
  • Can become expensive as you add more modules (HR, IT, Finance).
  • Access to its powerful API might be limited on lower-cost plans.
• Pricing:
  • Starts at $8 per month, per user, but costs are modular and depend on the services you add.

Who it's best for: Fast-growing, technology-focused companies that want a single platform to automate employee operations and prefer Xero for their accounting.

7. Justworks & QuickBooks

Justworks operates as a Professional Employer Organization (PEO), which means it co-employs your staff to provide access to enterprise-level benefits, compliance support, and payroll. Its integration with QuickBooks Online streamlines the accounting process by syncing payroll data, including wages, taxes, and benefit contributions. This is particularly valuable for small businesses that want to offload the complexities of HR compliance and benefits administration but still need clean, automated books in QuickBooks.

• Pros:
  • The PEO model provides excellent benefits access and compliance management.
  • The integration is push-button simple, making setup fast and easy.
  • Automates the flow of complex benefits deduction data into QuickBooks.
  • Great customer support for payroll and HR issues.
• Cons:
  • Only available in the United States.
  • As a PEO, it takes a more hands-on role in your HR, which may not be a fit for every company.
• Pricing:
  • The integration is free. Justworks pricing is tier-based on an employee count, starting around $59 per employee per month for basic plans.

Who it's best for: Small businesses that want the benefits and compliance support of a PEO model along with a simple, reliable integration to QuickBooks.

8. Paylocity & Sage Intacct

This is an enterprise-grade integration connecting Paylocity's advanced HCM (Human Capital Management) platform with Sage Intacct's cloud financial management software. It is designed for medium to large businesses that need to manage complex payroll across multiple entities, locations, or departments. The automation posts detailed payroll journal entries from Paylocity into Sage Intacct, ensuring finance teams have accurate data for consolidation, variance analysis, and financial reporting without manual intervention.

• Pros:
  • Tailored for enterprise clients with complex financial structures.
  • Supports multi-entity and multi-dimensional accounting.
  • Features advanced automation tools to reduce month-end close time.
  • Both platforms are highly scalable to accommodate business growth.
• Cons:
  • High cost and significant implementation complexity for both systems.
  • Overkill for small businesses with straightforward payroll needs.
• Pricing:
  • Pricing for both Paylocity and Sage Intacct integrations is based on custom quotes tailored to company size and specific requirements.

Who it's best for: Mid-sized and enterprise companies that need a powerful HCM platform like Paylocity connected to a sophisticated cloud ERP system like Sage Intacct.

9. OnPay & Wave

OnPay is a payroll service known for its simple, all-inclusive pricing and broad feature set tailored to small businesses. Wave provides free accounting, invoicing, and receipt management software, making it a very popular choice for freelancers and very small businesses. The integration between them provides an incredibly cost-effective way to run payroll and manage your books. OnPay syncs payroll data directly into Wave's accounting ledger, automatically categorizing expenses for easy financial tracking.

• Pros:
  • Very affordable pairing, with Wave offering a free accounting plan.
  • Extremely easy to set up and manage, perfect for business owners without an accounting background.
  • OnPay handles all tax filings and payments automatically.
  • Clear, straightforward reporting.
• Cons:
  • Neither platform offers the advanced features needed for larger, more complex businesses.
  • Wave's free accounting software is ad-supported and may lack some project or inventory management capabilities.
• Pricing:
  • The integration is free. OnPay has a flat monthly fee of $40 + $6 per employee. Wave Accounting is free.

Who it's best for: Freelancers, startups, and very small businesses looking for the most affordable and easy-to-use payroll and accounting combination.

10. Patriot & QuickBooks

Patriot Software offers a no-frills, highly affordable payroll solution aimed at American small businesses. It's known for its simplicity and excellent customer support. Its integration with QuickBooks (both Online and Desktop versions) allows for the easy posting of payroll data into your accounting software. While not as deeply automated as some competitors, it provides a clear summary of payroll wages and taxes, which can then be imported or synced to keep the general ledger accurate.

• Pros:
  • One of the most affordable payroll solutions on the market.
  • User-friendly interface designed for people who are not payroll experts.
  • Supports both QuickBooks Online and the older, but still popular, QuickBooks Desktop.
  • Highly rated U.S.-based customer service.
• Cons:
  • Lacks broad international payroll capabilities.
  • The integration might require more manual steps than more modern real-time syncs.
  • HR and benefits features are more basic compared with all-in-one platforms.
• Pricing:
  • The integration itself costs nothing. Patriot's payroll plans begin as low as $17 per month plus $4 per employee.

Who it's best for: Budget-conscious small businesses who use either QuickBooks Online or Desktop and need a simple, reliable payroll tool without too many bells and whistles.

11. Square Payroll & Xero

For businesses already using Square's ecosystem for payments and point-of-sale (POS), adding Square Payroll is a natural next step. The integration with Xero connects their payroll processing with a full-featured accounting platform. This setup is great for retail stores, restaurants, and service businesses, as it can pull timecard data directly from the Square POS system to run payroll, and then sync all that payroll expense data into Xero for accurate financial reporting.

• Pros:
  • Perfect synergy for existing Square users, streamlining operations.
  • Automatically syncs employee hours from Square POS for payroll runs.
  • Simple, predictable pricing and an easy-to-navigate interface.
  • Handles benefits and tax filings.
• Cons:
  • Primarily focused on U.S. businesses.
  • Limited stand-alone HR features compared to dedicated HR platforms.
  • Best fit for businesses with hourly workers or those already on the Square platform.
• Pricing:
  • The Xero integration is free to set up. Square Payroll costs $35 per month plus $6 per employee paid.

Who it's best for: Retail businesses, restaurants, and other services-based companies that use Square's POS system and need a simple payroll solution that links with Xero.

12. Gusto & Sage

While Gusto is famous for its QuickBooks partnership, its integration with various Sage accounting products brings its modern and friendly payroll tools to the large population of businesses using Sage. This connection automates the creation of journal entries in Sage, covering everything from wages and contractor payments to health insurance deductions and employer taxes. It allows Sage users to benefit from Gusto's excellent employee onboarding and benefits administration features while keeping their accounting system in sync.

• Pros:
  • Brings the popular, user-friendly Gusto interface to the Sage ecosystem.
  • Provides robust automation for payroll journal entries.
  • Seamlessly handles benefits management, tax compliance, and HR tools.
  • Excellent customer support and easy setup process.
• Cons:
  • Similar to its primary integration, it's geographically limited to the U.S.
  • Ensure your specific version of Sage (e.g., Intacct, 50, etc.) is supported.
• Pricing:
  • The integration is free to set up with any Gusto subscription plan.

Who it's best for: U.S.-based companies who rely on Sage software for accounting but want a more modern, intuitive platform than what Sage natively offers.

13. Zoho & Zoho Books

For businesses deeply invested in the Zoho ecosystem of business apps, this integration is unbeatable. Zoho People serves as the HR management tool, handling things like employee databases, leave, and performance. It connects natively with Zoho Payroll and Zoho Books (the accounting app). This allows employee data, payroll runs, and financial entries to sync seamlessly within a single interface. There are no disconnects or manual uploads—it all just works together as part of one system.

• Pros:
  • Perfect integration within the unified platform.
  • One login and one consistent user interface for HR, payroll, and accounting.
  • Automates complex tasks like inter-departmental billing and project costing.
  • Part of a massive app ecosystem that allows you to build customized workflows.
• Cons:
  • Can be limiting for businesses not fully committed to the Zoho suite.
  • The array of features can be overwhelming to start.
• Pricing:
  • Pricing is subscription-based, with Zoho modules priced separately allowing mix and match. Integrations are free within the ecosystem.

Who it's best for: Businesses who already use or plan to use Zoho's suite of business apps and want a fully integrated HR and accounting solution.

14. Namely & NetSuite

Namely is an HR solution for companies, providing tools for talent management, performance reviews, and payroll. It integrates with Oracle NetSuite, an enterprise-level ERP system that manages financials. This integration allows for the automation of detailed payroll journal entries and ensures that data is mapped correctly to departments and accounts in the general ledger.

• Pros:
  • Built to scale with companies in need of comprehensive payroll requirements.
  • Strong combination for payroll compliance and automation.
  • The platform offers custom management and employee engagement tools.
• Cons:
  • Highly flexible integration but requires professional support for full implementation and mapping.
• Pricing:
  • Pricing is quote-based, specific to company size and features needed.

Who it's best for: Mid-sized to enterprise-level companies that need a specialized HR platform like Namely to connect to a sophisticated ERP system like NetSuite.

Final Thoughts

Having the right payroll and accounting integration can save your business significant time and headaches by ensuring accurate and timely financial records. SMBs may benefit from integrations like Gusto & QuickBooks Online or OnPay & Wave, while enterprises needing powerful functions may look to Paylocity & Sage Intacct or Namely & NetSuite. Regardless of size, selecting the right integration that aligns with your current needs and future requirements is key to maintaining streamlined operations and tax compliance. For more information, visit Feather to get guidance on which combination best suits your needs.