Want a copy of our Guide to the Best Payroll in Canada? Download the full 45-page guide, including our handy comparison chart, by clicking here.
Whether you’ve been running payroll for years or you’re new to the process, choosing a new payroll provider is no easy task. Not only are there dozens of payroll providers to choose from, but there’s also a lot of different factors to consider.
To make the process of choosing a new payroll provider a little easier, we’ve conducted a head-to-head comparison of one of the biggest players in the industry, Ceridian, and the payroll software startup, Knit. To find out how they compare, we’ll look at Knit vs Ceridian Powerpay on the basis of software, payroll features, HR and benefits, customer service, and cost.
It is important to note that Ceridian offers two different payroll options: Ceridian Powerpay, which is designed for small businesses, and Ceridian Dayforce, which is designed for mid-size to enterprise companies. In this article, we look at how Knit stacks up against Ceridian Powerpay. To see how Knit compares to Ceridian Dayforce, click here.
Note: You might have noticed we’re writing about the difference between our service and someone else’s. We’ve done our best to give them a fair shake because we want you to make an informed decision. That said, we think we offer the best payroll service in Canada. Want to give Knit a try? Find out how to get started here.
When considering a new payroll provider, the best place to start is with the software itself. This means not only examining the user experience, but also consider factors such as speed and flexibility.
Both Knit and Ceridian Powerpay are cloud-based programs. This means that instead of storing information on a single computer, information is stored over the Internet—much like online banking. This is a great feature for business owners because it means that their data is accessible from virtually anywhere, at any time, as long as there is an Internet connection.
However, unlike Knit, Ceridian also boasts the advantage of a mobile application. Not only is this a benefit for employers who want the ability to run payroll on the go, but it also means employees can view their pay statements, download tax forms, and update personal information directly from their phone.
When it comes to processing payroll, both Knit and Ceridian Powerpay are designed to handle most payrolls. Both platforms automatically calculate, deduct, and remit payroll taxes to the CRA, saving you time and keeping you compliant.
Where the platforms begin to differ is when it comes to more complicated payroll features. Ceridian Powerpay is specifically designed for smaller businesses with 100 employees or fewer. As a result, the platform lacks some payroll features, such as customizable department payroll codes and automated stat holiday pay calculations (unless users are using the Dayforce time tracking module). As a result, Ceridian Powerpay is a more pared-down version of Dayforce that is best suited for businesses with fairly straightforward payroll needs.
While Knit is also tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized companies, Knit offers a more comprehensive payroll platform. Unlike Ceridian Powerpay, Knit offers extra features such as multiple pay groups, unlimited off-cycle pay runs, WSIB remittance, and the ability to pay third-party payees such as RRSP management companies. Knit also offers some “nice to have” payroll features like email reminders to process payroll and complimentary ROEs and T4s.
While some companies are simply looking for payroll, others prefer to have their HR and benefits on the same platform. Knit bills itself as a united platform for all three processes, while Ceridian offers a more a la carte option, similar to ADP.
Ceridian offers an HR module that integrates directly with its payroll platform—though it is not included in the base cost of Powerpay. The HR module is particularly robust and includes features such as employee management, reporting, document management, and more. Ceridian also offers additional add-on modules such as Benefits, Talent Management, Workforce Management, and professional services. As mentioned, these add-on modules are not included in the base Powerpay plan.
In contrast, Knit’s HR features are included in the monthly fee for the platform, making it a more affordable option for smaller companies looking for integrated HR. This means that all payroll and HR information is united across the platform for easy management. Some of Knit’s standout HR features include an employee database, e-signature documents, employee performance reviews, employee onboarding, and vacation tracking. Knit also empowers employees to manage their own data with a self-serve portal that allows employees to access pay stubs, T4s, ROEs, and even request PTO.
While great customer service is important when it comes to any product or service, it is particularly crucial when it comes to time-sensitive processes such as payroll. Both Knit and Ceridian are well aware of the importance of addressing payroll concerns as soon as possible. As a result, both companies employ customer support teams of trained payroll specialists, who are equipped to handle virtually any issues.
Although Ceridian Dayforce users have access to 24/7 global support, Powerpay customers must contact a different phone line for issues such as transmission status, payroll information, or to put a stop payment on a cheque or direct deposit. The phone service team is available between 8:30am ET and 7:30PM ET.
Similarly, Knit also offers phone support during business hours. However, because Knit’s customer support team is far smaller than Ceridian’s, clients receive more personalized support from representatives who is already familiar with their account. Knit also offers a number of helpful support documents, an email support option, and videos on its website to help users address common issues on their own when possible.
Ceridian does not make its pricing available publicly, however, Powerpay is the less expensive of the company’s offerings as it is tailored to small businesses with 100 employees or fewer. Set up for Ceridian Powerpay generally costs about $300 and the monthly fee is based on both the number of pay runs and the number of employees.
On the other hand, Knit makes its pricing publicly available on its website. Knit’s payroll and a lite version of its HR platform are available for $39/month + $4/employee. For payroll and the full HR suite, the price is $39/month + $6/employee. These prices include unlimited pay runs, which mean companies that run frequent payrolls or often find themselves running off-cycle pay runs won’t incur any additional fees.
Both Knit and Ceridian Powerpay are designed to handle the payroll of small to medium-sized businesses. Though both platforms are similar, Knit offers a more robust payroll platform, while Ceridian offers more options for adding on modules such as HR, Benefits, Talent Management, Workforce Management, and professional services.
To find out how Knit stacks up against other payroll providers, read our full Guide to the Best Payroll Software in Canada.
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