Alicia SerratoPayroll mistakes can ruin a day or an entire business. Missed deadlines or delayed paychecks don’t just frustrate employees, but they can also trigger fines and a ton of unnecessary stress.
I’ve watched a friend struggle through it all, juggling spreadsheets and trying to make sense of deductions, only to realize payroll wasn’t something you can “wing.”
That’s why having a reliable payroll service isn’t just convenient — it’s essential. To save you from the same headaches, I’ve rounded up the best payroll services in San Antonio that actually handle the work correctly, on time, and without drama.
Whether you’re a small business or a growing company, this list makes sure you get payday right every time.
How much do payroll services cost in San Antonio?
Payroll services in San Antonio typically cost $40–$180 monthly, plus $4–$20 per employee. Extra features such as tax filing, direct deposit, or HR support can increase the total cost.
1. Payroll Vault
Address: 2101 Lockhill Selma Rd # 206, 78213
Contact Details: +1 210-996-2753
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
Payroll Vault is veteran‑owned, led by Sean and Rebecca Pettit, who bring over 45 years of combined military and professional experience. Their local presence ensures you get a dedicated payroll specialist, not a generic call center rep.
Their payroll services cover federal and state tax filing, deductions, and year-end reporting like W‑2s. I also like the flexibility in payment options, including direct deposit and pay cards, which makes life easier for employees.
Time tracking and attendance are handled well, with web-based clocks, mobile apps, and even biometric or GPS options.
The secure online portal impressed me, as both business owners and employees can view reports anytime. Plus, the system enforces compliance rules like overtime, PTO, and break policies, reducing payroll errors.
I appreciate their no-annual-contract policy, which makes trying their services feel low-risk for small businesses.
On the flip side, for very small businesses that only need DIY payroll, their full-service model could feel like overkill and may be more expensive than necessary.
Incredibly knowledgeable and supportive
“We recently transitioned our payroll business to Payroll Vault, and we must admit, we were a bit apprehensive about the change. However, Payroll Vault has far exceeded our expectations! Their team is incredibly knowledgeable and supportive. Adela, our dedicated account representative, played a pivotal role in setting up our company, even handling our unique requests with ease. Karla, our “master coder”, effortlessly resolved any technical challenges we encountered. What truly impressed us is Payroll Vault’s friendliness and patience as we navigate the new system. Unlike our previous payroll company, which always seemed preoccupied and dismissive of our inquiries, Payroll Vault has consistently demonstrated a positive and prompt response to any issues we may have. Adela and Karla have been instrumental in resolving our concerns, and we have no doubt that we will continue to be delighted with their service for years to come.”
– Julie Malone, Google Review
Patient and informative
“My client manager is Adela. She is wonderful and helps me with everything I need. Adela works with me on three different accounts and is patient and informative. I appreciate your hard work and dedication to Payroll Vault and appreciate you being such a great Client Manager. 💕💕”
– Delma Barron, Google Review
2. ABS Payroll & HR Solutions
Address: 1777 NE Interstate 410 Loop, Suite 600, 78217
Contact Details: +1 210-366-4667
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
ABS Payroll & HR Solutions stands out with its “Employer on the Go” platform. It’s a fully cloud-based system that lets employers run payroll, onboard new hires, and manage HR tasks securely from any device.
Their payroll options are flexible, supporting multiple pay methods. These include direct deposit and pay cards, making it easier to meet different employee preferences. I was also impressed by the timekeeping features.
They’ve integrated browser and mobile clock-ins with facial recognition technology—no extra hardware required. It’s a straightforward way to track employee hours and manage PTO, all in one place.
Another feature worth highlighting is the dashboard analytics and reporting tools. Employers can generate detailed payroll reports, run analytics, and export data directly from the dashboard, giving real visibility and control over finances.
However, businesses that are already using a dedicated HRIS or benefits platform might face some overlap or require data migration when integrating ABS into their existing systems.
Most helpful people I have ever met
“ABS Payroll has been a life saver for us! In the past five years we have been with two different HR/Payroll companies and we were always disappointed, mainly with bad customer service. We were looking for a new payroll company and were hesitant to hire a smaller one, but Garrett promised excellent customer service and they have not disappointed us! I work with Marty regularly and he is one of the most helpful people I have ever met. They also have great benefit partners that share their customer service values. I would recommend ABS to everyone!”
– Jenny Pogue, Google Review
Up-to-date software and compatibility with today’s technology
“Can’t say enough great things about this company. We are recently new business owners and have the pleasure of working with ABS and it’s employees to ease our transition into payroll and elevate our professionalism. Amongst the great things this company has going for it and its up to date software and compatibility with todays technology, we have no negative comments of its work staff either. Garrett and Marty have both gone above and beyond to make online payroll easy to understand and answer your questions within a moments notice.”
– Cat Moehrig, Google Review
3. Legacy Employer Solutions
Address: 503 Med Ct, Suite 105, 78258
Contact Details: +1 210-471-2185
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
Legacy Employer Solutions handles full payroll processing. This includes 940/941 tax payments, direct deposit, and pay cards.
They also manage garnishments and year-end W‑2s, which makes running payroll much less stressful for business owners.
Their cloud-based payroll system impressed me. It keeps everything accessible and secure, letting employers and HR partners run payroll and view reports from anywhere.
The custom reporting was another highlight. I ran a job-costing report during my demo, and it was eye-opening to see labor costs broken down by department and project.
A facilities manager I spoke with said it gave her team insights they didn’t have before, helping them plan budgets more effectively.
Because Legacy operates as a full-service PEO, payroll is just one part of what they offer. They handle HR, risk management, and safety, guiding clients through complex regulations.
But it’s worth noting that the co-employment model can take some getting used to, especially for businesses used to handling payroll in-house.
Detailed explanation of services
“Thank you Erica Yvonne for the detailed explanation of how you can help small businesses!!!”
– Giselle Mascarenhas, Google Review
Great experience
“Great experience with Erica Perez.”
– Sabrina Walker Hernandez, Google Review
4. Mendoza & Associates LLC
Address: 2145 NW Military Hwy #102, 78213
Contact Details: +1 210-960-9021
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
Mendoza & Associates can fully manage payroll, from printing checks and handling direct deposit to filing taxes. They also prepare W‑2s, W‑3s, 1099s, and new-hire reports.
A local business owner switched to Mendoza last year and shared her experience. She said their detailed reports, including those tracking vacation and sick leave accruals, provided insights she never had with her old system.
I found these specialized reports helpful for businesses tracking labor costs across departments or projects. They also provide certified reports for workers’ comp and child support, creating a strong compliance safety net.
Their secure online portal also deserves mention. I had the chance to test it myself and found it convenient for entering hours, running payroll, and accessing reports remotely.
They even offered to import previously run payroll data, which is a nice touch for businesses transitioning from manual systems.
But one consideration is the reliance of their online system on manual entry of hours. For larger teams or businesses managing high-volume payroll, this could prove somewhat time-consuming.
Always helpful and responds quickly
“Patricia and her team are amazing!! She is always so helpful and responds quickly. We had an issue with the dates of our payroll being incorrect the day payroll was getting approved, I’m talking like minutes before it needed to get done, and she resolved it as we were on the phone! Her and her team are great to work with. Thank you for everything Patricia.”
– Admin Titan, Google Review
Helps navigate the tricky topics of payroll and taxes
“I highly recommend Mendoza and Associates for anyone looking for a qualified and professional team to handle their finances regardless of their business, big or small. I made the decision to switch to them a year ago after my previous CPA left me feeling clueless, constantly asking questions, and abandoned when it came to their lack of communication. Since switching, I have been able to grow my business and focus on the things that matter most like my clients and my team. Pat and her team have always been willing to go above and beyond to answer any of my questions, guiding me through better understanding my financials, but most importantly helping me navigate the tricky topics of payroll and taxes. My bookkeeping, which was previously a mess, is now easier to understand and navigate that allows me to make smarter and well informed decisions with the help of Mendoza and Associates. I appreciate how they have cared for my business (Bluebonnet Cleaning Service, LLC) like their own and continue to treat me like family.”
– Martin Salinas, Google Review
5. Cloud Bookkeeping, LLC
Address: 2915 W Bitters Rd, Suite 115, 78248
Contact Details: +1 210-955-9533
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
Cloud Bookkeeping, LLC offers full-service payroll as part of its bookkeeping packages. The integration is definitely one of its biggest strengths.
Since payroll runs through either QuickBooks’ built-in module or a connected third-party system, everything stays tightly aligned with your financial records.
That kind of accuracy is a major win for businesses that rely heavily on clean books.
I also found real value in how their payroll ties directly into their advisory services.
Because they’re already managing your books, they can flag cash-flow concerns, labor-cost trends, or budgeting issues before they turn into bigger problems.
Their compliance support is solid too. They handle federal and state tax deposits, assist with direct-deposit bank verification, and keep reporting consistent so you’re not scrambling at quarter or year-end.
The only caveat is that payroll isn’t available as a standalone option. You have to be a bookkeeping client.
While this setup does improve accuracy and communication, it can also mean higher costs if you only want payroll and don’t really need ongoing bookkeeping.
Exhibited unparalleled professionalism and expertise
“I do not write reviews often, but I am compelled to express my utmost admiration for Cloud Bookkeeping. There are not enough stars on Google that seems adequate to capture the excellence of their service. From the outset, Niels and Joshua exhibited unparalleled professionalism and expertise, guiding me through the process of rectifying our disorganized financial records with remarkable efficiency. The ongoing communication maintained by their team has been nothing short of exemplary. Recently, I had the privilege of engaging with Marshall from their management cadre to address certain adjustments, and the encounter was marked by seamless cooperation and constructive dialogue, leaving a lasting positive impression. Cloud Bookkeeping epitomizes reliability, responsiveness, and a commitment to client satisfaction. I wholeheartedly endorse their services, with particular commendation for Joshua Garcia, whose dedication and proficiency have been instrumental in steering our business towards financial stability and success.”
– Jacob Elser, Google Review
Always been very responsive
“I am a small businessman who has relied on Cloud bookkeeping for several years. Niels, the operations officer, has always been very responsive to my requests with a professional and friendly manner. I recently had the opportunity to work with a Cloud Bookkeeping accountant, Joshua Garcia. It’s readily apparent that Cloud Bookkeeping has been able to attract very competent accountants. Joshua has been providing first rate service to my company. I am pleased to have him as my go to guy.”
– Costa Brown, Google Review
