15Five vs Paychex

Detailed side-by-side comparison

15Five

From $4/mo

15Five is a performance management platform focused on building high-performing teams through continuous feedback, OKRs, and engagement surveys. It specializes in streamlining communication between managers and employees through weekly check-ins, 1-on-1s, and performance reviews with actionable engagement insights.

Visit 15Five

Paychex

From $39/mo

Paychex is a comprehensive HR and payroll management platform designed for small to mid-sized businesses. It provides an all-in-one solution covering payroll processing, tax compliance, benefits administration, time tracking, and retirement services in a single integrated system.

Visit Paychex

Feature Comparison

Feature	15Five	Paychex
Performance Management	Robust performance management with weekly check-ins, 1-on-1 meeting tools, 360-degree feedback, and performance reviews focused on employee development	Basic HR management tools including employee records and onboarding, but not specialized in continuous performance feedback or development tracking
Payroll Processing	No payroll capabilities - integrates with external payroll systems	Full-service payroll processing with automated tax filing, compliance management, and direct deposit capabilities
Goal Setting & Tracking	Dedicated OKR goal setting and tracking system with alignment features to connect individual goals to company objectives	No dedicated goal-setting or OKR tracking functionality
Employee Engagement	Specialized engagement surveys, pulse checks, recognition features, and analytics dashboards to measure and improve team engagement	Limited engagement tools - focuses primarily on transactional HR tasks rather than engagement measurement
Benefits Administration	No benefits administration - would require separate solution or integration	Comprehensive benefits administration including insurance management, 401(k) retirement services, and employee enrollment
Time Tracking	No time tracking capabilities	Full time and attendance tracking system with mobile app capabilities and integration with payroll

Pricing Comparison

15Five starts at $4/month per user, making it affordable for companies focused specifically on performance management, while Paychex starts at $39/month base pricing with additional per-employee costs. Paychex represents a larger investment but provides comprehensive payroll and HR infrastructure that 15Five doesn't offer.

Verdict

Choose 15Five if...

Choose 15Five if you already have payroll and benefits systems in place and want to elevate your performance management, employee engagement, and manager-employee communication with specialized tools designed for continuous feedback and development.

Choose Paychex if...

Choose Paychex if you need a comprehensive, all-in-one solution for payroll processing, tax compliance, benefits administration, and fundamental HR operations, especially if you're a small to mid-sized business looking to consolidate multiple HR functions into a single platform.

Get Your Free Software Recommendation

Answer a few quick questions and we'll match you with the perfect tools

1/4

What type of software are you looking for?

Select the category that best fits your needs

HR & Recruiting

Pros & Cons

15Five

Pros

+ Intuitive interface that encourages consistent manager-employee communication
+ Reduces administrative burden of performance management processes
+ Strong integration capabilities with HRIS and collaboration tools
+ Evidence-based approach with built-in best practices for people management

Cons

- Can be overwhelming for teams new to structured performance management
- Pricing can be steep for smaller organizations
- Some features require training to maximize value

Paychex

Pros

+ Comprehensive all-in-one platform covering payroll, HR, benefits, and compliance
+ Dedicated support team with personalized service representatives
+ Strong compliance expertise with automatic tax updates and filing
+ Scalable solution that grows with business needs

Cons

- Pricing can be expensive for very small businesses or startups
- Interface may feel outdated compared to newer competitors
- Some users report lengthy implementation and setup process