Zenefits launches free payroll software for small businesses • Hacker News Board

Re: Zenefits launches free payroll software for small businesses

#11

Post by JeffreyKaine » Mon, Nov 16, 2015, 8:42 PM UTC

ianstormtaylor wrote: post #7

zsgoldberg wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

if you use Zenefits for HR/Benefits, they will know everything they need to determine your deductions and taxes. This makes it simple or them to run everything for you in 'self-driving' mode. All the changes you make in Zenefits are reflected in your payroll automatically The custom experience where you can go in and configure things specifically for payroll without making those changes in Zenefits, that's the one th…

What's an example of something that would need to be custom? Does anyone know? I'm also confused by that line, and the plans in general.

Yeah, I think it's a little confusing as well. But, basically if Zenefits manages all of your benefits, Self Driving Payroll will be your best bet. If you offer a benefit that Zenefits doesn't manage, you'll need to go Pro.

Re: Zenefits launches free payroll software for small businesses

#12

Post by tzier » Mon, Nov 16, 2015, 8:48 PM UTC

SwellJoe wrote: post #4

I don't know much about this industry, but this seems like a hilarious response to the ADP lawsuit. When your partner/competitor screws you really hard, launching a free product that performs the most important function of their very expensive product line is just about the most satisfying form of vengeance I can think of. Also, I hate Intuit Payroll (and it's cost me a small fortune due to deadlines being missed and…

I doubt this is a response to ADP; ADP is a horrible product, and Zenefits knew they could make a better solution (like ZenPayroll/Gusto). They've probably been working on this for a year, to be honest, given the requirements for payroll providers and syncing with the IRS/etc.

What's more interesting is that the payroll is free only if the company manages everything else HR related in Zenefits. Talk about lock-in.

Re: Zenefits launches free payroll software for small businesses

#13

Post by wdewind » Mon, Nov 16, 2015, 8:50 PM UTC

ianstormtaylor wrote: post #7

zsgoldberg wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

if you use Zenefits for HR/Benefits, they will know everything they need to determine your deductions and taxes. This makes it simple or them to run everything for you in 'self-driving' mode. All the changes you make in Zenefits are reflected in your payroll automatically The custom experience where you can go in and configure things specifically for payroll without making those changes in Zenefits, that's the one th…

What's an example of something that would need to be custom? Does anyone know? I'm also confused by that line, and the plans in general.

One example would be if your company is offering benefits not managed through Zenefits, such as an outside 401k plan or something. In those cases you'd want to make custom deductions for the 401k plan. (I don't work for Zenefits but I do work in the industry).

Re: Zenefits launches free payroll software for small businesses

#14

Post by JeffreyKaine » Mon, Nov 16, 2015, 8:54 PM UTC

jayess wrote: post #10

ianstormtaylor wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's an example of something that would need to be custom? Does anyone know? I'm also confused by that line, and the plans in general.

I'm confused as well. What if you have a part-time employee who doesn't have benefits? Or what if you're a small business that doesn't offer benefits?

Self Driving Payroll will work perfectly in this case. If you don't offer Benefits, use Zenefits for onboarding and keeping track of your employee info (also free), and have self driving payroll take care of your payroll for free.

Re: Zenefits launches free payroll software for small businesses

#15

Post by mikemac » Mon, Nov 16, 2015, 9:05 PM UTC

SwellJoe wrote: post #4

I don't know much about this industry, but this seems like a hilarious response to the ADP lawsuit. When your partner/competitor screws you really hard, launching a free product that performs the most important function of their very expensive product line is just about the most satisfying form of vengeance I can think of. Also, I hate Intuit Payroll (and it's cost me a small fortune due to deadlines being missed and…

> a free product that performs the most important function of their very expensive product line

There is zero chance I'd subject employees to a hacked together payroll system. Building one is far from trivial, considering the complexities of tax and employment law in 50 different states.

Re: Zenefits launches free payroll software for small businesses

#16

Post by mrmch » Mon, Nov 16, 2015, 9:08 PM UTC

Has anyone done a breakout comparison of Zenefits vs Gusto (/zenpayroll)?

There has to be quite a few companies who have benefits with Zenefits and payroll in Gusto; wondering what's ideal moving forward.

Re: Zenefits launches free payroll software for small businesses

#17

Post by SwellJoe » Mon, Nov 16, 2015, 9:08 PM UTC

tzier wrote: post #12

SwellJoe wrote: post #4

I don't know much about this industry, but this seems like a hilarious response to the ADP lawsuit. When your partner/competitor screws you really hard, launching a free product that performs the most important function of their very expensive product line is just about the most satisfying form of vengeance I can think of. Also, I hate Intuit Payroll (and it's cost me a small fortune due to deadlines being missed and…

I doubt this is a response to ADP; ADP is a horrible product, and Zenefits knew they could make a better solution (like ZenPayroll/Gusto). They've probably been working on this for a year, to be honest, given the requirements for payroll providers and syncing with the IRS/etc. What's more interesting is that the payroll is free only if the company manages everything else HR related in Zenefits. Talk about lock-in.

I'm sure they've been working on it for a while. And, it may even be part of the cause of the falling out between ADP and Zenefits, who knows? But, nonetheless, I bet it feels good to launch.

Re: Zenefits launches free payroll software for small businesses

#18

Post by [deleted] » Mon, Nov 16, 2015, 9:11 PM UTC

mikemac wrote: post #15

SwellJoe wrote: post #4

I don't know much about this industry, but this seems like a hilarious response to the ADP lawsuit. When your partner/competitor screws you really hard, launching a free product that performs the most important function of their very expensive product line is just about the most satisfying form of vengeance I can think of. Also, I hate Intuit Payroll (and it's cost me a small fortune due to deadlines being missed and…

> a free product that performs the most important function of their very expensive product line There is zero chance I'd subject employees to a hacked together payroll system. Building one is far from trivial, considering the complexities of tax and employment law in 50 different states.

[deleted]

Re: Zenefits launches free payroll software for small businesses

#19

Post by SwellJoe » Mon, Nov 16, 2015, 9:15 PM UTC

mikemac wrote: post #15

SwellJoe wrote: post #4

I don't know much about this industry, but this seems like a hilarious response to the ADP lawsuit. When your partner/competitor screws you really hard, launching a free product that performs the most important function of their very expensive product line is just about the most satisfying form of vengeance I can think of. Also, I hate Intuit Payroll (and it's cost me a small fortune due to deadlines being missed and…

> a free product that performs the most important function of their very expensive product line There is zero chance I'd subject employees to a hacked together payroll system. Building one is far from trivial, considering the complexities of tax and employment law in 50 different states.

I've not seen any indication that Zenefits is offering a shoddy product. Their other products seem to be well-regarded, do they not? And, their other products are in the same general area (most benefits programs have some tax and accounting repercussions that they'd need to understand, as well as integration with banks and payroll systems), so they already have some domain expertise in-house.

So, yes, it's hard to build. That doesn't mean that no one can do it. Many companies have done so, including several startups. And, given how poorly one of the market leaders (Intuit) has implemented it, I'm willing to give a startup a try.

Re: Zenefits launches free payroll software for small businesses

#20

Post by [deleted] » Mon, Nov 16, 2015, 9:17 PM UTC

JeffreyKaine wrote: post #11

ianstormtaylor wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's an example of something that would need to be custom? Does anyone know? I'm also confused by that line, and the plans in general.

Yeah, I think it's a little confusing as well. But, basically if Zenefits manages all of your benefits, Self Driving Payroll will be your best bet. If you offer a benefit that Zenefits doesn't manage, you'll need to go Pro.

[deleted]