Heartland Payroll vs AME Software

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Our analysts compared Heartland Payroll vs AME Software based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Payroll Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Heartland Payroll Software Tool
AME Software Software Tool

Product Basics

Heartland Payroll is an online bookkeeping software that handles payment processing, Point of Sale interactions, capital and engagement with customers. It can manage compensation for retail, restaurants and multiple other industries both onsite and offsite. It also handles compensation, recruiting, benefits, time and attendance and more. Users looking for more full-service care can access services such as HR management, guidance with the Affordable Care Act and loans.
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AME Software offers a comprehensive solution for managing payroll and related tasks, making it particularly well-suited for small to mid-sized businesses. The software streamlines payroll processing, tax calculations, and compliance reporting, which can significantly reduce administrative burdens. Users appreciate its user-friendly interface and robust functionality, which includes features like direct deposit, employee self-service portals, and detailed reporting capabilities.

One of the key benefits of AME Software is its affordability, with pricing typically falling within a moderate range, often based on the number of employees and frequency of payroll runs. This makes it an attractive option for businesses looking to balance cost and functionality. Compared to similar products, users often highlight its ease of use and reliable customer support, which can be crucial for businesses without dedicated payroll staff. Overall, AME Software provides a solid, cost-effective solution for efficient payroll management.

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$89 Monthly
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Product Insights

  • Accurate Payroll: Automate the entire operation to cut down on errors and changes in data made by human error. Handle the complexities of benefits, retirement and more with accurate calculations.
  • Timer Saver: Cut down on paperwork and save time that would otherwise be spent filling out data. It automates payment, benefits, workers’ compensation and other necessary compensation processes, freeing up time to find and analyze issues.
  • More Engaged Customers: Draw in customers with rewards programs and gift cards while monitoring and analyzing their behavior to improve processes and bring up the bottom line. The simplification of POS interactions also makes them more likely to return and reflect positively on the experience. Monitor customer activity, build relationships with customers, analytics the metrics and send custom emails to keep in touch.
  • Better Insights: Analyze data to better understand how campaigns are affecting the bottom line. This includes reporting on customer intelligence, performance, reputation management and benchmarking on competitors.
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  • Time-Saving Processing: Automate payroll for all employees to save time and eliminate the margin of costly user error. 
  • Customize To Fit Any Business: Maximize the value of a new system by picking the right level of support. Choose between levels of payment and accounting support geared towards businesses small to large. 
  • Increased Security: Protect vulnerable documents and information with encoded checks and built-in data security for sensitive accounting material. 
  • Stay Up To Date with Dynamic Support: Remain compliant and avoid harmful errors with ever-changing local, state and federal requirements with a continuously updated operating system. 
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  • Payment Processing: Give and receive payments easily through rapid authorization and fast funding. To help customers, the POS systems can accept money from ACH, digital wallets, EMV chips cards and gift cards. This system is supported online, through mobile, by the virtual terminal. Other options include a merchant administrative portal, work orders, invoicing, custom forms, e-commerce and integrates with Plaid, QuickBooks and Zapier.
  • Tax Management: Oversee business withholdings for the year, whether from health benefits, unemployment, social security or workers’ compensation.
  • Recruiting: Execute talent acquisition activities such as posting jobs, scheduling interviews, getting applications, onboarding new hires and keeping their eyes on potential candidates with the applicant tracking system. The system also offers to screen companies for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit.
  • Affordable Care Act: See which employees need health insurance and use the ACA reporting tool to determine the large employer status. It comes with monthly reporting that shows the number of full-time employees and equivalents, shows the total paid and unpaid hours for workers and helps with completing the 1094-C and 1095-C forms.
  • Benefits: The solution integrates with the benefits management system Ease. Administrators can transfer employee updates, new hire information and deductions to the payroll system.
  • Surcharge: The surcharge program charges customers 3.5% for credit card transactions. Deposit the next day and get reports on the amount that’s been regained from the venue.
  • Loans: Apply for loans through the Lendio loan marketplace, which provides access to various partners. Loans range from $5,000 to $5 million. Users can have a credit line of up to $250,000. The approval process generally takes about 15 minutes and the approval process is generally done within 48 hours.
  • HR: Services include coaching for issues in management, compensation, access to hiring documents, alerts for state and federal labor law changes and more.
  • Point of Sale: Accept multiple payment options. It works offline, can integrate with third-party apps and can enable purchases with the system, by a kiosk, in a drive-through and more.
  • Time and Attendance: Register punches, track hours, monitor schedules, handle PTO and create reports for various metrics.
  • Other Integrations: Integrations also include time and attendance, 401(k), general ledger and accounting systems and workers’ compensation.
  • Billing: Process billing in a streamlined manner by cutting down on late payments, paper documentation and tracking expenses through analytics. The solution is PCI level 1 certified to help with compliance purposes and serves as bookkeeping software.
  • Online, Mobile and Devices: Check accounts, send billing and pay online, through a tablet, by mobile or by other devices. It also can operate as a POS. Customers access the e-commerce features for a convenient buying experience.
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  • Employee Payments: Process payments accurately and efficiently for guaranteed correct sums every time. Deposit wages directly into employees’ checking or savings accounts through any compatible third-party processing service. 
  • Digital Filing: Eliminate time-consuming paper trails with automated local, state and federal reporting and filing. Create customized invoices, statements and checks for specific business needs. 
  • Accounting Filing: Record income statements, bank reconciliations and monthly and yearly budgets. File unlimited 1099s and track unlimited vendors. 
  • Employee History: Track employee requests and records for vacation, sick leave and PTO accrual. Manage attendance history on the same platform as wage history. 
  • Electronic Signatures: Sign magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) checks with digital signatures before printing. Save time by simplifying the process of traditional paper checks. 
  • Personal Transmittals: Complete transactions with IRS compatibility for 940s, 941s and DE9s. Pay a rate per number of forms filed per quarter, or pay for a flat fixed rate if filing more than 500 forms. 
  • Tiered Platforms: Select platform support for small business payments and accounting, professional and enterprise payment, general ledger reporting only, direct depositing, check and PDF converting, or everything combined. Add additional state reporting for program tiers that require it. 
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Product Ranking

#51

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Payroll Software

#116

among all
Payroll Software

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User Sentiment Summary

Poor User Sentiment 10 reviews
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56%
of users recommend this product

Heartland Payroll has a 'poor' User Satisfaction Rating of 56% when considering 10 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

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2.8 (5)
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2.8 (5)
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Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Simple Interface: Users appreciate the clean and straightforward interface, finding it easy to navigate and locate necessary features without unnecessary complexity.
Tax Compliance: Heartland Payroll automatically calculates and files payroll taxes, ensuring businesses remain compliant with federal and state regulations, alleviating concerns about potential penalties or audits.
Direct Deposit: The direct deposit feature streamlines the payment process, allowing employees to receive their wages electronically and eliminating the need for paper checks, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
Employee Self-Service: The employee self-service portal empowers employees to access and manage their personal information, pay stubs, and tax documents independently, reducing administrative burdens on HR and payroll teams.
Reporting Capabilities: Heartland Payroll offers comprehensive reporting tools that provide insights into payroll data, enabling businesses to track expenses, analyze trends, and make informed decisions regarding their workforce.
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Ease of Use: Users consistently praise AME Software for its intuitive interface, making it easy to navigate and understand, even for those with limited payroll experience.
Time-Saving Features: AME Software's automation features, such as automatic tax calculations and direct deposit processing, significantly reduce the time spent on manual tasks, allowing payroll professionals to focus on more strategic initiatives.
Reliable Accuracy: Users consistently report high levels of accuracy in payroll calculations, minimizing the risk of errors and ensuring timely and correct payments to employees.
Excellent Customer Support: AME Software's customer support team is highly responsive and knowledgeable, providing prompt assistance and resolving issues efficiently.
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Dated Interface: Heartland's user interface appears outdated and clunky, making navigation and task completion cumbersome for users accustomed to modern software design.
Customer Service Issues: Heartland's customer service has received negative feedback, with users reporting long wait times and unhelpful responses. This can be frustrating for users seeking timely assistance with payroll issues.
Limited Integrations: Heartland Payroll may not integrate seamlessly with other business software, such as accounting or HR platforms, leading to manual data entry and potential errors.
Pricing Structure: Heartland's pricing structure can be complex and opaque, making it difficult for businesses to anticipate costs and compare options effectively.
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Limited Customization: Some users have reported difficulty in tailoring the software to their specific payroll needs, particularly when dealing with unique pay structures or complex deductions. For example, they may find it challenging to set up custom pay periods or integrate with specific third-party applications.
Steep Learning Curve: The software's interface can be overwhelming for new users, requiring significant time and effort to master its functionalities. This can be particularly challenging for smaller businesses with limited IT resources.
Lack of Mobile App: The absence of a dedicated mobile app can be a drawback for businesses that require on-the-go access to payroll information. This can be inconvenient for managers who need to approve time off requests or view employee pay stubs remotely.
Customer Support Issues: Some users have expressed dissatisfaction with the responsiveness and quality of customer support. They may encounter long wait times or find it difficult to resolve technical issues effectively.
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Is your payroll process stuck in the dark ages? Heartland Payroll might just be the knight in shining armor your business needs. Heartland Payroll generally receives positive feedback, with users praising its comprehensive features and ease of use. The platform's ability to automate payroll calculations, tax filings, and payments is a major time-saver for businesses. Users also appreciate the self-service portal, which allows employees to access their pay stubs and W-2 forms electronically. Affordability is another plus, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. However, some users have reported occasional glitches and a lack of customization options. Compared to competitors like ADP and Paychex, Heartland Payroll may not have as many bells and whistles, but it offers a solid core feature set at a competitive price point. This makes it an attractive option for businesses that prioritize simplicity and affordability over advanced functionality. Heartland Payroll is best suited for small to medium-sized businesses with straightforward payroll needs. Its user-friendly interface and core features make it easy to manage payroll without a steep learning curve or a hefty price tag. However, larger businesses or those with complex payroll requirements may find the platform's limitations restrictive. It's important to note that software capabilities and user experiences can change over time, so it's always a good idea to check the latest reviews and information before making a decision.

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Is AME Software the "ace" up your sleeve for payroll, or does it leave you feeling confused? User reviews from the past year paint a mixed picture of AME Software, particularly focusing on its payroll capabilities. Some users appreciate its simplicity and affordability, highlighting features like unlimited checks and direct deposit processing as major pluses, especially for smaller businesses. However, a chorus of concern emerges regarding the software's outdated interface and clunky functionality, with some users even likening it to stepping back in time. For instance, one user pointed out that "almost everything has to be done by hand." The recent update to version 3.0 has been met with resistance, with users reporting significant glitches and a preference for the older version. While the company offers live technical support, some users have reported difficulties in getting issues resolved effectively. This mixed bag suggests that AME Software might be best suited for businesses prioritizing affordability and simplicity over modern features and a seamless user experience, particularly those already familiar with the software's quirks. However, businesses seeking a more contemporary and feature-rich payroll solution might find AME Software lacking and should consider exploring alternative options.

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