Knit vs Humi

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Choosing a new payroll provider is no easy task, and the whole process becomes even more complicated if you’re looking for a provider who can also take care of HR and benefits.

To simplify the hunt for an integrated HR, payroll, and benefits platform, we’ve conducted a head-to-head comparison of two Canadian providers: Knit and Humi. To find out how they compare, we’ll look at Knit vs Humi on the basis of software, payroll features, HR and benefits, customer service, and cost.

Note: You might have noticed we’re writing about the difference between our service and someone else’s. We’ve done our best to give them a fair shake because we want you to make an informed decision. That said, we think we offer the best payroll service in Canada. Want to give Knit a try? Find out how to get started here.

Knit vs Humi: An Overview

Software

When searching for a new payroll and HR provider, the first thing to consider is the software itself and the overall user experience.

Both Knit and Humi are cloud-based programs. This means that instead of storing information on a single computer, information is stored over the Internet—much like online banking. This is a great feature for business owners of any size because it means their data is accessible from virtually anywhere, at any time, as long as there is an Internet connection. However, neither company offers a mobile app at this time.

Both Knit and Humi also offer the protection of 256-bit SSL security. This means that your data is just as safe with either of these two payroll providers as it is with any major Canadian bank. Some business owners will also be happy to know that both Knit and Humi host their data here in Canada at data centers that are high-security and access controlled through multiple levels of security.

Payroll Features

When it comes to processing payroll, both Knit and Humi are designed to handle most payrolls. Both platforms automatically calculate, deduct, and remit payroll taxes to the CRA, saving you time and keeping you compliant.

Though Humi positions itself as more of an HR platform, Humi has also built out a payroll module. As the company explains on its website, Humi rethought the whole payroll process from the ground up in order to create a more intuitive payroll process. This means that the platform not only offers a pleasant user experience, but it also takes care of all the common payroll pain points for business owners, including T4 generation, paystub creation, direct deposit, and more.

Like Humi, Knit is designed to take the pain out of payroll for small and medium-sized business owners. However, Knit’s system is also equipped to handle more complex payrolls as well. Unlike some of the payroll providers on the market, Knit offers advanced payroll functions such as multiple pay groups, unlimited off-cycle pay runs, WSIB remittance, and the ability to pay third-party payees such as RRSP management companies. Knit also offers some “nice to have” payroll features like email reminders to process payroll and complimentary ROEs and T4s.

HR & Benefits

As mentioned above, Humi bills itself as an HR platform first, and a payroll platform second. As a result, Humi offers extensive HR management solutions for small to medium-sized companies. In addition to basic HR functionalities such as time-off tracking and an employee directory, Humi also boasts an employee dashboard, 360-degree performance reviews, a recruitment system with applicant tracking, automatic org charts, team calendar feeds, and more. Humi also offers comprehensive HR reporting so that employers can leverage data to drive organizational improvements.

Although Knit’s primary product is not its HR software, Knit does boast its own proprietary HR module, which integrates directly with its payroll platform. Some of Knit’s standout HR features include an employee database, e-signature documents, employee performance reviews, employee onboarding, and vacation tracking.

In terms of benefits, Knit works with its preferred partner Jones Deslauriers Blevins to create custom benefits plans for each company. In contrast, Humi pairs broker services with its payroll and HR platform to support any plan from any carrier.

Customer Service

When it comes to customer service, both Knit and Humi know the importance of prompt and accurate support for payroll and HR concerns.

Humi employs in-house experts who know Canadian HR and payroll inside and out. The company also has an extensive library of support documents to help users answer common questions without the need to call into the support line.

Knit also employs in-house payroll experts, including licensed accountants and bookkeepers. Similar to Humi, Knit also boasts an extensive library of support documents that can guide users through most FAQs.

Cost

As mentioned above, Humi is first and foremost and HR platform and this is reflected in its pricing structure. Packages start with the Core HR plan, which is $5 per month, per employee. To add payroll, Humi charges $3 per month, per employee. Time off, performance, recruitment, and benefits are all an additional cost if you wish to add them to your plan.

In contrast, Knit’s most affordable plan includes both payroll and HR. Knit’s payroll platform and a lite version of its HR platform is available for $39 plus $4 per employee, per moth. For payroll and the full HR suite, the price is $39 plus $6 per employee, per month. These prices include unlimited pay runs, which means that companies that run frequent payrolls or often find themselves running off-cycle pay runs won’t incur any additional fees. There is also a discount pricing package available to accountants and bookkeepers.

The Bottom Line

Both Knit and Humi offer integrated HR, payroll, and benefits. However, Humi is primarily an HR provider offering the option to add payroll services and other management tools such as recruitment and performance.

On the other hand, Knit offers both payroll and HR modules as a pair, with a heavier emphasis on providing comprehensive payroll services.

To find out how Knit stacks up against other payroll providers, read our full Guide to the Best Payroll Software in Canada.