Top 5 Crypto Payroll Solutions Compared

How to choose the best crypto payroll solution for your team

Web3 teams are often distributed across different locations and may consist of members from different countries, which can make payroll a complex process. 

Additionally, the growing adoption of cryptocurrencies means that teams are looking for efficient and reliable ways to pay their employees in digital currencies. 

When evaluating different crypto payroll solutions, Web3 teams should consider several factors, including:

Security: One of the most critical factors that Web3 teams should consider when evaluating a crypto payroll software is security. The solution should be designed with robust security measures to protect against hacks, fraud, and other types of cyber threats.

Ease of use: The payroll solution should be easy to use and should not require extensive technical expertise. It should be user-friendly and intuitive, allowing team members to easily understand and use the platform.

Cost: Web3 teams should consider the cost of the payroll solution, including transaction fees and any other charges associated with using the platform. The solution should provide transparent pricing, with no hidden fees.

Currency & chain support: The payroll solution should support multiple cryptocurrencies, allowing team members to choose the digital currency of their choice.

Compliance: The solution should comply with all relevant regulations and laws in the countries where the team members are located.

Integration: The solution should integrate with other tools and platforms that the team is using, such as accounting software or project management tools.

Customer support: The payroll solution should offer reliable and responsive customer support, including a knowledge base, email support, and chat support.

Reputation: Web3 teams should evaluate the reputation of the payroll solution, including its track record of reliability and customer satisfaction.

Overall, choosing the right crypto payroll solution is essential for Web3 teams to ensure that they can pay their employees efficiently and securely in digital currencies. By considering the factors above, Web3 teams can select a payroll solution that meets their needs and supports the growth of their business.

‍Five of the best crypto payroll apps compared

Request Finance‍

Request Finance is one of the largest crypto payroll platforms, which has enabled over 2,000 Web3 teams to pay more than $300 million in crypto payroll, expenses and invoices.  It allows users to pay and get paid in crypto, process salaries and bonuses in crypto, and reimburse expenses in crypto. 

One of the main advantages of Request Finance is the extensive compatibility with various blockchain networks, and various cryptocurrencies. It supports over 140 cryptocurrencies, 10 stablecoins, 10 fiat currencies, and 18 blockchains.

But in addition to helping to simplify the payroll process, the app also simplifies financial reporting in crypto for Web3 teams. It also offers features such as batch-payment, customized dashboards and reportings, and integration with various wallets and accounting systems.

Deel

A platform that allows you to onboard and pay employees and contractors from over 150 countries in more than 120 currencies, including cryptocurrencies. Deel helps you with contract management, compliance, benefits, and tax filing. It also supports real-time payments and local payout methods in fiat currencies.

Deel also allows Web3 teams to manage their payroll in cryptocurrencies, via Coinbase which will automatically convert a paycheck from US dollars to crypto with no transaction fees. However, this is only limited to employees based in the US, and mandates the use of Coinbase.

Papaya Global‍

An HR service that supports payroll payments, including an option to receive up to 30% of their net salary in Bitcoin, Ethereum and other leading cryptocurrencies. It helps teams with workforce management, compliance, benefits, and fiat cross-border payments in more than 100 countries. It also provides automation, customization, security, and integration with other systems.

However, the 30% cap on the proportion of salaries may be problematic for DAOs, or other Web3 teams that may manage a majority of their crypto payroll using stablecoins like USDC.

The advantage of using Papaya Global to manage crypto payroll for global teams, however, is the fact that it is not restricted to employees residing only in certain countries like the United States.

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Bitwage‍

A service that enables you to send or receive wages in cryptocurrencies. Bitwage is HR compliant and used by many industry leaders such as Facebook and Uber. It offers features such as reporting and remittance, automated tax filing, employee portal, time-tracking, and payroll scheduling. It also supports traditional banking and up to 25 fiat currencies.

One of the key benefits of Bitwage is its flexibility. The app can be integrated with existing payroll systems, making it easy for employers to transition to crypto payroll. Additionally, the platform offers several features like tax compliance, HR support, and employee onboarding. Bitwage also offers a bitcoin 401(k) plan that allows employees to invest a portion of their salary in bitcoin.

However, one of the drawbacks of Bitwage is its pricing. The app charges a 1% fee on all payments, which can add up to a significant amount for businesses with a large number of employees. Additionally, the app is limited to only a few cryptocurrencies, which can be a drawback for some employees.‍

PaymentX‍

An invoicing app that only supports Bitcoin. It allows you to create invoices based on hours, receive payments in a custodian wallet or a public Bitcoin address, and check your payment history. It is free to use at the time of writing this article.

While Bitcoin is perhaps the most popular cryptocurrency globally, managing payroll in Bitcoin only may not suit most teams - even crypto-native ones. While volatile cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin hold significant potential for long term capital gains from price appreciation, it can also suffer periods of significant drops in price. 

To avoid this, many Web3 teams turn to stablecoins like USDC, or USDT to manage their payroll. The limited cryptocurrency payment options available on PaymentX might prove challenging for many teams.

Conclusion

When evaluating different crypto payroll solutions, it is important to ensure that you choose a platform that can support your organization’s changing needs. 

Smaller teams may find themselves outgrowing the needs of more limited crypto payroll applications. More crucially, many may not be compatible with traditional accounting software, making crypto accounting a challenge to using crypto to manage payroll. 

After all, financial reporting is a critical part of an organization’s overall obligations, and a good crypto payroll solution should be capable of addressing those needs in both crypto and fiat currencies.