Which Payroll Package Is Right for Your Small Business? (Core vs. Core+ vs. Core Pro)
Payroll Freedom offers three service tiers. Most businesses know which one they need in about five minutes. Here’s how to figure out which one is right for you — and why most of our clients end up on Core+.
The quick answer
- Core — You just need payroll done right, reliably, every time. No frills.
- Core+ — You need payroll plus time tracking and basic HR tools. This is our most popular plan.
- Core Pro — You need the full platform: payroll, time, HR, benefits, ACA compliance, and more.
Core — $3.35/employee/run
- Full-service payroll processing
- Federal & state tax filings (940/941)
- Direct deposit, pay cards, or printed checks
- Employee self-service portal
- Executive employer dashboard
- Year-end W-2 preparation
- Dedicated local rep
Core is right for you if:
- You have salaried employees or simple hourly workers on fixed schedules
- You’re not dealing with overtime tracking complexity
- Your HR needs are minimal — no onboarding volume, no document management needs
- You have fewer than 15 employees and your payroll rarely changes
Core+ — $5.30/employee/run
- Everything in Core, plus:
- iSolved Time — mobile clock-in, scheduling, overtime alerts
- PTO & absence management
- Electronic employee onboarding
- HR document management
- Labor poster compliance
- Mineral HR Basic (2 months free)
Core+ is right for you if:
- You have hourly employees with variable schedules
- You’re currently using paper timesheets or a separate timekeeping system
- You’re hiring regularly and want electronic onboarding
- You want time tracking and payroll in one connected system
- You have 10–50 employees and are growing
Core Pro — $9.70/employee/run
- Everything in Core+, plus:
- ACA administration & 1095-C filing
- Electronic open enrollment
- Benefits administration
- Advanced HR reporting
- Expanded compliance tools
Core Pro is right for you if:
- You’re approaching 50 full-time equivalent employees (ACA threshold)
- You offer health insurance and want enrollment managed through your payroll platform
- You need robust HR management tools across a larger team
- You’re in an industry with complex HR compliance requirements (healthcare, manufacturing)
Not sure which plan you need? Use our self-assessment tool to get a recommendation based on your specific situation — or just call us. Most conversations take less than 10 minutes to figure out the right fit.
Can I upgrade later?
Yes — and many clients do. We often see businesses start on Core and move to Core+ as they grow and add hourly staff. Since all our services run on the same iSolved platform, upgrading is seamless — your data stays intact and there’s no new implementation.
What about add-ons?
A few services are available as add-ons at any tier:
- iSolved Hire (applicant tracking): $55/mo + $0.40/employee, 1-year commitment
- 401(k) contribution submission: $50/mo + $125 setup
- HR Essentials advisory: $100/month
- Additional state tax filings: $15/state/quarter
Not sure which plan fits? Let’s figure it out together.
Use our pricing calculator to see what each tier costs for your employee count — or schedule a 30-minute conversation.
Try the Calculator Talk to Us
