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Payroll API Capability Matrix

Can you do what your product needs through a payroll system's own API? One row per payroll system, one plain question per column, and the answer in every cell — from each vendor's own documentation.

How to use this page

  1. Find your use case below. Each one shows only the columns it depends on.
  2. Read the answer in each cell. A dot means the vendor documents it; grey italic means nobody publishes an answer; plain grey means the vendor's docs show it is not offered.
  3. Click a system for the source link and exact wording behind every cell.

If a system does not expose what you need, the provider directory lists the unified APIs, consumer-permissioned APIs and verification databases that reach it another way.

Jump to:

Benefits and HSA/FSA deductions

You are a benefits platform, insurer or HSA/FSA administrator and need elections to land in payroll. 11 of 18 systems document the first column. Go deeper: Deduction write detail — tax treatment, amount vs percent, retro.

Payroll system Can you write a deduction?Can you read pay statements?How do you get API access?
ADP RUN Yes — start / change / stopYes — Payroll Output APIADP Marketplace partner
ADP Workforce Now Yes — Deduction Instruction APIYes — Pay Statements APIPartner or paid client program
Gusto Embedded Payroll Yes — benefits, garnishmentsYes — payrolls + pay stubsSelf-serve demo; partner for prod
Justworks Yes — REST APIYes — paystubsPartner program required
Paychex Yes — recurring deductionsUnprocessed checks onlyClient app key or Partner Program
Paycor Yes — add / updateYes — paystubsClient admin or partner
Paylocity Web Pay Yes — Upsert DeductionYes — detail + summaryCustomer or approved partner
QuickBooks Payroll Yes — GraphQL mutationsYes — payslipsPartner program required
Rippling Legacy 401(k) onlyGlobal Payroll customers onlyCustomer tokens; App Shop partners
Workday HCM Yes — Submit_Payroll_InputYes — Get_Payroll_ResultsCustomer tenant; public SOAP docs
Dayforce Yes — Payroll Election APIUnverified — pay summaries onlyCustomer-only; DDN registration
UKG Pro Unverified — read only foundYes — Pay Statements APICustomer service account
BambooHR Payroll No — benefits read onlyUnverifiedPublic docs, self-serve keys
isolved People Cloud UnverifiedUnverifiedPartner only (Marketplace)
Paycom UnverifiedUnverifiedNo public docs found
Square Payroll No payroll APINo payroll APIPublic docs, self-serve keys
Toast Payroll No payroll APINo payroll APIPartner or paid customer access
TriNet UnverifiedUnverified — spec behind loginApproval + customer authorisation

401(k) and retirement

You are a recordkeeper or plan provider and need contributions out and deferral changes back in. 11 of 18 systems document the first column. Go deeper: 401(k) providers and connectivity.

Payroll system Can you read pay statements?Can you write a deduction?Can you read employees and pay rates?
ADP RUN Yes — Payroll Output APIYes — start / change / stopYes — Workers API
ADP Workforce Now Yes — Pay Statements APIYes — Deduction Instruction APIYes — Workers API
Gusto Embedded Payroll Yes — payrolls + pay stubsYes — benefits, garnishmentsYes — employees, jobs, pay
Justworks Yes — paystubsYes — REST APIYes — members
Paychex Unprocessed checks onlyYes — recurring deductionsYes — REST read and write
Paycor Yes — paystubsYes — add / updateYes — REST read and write
Paylocity Web Pay Yes — detail + summaryYes — Upsert DeductionYes — REST read and write
QuickBooks Payroll Yes — payslipsYes — GraphQL mutationsYes — approved partners
Rippling Global Payroll customers onlyLegacy 401(k) onlyYes — workers + compensation
Workday HCM Yes — Get_Payroll_ResultsYes — Submit_Payroll_InputYes — Get_Workers
Dayforce Unverified — pay summaries onlyYes — Payroll Election APIYes — REST Employees
UKG Pro Yes — Pay Statements APIUnverified — read only foundYes — REST read
BambooHR Payroll UnverifiedNo — benefits read onlyYes — read and write
Square Payroll No payroll APINo payroll APIYes — Team API
Toast Payroll No payroll APINo payroll APIYes — Labor API
TriNet Unverified — spec behind loginUnverifiedYes — list employees
isolved People Cloud UnverifiedUnverifiedUnverified
Paycom UnverifiedUnverifiedUnverified

Income and employment verification

You are a lender, landlord or screener and need employment, pay rate and income history. 16 of 18 systems document the first column. Go deeper: Verification providers.

Payroll system Can you read employees and pay rates?Can you read pay statements?Can you read W-2s?
Gusto Embedded Payroll Yes — employees, jobs, payYes — payrolls + pay stubsYes — W-2 via employee forms
Paycor Yes — REST read and writeYes — paystubsYes — tax document links
Workday HCM Yes — Get_WorkersYes — Get_Payroll_ResultsYes — W-2 data (EFW2)
ADP RUN Yes — Workers APIYes — Payroll Output APIUnverified
ADP Workforce Now Yes — Workers APIYes — Pay Statements APIUnverified
Justworks Yes — membersYes — paystubsNot offered
Paychex Yes — REST read and writeUnprocessed checks onlyUnverified
Paylocity Web Pay Yes — REST read and writeYes — detail + summaryUnverified
QuickBooks Payroll Yes — approved partnersYes — payslipsUnverified
Rippling Yes — workers + compensationGlobal Payroll customers onlyUnverified
UKG Pro Yes — REST readYes — Pay Statements APIUnverified
BambooHR Payroll Yes — read and writeUnverifiedUnverified
Dayforce Yes — REST EmployeesUnverified — pay summaries onlyUnverified
Square Payroll Yes — Team APINo payroll APINo payroll API
Toast Payroll Yes — Labor APINo payroll APINo payroll API
TriNet Yes — list employeesUnverified — spec behind loginUnverified
isolved People Cloud UnverifiedUnverifiedUnverified
Paycom UnverifiedUnverifiedUnverified

Direct deposit switching

You are a bank or fintech and need a customer’s paycheck routed to a new account. 8 of 18 systems document the first column. Go deeper: Deposit switching providers.

Payroll system Can you write a direct deposit account?How do you get API access?How does an integration authenticate?
ADP RUN Yes — pay-distribution.changeADP Marketplace partnerOAuth 2.0 + mutual TLS
ADP Workforce Now Yes — Pay Distributions APIPartner or paid client programOAuth 2.0 + mutual TLS
Dayforce Yes — DirectDepositsCustomer-only; DDN registrationToken for a web-services user
Gusto Embedded Payroll Yes — bank accountsSelf-serve demo; partner for prodOAuth 2.0
Paychex Yes — add / update / removeClient app key or Partner ProgramOAuth 2.0 bearer (key/secret)
Paycor Yes — add / updateClient admin or partnerOAuth 2.0 + subscription key
Paylocity Web Pay Yes — via Update EmployeeCustomer or approved partnerOAuth 2.0 client credentials
Workday HCM Yes — payment electionsCustomer tenant; public SOAP docsISU / OAuth / WS-Security
BambooHR Payroll UnverifiedPublic docs, self-serve keysAPI key or OAuth 2.0
isolved People Cloud UnverifiedPartner only (Marketplace)Unverified
Justworks Not offeredPartner program requiredOAuth 2.0 authorisation code
Paycom UnverifiedNo public docs foundUnverified
QuickBooks Payroll UnverifiedPartner program requiredOAuth 2.0
Rippling UnverifiedCustomer tokens; App Shop partnersAPI token or OAuth 2.0
Square Payroll No payroll APIPublic docs, self-serve keysOAuth 2.0 or personal token
Toast Payroll No payroll APIPartner or paid customer accessOAuth 2.0 client credentials
TriNet UnverifiedApproval + customer authorisationOAuth 2.0 client credentials
UKG Pro Unverified — read only foundCustomer service accountBasic auth + API keys

Earned wage access

You offer on-demand pay and need hours and earnings before payday, as fresh as possible. 14 of 18 systems document the first column. Go deeper: EWA providers.

Payroll system Can you read hours worked?Can you read pay statements?Does it push change events?
ADP RUN Write only (Pay Data Input)Yes — Payroll Output APIEvent notifications
ADP Workforce Now Yes — team time cardsYes — Pay Statements APIYes — queue or webhook
Gusto Embedded Payroll Hours via payroll onlyYes — payrolls + pay stubsYes — subscriptions
Paychex Yes — separate T&A APIUnprocessed checks onlyYes — webhooks
Paycor Yes — hours and punchesYes — paystubsYes — event subscriptions
Paylocity Web Pay Yes — punch detailYes — detail + summaryYes — configured by Paylocity
QuickBooks Payroll Yes — TimeActivityYes — payslipsYes — payslips, employees
Rippling Yes — time entries and cardsGlobal Payroll customers onlyApp Shop partners only
UKG Pro Yes — Time Management ODataYes — Pay Statements APIYes — UKG Webhooks
Workday HCM Yes — time blocksYes — Get_Payroll_ResultsSubscriptions (Integration System)
BambooHR Payroll Yes — Time Tracking APIUnverifiedYes — employee events
Dayforce Yes — pay summaries, punchesUnverified — pay summaries onlyEvents via Integration Studio
Square Payroll Yes — Labor API timecardsNo payroll APIYes — labor and team events
Justworks Time off onlyYes — paystubsUnverified
Toast Payroll Yes — time entriesNo payroll APINo labor or payroll events
isolved People Cloud UnverifiedUnverifiedUnverified
Paycom UnverifiedUnverifiedUnverified
TriNet Unverified — time off only listedUnverified — spec behind loginUnverified

Full matrix

Every system, every question. Scroll sideways on narrow screens.

Payroll system API accessEmployeesPay statementsDeduction writeBank account writeTax formsHoursWebhooksAuth
ADP Workforce Now Partner or paid client programYes — Workers APIYes — Pay Statements APIYes — Deduction Instruction APIYes — Pay Distributions APIUnverifiedYes — team time cardsYes — queue or webhookOAuth 2.0 + mutual TLS
Paylocity Web Pay Customer or approved partnerYes — REST read and writeYes — detail + summaryYes — Upsert DeductionYes — via Update EmployeeUnverifiedYes — punch detailYes — configured by PaylocityOAuth 2.0 client credentials
Gusto Embedded Payroll Self-serve demo; partner for prodYes — employees, jobs, payYes — payrolls + pay stubsYes — benefits, garnishmentsYes — bank accountsYes — W-2 via employee formsHours via payroll onlyYes — subscriptionsOAuth 2.0
Rippling docs not public Customer tokens; App Shop partnersYes — workers + compensationGlobal Payroll customers onlyLegacy 401(k) onlyUnverifiedUnverifiedYes — time entries and cardsApp Shop partners onlyAPI token or OAuth 2.0
isolved People Cloud docs not public Partner only (Marketplace)UnverifiedUnverifiedUnverifiedUnverifiedUnverifiedUnverifiedUnverifiedUnverified
Paycor docs not public Client admin or partnerYes — REST read and writeYes — paystubsYes — add / updateYes — add / updateYes — tax document linksYes — hours and punchesYes — event subscriptionsOAuth 2.0 + subscription key
UKG Pro Customer service accountYes — REST readYes — Pay Statements APIUnverified — read only foundUnverified — read only foundUnverifiedYes — Time Management ODataYes — UKG WebhooksBasic auth + API keys
Paychex docs not public Client app key or Partner ProgramYes — REST read and writeUnprocessed checks onlyYes — recurring deductionsYes — add / update / removeUnverifiedYes — separate T&A APIYes — webhooksOAuth 2.0 bearer (key/secret)
Paycom docs not public No public docs foundUnverifiedUnverifiedUnverifiedUnverifiedUnverifiedUnverifiedUnverifiedUnverified
Workday HCM Customer tenant; public SOAP docsYes — Get_WorkersYes — Get_Payroll_ResultsYes — Submit_Payroll_InputYes — payment electionsYes — W-2 data (EFW2)Yes — time blocksSubscriptions (Integration System)ISU / OAuth / WS-Security
Dayforce docs not public Customer-only; DDN registrationYes — REST EmployeesUnverified — pay summaries onlyYes — Payroll Election APIYes — DirectDepositsUnverifiedYes — pay summaries, punchesEvents via Integration StudioToken for a web-services user
ADP RUN docs not public ADP Marketplace partnerYes — Workers APIYes — Payroll Output APIYes — start / change / stopYes — pay-distribution.changeUnverifiedWrite only (Pay Data Input)Event notificationsOAuth 2.0 + mutual TLS
QuickBooks Payroll Partner program requiredYes — approved partnersYes — payslipsYes — GraphQL mutationsUnverifiedUnverifiedYes — TimeActivityYes — payslips, employeesOAuth 2.0
Justworks Partner program requiredYes — membersYes — paystubsYes — REST APINot offeredNot offeredTime off onlyUnverifiedOAuth 2.0 authorisation code
TriNet docs not public Approval + customer authorisationYes — list employeesUnverified — spec behind loginUnverifiedUnverifiedUnverifiedUnverified — time off only listedUnverifiedOAuth 2.0 client credentials
Toast Payroll docs not public Partner or paid customer accessYes — Labor APINo payroll APINo payroll APINo payroll APINo payroll APIYes — time entriesNo labor or payroll eventsOAuth 2.0 client credentials
Square Payroll docs not public Public docs, self-serve keysYes — Team APINo payroll APINo payroll APINo payroll APINo payroll APIYes — Labor API timecardsYes — labor and team eventsOAuth 2.0 or personal token
BambooHR Payroll Public docs, self-serve keysYes — read and writeUnverifiedNo — benefits read onlyUnverifiedUnverifiedYes — Time Tracking APIYes — employee eventsAPI key or OAuth 2.0

Method

What is scored
What an integrator can do through the payroll system's own API — not through a unified API or a consumer login in front of it. Those are in the provider directory.
Sources
The vendor's developer portal, API reference, help centre or marketplace listing, read on the date shown on each system's profile. Nothing is from memory, and zero cells are verified hands-on yet — treat every documented answer as a claim to test.
Marks
Defined on the methodology page. “Not offered” means the vendor's own documentation shows no such capability; it is not a guess.
Deductions in depth
Writing a deduction has ten sub-questions — tax treatment, amount vs percent, effective dating, retro adjustment and more. They are on the deduction write detail page.

If a cell is wrong, tell us and it changes. Corrections are free — payrolldataspecs@gmail.com.