Payroll Software Reviews Surge 90% as Global Transparency Deadlines Loom

Event summary

  • G2 recorded a 90% year-over-year increase in payroll software reviews, totaling over 30,000 in the past 12 months.
  • RemotePeople, Employment Hero, and Keka emerged as top-trending products in the Payroll & HR Tech category.
  • The surge coincides with the EU Pay Transparency Directive 2023/970, effective June 2026, mandating pay gap data publication for employers with 100+ employees.
  • 16 U.S. states have enacted pay transparency laws as of January 2026, aligning with global regulatory trends.

The big picture

The 90% surge in payroll software reviews reflects a strategic shift driven by impending regulatory deadlines, particularly the EU Pay Transparency Directive. As global employers face mandates for pay gap data publication and real-time compensation visibility, payroll platforms are evolving to offer stronger pay equity functionality and seamless integration with broader HR systems. This trend underscores the growing importance of compliance-ready solutions in the HR tech landscape.

What we're watching

Regulatory Compliance
How the pace of global pay transparency regulations will impact payroll software adoption and feature development.
Market Consolidation
Whether RemotePeople, Employment Hero, and Keka can sustain their momentum amid increasing competition in the payroll software category.
Integration Trends
The extent to which payroll platforms will continue to integrate with HRIS, time tracking, and benefits administration systems to meet compliance needs.