Managed Payroll · Systems & Software
DIY payroll platforms, full HCM systems, and HRMS suites all cost money to buy and time to run correctly. BEG operates inside whatever system you already have, or on BEG's isolved HCM platform at $45 PEPM, all-inclusive, no migration required.
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TL;DR
A DIY payroll system costs $70-$250 monthly in software fees plus the time your team spends running it. A full HCM system adds implementation and per-module fees on top. BEG skips the buy-a-system decision entirely: we operate inside your current platform for $25 PEPM, or run everything on BEG's isolved HCM platform for $45 PEPM, all-inclusive, with no migration required to start.
The Core Decision
Buying a payroll system means your team enters data, verifies filings, and troubleshoots errors every cycle, for a lower sticker price. Paying a managed service means someone else does that work, for a higher line-item cost that often ends up cheaper once staff time and error risk are counted.
Most buyers researching "payroll system cost" are really asking one of two different questions: what does the software itself cost, or what does it cost to have payroll handled without buying and learning a new system. Below we cover both, plus where a full HCM/HRMS platform fits against a narrow payroll-only tool.
System Types Compared
| System type | Typical monthly cost (25 employees) | What you get | Who operates it |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY payroll software | $150-$300 | Payroll processing, basic filings, self-service portal | You or your team |
| Full HCM/HRMS system | $300-$700+ | Payroll plus HR, benefits admin, time tracking, talent modules | You or your team, after setup |
| PEO bundled platform | $3,125-$5,000 | Payroll, HR, benefits, co-employment | PEO, with shared employer control |
| BEG in your existing system | $625-$1,125 | Full managed payroll, no new software to learn | BEG, fully managed |
| BEG on isolved HCM | $1,125 | Full managed payroll plus HCM platform, self-service, benefits admin | BEG, fully managed |
HCM/HRMS pricing varies widely by module count and vendor; figures reflect commonly published ranges for platforms bundling payroll with HR, benefits, and time tracking at small-to-mid headcounts.
The No-Migration Option
No. BEG operates as your managed payroll team inside your current system, ADP, Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll, Paychex, Rippling, or another platform, at $25 PEPM. Moving to BEG's isolved HCM platform is optional, not required, and costs $45 PEPM all-inclusive.
BEG logs into your existing platform and runs every cycle, filing, and correction. Your team keeps the interface they already know, minus the workload.
Full HCM platform: employee self-service, automated compliance updates, benefits administration, and time and attendance integration, run fully by BEG.
Whether you stay put or move to isolved, most clients are live on their first BEG-managed payroll within 3-5 business days of signing.
HCM, HRMS, and Integration
A payroll system processes pay and tax filings only. An HCM (human capital management) system adds HR, benefits, and talent modules. An HRMS (human resource management system) is largely the same category as HCM, with vendors using the terms interchangeably.
The cost difference comes from module count, not the label. A narrow payroll-and-tax tool is cheapest. A full employee and payroll management system that adds leave management, applicant tracking, and performance tools costs more per employee because you are paying for modules beyond payroll. isolved, BEG's platform for the $45 PEPM tier, is positioned as an HCM: payroll plus self-service, benefits administration tools, and time and attendance, all run by BEG rather than self-managed.
On payroll system integration: if you use separate accounting, time tracking, or benefits platforms, payroll system integration determines whether hours, GL codes, and deductions flow automatically or require manual re-entry each cycle. BEG configures integration with your accounting software (such as QuickBooks or NetSuite) and time tracking tools as part of setup, whether you stay on your current payroll platform or move to isolved, per the SBA's guidance on managing payroll and employee records.
The Real Trade-Off
A payroll or HCM system license is only the first cost. Someone still has to configure it, keep it updated for tax law changes, and verify every filing. BEG's $25-$45 PEPM includes the system access and the labor to run it, so the platform question stops being your problem.
Your Exact Number
Tell us your headcount and whether you want to stay on your current system or move to isolved. Get your exact monthly number instantly.
FAQ
DIY payroll software setup is often free to $250 one-time, while full HCM system implementations can run $1,000-$5,000 or more depending on module count and data migration complexity. BEG's setup is included in the flat PEPM rate with no separate implementation fee.
An HCM system is worth it if you need benefits administration, time tracking, and self-service in one platform. If you only need payroll processed correctly, a narrower and cheaper payroll-only tool, or a managed service, may be the better fit.
Yes. BEG configures payroll system integration with common accounting platforms and time and attendance tools during setup, whether payroll runs in your current system or on isolved.
No. Migration to isolved is optional at $45 PEPM. BEG can manage payroll fully inside your existing system at $25 PEPM with no migration required.
The terms are largely used interchangeably across vendors. Both describe platforms that combine payroll with HR, benefits, and talent management modules, as opposed to a narrow payroll-only tool.
Want the full monthly cost comparison across methods? See the full payroll cost guide or the per-employee cost breakdown. Or see BEG's full managed payroll services and pricing by tier.
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