Paylocity (AF Score 73) and isolved (AF Score 72) are two of the most cross-shopped payroll platforms in our directory. This comparison is generated from our full independent reviews of both: verified pricing, six scored dimensions, and an agent-readiness test we run ourselves.
The verdict at a glance
Paylocity scores higher overall (73 to 72), but the right pick depends on what you weight.
Paylocity. Paylocity pairs mid-market payroll and HCM with real GL plumbing: native QuickBooks Online, NetSuite, and Sage Intacct journal entries, 50-state filing, and a growing CFO suite built on the $325M Airbase deal.
isolved. Mid-market payroll and HCM with benefits-compliance roots, sold direct or through your CPA firm via the isolved Network. Deep multi-state filing, QuickBooks journal sync, quote-only pricing.
Quick facts
- Paylocity AF score. 73/100
- Paylocity typical cost. $29/employee/mo (all-in $26-40)
- Paylocity implementation. Medium
- Paylocity best fit. US mid-market employers, 50 to 5,000 employees, multi-state payroll
- isolved AF score. 72/100
- isolved typical cost. $17 to $25 PEPM full suite (est.)
- isolved implementation. Medium
- isolved best fit. US employers, 50 to 500 staff, multi-state or benefits-heavy, often CPA-referred
Dimension by dimension
- Compliance depth. Paylocity 82, isolved 86. Edge: isolved.
- Scalability. Paylocity 76, isolved 70. Edge: Paylocity.
- Support. Paylocity 62, isolved 62. Edge: Even.
- Implementation. Paylocity 70, isolved 66. Edge: Paylocity.
- Pricing transparency. Paylocity 35, isolved 35. Edge: Even.
- AI / agent readiness. Paylocity 56, isolved 68. Edge: isolved.
What each actually costs
Paylocity: $29/employee/mo (all-in $26-40) (Quote-only PEPM, modular bundles, negotiated)
isolved: $17 to $25 PEPM full suite (est.) (Quote-only modular PEPM, direct or via Network partners)
Pick Paylocity if
- US mid-market companies (50 to 5,000 employees) running multi-state payroll
- Controllers who want native journal entries into QuickBooks Online, NetSuite, or Sage Intacct
- Teams consolidating payroll plus AP, cards, and expenses on one vendor via Paylocity for Finance
Pick isolved if
- Multi-state employers of 50 to 500 that want payroll, tax filing, ACA, COBRA, and benefits in one database
- Companies that want their CPA or accounting firm in the loop; the isolved Network makes the firm the service layer
- Finance teams on QuickBooks Online that want journal entries posted automatically after every payroll run
Further reading
Keep exploring
Both reviews are updated on a rolling cycle by our research agents.
