Payroll Software for Small Businesses
In small businesses, there's little time for administrative tasks. Payroll must be processed on time and accurately every month, including reports, special cases, and inquiries.
cleverlohn combines payroll software and payroll service.
You enter the relevant changes into the platform. Payroll is handled by payroll professionals. Before the final payroll, you receive a draft for review and approval.
From 13 € per payroll. No basic fee. All-inclusive.
- Dedicated contact person
- Trial payroll before final dispatch
- Clear monthly closing with approval
- Digital payroll documents for employees
“cleverlohn offers us competent support, short communication channels, and reliable processing. For us, the decision to outsource payroll was absolutely right.”
Frannz-Club
Managing Director
"What I appreciate most is the quick response. When we have questions, we're guaranteed to get a clear answer the same day. Cleverlohn thinks proactively and follows up on timesheets before errors can even arise."
Vanessa W.
Management & Operations (3 locations)
The Benefits of cleverlohn payroll
for small businesses
Small businesses don't need an overloaded tool. They need a setup that runs smoothly month after month.
- Less internal effort through clear processes
You work with a fixed monthly process: update data, confirm month-end closing, review trial payroll, approve. This makes payroll more predictable and less time-consuming.
- Greater certainty through expert implementation
Payroll professionals prepare the payroll. Plausibility checks and trial payroll runs ensure that errors are detected early and corrections are less frequently needed.
- Fewer inquiries thanks to digital documents
Payrolls and relevant documents are centrally available. Employees can access documents themselves, significantly reducing internal inquiries.
- Better predictability through a transparent pricing model
You pay per payroll run. The model is structured to ensure monthly costs remain transparent.
Digital Processes in Detail: digital payroll
The 7 most important requirements
for payroll software for small businesses
If you have 1–50 employees, payroll software should primarily deliver one thing: security without stress.
This checklist will help you compare providers effectively.
1. Quick Start Instead of an Implementation Project
The solution should work without installation and be intuitive enough for your team to get started quickly.
2. Clear Monthly Process
It's important to have a process that works the same every month: clear tasks, clear status, clear approval.
3. Plausibility Checks and Data Validation
Automatic checks help detect common errors early, such as those related to tax characteristics, secondary jobs, or variable payments.
4. Trial Payroll Run Before Final Processing
A trial payroll run provides transparency before reports and documents are finally generated.
5. Central Document Storage
All payroll documents should be stored in a structured manner and easily retrievable. For companies and employees.
6. Expert Support
In special cases, expert support is crucial. A dedicated contact person speeds up clarifications and reduces uncertainties.
7. Transparent Pricing Model
Pay attention to which services are included and which are charged extra, such as certificates, reports, or corrections.
How it works our payroll services
for small businesses
In practice, effort often arises in two areas: consolidating data and processing payroll correctly. This is precisely where the combination of platform and service helps.
Here's how a month with cleverlohn works:
- You enter changes (e.g., hours, allowances, absences).
- You confirm the monthly closing.
- You review the draft payroll and approve it.
- cleverlohn prepares the final payroll and provides documents digitally.
What you do monthly:
- Enter changes
- Confirm month-end closing
- Approve trial payroll
What cleverlohn handles:
- Prepare professional billing
- Implement process and reporting logic
- Provide documents
- Support for queries and special cases
Result:
- Less Internal Coordination
- Fewer Corrections
- Greater Monthly Reliability
Learn more about Payroll Outsourcing.
In 3 simple steps Payroll for Small Businesses
We make getting started easy:
Submit data once, and everything runs automatically. No disruptions due to holidays or sickness, because we're always here for you.
- Step 1: Submit data.
We retrieve all employee master data from your previous system or invite them to provide it. Everything is done in minutes. - Step 2: Use the platform.
Enter hours, absences, and allowances. Everything is automatically verified. - Step 3: Get your statement.
We generate, verify, and deliver: Ready for payout via email, portal, or mail.
What does good payroll software cost? really for small businesses?
When comparing, it's not just the initial price that matters, but the total costs in everyday use.
Typical cost drivers in practice are:
- Additional charges per report or certificate
- Costs for corrections or special cases
- internal time expenditure (review, queries, rework)
cleverlohn makes costs transparent:
- From €13 per payroll.
- No base fee.
- Service included.
One price for all.
Our All-Inclusive Price: As simple as cleverlohn
Always plan with confidence. No base fee. No additional costs.
cleverlohn
- Dedicated payroll specialist included
- All HR software features included
- Employee access included
- Base priceincl.
- Employee registration and deregistrationincl.
- Certificates, such as employment certificatesincl.
- Annual reportsincl.
- Communication flat feeincl.
Other providers
- Personal payroll accountant included
- All HR software functions included
- Employee access included
- Base price18 €
- Onboarding and offboarding of employees18 €
- Certificates, such as employment certificates15 €
- Annual declarations20 €
- Communication flat rate15 €
Keep costs in check with cleverlohn.
What does it cost good payroll software?
 | other payroll software | tax consultancy firm | traditional payroll offices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Model | Software + Service | Self-Service | Law Firm System Setup | Service |
Effort | low | higher | medium | gering |
Sicherheit | hoch | abhängig vom Know-How | hoch (abhängig vom Setup) | abhängig vom Anbieter |
Ansprechpartner | persönlich | je nach Paket | über Kanzlei | je Anbieter |
Preistransparenz | pro Abrechnung, | variiert | variiert | variiert |
So einfach ist der Wechsel zur Lohnsoftware
für Kleinunternehmen
Ein Wechsel bei der Lohnabrechnung fühlt sich für viele kleine Unternehmen groß an, weil Daten sensibel sind und Fristen sitzen müssen. Genau deshalb ist der Wechsel bei cleverlohn geführt und klar strukturiert: Du weißt jederzeit, was als Nächstes passiert und welche Infos wirklich gebraucht werden.
So läuft der Wechsel typischerweise ab:
- Daten übernehmen & sauber strukturieren
Stammdaten von Unternehmen und Mitarbeitenden werden gesammelt und in der Plattform organisiert. So entsteht eine stabile Grundlage für den ersten Abrechnungslauf.
- Monatlichen Ablauf festlegen
Damit es später schnell geht, wird der Monatsprozess einmal sauber aufgesetzt: Welche Änderungen trägst du ein? Bis wann erfolgt der Monatsabschluss? Was wird freigegeben?
- Erste Abrechnung mit zusätzlicher Sicherheit
Vor dem finalen Lauf erhältst du eine Probeabrechnung zur Prüfung und Freigabe. Dadurch siehst du das Ergebnis vorab und kannst Anpassungen anstoßen, bevor es final wird.
Die relevanten Informationen werden strukturiert übernommen und sauber angelegt. Im ersten Monat sorgt eine Probeabrechnung für zusätzliche Sicherheit, bevor final abgerechnet wird. Sonderfälle werden fachlich begleitet und korrekt abgebildet.
Our
cleverlohn is more than just payroll processing: All-in-one payroll service & HR platform. No extra costs. No surprises. Everything included.
Personal Support
If you have specific questions, just reach out to your dedicated payroll accountant directly via email, chat, or phone.
Payslip
online
Invite all employees to manage their own personal data and download their payslip.
100% Transparency, Anytime
Deadlines, confirmed monthly closings, processing statuses, and processed employees in your calendar overview.
Flexible Master Data Management
Not every month is the same. Easily record all working hours, absences, and special payments online.
Timely Reminders
To ensure timely payroll processing, we send you reminders for the approval of all relevant data.
Tax Advisor Integration
We handle the integration of your and create the interface for a smooth process
Reliable payroll processing with cleverlohn.
Frequently asked questions from small businesses
What does payroll software + service mean at cleverlohn?
What does payroll software + service mean at cleverlohn?
You work in the platform and maintain changes relevant to payroll (e.g. hours, absences, variable payments). The actual payroll is processed by payroll professionals. You retain control over the monthly closing and approval and do not have to work through payroll logic and special cases alone.
What services are included?
What services are included?
At its core, you get the combination of platform and professional execution: structured data collection, a guided monthly process, payroll preparation by payroll professionals, digital delivery of payroll documents, as well as support for questions and special cases. The details included in the package depend on your setup. The core idea remains: a clear process, reliable payroll.
How does the trial payroll run work?
How does the trial payroll run work?
Before the final run, you will receive a trial payroll run for review. You see the results in advance and approve them as soon as everything is correct. Only then is the final payroll run processed and provided. This reduces corrections and ensures security in the monthly closing.
What company sizes is cleverlohn suitable for?
What company sizes is cleverlohn suitable for?
cleverlohn is particularly suitable for small businesses that want to map payroll digitally and at the same time value professional quality and personal support. Typically in the range of 1–50 employees. However, cleverlohn is scalable, grows with you, and is also ideal for companies with more employees.
Can employees retrieve their payroll documents themselves?
Can employees retrieve their payroll documents themselves?
Yes. Payroll documents are provided digitally and stored centrally. Employees can retrieve their documents themselves, without you having to send or forward each document individually.
Can I continue to work with my tax advisor?
Can I continue to work with my tax advisor?
Yes. cleverlohn can be integrated into existing processes. It is important that the process is cleanly coordinated so that relevant data flows reliably and your company remains well-positioned.
Why should I choose cleverlohn?
Why should I choose cleverlohn?
cleverlohn means: trained and experienced specialists, clear processes even outside of the web app, and full team commitment to handling your payroll.
Go to the Payroll App
The heart of your payroll management
What other companies say about cleverlohn's payroll software.
Fahrwerk GzR
Mehr als zufrieden endlich eine Lösung für die Lohnbuchhaltung gefunden zu haben. Reaktionszeit stets innerhalb von Minuten und für die verschiedensten Fälle und Angelegenheiten mit den richtigen Antworten bereit stehend. Weiter so!
Geschäftsführer der KNH
Die Idee von cleverlohn war für uns ausschlaggebend – jung, dynamisch und digital. Dieser Ansatz hat uns überzeugt, weil wir immer nach einer sauberen, digitalen Lösung gesucht haben. Wir sind happy mit der Entscheidung, das extern zu machen.
lexhub
Wir haben mit cleverlohn seit über einem halben Jahr eine super Erfahrung gemacht. Immer pünktliche und korrekte Lohnscheine, sofortige Hilfe bei Fragen durch das Team, sowie wie ein einfacher digitaler Zugang mit allen Informationen ermöglichen uns mehr Zeit für strategische HR-Fragen.
spized
Wir schätzen den Einsatz von cleverlohn und unserer persönlichen Lohnbuchhalterin sehr und sind froh, dass wir jetzt endlich jemanden haben, der wirklich Ahnung von dem hat, was er tut.
Debtist
Die alte Lohnbuchhaltung war unglaublich intransparent und hat uns viel Zeit gekostet. Bei cleverlohn haben wir jetzt eine acht- bis zehnfache Zeitersparnis und deutlich weniger Aufwand.
Payroll handled? Talk to us now
We advise you personally, professionally, reliably, and cost-effectively.
Your team is ready.