We are all now aware that businesses are more globally distributed than ever, and although this has many benefits, it makes payroll management an even more crucial factor in smooth operations.

Whether you're hiring locally or managing a team of international contractors, having the right payroll app can save you time, ensure compliance, and streamline payments.

With the rise of remote-first companies, the demand for multi-currency and crypto-friendly payroll solutions has grown.

Businesses now need more than just a basic payroll system as they need automation, compliance tools, and flexible payment options.

In this review, we’ll explore the best payroll apps in 2025, while highlighting the main advantages and unique features of each.

Key Takeaways

• The best payroll apps in 2025 offer automation, compliance, and multi-currency payments.
• Crypto payroll is becoming a crucial feature for global and Web3 companies.
• Rise is the top choice for businesses needing both fiat and crypto payroll with compliance solutions.
• Other notable payroll apps include Gusto, Deel, Rippling, and Papaya Global for various business needs.

Why You Need a Payroll App

Manually managing payroll can be a time-consuming and error-prone process. Payroll apps solve this by automating essential functions, reducing administrative overhead, and ensuring legal compliance. Here’s why every business should use a payroll app:

Time Efficiency: Automating payroll reduces manual work and eliminates repetitive calculations, saving businesses countless hours.

Compliance & Taxation: Payroll apps help businesses comply with tax regulations and avoid penalties by automatically managing tax withholdings and filings.

Error Reduction: Manual payroll processes are prone to human errors, which can lead to financial losses and compliance issues.

Global Payroll Capabilities: A payroll app ensures smooth payment processing for employees and contractors across multiple countries.

Crypto & Multi-Currency Support: Businesses with international teams or Web3 employees benefit from payroll apps that handle both fiat and crypto transactions effortlessly.

What to Look for in a Payroll App

Not all payroll apps are created equal. When choosing the best payroll app for your business, consider the following key factors:

• Automation & Ease of Use: A good payroll app should simplify payroll processes, automate payments, and minimize manual input.
• Compliance & Tax Support: Look for software that helps manage tax documentation like W-9, W-8BEN, and 1099s.
• Multi-Currency & Crypto Payments: If you hire globally, a payroll app that supports multiple currencies and stablecoins is a game-changer.
• Scalability & Integration: Choose a solution that integrates with accounting tools, HR platforms, and compliance software for seamless operations.

Best Payroll Apps in 2025

Rise - Best Overall Payroll App

Rise stands out as the only payroll platform that seamlessly supports both local currency and crypto payroll while ensuring compliance with local and international regulations.

Hybrid Payroll

Unlike traditional payroll providers, Rise offers both fiat and crypto payment options, allowing companies to pay employees and contractors in their preferred currency. Whether it’s local bank transfers, USDT, or USDC, Rise enables smooth, secure transactions.

Automated Compliance

Payroll compliance is one of the biggest challenges businesses face. Rise simplifies this with built-in tax reporting tools, W-9, W-8BEN, 1099s, and KYC/AML verification, ensuring that every transaction is legally compliant.

Payroll for Contractors and Full-Time Employees

Rise supports both contractor payments and Employer of Record (EOR) services, making it ideal for businesses that hire internationally. Whether you need to pay freelancers or full-time employees, Rise offers a compliant, cost-effective solution.

• Best For: international businesses, Web3 companies, tech startups, and iGaming firms.

Gusto

Gusto is a well-known payroll software app, particularly for small businesses in the U.S. It provides automated tax filings, benefits administration, and direct deposit.

While Gusto is a solid choice for businesses operating within the U.S., it falls short for companies needing international payroll support or crypto payment options. It also lacks deep automation features for global compliance, making it less ideal for companies scaling beyond domestic borders.

Additionally, Gusto’s focus on traditional employment structures makes it less suitable for businesses hiring a high number of contractors or freelancers. Although it provides a user-friendly interface, the platform lacks robust integrations for multi-currency payments, limiting its use for global companies.

• Best For: Small businesses and startups in traditional sectors needing U.S.-based payroll services.

Deel

Deel specializes in global payroll and compliance for contractors and full-time employees. It offers a wide range of payment options, supports local compliance in over 150 countries, and provides Employer of Record (EOR) services.

However, Deel does not offer crypto payroll solutions, making it less suitable for Web3 and blockchain companies. Additionally, its compliance tools focus more on contracts and less on automated tax filing. Deel is a great choice for companies that need structured compliance documentation but may not be the best fit for those requiring instant, automated payroll processing.

It also requires businesses to navigate multiple country-specific regulations manually, which can become cumbersome for fast-scaling global teams.

Rippling

Rippling is an all-in-one HR and payroll management platform that integrates well with IT, security, and compliance tools. It offers automated global payroll and multi-currency support, making it a strong option for mid-sized businesses.

However, Rippling’s pricing model can become expensive as businesses scale, and it does not currently support crypto payroll, making it less appealing for Web3 companies that require blockchain-based payment solutions.

Another downside is that Rippling's learning curve can be steep, as it has many advanced features that require significant setup. Additionally, while its automation is powerful, some businesses report occasional delays in payroll execution due to its intricate workflows.

• Best For: Mid-sized businesses needing an all-in-one HR and payroll suite without crypto payment options.

Papaya Global

Papaya Global offers AI-driven payroll automation tailored for large enterprises with complex global operations. It streamlines payments in over 160 countries, provides compliance automation, and integrates with major HR platforms.

However, like Deel and Rippling, Papaya Global does not support crypto payroll, making it less suitable for companies in Web3 or those wanting to pay contractors in stablecoins. While Papaya Global’s AI-driven system helps companies manage compliance risks, its pricing structure is more suited for larger enterprises rather than startups or smaller firms.

Additionally, its reliance on AI-driven decision-making may require businesses to double-check outputs to ensure complete accuracy in payroll execution.

• Best For: Large enterprises with global operations looking for AI-driven payroll automation but no crypto support.

Why Rise is the Best Payroll App for 2025

With a growing number of businesses shifting to remote and Web3-based operations, Rise is the only payroll platform that fully supports both traditional and crypto payroll solutions. It provides seamless contractor payments, automated compliance, and a user-friendly experience tailored for the modern workforce.

• Comprehensive Payroll for Web3 and Traditional Companies
• Fiat and Crypto Payment Support
• Automated Compliance and Tax Reporting
• Scalability for Startups, iGaming, and Tech Companies

How to Start Using Rise

Even if you're already using a payroll app, switching over to Rise and onboarding your contractors and employees to the platform is extremely easy. Here's how it's done:

Step 1: Sign Up with a Business Account

Head over to Riseworks.io and register for a business account by entering essential company details, such as your business name, address, and contact information.

Once registered, you'll need to complete a verification process to ensure the security and compliance of your account, which might require submitting additional documents or business information.

By following these steps, fintech companies can quickly integrate Rise into their operations and start experiencing its benefits.

Step 2: Invite and Onboard Your Contractors

The next step is to invite your contractors to join the Rise platform by sending them an email invitation.

Your contractors will then be onboarded swiftly and compliantly, undergoing KYC checks and identity verification.

They will receive a unique Rise ID, a digital wallet address, and the ability to set up their preferred payment methods for withdrawals.

Step 3: Fund Your Payroll

Rise provides employers with the unique option to fund payroll in either US dollars or USDC stablecoin, allowing global employers to bypass traditional banking limitations.

If you opt to fund in USDC, you can utilize any of our integration partners, including Arbitrum, Coinbase, Uniswap, Ethereum, Metamask, Avalanche, Gnosis Safe, Optimism, Polygon, MEW, and Torus.

Once the funds are available, you can easily allocate them to your payroll needs within the Rise platform, setting up automated payments in either fiat or cryptocurrency according to your payroll setup.

Step 4: Choose Payment Schedules

Within the Rise platform, you can set up payment schedules that align with your business operations, whether that’s weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or custom intervals.

This flexibility allows you to synchronize payroll disbursements with your company's cash flow and contractor expectations.

Additionally, Rise offers the ability to automate these payments, ensuring your contractors receive their earnings on time, every time, without manual intervention, thereby reducing administrative workload and enhancing payment accuracy.

Learn more about auto payroll from Rise.

Step 5: Contractors Withdraw in Their Preferred Currency (Fiat or Crypto)

Contractors have the option to withdraw their earnings in their preferred currency, whether it's fiat or a variety of cryptocurrencies, directly from their Rise digital wallet.

This feature supports the diverse needs of a global workforce, enabling seamless conversion and transfer of funds to their personal accounts without intermediaries.

And that’s all there is to it.

By following these steps, fintech companies can quickly integrate Rise into their operations and start experiencing its benefits.

Conclusion

Choosing the right payroll app is critical for ensuring smooth payroll operations and compliance. While several options exist, Rise remains the #1 choice for businesses needing flexibility, automation, and crypto payroll support.

Book a demo with Rise today to streamline your payroll processes for 2025.

FAQ

1. What is the best payroll app for small businesses? Rise is the best payroll for small businesses due to its automated tax filings and benefits administration.

2. Can I pay contractors in crypto using a payroll app? Yes, Rise enables payments in stablecoins like USDT and USDC while ensuring full compliance.

3. Which payroll app is best for Web3 companies? Rise is the best choice for Web3 businesses, thanks to its fiat and crypto payroll features, KYC/AML compliance, and global contractor payments.

4. Does Rise support tax reporting for international contractors? Yes, Rise provides a full compliance suite, including W-9, W-8BEN, and 1099s.

5. What payroll app is best for paying employees in multiple countries? Rise, Deel, and Papaya Global are strong contenders, but Rise is the only one optimized for both fiat and crypto payments.

‍