Accounting software with payroll

One system or two — that is the real question. Running payroll in the same system saves the handover between two programs but ties you to a single vendor for both. Only solutions with full payroll and electronic Swissdec declarations are listed; a mere "wage list" without certification does not count here, because declarations to the OASI, Suva and the tax authorities would stay manual. If you employ people without a residence permit, or cross-border commuters, additionally check withholding tax and the cross-border rules.

See all solutions in Accounting

Swiss specifics

What is different in Switzerland

Accounting

The Swiss market imposes requirements that an international solution usually lacks — it is built for other legal systems. Buy from abroad and you notice at the year-end close, in the VAT filing or with the first payroll declaration. These are the points that decide in this category:

VAT 8.1 / 2.6 / 3.8 %The software has to carry all three Swiss rates — standard, reduced and the special rate for accommodation — and assign them correctly on documents and in the filing. Foreign programs often know only one rate per country.
Swiss SME chart of accountsThe Swiss SME chart of accounts is the national standard and the basis of every year-end close. Without it as a template you set it up by hand — and your fiduciary can no longer find their way around the accounts.
Flat-rate VAT methodBelow the turnover threshold you may file using a flat-rate net tax rate instead of the effective method. Not every solution handles both equally well; test it before switching.
QR-billMandatory standard since the payment slip was retired. Check both directions: issuing invoices with a QR code and reading incoming QR documents — the second is missing more often.
Data locationSwiss data centres are not a legal requirement, but often a procurement criterion – especially for personal data and public-sector contracts.
Accountant accessThe decisive soft factor: can your accounting firm work in the system directly? Ask them first which two or three systems they use every day.
Ten-year retentionThe Swiss Code of Obligations requires ten years of audit-proof retention – including readability. Clarify what happens to your data after you cancel.
Export and exitBefore signing up, check what an export looks like (entries, documents, master data). A solution without a usable export is a one-way street.

Criterion	Cloud all-rounder for small firmsDetails	Free entry with ecosystemDetails	Free platform with Abacus coreDetails	Complete package at a small priceDetails	ERP heavyweight, strongest payrollDetails	Affordable, strong payroll moduleDetails	Proven classic, installed locallyDetails	SME ERP for trades and retailDetails	Customisable mid-market ERPDetails	Automated, through your accountantDetails	Cloud ERP with very broad scopeDetails	Ledger with securities and payrollDetails	Accounting depth for professionalsDetails
Your selection
Payroll (Swissdec)must have	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Cost & onboarding
List priceas stated by the vendorbars: 0 to CHF 119	CHF 35–119	from CHF 26	free–CHF 49	CHF 64	via partner only	in calculator only	via partner only	via partner only	via partner only	via partner only	via partner only	on request	via partner only
Pricing model	Subscription	Subscription	Subscription	Subscription or licence	via partner	Subscription or licence	Subscription or licence	via partner	via partner	via partner	via partner	Subscription or licence	via partner
Getting started	self-service	self-service	self-service	self-service	partner/project needed	self-service	partner/project needed	partner/project needed	partner/project needed	partner/project needed	partner/project needed	partner/project needed	partner/project needed
Deployment	Cloud	Cloud	Cloud	Desktop/Server + hosted	Cloud + Desktop/Server	Desktop/Server + hosted	Desktop/Server + hosted	Desktop/Server + hosted	Desktop/Server + hosted	Cloud	Cloud	Cloud + Desktop/Server	Desktop/Server + hosted
Free version	–	–	✓	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Payroll, VAT & law
Swiss VAT filing	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Multiple currencies	✓	–	–	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Data location	Switzerland	Switzerland	Switzerland	Switzerland	Switzerland	Switzerland	Switzerland	Switzerland	Switzerland/EU	Switzerland	Switzerland	Switzerland	Switzerland
Payments
QR-bill	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Bank reconciliation (camt)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Scope & extensions
Orders & inventory	~ basic	~ basic	~ basic	✓	✓	~ basic	✓	✓	✓	–	✓	~ basic	~ basic
Open API	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Mobile app	✓	✓	✓	–	✓	–	–	✓	–	✓	–	–	–
Works offline	–	–	–	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	–	–	✓	✓
Collaboration & vendor
Adoption among accountants	high	medium	medium	medium	high	high	high	medium	medium	high	medium	high	high
Languages	DE · FR · IT · EN	DE · FR · IT	DE · FR · IT	DE · FR · IT	DE · FR · IT · EN	DE · FR · IT	DE · FR · IT	DE · FR	DE · FR	DE · FR · EN	DE · FR · EN	DE	DE · FR · EN
Vendor	bexio AG (Mobiliar Group)	ePost Service AG (Swiss Post)	Swiss21.org AG (Abacus, Glarotech, SmartWe)	FIDUCIAL WINBIZ SA	Abacus Research AG	Epsitec SA	Infoniqa Schweiz AG (formerly Sage Switzerland)	Forterro Schweiz Proffix AG	SelectLine Software AG (Swiss edition)	Accounto AG	Forterro Schweiz AG	pebe AG	Topal Solutions AG
Headquarters	Rapperswil-Jona SG	St. Gallen	St. Gallen	Sierre VS	Wittenbach SG	Yverdon-les-Bains VD	Root LU	Wangs SG	Switzerland	Zürich	Altendorf SZ	Frauenfeld TG	Nidau BE
Vendor website	open ↗	open ↗	open ↗	open ↗	open ↗	open ↗	open ↗	open ↗	open ↗	open ↗	open ↗	open ↗	open ↗