Payroll Company Review • Updated October 2026
isolved Payroll Review 2026: Pricing, Pros, Cons & Partners
isolved powers payroll and HR for 200,000+ employers, often through local partners. We cover what isolved People Cloud includes, what it really costs, its strengths and weaknesses, and whether to buy direct or through a partner.
Compare Payroll Quotes → See isolved PricingIs isolved Payroll Good? Our Verdict
isolved is a good payroll choice for mid-sized businesses — especially those with about 50 to 500 employees — that want payroll, HR, time and benefits in one platform with strong compliance tools and the option of hands-on service from a local partner. It’s often estimated at $17–$25 per employee per month for the full suite, below many big-name rivals. We rate it 3.8/5: excellent compliance depth, held back by no published pricing, a dated interface and support that depends heavily on who sells it to you.
isolved appears in our best payroll outsourcing companies rankings as the pick for local partner service, and in our guide to payroll outsourcing for mid-sized businesses.
On this page
isolved Ratings Breakdown
Overall: 3.8/5, the average of the five categories.
What users say
isolved is rated about 3.9/5 on Capterra from 650+ reviews, with ease of use around 3.9 and customer service around 3.7.
Users like its all-in-one feature set and payroll accuracy. Common complaints are slow or hard-to-reach support, a dated interface and mobile app, limited reporting and extra charges for add-ons.
isolved Pros and Cons
✔ Pros
- Deep compliance: native ACA, COBRA and garnishment management
- All-in-one People Cloud: payroll, HR, time, benefits and talent in one database
- Local partner option for implementation and managed payroll
- Competitive pricing versus many big-name mid-market providers
- Native QuickBooks Online sync posts payroll journal entries automatically
- Scales from about 25 to several thousand employees
⚠ Cons
- No published pricing, and partner pricing varies
- Interface and mobile app feel dated to some users
- Support quality depends on your partner; direct support is a common complaint
- Add-on modules (time, benefits, ATS, LMS) are priced separately
- Reporting can be limited without help
- Some integrations (e.g., NetSuite, Sage Intacct) require marketplace partners
isolved People Cloud Features
isolved People Cloud combines payroll and tax filing, HR, time and attendance, benefits administration and talent management in a single database, so employee changes flow through every module without double entry.
| isolved People Cloud module | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Payroll & tax | Payroll processing with full-service federal, state and local tax filing, W-2s, direct deposit and garnishment management |
| HR & compliance | Employee records, onboarding, ACA and COBRA administration in the same database as payroll |
| Workforce management | Time and attendance, scheduling and labor tracking |
| Benefits administration | Open enrollment, carrier connections and deductions synced to payroll |
| Talent management | Applicant tracking, learning management and performance tools |
| Integrations | Native QuickBooks Online journal sync, configurable GL exports and a partner marketplace |
Learn more about payroll processing and payroll tax filing.
Comparing isolved partners or other mid-market providers? Get side-by-side quotes — free.
Compare Payroll QuotesHow Much Does isolved Cost in 2026?
isolved doesn’t publish pricing; third-party estimates put the full suite at roughly $17–$25 per employee per month and payroll-only plans (50+ employees) around $9 per employee per month. Implementation is often estimated at 10%–25% of first-year software cost, and partners may price differently, especially if they add managed payroll.
| Employees | Payroll only~$9 PEPM | Full suite~$17–$25 PEPM | Full suite, yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 employees | $450 | $850–$1,250 | $10,200–$15,000 |
| 100 employees | $900 | $1,700–$2,500 | $20,400–$30,000 |
| 250 employees | $2,250 | $4,250–$6,250 | $51,000–$75,000 |
| 500 employees | $4,500 | $8,500–$12,500 | $102,000–$150,000 |
Estimates based on third-party 2026 figures (including OutSail); isolved has not confirmed them. Partner-delivered service may cost more — for example, our Coastal Payroll review covers an isolved partner estimated at $22–$28 PEPM with managed service.
Buying isolved Direct vs. Through a Partner
isolved is sold both directly and through the isolved Network of CPA firms, payroll service bureaus and PEOs. The software is the same — the service around it is what changes.
Buy direct if you…
- Have an in-house HR or payroll team
- Want the lowest software price
- Are comfortable with self-service support
Use a partner if you…
- Want a local, dedicated contact
- Want fully managed payroll (e.g., Coastal Payroll)
- Already work with a CPA firm that offers it (see payroll for accountants)
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Use isolved
Great fit if you…
- Have roughly 50–500 employees
- Need ACA, COBRA and garnishment handling
- Want payroll, HR, time and benefits in one system
- Value local service over the newest interface
isolved vs. Paylocity vs. Paycom vs. ADP Workforce Now
How isolved compares with the mid-market platforms it’s most often weighed against.
| isolved | Paylocity | Paycom | ADP Workforce Now | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Mid-sized firms wanting local partner service | Modern employee experience | Single-database self-service HCM | Deep compliance, one vendor for everything |
| How it’s sold | Direct and through partners | Direct | Direct | Direct |
| Pricing (est.) | ~$17–$25 PEPM full suite | Custom quote (PEPM) | Custom quote | ~$23–$30 PEPM base |
| Sweet spot | 50–500 employees | 50–750 | 50–1,000+ | 50–1,000+ |
| Our review | — | Paylocity review | Paycom review | ADP review |
Other alternatives: Paycor, Paychex, Rippling and Heartland (now Auris). Browse all payroll company reviews or the best payroll software.
About isolved
isolved is a human capital management company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Backed by private equity firm Accel-KKR since 2011 — which extended its investment in 2025 with a $1.9 billion continuation fund — isolved says its People Cloud platform serves more than 200,000 employers and millions of U.S. employees, delivered directly and through its partner network.
isolved Payroll FAQs
Is isolved a good payroll provider?
isolved is a strong payroll and HR platform for mid-sized businesses, with deep compliance features such as ACA, COBRA and garnishment management and an all-in-one People Cloud suite. It is rated about 3.9 out of 5 on Capterra from more than 650 reviews; users like its breadth of features but often mention a dated interface and support quality that varies by partner.
How much does isolved cost?
isolved does not publish pricing. Third-party estimates put the full suite of payroll, HR, time and benefits at roughly $17 to $25 per employee per month, with payroll-only plans for 50 or more employees around $9 per employee per month. Implementation is often estimated at 10% to 25% of first-year software cost, and pricing varies by partner.
Where is isolved headquartered?
isolved is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It has been backed by private equity firm Accel-KKR since 2011, which extended its investment in 2025 through a $1.9 billion continuation fund.
What is isolved People Cloud?
isolved People Cloud is isolved’s human capital management platform. It combines payroll and tax filing, HR, time and attendance, benefits administration and talent management in one system.
Should I buy isolved directly or through a partner?
isolved is sold both directly and through a network of partners such as CPA firms, payroll service bureaus and PEOs. Partners often add implementation, local support or fully managed payroll on top of the software, which can be worth paying more for. Compare at least two isolved partners and other providers before deciding.
Who is isolved best for?
isolved is best for businesses with roughly 50 to 500 employees that want payroll, HR, time and benefits in one platform, strong compliance tools, and the option of hands-on service from a local partner.
Does isolved handle ACA, COBRA and garnishments?
Yes. isolved includes native ACA reporting, COBRA administration and garnishment management alongside payroll, which is one of its main strengths compared with simpler small business payroll tools.
Is isolved better than Paylocity?
Paylocity is often praised for a more modern employee experience and is sold directly, while isolved offers comparable HCM features with the option of partner-delivered service and is often estimated at a lower per-employee price. The better fit depends on whether you value interface polish or local service.
Is isolved better than ADP?
ADP Workforce Now offers more products, global payroll, a PEO option and a larger integration marketplace, while isolved is frequently less expensive and can be delivered through local partners. Mid-sized companies focused on cost and personal service often shortlist isolved; those wanting one vendor for everything often choose ADP.
Does isolved integrate with QuickBooks?
Yes. isolved offers a native QuickBooks Online journal entry sync that posts payroll automatically after each run, plus configurable general ledger exports for other accounting systems.
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