Manatal vs SurePayroll
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: September 14, 2026
Manatal is our recommended pick for most teams — recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting ai-powered ats at an affordable price.
Try Manatal →Read our full Manatal review →Manatal
Manatal is an AI-powered applicant tracking system designed for recruitment agencies and corporate HR teams. It offers one of the most affordable price points in the ATS market while including advanced AI features like candidate scoring, enrichment from LinkedIn and social profiles, and automated recommendations. Manatal is popular in Southeast Asia and with global recruiting agencies.
SurePayroll
SurePayroll is an online payroll service designed specifically for small businesses. It is owned by Paychex and offers full-service payroll processing, automatic tax filing, and employee self-service tools. SurePayroll is known for its simple setup and affordable pricing, making it a top choice for small business owners running payroll for the first time.
Pros
- ✓One of the most affordable ATS tools with genuine AI features
- ✓AI candidate scoring and profile enrichment save significant research time
- ✓Simple to set up and use
- ✓Good for recruitment agencies managing multiple clients
Cons
- ✗Less established in Western markets compared to Greenhouse or Lever
- ✗Some advanced features limited to higher tiers
- ✗Customer support response times can vary
- ✗Limited employer branding customization
Pros
- ✓Very easy to set up and use — ideal for first-time payroll users
- ✓Automatic federal, state, and local tax filing included
- ✓Affordable flat-rate pricing for small teams
- ✓Strong mobile app for running payroll on the go
Cons
- ✗Limited features for larger or more complex businesses
- ✗Customer support can be slow during peak periods
- ✗Less customizable than enterprise payroll solutions
Manatal vs SurePayroll: Side by Side
| Factor | Manatal | SurePayroll |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.6/5 ★ | 4.4/5 ★ |
| Category | HR Software | Payroll Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $19/user/mo | Custom pricing |
| Best For | Recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting AI-powered ATS at an affordable price | Small businesses with under 100 employees looking for simple, affordable full-service payroll |
| Our Pick | 🏆 Recommended | — |
Manatal Features
- ✓AI candidate sourcing
- ✓applicant tracking
- ✓CRM
- ✓onboarding
- ✓analytics
- ✓job board integrations
SurePayroll Features
- ✓Full-service payroll processing
- ✓automatic tax filing
- ✓direct deposit
- ✓employee self-service portal
- ✓new hire reporting
- ✓workers compensation integration
- ✓mobile app
Pricing Comparison
Best Use Cases
Manatal
- →Recruiting agencies managing multiple client pipelines
- →HR teams wanting AI-powered candidate scoring
- →Companies sourcing candidates from LinkedIn at scale
SurePayroll
- →Small US businesses running payroll for a handful of employees
- →Self-employed individuals paying themselves and contractors
- →Companies wanting simple automated payroll at low cost
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
Manatal is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Companies needing full HRIS beyond recruiting
- ✗Small businesses with occasional hiring needs
- ✗Teams wanting a free ATS option
SurePayroll is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Companies with international employees
- ✗Businesses needing full HR management
- ✗Large companies with complex payroll requirements
Integrations
Manatal
LinkedIn, Gmail, Outlook, Slack, Zapier, Google Calendar, Zoom, Teams
SurePayroll
QuickBooks, Xero, AccountEdge, Sage
Our Take
Choose Manatal if recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting ai-powered ats at an affordable price. Choose SurePayroll if small businesses with under 100 employees looking for simple, affordable full-service payroll.
Best For
Recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting AI-powered ATS at an affordable price
Best For
Small businesses with under 100 employees looking for simple, affordable full-service payroll
Also Consider
If neither Manatal nor SurePayroll is the right fit, Justworks is worth evaluating.
Justworks
Small businesses wanting Fortune 500 benefits
From $59/employee/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Manatal and SurePayroll?
Manatal is best for recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting ai-powered ats at an affordable price. SurePayroll is best for small businesses with under 100 employees looking for simple, affordable full-service payroll.
Which is better, Manatal or SurePayroll?
Choose Manatal if recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting ai-powered ats at an affordable price. Choose SurePayroll if small businesses with under 100 employees looking for simple, affordable full-service payroll.
How much does Manatal cost?
Manatal starts at $19/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does SurePayroll cost?
SurePayroll starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Manatal?
Recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting AI-powered ATS at an affordable price
Who should use SurePayroll?
Small businesses with under 100 employees looking for simple, affordable full-service payroll