Our Full Review
Paycom has built its entire reputation on one phrase: "Single Database."
While competitors like ADP or UKG grew by acquiring other companies and stitching software together (leading to the dreaded "integration spaghetti"), Paycom built everything in-house from the ground up. There is only one employee record. If you update an address in the Payroll module, it is instantly updated in the Benefits module because it is the same record.
This architectural purity makes Paycom a favorite for HR leaders who are tired of data discrepancies. It is a premium product for mid-to-large companies (100+ employees) who value data integrity above all else.
Beti: The Game Changer
The most innovative feature Paycom has launched is Beti (Better Employee Transaction Interface). It fundamentally changes how payroll works.
In a traditional model, HR processes payroll and prays there are no errors. In the Beti model:
- Employees manage their own timecards and expenses.
- Before payroll runs, Beti asks employees to preview their paycheck.
- The employee spots errors ("Hey, my overtime is missing!") and fixes them before the pay run.
- The employee approves their own pay.
This shifts the burden of accuracy from HR to the employee (who cares the most about being paid correctly). Paycom claims this reduces payroll liability and corrections by massive margins.
The "Walled Garden" Approach
The downside of Paycom's "One System" philosophy is that they really, really want you to use their system for everything.
- Need an ATS? Use Paycom's.
- Need an LMS? Use Paycom's.
- Need Expense Management? Use Paycom's.
While their native modules are generally good, they aren't always "Best in Class." If you absolutely love Greenhouse for recruiting or Lattice for performance, integrating them with Paycom can be harder (or more expensive) than with more open platforms. You are buying into the Paycom ecosystem.
Reporting & Analytics
Because of the single database architecture, Paycom's reporting is arguably the best in the industry for cross-functional data.
You can easily pull a report correlating "Training Courses Completed" (LMS module) with "Sales Performance" (Performance module) and "Bonuses Paid" (Payroll). In other systems, that's a manual Excel project. In Paycom, it's a few clicks.
Support Model
Paycom assigns a specific Paycom Specialist Dedicated (PSD) to your account. You have their name, email, and direct line.
This is a huge upgrade over the "call center roulette" you play with some competitors. However, the quality of your experience depends heavily on how good your specific PSD is.
Pricing
Paycom is premium. Expect to pay top-tier rates.
- Setup Fees: Significant implementation costs ($10k - $50k+ depending on size).
- Recurring: Per-check fees, PEPM fees for modules, and base fees.
They argue that the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) is lower because you don't need to buy separate ATS, LMS, or Time systems, and you save hours on payroll corrections.
Verdict
Paycom is the "Apple" of the HCM world: Integrated, proprietary, expensive, and it "just works" as long as you stay within their ecosystem.
If you are a 200+ employee company and your current payroll process involves three different logins and a lot of CSV uploads, Paycom will feel like magic. The "Beti" workflow alone can justify the cost by freeing up your payroll manager's time.