Square Payroll vs TriNet
A detailed comparison of Square Payroll and TriNet. See how they stack up on features, pricing, and user ratings.
At a Glance
| Square Payroll | TriNet | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Starting Price | $35/mo | N/A |
| Free Trial | No | No |
| Free Plan | No | No |
| Features | 7 | 9 |
| Best For | SMB | SMB |
Key Differences
Square Payroll and TriNet share 7 features. TriNet has 2+ unique features.
Only in TriNet
- Slack Integration
- Zapier Integration
Square Payroll
Simple payroll solution from Square for small businesses, designed to integrate with Square's POS and payments ecosystem at $35/month plus $6/person.
TriNet
Full-service PEO providing HR, payroll, benefits, risk management, and compliance for SMBs, with industry-specific expertise.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Square Payroll | TriNet |
|---|---|---|
| Workflow Automation | ||
| Reporting Dashboard | ||
| EEO/OFCCP Compliance | ||
| GDPR Compliance | ||
| API Access | ||
| HRIS Integration | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Slack Integration | ||
| Zapier Integration |
Pricing Comparison
Square Payroll
TriNet
Integrations
Both tools integrate with
Only Square Payroll
Only TriNet
Pros & Cons
Square Payroll
Pros
- +Seamless integration with Square POS and payment ecosystem
- +Contractor-only payroll option with no monthly base fee
- +Simple, clean interface consistent with Square's design
- +Automatic tax calculations and filings
Cons
- -Limited HR features compared to Gusto or Rippling
- -Best value only for businesses already using Square products
- -No benefits administration beyond basic offerings
- -Fewer integrations than standalone payroll platforms
TriNet
Pros
- +Full-service HR outsourcing — payroll, benefits, compliance, risk management
- +Industry-specific packages (tech, finance, life sciences)
- +Access to Fortune 500-level benefits for small companies
- +Dedicated HR representative for ongoing support
Cons
- -Expensive compared to DIY HR software ($80-150/employee/month)
- -Less control over HR processes — you are outsourcing to TriNet
- -Contract terms can be inflexible
- -User interface is functional but not modern
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Square Payroll if:
- • Your company is SMB size
- • Higher user ratings matter to you (4.3 vs 4.0)
- • Seamless integration with Square POS and payment ecosystem
Choose TriNet if:
- • Your company is SMB size
- • You need a more feature-rich solution (9 vs 7 features)
- • Full-service HR outsourcing — payroll, benefits, compliance, risk management
How we evaluate tools
Our ratings combine verified user reviews from G2 and Capterra with hands-on feature analysis. Pricing is checked against official sources. We may earn a commission through affiliate links, but this never influences our rankings or recommendations. Read our full methodology.