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The 10 Best Contractor Management Software of 2024
7 min read
Published: Jul 8, 2024
Revised on: Jul 8, 2024
Here’s our curated shortlist and our reasons for liking each company; please click into each company to get more details:
Managing contractors efficiently is essential for businesses of all sizes. Choosing the right contractor management software can streamline processes, ensure compliance, and improve productivity. With the growing complexity of global hiring, businesses need tools that not only simplify administrative tasks but also provide robust compliance and payment options. Whether you're a small business or a large enterprise, the right software can save time, reduce errors, and help manage your contractor workforce effectively. Here's a detailed review of the best contractor management software platforms available today, highlighting key features for each.- Deel
- Easy to use platform with an intuitive interface. Many reviews mentioned how user-friendly Deel's platform is.
- Good customer support. Numerous reviews praised Deel's customer service for being responsive, knowledgeable, and helpful.
- Flexible payout options. Reviews liked the variety of payout methods offered by Deel, from bank transfers to PayPal and crypto.
- Simplifies international hiring and payments. Deel makes it easy to hire and pay contractors globally by handling compliance and paperwork.
- Offers features like advances. The ability to get advance payments on earnings was called out as a useful feature.
- Papaya Global
- Papaya Global has designated payroll experts who resolve issues quickly and professionally, ensuring efficient payroll management.
- The onboarding process for new hires is user-friendly and quick, saving time for both HR teams and new employees.
- The customer success managers and support team are proactive, responsive, and professional, providing excellent service.
- Papaya Global centralizes payroll management for multiple countries on a single platform, streamlining processes and saving time.
- The platform is intuitive, easy to use, and well-organized, making it accessible for users to manage payroll and other HR functions effectively.
- Rippling
- Many users appreciate Rippling's intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, which simplifies HR and payroll tasks.
- It offers a wide range of features including payroll management, time tracking, benefits administration, and more, all integrated into one platform.
- Rippling integrates well with other software systems like QuickBooks, which reduces manual data entry and streamlines accounting processes.
- It's praised for its ability to handle global HR needs such as compliance and payroll across different countries, making it suitable for multinational companies.
- Many users find customer support to be responsive and helpful.
- TalentDesk
- Users appreciate the ability to approve worksheets once or twice a month, streamlining the payment process for freelancers.
- Positive feedback on customer support indicates that the platform is responsive and helpful, addressing user concerns promptly.
- Multiple users highlight the user-friendly interface and logical design making it easier to manage tasks, projects, and invoices without getting overwhelmed by a complicated system.
- Provides a centralized and unified system for managing expenses, invoices, and payments.
- Users appreciate clear communication and onboarding features, creating a seamless experience for all parties involved. This includes features such as a unified database for resources, project tracking, and transparent billing cycles.
- Remote
- The platform automatically converts USD to the local currency, saving time and effort for freelancers.
- Payments are consistently timely and accurate, providing peace of mind for users.
- The platform is easy to navigate, making it accessible even for those not tech-savvy.
- Quick and helpful customer support is readily available for any issues that arise.
- Centralizes billing, invoicing, and time-off requests, making it a one-stop solution for remote work management.
What Is the Best Contractor Management Software?
The ideal contractor management software will vary depending on your business needs. However, it should generally include features such as centralized contractor profiles, onboarding and offboarding tools, contract lifecycles management, compliance management, and strong reporting capabilities. The software should streamline contractor workflows, ensure regulatory compliance, and improve communication between contractors and employers. Effective integration with other human resources or financial systems is also important.
How Does Contractor Management Software Improve Compliance?
Contractor management software improves compliance by providing tools in several ways:
- Centralized Documentation: It allows for the centralized storage of contracts, insurance certificates, and certifications, ensuring all necessary documents are up-to-date and easily accessible.
- Automated Alerts and Reminders: Software can send notifications for contract renewals, expirations, and compliance deadlines, reducing the risk of missing critical dates.
- Standardized Processes: It establishes standardized workflows for onboarding, offboarding, and managing contractors, ensuring consistency and adherence to compliance requirements.
- Risk Assessment and Mitigation: It facilitates risk assessments and compliance checks, identifying potential risks early and enabling proactive mitigation strategies.
- Audit Trails: Software maintains detailed audit trails of contractor interactions and activities, providing a clear record for compliance audits and investigations.
- Integration with Regulatory Requirements: Many solutions integrate with regulatory standards and compliance frameworks, helping organizations stay updated with legal requirements and industry standards.
Can Contractor Management Software Handle Global Payroll?
Yes, some contractor management software platforms are designed to handle global payroll. These platforms often integrate with various payroll systems, offer compliance management across different countries' regulations, support multi-currency payments, and manage tax considerations for international contractors. Examples include solutions like Deel, Papaya Global, Remote, and Oyster, which provide features tailored to managing global payroll alongside contractor management functionalities.
What Features Should You Look for in Contractor Management Software?
When evaluating contractor management software, here are the following key features to consider:
- Onboarding and Offboarding: Efficient processes for bringing contractors onboard and offboarding them when projects end.
- Compliance Management: Tools to ensure contractors comply with legal and regulatory requirements, including tax forms and certifications.
- Contractor Database: Centralized storage of contractor information, including contact details, contracts, and performance history.
- Time and Expense Tracking: Capability to track hours worked, expenses incurred, and payments made to contractors.
- Risk Management: Tools to assess and mitigate risks associated with contractor relationships, such as insurance verification and safety protocols.
- Performance Evaluation: Metrics and reporting to assess contractor performance and productivity.
- Integration: Compatibility with existing HR, payroll, and accounting systems for seamless data flow.
- Security: Robust security measures to protect contractor and company data.
- Communication Tools: Channels for clear communication between contractors, managers, and team members.
- Scalability: Ability to handle varying numbers of contractors as your business grows.
- Mobile Access: Mobile-friendly interfaces or apps for contractors to access and update information on the go.
- Analytics and Reporting: Insights into contractor utilization, costs, and compliance for informed decision-making.
Top 10 Contractor Management Software
Managing contractors efficiently requires robust software that can handle onboarding, payments, and compliance with ease. Here’s a look at some top solutions that excel in these areas.
Pricing
Contact sales for pricing
Deel Contractor Management simplifies the process of onboarding, managing, and paying international contractors while ensuring compliance across over 150 countries. As one of the market leaders, Deel automates HR administration, reduces the risk of worker misclassification, and guarantees timely payments. The platform is designed to handle the complexities of global hiring, offering flexibility in payments and robust compliance features to keep businesses aligned with local regulations.
Deel Key Features:
- Continuous Compliance™: Deel provides real-time compliance monitoring, ensuring that all contractor agreements and practices meet local legal standards.
- 15 Flexible Payment Options: Contractors can receive payments in their preferred method, including options like Crypto, Wise, and Revolut, reducing fees and simplifying global transactions.
- Automated Invoice Management: The system generates instant digital invoices after each payment and integrates seamlessly with popular accounting tools to streamline financial operations.
Pros
- Easy to use platform with an intuitive interface. Many reviews mentioned how user-friendly Deel's platform is.
- Good customer support. Numerous reviews praised Deel's customer service for being responsive, knowledgeable, and helpful.
- Flexible payout options. Reviews liked the variety of payout methods offered by Deel, from bank transfers to PayPal and crypto.
- Simplifies international hiring and payments. Deel makes it easy to hire and pay contractors globally by handling compliance and paperwork.
- Offers features like advances. The ability to get advance payments on earnings was called out as a useful feature.
Cons
- Expensive, high fees. The most common complaint was that Deel's fees were too high, especially for larger teams.
- Issues with transfers and payments. Some reviews cited problems with transfers getting lost or delayed.
- Limited customization and flexibility. Deel provides standardized contracts and processes which some found inflexible.
- Buggy interface and tech issues. Bugs and glitches with the platform were called out as annoyances.
- Lack of local knowledge and expertise. Reviews mentioned Deel lacking expertise on local laws and regulations in some countries.
Pricing
$15.00 per user/month
- No Seat Minimum
Papaya Global simplifies contractor management by providing an all-in-one platform designed for seamless onboarding, management, and payment of global contractors. This platform ensures compliance with local laws and regulations, offering full liability coverage, accuracy, and minimal fees. With Papaya Global, companies can hire contractors from anywhere in the world without worrying about local constraints. The system allows for fast onboarding, enabling teams to focus on productivity. Its secure, user-friendly interface complies with GDPR and payment regulations, ensuring the safety and privacy of all transactions. Papaya Global streamlines payments by supporting multiple currencies and allowing local payments in over 160 countries, making the management of global contractors both efficient and straightforward.
Papaya Global Key Features:
- Automated Processes: Bulk payments and streamlined invoicing enable efficient management of contractor payments and invoicing.
- Global Payment Coverage: Fund multiple wallets in 14 currencies and pay contractors in over 160 locations with fast and accurate transactions.
- Seamless Transition: Easily switch contractors to full-time employees or EoR workers, allowing for team expansion and flexible workforce management.
Pros
- Papaya Global has designated payroll experts who resolve issues quickly and professionally, ensuring efficient payroll management.
- The onboarding process for new hires is user-friendly and quick, saving time for both HR teams and new employees.
- The customer success managers and support team are proactive, responsive, and professional, providing excellent service.
- Papaya Global centralizes payroll management for multiple countries on a single platform, streamlining processes and saving time.
- The platform is intuitive, easy to use, and well-organized, making it accessible for users to manage payroll and other HR functions effectively.
Cons
- Some users find the invoices lacking in detail, making it difficult to link specific items to employees or understand the charges fully.
- Updating employee data in mass can be cumbersome and requires requesting a specific file, which could be streamlined.
- The information provided when opening a new site could be improved to help customers better understand the implications and processes involved.
- Papaya Global's services can be more expensive compared to competitors.
- Some users have experienced communication challenges and delays in resolving invoice disputes.
3
Rippling
Pricing
$8.00 per user/month
- No Seat Minimum
Rippling’s contract management streamlines the complex process of hiring, paying, and managing contractors globally. It allows companies to compliantly pay contractors anywhere in the world, enhancing their experience while simplifying compliance. Rippling’s platform ensures efficient administration by handling locally compliant contracts, intuitive payment processes, and managing all contractor-related tasks in one centralized place. Contractors can easily submit invoices, undergo KYC verification, enter payroll details, and even receive a company email address through a seamless onboarding process. Automation features reduce manual errors, ensuring that invoices and payments are processed swiftly and accurately, thus boosting overall productivity and control.
Rippling Key Features:
- Global Contractor Management: Compliantly hire and pay contractors worldwide, enhancing their experience and simplifying compliance.
- Simple Administration: Onboard contractors in over 185 countries within minutes, manage locally compliant contracts, and streamline payment processes.
- Global Automation: Automate contractor processes, from invoice generation to payroll, reducing manual errors and ensuring timely payments.
Pros
- Many users appreciate Rippling's intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, which simplifies HR and payroll tasks.
- It offers a wide range of features including payroll management, time tracking, benefits administration, and more, all integrated into one platform.
- Rippling integrates well with other software systems like QuickBooks, which reduces manual data entry and streamlines accounting processes.
- It's praised for its ability to handle global HR needs such as compliance and payroll across different countries, making it suitable for multinational companies.
- Many users find customer support to be responsive and helpful.
Cons
- The pricing is often cited as a downside, particularly for small businesses, as some features and add-ons can be expensive.
- Several users mentioned difficulties during the implementation process, including overpromising features and delays in functionality.
- Additional features such as advanced reporting and automation come at an extra cost.
- There are complaints about inconsistent support quality and delays in issue resolution during critical times.
- Despite its user-friendly interface, there's still a learning curve for fully utilizing all features effectively, especially for complex organizational needs.
Pricing
Contact sales for pricing
- Free trial available
- No Seat Minimum
TalentDesk offers a comprehensive contractor management solution designed to streamline your operations and enhance efficiency. With customizable onboarding processes and seamless task allocation, managing your contractor workforce becomes effortless. The platform integrates operations, payments automation, and global compliance measures, ensuring that you can handle everything from one centralized location without the usual administrative burdens.
TalentDesk Key Features:
- End-to-end Contractor Management: Simplify contractor onboarding and management with customizable workflows and efficient task allocation.
- Payments Automation: Automate payments across 190+ countries and 55+ currencies, ensuring timely and hassle-free transactions.
- Global Compliance: As a dedicated global Agent of Record (AOR) service, TalentDesk manages contractor contracts to ensure legal compliance and protect your business interests.
Pros
- Users appreciate the ability to approve worksheets once or twice a month, streamlining the payment process for freelancers.
- Positive feedback on customer support indicates that the platform is responsive and helpful, addressing user concerns promptly.
- Multiple users highlight the user-friendly interface and logical design making it easier to manage tasks, projects, and invoices without getting overwhelmed by a complicated system.
- Provides a centralized and unified system for managing expenses, invoices, and payments.
- Users appreciate clear communication and onboarding features, creating a seamless experience for all parties involved. This includes features such as a unified database for resources, project tracking, and transparent billing cycles.
Cons
- Some users find that access levels can become complicated, especially when dealing with projects previously owned by someone else. This creates challenges in locating projects and worksheets if proper access is not granted.
- There's a desire for improved automation, specifically in recognizing regularly invoiced amounts to reduce manual data entry. Users express a wish for the system to automatically recognize and fill in some invoice details.
- A recurring concern is the lack of visibility for worksheets on the task page. Users find it challenging to have worksheets easily accessible and visible against specific tasks in one centralized location.
- Some users express a desire for the platform to support multiple base currencies. The lack of this feature can lead to challenges when paying providers in their preferred currency, especially in the face of foreign exchange fluctuations.
- Users report encountering minor bugs and occasional crashes that may disrupt their workflow. However, the issues seem to be addressed swiftly by the platform's support team.
5
Remote
Pricing
$29.00 per user/month
- Free trial available
- No Seat Minimum
Remote contract management enables businesses to handle their global contractor workforce efficiently, offering streamlined processes and robust compliance measures. With built-in automation tools, companies can manage contractors effortlessly. The platform provides significant cost savings by ensuring charges only for active contractors.
Remote Key Features:
- Powerful Automation Tools: Centralized platform with advanced automation for onboarding, invoicing, and payments.
- Cost Efficiency: Automatic detection of active contractors and compliance cost reduction.
- Risk Mitigation: Localized contracts and protection against contractor misclassification risks.
Pros
- The platform automatically converts USD to the local currency, saving time and effort for freelancers.
- Payments are consistently timely and accurate, providing peace of mind for users.
- The platform is easy to navigate, making it accessible even for those not tech-savvy.
- Quick and helpful customer support is readily available for any issues that arise.
- Centralizes billing, invoicing, and time-off requests, making it a one-stop solution for remote work management.
Cons
- The interface can sometimes feel overwhelming with too many features.
- Users need to manually adjust invoices for dynamic notes, which can be cumbersome.
- While helpful, the support team can sometimes be slow to respond.
- More comprehensive guides on tax and legal matters for international users would be beneficial.
- Occasionally, payment processing times can be lengthy, which might be inconvenient for some users.
6
OnPay
Pricing
Contact sales for pricing
- No Seat Minimum
OnPay offers comprehensive contract management solutions designed to streamline payroll, HR, and benefits administration for small businesses. With OnPay, businesses can efficiently handle payroll processing, tax filings, and employee benefits management through a user-friendly interface that integrates seamlessly with accounting software and other tools.
OnPay Key Features:
- Integrated Payroll Processing: Simplify payroll with automated calculations, tax deductions, and easy payment processing for both employees and contractors.
- HR Management: Efficiently onboard new hires, manage employee records, and simplify HR tasks to ensure compliance and streamline team management.
- Employee Benefits Administration: Offer integrated benefits management to support employee well-being and retention, including options for healthcare, retirement plans, and more.
Pros
- OnPay is praised for its intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making payroll processing straightforward even for those without extensive payroll experience.
- Users frequently mention the helpfulness and responsiveness of OnPay's customer support team. Issues are resolved quickly, and support staff are knowledgeable.
- OnPay is noted for being reasonably priced, offering a good value for the features provided. The absence of tiered pricing is also appreciated.
- The ability to process payroll from anywhere with an internet connection, including mobile devices, adds flexibility for users.
- OnPay provides detailed and easy-to-understand reports, which are beneficial for audits and other financial reviews.
Cons
- Some users find that the mobile version of OnPay lacks certain features available on the desktop version. Additionally, the app is currently available only for Apple devices, with no Android version.
- Several users have noted difficulties during the onboarding process, citing a lack of detailed instructions or support.
- While customer service is highly rated, the limited support hours can be inconvenient for users needing assistance outside of peak times.
- Certain tasks, such as fixing dates for payroll runs, require manual intervention.
- Users have mentioned a desire for more robust HR tools, including templates for onboarding and digital signatures for documents like W-4s and I-9s.
7
Oyster
Pricing
$29.00 per user/month
- Free trial available
- No Seat Minimum
Oyster streamlines global contractor management by automating hiring, onboarding, payment, and management processes. It allows you to hire contractors compliantly across 180+ countries, ensuring local compliance and simplifying contractor compensation. The platform provides a centralized dashboard to manage invoices, expenses, and other contract terms, mitigating the risk of misclassification with aggregate protection up to USD 500,000. With Oyster, your HR team can focus on building a powerful, globally diverse team without the administrative burden.
Oyster Key Features:
- Global Compliance: Hire contractors across 180+ countries with locally compliant contracts.
- Efficient Payments: Simplify contractor payments in 140+ currencies, whether pay-as-you-go or fixed schedules.
- Centralized Management: Manage invoices, expenses, and contract terms from a single dashboard, reducing administrative workload.
Pros
- The Oyster team is supportive and responsive, providing guidance during the hiring process and engaging professionally with both clients and candidates.
- Users appreciate the platform's user-friendly interface, making tasks like onboarding and payroll management smooth and efficient.
- The platform offers clear invoicing and provides transparency regarding employment costs, ensuring no hidden fees or surprises.
- Businesses can expand globally without the need for establishing legal entities, offering a turnkey solution for hiring in different countries.
- Oyster provides professionally crafted contracts and documentation, including trilateral IP agreements, adding sophistication to HR processes.
Cons
- Users have experienced delays in receiving responses to queries, particularly regarding payroll and invoicing.
- Some users express dissatisfaction with the lack of immediate access to support through means other than email.
- The upfront deposit requirement of a month's salary and fee can pose a challenge for businesses, impacting cash flow, particularly for those in a growth phase.
- Users have reported occasional inconsistencies in payroll processing and communication with customer support.
- While Oyster is praised for its integration efforts, such as with Expensify, some users have encountered challenges with incomplete integrations or manual processes, impacting efficiency and time management.
8
Gusto
Pricing
46.00 per user/month
- Free trial available
- No Seat Minimum
Gusto simplifies contract management with its comprehensive platform designed to streamline payments and administrative tasks for contractors and employees alike. Businesses can easily onboard, pay, and manage contractors from anywhere, ensuring smooth operations across remote teams.
Gusto Key Features:
- Automated Payroll and Taxes: Gusto automates payroll processes and tax filings. Contractors can self-onboard online, receive automatic payday notifications, and access necessary tax forms effortlessly.
- Transparent Pricing: With Gusto, businesses pay a per-person fee that covers unlimited payments, direct deposits, tax filings, and pay stubs. There are no additional fees for setting up or filing 1099s.
- Flexible Growth: The platform supports the addition of benefits like health insurance and automates tasks such as new hire reporting, ensuring continuity and efficiency in business growth.
Pros
- Gusto's user-friendly interface simplifies payroll processing, making it accessible even for those without extensive payroll experience.
- Beyond payroll, Gusto offers benefits administration, time tracking, onboarding, and compliance management, providing a holistic HR solution.
- Users frequently commend Gusto's responsive and helpful customer support team, which assists with setup and ongoing issues.
- Gusto ensures accurate and timely filing of state and federal tax reports, reducing the risk of penalties.
- The platform is competitively priced, making it a cost-effective solution for small businesses.
Cons
- Some users have experienced delays in paycheck deposits.
- Assigning different vacation amounts to employees can be challenging, and some users find the customization options limited.
- Gusto generates payroll invoices at the end of each month, which cannot be paid in advance.
- During peak periods, such as tax season, customer support response times can be slow.
- Some advanced features, like integrating unemployment insurance or transitioning contractors to employees, have been problematic for certain users.
Pricing
Contact sales for pricing
- Free trial available
Fiverr Enterprise offers a comprehensive contract management solution tailored for businesses working with independent contractors, freelancers, and consultants. This platform alleviates financial, administrative, and legal complexities, enabling companies to source, hire, onboard, manage, and pay freelancers efficiently while ensuring compliance. Fiverr Enterprise supports rapid onboarding, streamlining the entire freelance management process.
Fiverr Enterprise Key Features:
- Holistic Control: Build and manage a private, vetted talent pool with full visibility into freelance activities and costs.
- Risk Mitigation: An AI engine monitors freelance relationships and legal documents, alerting users to risks to prevent worker misclassification.
- Consolidated Payments: Flexible global payment options for freelancers, supporting various methods, currencies, and countries.
Pros
- Offers a vast pool of top-tier freelancers with diverse skills, allowing users to assemble a highly specialized team tailored to specific project requirements.
- The platform provides a user-friendly interface, making it easy to navigate and manage projects from launch to completion.
- Has a transparent pricing structure with detailed cost information, enabling better budgeting and avoiding surprises during project execution.
- Client support is quick to respond and attentive.
- Simplified payment process for freelancers, ensuring consistency and reliability in pay cycles.
Cons
- Some users report occasional issues while interacting with the website.
- The platform's language may not always match the clients, and although customization options are available, there are instances where language inconsistencies persist.
- Suggestions for more detailed information, such as rate conversion used for payments, to enhance transparency in the payment process.
- Users express a desire for more flexibility in changing payment cycle dates independently.
- There is no mobile version of Fiverr Enterprise.
Pricing
Contact sales for pricing
WorkMarket® by ADP® is a comprehensive platform designed to streamline the management of independent contractors. It simplifies the process of onboarding, verifying, and paying 1099 workers and freelancers, ensuring compliance and efficiency. WorkMarket centralizes all work assignments, making it easier to manage tasks from a single platform. By automating many administrative tasks, businesses can focus on growth rather than being bogged down by manual processes.
WorkMarket® by ADP® Key Features:
- Automated Onboarding and Verification: Efficiently onboard independent contractors at scale, including automated verification of tax ID, Form W-9, and bank account information.
- Centralized Work Assignment Management: Manage all work assignments in one place, ensuring timely completion and tracking worker progression.
- Compliance Support: Automate compliance processes, including furnishing and filing 1099-NEC forms, and enforce business requirements with systematic guardrails.
Pros
- ADP provides a seamless integration of payroll, benefits, and HR functions, allowing small businesses to manage all aspects of employee administration from one platform.
- Users frequently mention the high quality of customer service, including dedicated account managers who are knowledgeable about their specific needs.
- The system simplifies payroll processing, making it easy and efficient, which is particularly beneficial for small businesses.
- ADP offers affordable health insurance plans for employees, which can be a significant advantage for small businesses looking to provide competitive benefits.
- ADP helps businesses stay compliant with ever-changing laws and regulations, reducing the administrative burden and risk of non-compliance.
Cons
- Users often find it difficult to locate and customize reports, which can be a significant drawback for businesses needing specific data for decision-making.
- The service tends to be more expensive than some competitors, which might be a consideration for small businesses with tighter budgets.
- The platform can be tricky to navigate, requiring many clicks to find specific information, which can be time-consuming for users.
- There are instances of slow response times from customer support, which can be frustrating when dealing with urgent issues.
- Some users experience difficulties with seamless integration, particularly with features like 401k and workers' comp integration into the General Ledger, requiring manual interventions.
Conclusion
It's important to select the right contractor management software for your business, as it can greatly improve your business operations by ensuring efficiency, compliance, and effective contractor management. The choice of the appropriate contractor management software depends on your business size, budget, and specific needs. Deel and Papaya Global are great options for global compliance and payroll, while platforms like Fiverr Enterprise and TalentDesk offer strong project management tools. For smaller businesses, Gusto and OnPay provide affordable and user-friendly choices. Compare your needs with these platforms to find the best fit for your contractor management.
