Choosing the right certified payroll software is a critical decision for any contractor working on prevailing wage projects. In this comparison, we look at two options side by side: CertifiedPayrollPro and Points North. Both serve contractors who need to file certified payroll reports, but they take meaningfully different approaches.
Our goal here is to be fair and factual. We are one of the products being compared, so we will be transparent about that. All Points North information in this article is based on publicly available information from their website (pointsnorth.com) as of March 2026.
Disclaimer: Pricing and features described in this article are based on publicly available information as of March 2026 and may have changed. Please visit each provider's website for the most current details.
Overview: Two Different Approaches
Points North is a managed service provider for certified payroll reporting. Their model centers on handling certified payroll preparation on your behalf — you send them your payroll data, and their team prepares and files the reports. They integrate with payroll providers including ADP, Paychex, UKG, and QuickBooks to pull data automatically.
CertifiedPayrollPro is a self-serve SaaS platform that puts you in control of the entire certified payroll workflow. You enter or import your data, and the software generates compliant WH-347 reports, handles prevailing wage calculations, and provides a built-in compliance assistant (Lydia) to help answer compliance questions in real time. No demo or sales call is required to get started.
Pricing Comparison
One of the biggest differences between these two solutions is the pricing model.
| Feature | CertifiedPayrollPro | Points North |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Fee | $0 | $995 – $4,995 (based on publicly listed pricing) |
| Monthly Fee | Starts at $49/mo (Starter plan) | $175+/mo (based on publicly listed pricing) |
| Per-Report Cost | $5/report (Starter); included in higher plans | $7.50/report (based on publicly listed pricing) |
| Free Trial | Yes — no credit card required | Not publicly advertised |
| Service Model | Self-serve SaaS | Managed service |
| Payroll Integrations | CSV import, manual entry, API | ADP, Paychex, UKG, QuickBooks |
| Compliance Assistant | Yes (Lydia — compliance Q&A) | Not publicly advertised |
| Job Costing Tools | Included free | Not publicly listed |
| State Coverage | All 50 states | Multi-state (specifics on their website) |
| Multilingual Support | Yes | Not publicly advertised |
Where Points North Stands Out
Points North's managed service model is a genuine advantage for contractors who prefer to hand off the reporting process entirely. If you do not want to prepare certified payroll reports yourself and would rather have a dedicated team handle it, Points North's approach may be a good fit. Their direct integrations with major payroll platforms like ADP, Paychex, UKG, and QuickBooks can also streamline data transfer for contractors already using those systems.
For larger contractors with complex multi-state operations who want a hands-off compliance service, the managed model can save internal staff time — though it comes at a higher price point.
Where CertifiedPayrollPro Stands Out
CertifiedPayrollPro is built for contractors who want control over their certified payroll process without the overhead of a managed service. Key advantages include:
- Lower cost of entry: No setup fees and plans starting at $49/month make it accessible for small and mid-size contractors.
- Self-serve from day one: Sign up and start generating reports immediately. No sales calls, demos, or onboarding meetings required.
- Built-in compliance help: Lydia, the built-in compliance assistant, can answer Davis-Bacon questions, explain wage determinations, and help troubleshoot reporting issues in real time.
- Free bonus tools: Job costing, multilingual worker support, and coverage across all 50 states are included at no extra charge.
- Lower per-report cost: At $5/report on the Starter plan (and included on higher plans), report costs are lower than Points North's publicly listed $7.50/report fee.
Which One Is Right for You?
Both CertifiedPayrollPro and Points North are legitimate solutions for certified payroll reporting. The right choice depends on your priorities:
- Choose Points North if you want a fully managed service where someone else prepares your reports, you already use ADP/Paychex/UKG/QuickBooks and want direct integration, and budget is less of a concern.
- Choose CertifiedPayrollPro if you want to control the process yourself, you need a low-cost entry point with transparent pricing, you value built-in compliance support, or you want free bonus tools like job costing.
We believe both are strong options for different types of contractors. If you are considering CertifiedPayrollPro, you can try it free with no credit card required and see for yourself whether it fits your workflow.
