By Asim Qureshi, CEO PayrollPanda

As a CEO of a payroll system company, I need to know what my competitors are up to. That means I’m often researching about and/or playing around with their products, you know, it’s part of the job. Here, I share my findings of that research, giving credit to those competitors where credit is due and being honest about which products I believe you really need to avoid. And so, there you have it, this review, and in it, I try to be honest, fair, and insightful. I hope it helps you make the right decision…

Overview

Let’s face it – payroll can be a right nightmare. It’s a maze of calculations, regulations and, if you are still doing it the traditional way, paperwork that can easily swallow your time and resources. Managing payroll efficiently is crucial, and with various payroll system options available, selecting the right one can be challenging.

There are various options, each promising to be the most user-friendly, the most compliant, the most… well, everything! Don’t worry, I’ve been there. That’s why I’ve done the research for you and scoured the landscape to provide you with the top five contenders specifically designed for the Malaysian market.

I’ve evaluated them on what matters most: user-friendliness, compliance with local regulations (because let’s face it, that’s what keeps the lights on), affordability, and customer support that’s helpful and friendly. My goal is to provide insights into each system’s unique features and benefits, helping businesses make informed decisions.

Whether you are a small business owner or managing a large team, any of these 5 top payroll system solutions will undoubtedly optimise your payroll management process.

man doing payroll using a calculator

What are the 5 Best Payroll Systems for 2024?

The Definitive List

1. PayrollPanda

As the CEO of PayrollPanda, I may have a slight bias, but it’s backed by solid reasons. Witnessing firsthand how PayrollPanda is making waves in the Malaysian SME sector, our positive reviews on independent review pages speak for themselves. PayrollPanda is dedicated to simplifying payroll and HR tasks, ensuring even those without an accounting background can navigate the system effortlessly. With features like monthly payroll and payslips, automatic form generation (E/EA), and bank payroll integrations, managing payroll becomes incredibly easy. 

PayrollPanda also makes leave management easy due to straightforward application and approval processes. Employees can apply for leave and access payslips conveniently through the Employee Self-Service (ESS) feature. Most importantly, PayrollPanda is proudly LHDN-approved, guaranteeing all calculations comply with Malaysian payroll regulations. PayrollPanda is known for its user-friendly interface and reliable customer support, and it is also trusted by thousands of Malaysian SMEs. With free tools and resources such as a help centre and the option of an online demo, PayrollPanda provides additional support to its users. 

What Do Users Like About PayrollPanda’s Payroll System?

  • Amazing customer service
  • Inexpensive
  • Easy to use 
  • Legal compliance and accuracy
  • Modern and minimalist interface

What Don’t Users Like About PayrollPanda’s Payroll System?

  • Some users are wishing for round-the-clock support to match their tireless entrepreneurial spirit

Key Features

  • Payroll management
  • Employee self-service
  • Approval process control
  • Onboarding
  • Tax compliance and LHDN approval
  • Vacation/Leave tracking
  • Payroll reporting
  • Data import/export
  • Multiple integrations with other software

View of PayrollPanda's Employee Self Service Dashboard

2. Swingvy

Swingvy is a user-friendly HR tool that helps businesses manage their HR tasks more easily. While Swingvy offers functionalities for managing employee claims, tracking time, and requesting leave, it’s important to note that these features may depend on the specific plan you choose. One of its functionalities includes payroll processing, making it a contender in the Malaysian payroll system market. 

The system has features designed to streamline common payroll tasks, such as salary calculations and payslip generation. Swingvy’s payroll solution caters to the Malaysian market, ensuring compliance with local statutory requirements like EPF, SOCSO, EIS, HRDF, and PCB contributions. 

What Do Users Like About Swingvy’s Payroll System?

  • Nice interface and design
  • Easy to use
  • Covers HR management basics
  • Good customer support

What Don’t Users Like About Swingvy’s Payroll System?

  • Slow rollout of new features, restricting access to additional functionalities
  • Minor bug issues during implementation

Key Features

  • Self-service portal
  • Payroll management
  • Mobile app
  • Third-party integrations
  • HR management

 

Why not check out our full, and of course completely honest, Swingvy review?

uploading bulk payroll items in swingvy's payroll system

3. BrioHR

BrioHR is a cloud-based HR system designed to simplify the complexities of managing various aspects of HR. BrioHR acts as an all-in-one HR assistant, offering tools for payroll, leave management, expense claims, talent acquisition, and more. With its user-friendly interface and smooth onboarding process, BrioHR makes it easy for businesses to streamline their HR operations. 

While pricing varies depending on the modules you choose, BrioHR offers flexible options to suit specific needs. Payroll services are currently available for Malaysia and Singapore only. Despite a few drawbacks like inconsistent mobile app performance, BrioHR stands out for its ease of use and helpful support team and therefore remains a popular choice among users for its effectiveness and supportive customer service.

What Do Users Like About BrioHR’s Payroll System?

  • User-friendly
  • Customisable
  • Smooth onboarding

What Don’t Users Like About BrioHR’s Payroll System?

  • Mobile app performance lags behind the desktop version
  • Some features require adjustments for improved user-friendliness
  • Integration challenges with existing software

Key Features

  • Payroll management
  • Employee onboarding
  • Recruitment management
  • Self-service portal
  • Reporting/Analytics

 

Why not check out our full, and of course completely honest, BrioHR review?

briohr's view of employee payroll report

4. Info-Tech

Info-Tech provides a diverse range of software solutions designed to enhance HR operations for businesses. Their offerings include cloud-based HR management, mobile attendance tracking, payroll services, leave management, and expense claims. Users generally find Info-Tech’s interface efficient and user-friendly, although some have noted limitations in customisation options and occasional issues with attendance capture. Pricing is offered on a per-employee basis, but it’s important to note that specific details regarding commitment terms and potential additional charges might not be readily apparent. Despite this lack of upfront transparency, Info-Tech remains a comprehensive HR solution worth considering. 

What Do Users Like About Info-Tech’s Payroll System?

  • Easy-to-use system
  • Efficient and time-saving
  • User friendly

What Don’t Users Like About Info-Tech’s Payroll System?

  • Limited customisation options and adaptability
  • Occasionally lags when running payroll
  • Reporting feature not as flexible

Key Features

  • Payroll management
  • Customisable reports
  • Onboarding
  • Employee portal
  • HR management

 

Why not check out our full, and of course completely honest, Info-Tech review?

view of info-tech's mobile app

5. Kakitangan

Kakitangan positions itself as a cloud-based HR software solution designed specifically for Malaysian market. The payroll system focuses on simplifying payroll tasks for businesses, ensuring compliance with local statutory requirements like EPF, SOCSO, EIS, HRDF, and PCB contributions.

Kakitangan’s payroll processing system offers salary calculations, payslip generation, and automatic tax calculations. For streamlined Malaysian payroll with potential for additional HR functionalities, Kakitangan is worth a closer look. Just remember to drill down on the plan details to avoid any surprises down the line.

What Do Users Like About Kakitangan’s Payroll System?

  • Automatic statutory-required updates
  • Auto-generated Form E/EA
  • Unlimited cloud-based storage of data
  • Organised spreadsheet

What Don’t Users Like About Kakitangan’s Payroll System?

  • Slow customer support
  • Inconsistent speed when using the system
  • Unable to view the entire payroll at a glance while making changes
  • UX feels convoluted
  • No live or phone chat outside office hours

Key Features

  • Payroll system
  • Leave management module
  • Attendance system
  • Digital claim system

 

Why not check out our full, and of course completely honest, Kakitangan review?

a cartoon image of a man holding a tablet

FAQs

Some frequently asked questions…

Switching to a new payroll system can be relatively easy, especially with providers like PayrollPanda that offer seamless onboarding processes and migration assistance. The key is to choose a provider that prioritises user experience and provides great support during the transition.

When choosing a payroll system, consider factors such as user-friendliness, compliance features, affordability, and customer support.

PayrollPanda offers a user-friendly interface, LHDN compliance, and reliable customer support, making it a top choice for many businesses.

Using a payroll system offers numerous benefits, including streamlined payroll processing, accurate calculations, compliance with legal regulations, and time savings for your HR team.

Yes! Look for a user-friendly system. PayrollPanda is known for its ease of use, making it a great option for businesses of all sizes, regardless of accounting background. Many systems offer free trials – test them out before you commit!

PayrollPanda is loved by many because it’s easy to use, is LHDN compliant, and offers great customer support. It’s made for anyone to use, even if you’re not an accountant. Plus, it’s very affordable!

It really comes down to what you need for your business. One of the best choices is definitely PayrollPanda. Why? Because it’s super easy to use, follows the rules of Malaysian statutory bodies, and the support is top-notch.

While PayrollPanda ticks all the boxes, other options include Swingvy, BrioHR, Info-Tech, and Kakitangan.

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