Paylocity vs SmartRecruiters
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Paylocity
Paylocity is a modern HR and payroll platform designed for mid-market businesses. It combines payroll processing with employee engagement tools, learning management, and workforce analytics. Paylocity stands out for its strong mobile experience and focus on building connected, engaged workplaces.
SmartRecruiters
SmartRecruiters is an enterprise talent acquisition platform that offers a genuinely free plan alongside paid enterprise tiers. Its free plan includes unlimited job postings, candidate tracking, and team collaboration — making it one of the most generous free ATS options available. SmartRecruiters is used by global enterprises including Visa, Bosch, and LinkedIn.
Pros
- ✓Strong employee engagement and communication tools
- ✓Excellent mobile app for both managers and employees
- ✓Modern UI with good user adoption rates
- ✓Robust payroll with strong compliance features
Cons
- ✗Pricing requires a sales call and is not published online
- ✗Implementation can be complex for larger organizations
- ✗Some advanced features require additional modules at extra cost
Pros
- ✓Genuinely useful free plan with unlimited jobs and users
- ✓Enterprise-grade features available as you scale
- ✓Strong AI candidate screening on paid plans
- ✓Used by large global enterprises giving it credibility with candidates
Cons
- ✗Free plan has limited analytics and automation
- ✗Enterprise pricing can be expensive
- ✗Interface can feel complex for small teams
- ✗Implementation requires dedicated time for enterprise features
Paylocity vs SmartRecruiters: Side by Side
| Factor | Paylocity | SmartRecruiters |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | Applicant Tracking |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Custom pricing | Free |
| Best For | Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees | Companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ATS from free to enterprise |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Paylocity Features
- ✓Payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓talent management
- ✓workforce management
- ✓analytics
- ✓employee self-service
SmartRecruiters Features
- ✓Unlimited job postings
- ✓candidate tracking
- ✓collaborative hiring
- ✓AI screening
- ✓interview scheduling
- ✓offer management
- ✓analytics
- ✓career page
- ✓mobile app
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Paylocity if mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees. Choose SmartRecruiters if companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ats from free to enterprise.
Best For
Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees
Best For
Companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ATS from free to enterprise
Also Consider
If neither Paylocity nor SmartRecruiters 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 Paylocity and SmartRecruiters?
Paylocity is best for mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees. SmartRecruiters is best for companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ats from free to enterprise.
Which is better, Paylocity or SmartRecruiters?
Choose Paylocity if mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees. Choose SmartRecruiters if companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ats from free to enterprise.
How much does Paylocity cost?
Paylocity starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does SmartRecruiters cost?
SmartRecruiters starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Paylocity?
Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees
Who should use SmartRecruiters?
Companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ATS from free to enterprise