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Best ACH processing for payroll providers in USA

Non-sponsored, Expert Verified and Transparently Ranked ACH processing for payroll providers in USA

Published: December 26, 2025 | Verified by: Ted Scheiman & Rob Watts

Executive Summary

We analyzed 5 solutions. Top Recommendation: Payments by Modern Treasury scored highest due to Purpose-built payroll infrastructure with a unified payments API plus reconciliation and ledgering designed for high-volume payroll operations..

Content Verification

15
Total Sources
December 26, 2025
Last Verified
100%
Evidence Coverage

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature#1 Payments (Modern Treasury)#2 Corporate & Institutional Banking (Bank of America)#3 Connect Solution (Dwolla)#4 ACH (Cross River)#5 Embedded Payroll Platform (Check)
Best ForPurpose-built payroll infrastructure with a unified payments API plus reconciliation and ledgering designed for high-volume payroll operations.Breadth and scale of the CashPro platform, one API for ACH and hundreds of other payment types with enterprise integrations.Bank‑agnostic architecture that lets payroll providers keep their ODFI relationships while unifying ACH across banks with one integration.Bank‑level ACH with a direct Fed connection and later settlement windows, built on Cross River’s proprietary COS core for fintech-scale use cases like payroll.Payroll‑specific infrastructure that abstracts ACH and regulatory complexity, with market traction (80+ platform partners, $4.1B processed in 2024).
Transaction SpeedACH: next-business-day credits; 1, 2 business days average. Same-Day ACH completes same business day (cutoff dependent). (moderntreasury.com) RTP: instant. Wires: minutes to hours. (moderntreasury.com) FedNow: instant, 24/7/365. (moderntreasury.com) Modern Treasury also surfaces real-time confirmations for instant payments, with a “completed” signal in ~10 seconds. (moderntreasury.com)RTP: 24/7/365 with immediate settlement; recipients receive funds within seconds. (newsroom.bankofamerica.com) ACH: same-day posting available (otherwise typically next day). (business.bofa.com) Pay to Card: domestic payouts near real time (~5 minutes); many cross-border payouts within ~30 minutes. (newsroom.bankofamerica.com)Standard ACH: credits settle in 1, 2 business days; debits in 3, 4 business days. (developers.dwolla.com) Same Day ACH: 0, 1 business day (same-day) settlement when submitted before bank cutoffs (e.g., 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. CT). (developers.dwolla.com) Dwolla Connect supports both Standard and Same Day ACH. (dwolla.com)Same-Day ACH typically settles in 2, 3 hours. (crossriver.com) Standard ACH posts in 1, 3 business days. (crossriver.com) Cross River offers a later settlement option to extend processing to 11:59 pm ET, with cutoff times of 10 am, 1 pm, and 4 pm ET aligned to NACHA windows. (crossriver.com)ACH: 1, 3 business days (processing period one-, two-, or three-day); one-day Morning Next Day Pay delivers by 8:30am local if approved by 8pm ET prior day. (docs.checkhq.com) Wire: approve up to 4pm ET on payday; settles same day (by morning if wired by 5pm prior day, else by 6pm ET). (checkhq.com) RTP/FedNow instant now used for some employees. (checkhq.com)
Cost-EffectivenessShifting from wires to FedNow/RTP via Modern Treasury can cut costs, Modern Treasury cites up to 10x savings, and FedNow fees are about $0.045 per transfer; ACH through Modern Treasury is roughly $0.20, $1.50 per payment vs 1.5%, 3% for cards, lowering transaction costs. (moderntreasury.com)CashPro drives cost-effectiveness via automation and real-time data in its Payment API, reducing operational costs. (newsroom.bankofamerica.com) Intelligent Receivables lowers manual reconciliation expenses. (newsroom.bankofamerica.com) CashPro Insights identifies cost-saving opportunities, and in 2025 CashPro Forecasting saved clients 250, 000+ hours, implying labor-cost reductions. (newsroom.bankofamerica.com)Dwolla Connect reduces costs by consolidating multiple bank integrations into a single API, cutting integration/maintenance effort and enabling substantial time and cost savings. (dwolla.com) Using ACH pay-by-bank yields lower fees than cards and lower costs than checks; automation also reduces labor and error costs, especially at scale. (dwolla.com)ACH is cost‑efficient: industry schedules show ~$0.15 per standard ACH and ~$1.00 per Same‑Day item, while wires often cost $12, $40. NACHA’s Same‑Day interbank fee is only 5.2¢. Cross River’s after‑hours processing and extended cutoff windows help use ACH instead of wires for urgent payouts. (grasshopper.bank)Claims “fraction of the cost” to build/scale versus in-house. (checkhq.com) Embedded Setup can cut onboarding costs up to 10x vs. industry standard. (checkhq.com) Assumes all credit and fraud losses, eliminating partners’ loss exposure and associated reserves; fully licensed money movement keeps partners out of funds flow, easing regulatory burden. (checkhq.com)
Integration FlexibilitySingle REST API and dashboard connect to ACH, wires, RTP, FedNow, and stablecoins. 30+ direct bank integrations unify accounts under one integration. Webhooks enable event-driven workflows. Expanded instant-payment connectivity with ACH fallback and early RFP support increases interoperability. (moderntreasury.com)Integration options: direct CashPro APIs (with Developer Studio sandbox) or pre-built connectivity via 55 TMS/ERP partners; plus file-based CashPro Connect alongside online/app channels. (newsroom.bankofamerica.com) Single API supports 350+ payment types in 38 markets and 24/7 processing for flexible ERP/TMS or file workflows. (newsroom.bankofamerica.com)Bank-agnostic, single-API integration to your existing commercial bank accounts (e.g., J.P. Morgan, Wells Fargo), with the ability to add/switch banks over time. (developers.dwolla.com) Integrates into your app or with ERPs/cash‑management systems, and unifies open‑banking capabilities via Plaid and Dwolla’s tokenized Secure Exchange for interoperable, provider‑agnostic data connections. (dwolla.com)API-first ACH with webhooks; supports standard and Same‑Day. Offers file-based origination (NACHA or JSON) in addition to APIs; files can be used alongside APIs/webhooks. Provides instant transaction data and after‑hours processing with extended cutoffs. Webhook events include ACH.Payment.Sent and ACH.Return.Received. (crossriver.com)Flexible API (earnings types, pay periods, processing timelines); embeddable, customizable components; real-time webhooks and async APIs. (checkhq.com) Works-with-Check integrations for accounting, benefits, 401k, workers’ comp (e.g., QuickBooks, SimplyInsured, Guideline) with auto-synced payroll data. (checkhq.com) External Payroll API enables importing historical payrolls during migrations. (docs.checkhq.com)
5 Companies Listed
Last Updated: December 26, 2025
moderntreasury.com

Modern TreasuryCompany Information

Modern Treasury is a financial technology company that provides a platform for payment operations, enabling businesses to move money efficiently and securely. The company offers a range of products and services, including payments, ledgers, and reconciliation, and is designed for enterprises that need to manage complex payment workflows.

Industry: Finance
Type: private
Employees: 201-500
Founded: 2018
Location: 77 Geary Street, 4th Floor San Francisco, CA 94108, 119 Fifth Ave, 6th Floor New York City, NY 10003
Revenue: 10m 50m
Funding: $183.0M (SERIES C)
Phone: +1 202-584-0550
API: Yes

Keywords

payment operations
financial technology
money movement
payment processing
reconciliation
ledgers
automation
AI solutions

Description

Modern Treasury provides a platform for automating money movement, enabling businesses to manage payments and ledgers seamlessly.

What They Do

Automate money movement and provide real-time visibility into transactions through a comprehensive platform.

Who They Serve

Businesses across various industries including investments, lending, marketplaces, payroll, title & escrow, and SaaS.

Key Value Propositions

Automate payments across multiple banks and payment rails
Real-time visibility into all transactions
Flexible and scalable source of truth for all transactions
Pre-built bank integrations to save development time
Instant payments with eligibility checks and confirmations

Case Studies

Valon Valon

By leveraging Modern Treasury, Valon has one place where money movement is tracked and their operations team can see the status of all the fund flows they handle.

Read Case Study →
Procore Procore

Modern Treasury had everything Procore needed, simplifying their development and allowing them to go faster.

Read Case Study →
Stewart Title Stewart Title

Partnering with Modern Treasury aims to streamline processes, enhance security, and deliver a seamless payment experience.

Read Case Study →

What Customers Say

"There’s a lot of money coming in and a lot of money going out. By leveraging Modern Treasury, we have one place where money movement is tracked and our operations team can see the status of all the fund flows they handle."

Dan Chen, Product Manager at Valon

"Modern Treasury had everything we needed. Having a single point of connection to a vendor simplified our development and allowed us to go faster."

Brent Heatherington, Principal Product Manager at Procore

"Partnering with Modern Treasury is an exciting step forward in our journey to modernize our payment operations."

Bob Taylor, Vice President of Centralized Escrow Accounting at Stewart Title

Target Customers

Businesses looking to automate payments
Financial institutions
Fintech companies

Industries Served

Investments
Lending
Marketplaces
Payroll
Title & Escrow
SaaS

Contact Information

Summary

Modern Treasury’s Payroll Payment Platform gives payroll providers a single API and dashboard to originate and track ACH credits at scale. It unifies money movement across ACH, wire, RTP, and FedNow with transparency down to each employee deposit.

Key Features

  • API-based orchestration of payments across ACH, wire, FedNow, RTP, and stablecoins
  • Automated management of legal entities and approval rules
  • Audit trail generation for compliance
  • Templates and data validation for complex transactions
  • Instant onboarding with immediate microdeposits for bank account verification
  • ACH fallback and real-time payment confirmations
  • Pre-built integrations with banks
  • Real-time payment and balance visibility

Key Benefits

  • Automate and scale money movement across all major payment rails
  • Connect to multiple banks via a single API
  • Minimize risk with audit-ready controls and approval rules
  • Standardize complex payment workflows (e.g., payroll, taxes, cross-border)
  • Deliver instant payments and onboarding
  • Provide real-time payment confirmations and support
  • Accelerate go-to-market with pre-built bank integrations
  • Gain real-time visibility into every payment and balance

Who Is It For

  • Lending companies
  • B2B payment providers
  • Buy Now, Pay Later providers
  • Marketplaces
  • Payroll providers
  • Title & Escrow companies
  • SaaS companies
  • Enterprises needing to automate payouts or cross-border payments
  • Product and payments leaders

Use Cases

  • Lending experiences
  • B2B payments
  • Buy Now, Pay Later
  • Automated payouts
  • Cross-border payments
  • Instant payouts

One API. Every Rail.

The payments platform that keeps up with the speed—and scale—of your business.

Future Proof Your Payments

Get the infrastructure you need to meet your customers where they’re at and deliver a more seamless experience at every stage of growth.

  • Build better lending experiences
  • Power seamless B2B payments
  • Support Buy Now, Pay Later
  • Automate payouts
  • Deliver cross-border payments
  • Implement instant payouts

Programmatic Money Movement at Scale

Scale payments seamlessly with automation. Connect to all your banks and payment rails. Orchestrate money movement across multiple banks via ACH, wire, FedNow, RTP, and stablecoins. Minimize risk by managing legal entities, setting approval rules, and generating audit trails.

  • Connect to all your banks and payment rails
  • Orchestrate money movement across multiple banks via ACH, wire, FedNow, RTP, and stablecoins
  • Minimize risk by managing legal entities, setting approval rules, and generating audit trails

Simplify Payment Workflows

Standardize complex transactions like payroll, taxes, cross-border payments with templates and data validation.

Delight Customers in an Instant

Level up your customer experience with faster money and easier access, today.

  • Integrate with FedNow, RTP rails, and stablecoins for payment processing that’s faster than fast
  • Verify bank accounts and counterparties in seconds with immediate microdeposits
  • Give customers peace of mind with ACH fallbacks and real-time payment confirmations

Get to Market in Record Time

Save months of dev time with pre-built bank integrations, so you can focus engineering resources on what really matters: your core product.

Goodbye Blindspots, Hello Real-Time Visibility

Get visibility into every payment and balance, so you’re never in the dark. Total transparency means fewer surprises and more “aha” moments.

Resources

Supporting Resources

Detailed Comparison

Transaction Speed

ACH: next-business-day credits; 1, 2 business days average. Same-Day ACH completes same business day (cutoff dependent). (moderntreasury.com) RTP: instant. Wires: minutes to hours. (moderntreasury.com) FedNow: instant, 24/7/365. (moderntreasury.com) Modern Treasury also surfaces real-time confirmations for instant payments, with a “completed” signal in ~10 seconds. (moderntreasury.com)

Cost-Effectiveness

Shifting from wires to FedNow/RTP via Modern Treasury can cut costs, Modern Treasury cites up to 10x savings, and FedNow fees are about $0.045 per transfer; ACH through Modern Treasury is roughly $0.20, $1.50 per payment vs 1.5%, 3% for cards, lowering transaction costs. (moderntreasury.com)

Integration Flexibility

Single REST API and dashboard connect to ACH, wires, RTP, FedNow, and stablecoins. 30+ direct bank integrations unify accounts under one integration. Webhooks enable event-driven workflows. Expanded instant-payment connectivity with ACH fallback and early RFP support increases interoperability. (moderntreasury.com)
2Bank of America logo
Bank of America
Last Updated: December 26, 2025
bankofamerica.com

Bank of AmericaCompany Information

Bank of America is a multinational banking and financial services corporation that provides a wide range of financial products and services to individuals, small businesses, and large corporations. The company offers various services including consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, and investment services.

Industry: Finance
Type: public
Employees: over-10K
Founded: 1998
Location: Charlotte, NC
Revenue: over 1b
Stock: NYSE:BAC (NASDAQ)
Phone: +1 800-369-9377
API: No

Keywords

banking
financial services
credit cards
loans
mortgages
investing
wealth management
investments
personal finance
commercial banking

Description

Bank of America offers a variety of banking and financial services, providing products for personal banking, business banking, investment management, and more.

What They Do

Bank of America provides a comprehensive range of financial services, including banking, loans, credit cards, investment services, and wealth management.

Who They Serve

Individuals, small businesses, corporations, and institutions in the United States and globally.

Key Value Propositions

Wide range of financial products
Strong online and mobile banking capabilities
Personalized financial advice and wealth management services
FDIC insured deposit products

Target Customers

Individuals
Small businesses
Corporations
Institutions

Industries Served

Banking
Financial Services
Investment Management
Wealth Management

Contact Information

Key Pages

Summary

CashPro Payment API lets enterprises initiate domestic ACH alongside 350+ payment types through a single, bank-grade API. It offers a developer sandbox and integrations with leading TMS/ERP platforms to streamline treasury workflows.

Key Features

  • Treasury solutions (liquidity management, payments, receipts, supply chain finance, FX services)
  • Corporate credit cards
  • Intelligent payables and receivables management
  • Merchant services
  • Trade & supply chain finance
  • Asset-based lending and equipment financing
  • Investment banking and sustainable finance
  • Workplace benefits for employees
  • Global research and market insights
  • Digital banking platforms (CashPro®, BofA Mercury®)
  • Global digital disbursements (B2C payments)
  • Global prime brokerage

Key Benefits

  • Comprehensive treasury and liquidity management
  • Secure, efficient business banking solutions
  • Expertise in institutional investing and risk management
  • Access to global markets and research
  • Fraud prevention and cybersecurity resources
  • Digital platforms for working capital and payments management

Who Is It For

  • Corporations (including multinational companies)
  • Institutional investors (asset managers, hedge funds, pensions, insurance companies, corporates, governments, financial institutions)

Corporations & Institutions

Overview of Bank of America's support for corporations and institutions, including fraud and cybersecurity resources, business management, and institutional investing.

  • Managing a business
  • Institutional investing

Fraud and Cybersecurity

New threats emerge every day that can negatively impact transactions and businesses. Explore the latest insights and resources to help prepare and protect you and your business.

More ways we help make managing a business easier

Workplace benefits, global payments solutions, and global research to support business management.

  • Holistic solutions for employees’ immediate and future financial security
  • Liquidity management, payments, receipts, supply chain finance, FX services
  • Insightful, objective and in-depth research to help you make informed investing decisions

More ways we help with institutional investing

Liquidity & investments and global prime brokerage solutions for institutional investors.

  • Expertise and tools to help optimize your cash worldwide
  • Integrated solutions across regions and asset classes

Solutions

Data and technology driven solutions and services designed for business and life, including CashPro®, BofA Mercury®, and Global Digital Disbursements.

  • Manage working capital from anywhere
  • Insights and tools to help optimize your trading strategies
  • Fast, secure mobile B2C payments

Resources

Detailed Comparison

Transaction Speed

RTP: 24/7/365 with immediate settlement; recipients receive funds within seconds. (newsroom.bankofamerica.com) ACH: same-day posting available (otherwise typically next day). (business.bofa.com) Pay to Card: domestic payouts near real time (~5 minutes); many cross-border payouts within ~30 minutes. (newsroom.bankofamerica.com)

Cost-Effectiveness

CashPro drives cost-effectiveness via automation and real-time data in its Payment API, reducing operational costs. (newsroom.bankofamerica.com) Intelligent Receivables lowers manual reconciliation expenses. (newsroom.bankofamerica.com) CashPro Insights identifies cost-saving opportunities, and in 2025 CashPro Forecasting saved clients 250, 000+ hours, implying labor-cost reductions. (newsroom.bankofamerica.com)

Integration Flexibility

Integration options: direct CashPro APIs (with Developer Studio sandbox) or pre-built connectivity via 55 TMS/ERP partners; plus file-based CashPro Connect alongside online/app channels. (newsroom.bankofamerica.com) Single API supports 350+ payment types in 38 markets and 24/7 processing for flexible ERP/TMS or file workflows. (newsroom.bankofamerica.com)
Last Updated: December 26, 2025
dwolla.com

DwollaCompany Information

Dwolla is a technology company that specializes in online payment systems, providing businesses with a platform to automate and scale their payments. The company offers a range of features, including digital wallets, open banking services, and instant payment processing, to help businesses improve their payment operations efficiency, security, and customer experience.

Industry: Business Services
Type: private
Employees: 51-200
Founded: 2008
Location: Des Moines, IA
Revenue: 10m 50m
Funding: $72.1M (SERIES UNKNOWN)
Phone: +1 515-280-1000
API: Yes

API Resources

Keywords

payment automation
online payment systems
digital wallets
open banking
instant payments
payment security
fintech
digital payments
financial technology
payment processing

Description

Dwolla takes the complexity out of account-to-account payments, so you can focus on what matters most: your business.

What They Do

Dwolla provides a payment platform that enables businesses to automate and streamline their payment processes through account-to-account transactions.

Who They Serve

Dwolla serves businesses across various industries including insurance, lending, real estate, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Key Value Propositions

Instant payments
Automated ACH transactions
Unified API for easy integration
Dedicated support
Sandbox environment for testing

Case Studies

Transforming Payments in the Insurance Industry Insurance Company

Dwolla helps insurance companies automate their payment processes, improving cash flow and security.

Read Case Study →

What Customers Say

"Dwolla’s customer service and the ability to get a response from a human being quickly has made our business thrive."

Real Estate CTO, CTO

Customer Reviews

Anthony Roeder

Director of Information Technology

(5)

Compared to other unions that had to find a new form of collecting payment dues and convert their membership to a new system, we have outpaced any other state in the history of these legal changes, and we are the largest state to do it, thanks to leveraging the Dwolla payment solution.

via Customer Testimonial2024-01-01

Target Customers

Businesses looking to automate payments
Financial institutions
Developers needing payment solutions

Industries Served

Insurance
Lending
Real Estate
Manufacturing
Healthcare

Trusted By

MoneyGram
Visa
Routable
Plaid
Zip
Finicity Mastercard

Summary

Dwolla Connect is a bank‑agnostic ACH platform for mid‑to‑enterprise businesses that connects to your existing commercial bank accounts (e.g., J.P. Morgan, Wells Fargo). It supports standard and Same Day ACH via a single API to power payroll disbursements.

Key Features

  • Automated pay by bank payments
  • Direct bank integration (single point of connection to preferred banks)
  • Unified API for a wide range of payment functionalities and open banking tools
  • Instant account verification and balance checks
  • Fraud and risk mitigation
  • Comprehensive developer resources and documentation
  • Dedicated implementation and ongoing support
  • Improved security and data visibility

Key Benefits

  • Modernizes payment processes and eliminates manual inefficiencies
  • Accelerates payment processing and improves cash flow
  • Simplifies integration with a single API and direct bank connections
  • Reduces payment operation costs
  • Enhances payment experience with instant account verification, balance checks, and risk mitigation
  • Provides exceptional customer support and dedicated implementation assistance

Who Is It For

  • Businesses seeking to modernize legacy payment operations
  • Companies with high transaction volumes
  • Organizations looking to automate pay by bank payments
  • Industries such as Real Estate, Insurance, Lending, Healthcare, Manufacturing

Use Cases

  • B2B Payments
  • Marketplaces (seller payouts)
  • Property Management (rental income and expenses)
  • Digital Wallet (load/unload funds)
  • Payouts (quick and secure fund disbursement)
  • AP/AR Payments (accounts payable and receivable automation)
  • Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) installment payments

Modernize Your Payments

Digitally Transform Your Legacy Payment Operations with Dwolla Connect.

Pain Points Dwolla Connect Solves

  • Modernize your payment processes and eliminate the inefficiencies of manual A2A files and paper checks.
  • Accelerate payment processing, improve cash flow and enhance your customers' experience.
  • Simplify your integrations with our streamlined API and direct bank connections.
  • Increase speed and decrease errors by automating payments and processes.

Dwolla Connect Features

  • Automated Pay by Bank Payments: Automate account-to-account payments with flexible options.
  • Direct Bank Integration: Single point of connection to preferred banks, easing integration and maintenance.
  • Single API: Unified API for a wide range of payment functionalities and open banking tools.
  • Cost Savings: Reduce payment operation costs by replacing legacy methods and streamlining manual processes.
  • Enhanced Payment Experience: Instant account verification, balance checks, and risk mitigation for quicker, more secure transactions.

Experience the Dwolla Difference

Exceptional customer support throughout your entire journey.

  • Comprehensive Developer Resources: Access documentation, code samples, and API references.
  • Dedicated Implementation Support: Guidance through onboarding and setup.
  • Ongoing Support: Extensive support articles and direct assistance.
  • Personalized Assistance: Support tailored to your specific needs.

Automate your payments in as little as ten days.

Dwolla's full-service approach replaces legacy payments technology with a single solution, improving security, data visibility and the customer experience.

Talk to an Expert

Let's build something innovative together.

Resources

Supporting Resources

Detailed Comparison

Transaction Speed

Standard ACH: credits settle in 1, 2 business days; debits in 3, 4 business days. (developers.dwolla.com) Same Day ACH: 0, 1 business day (same-day) settlement when submitted before bank cutoffs (e.g., 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. CT). (developers.dwolla.com) Dwolla Connect supports both Standard and Same Day ACH. (dwolla.com)

Cost-Effectiveness

Dwolla Connect reduces costs by consolidating multiple bank integrations into a single API, cutting integration/maintenance effort and enabling substantial time and cost savings. (dwolla.com) Using ACH pay-by-bank yields lower fees than cards and lower costs than checks; automation also reduces labor and error costs, especially at scale. (dwolla.com)

Integration Flexibility

Bank-agnostic, single-API integration to your existing commercial bank accounts (e.g., J.P. Morgan, Wells Fargo), with the ability to add/switch banks over time. (developers.dwolla.com) Integrates into your app or with ERPs/cash‑management systems, and unifies open‑banking capabilities via Plaid and Dwolla’s tokenized Secure Exchange for interoperable, provider‑agnostic data connections. (dwolla.com)
Last Updated: December 26, 2025
crossriver.com

Cross RiverCompany Information

Cross River is a financial services organization that combines the expertise of a bank with the innovation of a technology company, providing API-based financial solutions for businesses.

Industry: Finance
Type: private
Employees: 1K-5K
Founded: 2008
Location: Fort Lee, NJ
Revenue: 50m 100m
Funding: $954.0M (SECONDARY MARKET)
Phone: +1 877-825-3242
API: Yes

Keywords

financial services
banking
fintech
api-based solutions
payments
lending
credit building
embedded finance
technology solutions
finance

Description

Cross River's API-driven banking infrastructure embeds financial services across industries and provides the foundation for regulatory compliance upon which our partners grow.

What They Do

Cross River provides banking and financial services powered by a proprietary API-driven banking core, offering payment solutions, lending infrastructure, and compliance management.

Who They Serve

Fintech companies, neobanks, digital lenders, and businesses across various industries.

Key Value Propositions

API-driven banking infrastructure
Regulatory compliance
Industry-specific financial solutions

Case Studies

Plaid scales its business with faster payments Plaid

Through the partnership, Plaid now offers instant pay-ins and pay-outs.

Read Case Study →

What Customers Say

"Stablecoin settlement matters when it delivers practical advantages in real payment settings that benefit customers."

John Macllwaine, CEO, Highnote

"Through our partnership with Cross River, Plaid Transfer now offers instant pay-ins, instant payouts and Same Day ACH."

Brian Dammeir, Global Head of Payments and Financial Management, Plaid

Target Customers

Fintech companies
Neobanks
Digital lenders
Merchant acquirers
Small businesses

Industries Served

Finance
Fintech
Digital Lending
Banking
Healthcare Finance
Construction

Trusted By

Visa
Upgrade
Best Egg
Dailypay

Contact Information

Summary

Cross River’s API-driven Same‑Day ACH enables platforms to process ACH credits and debits with a direct connection to the Federal Reserve. Features include instant transaction data via API, webhooks, and after‑hours processing with extended cutoff windows.

Key Features

  • Direct connection to the Fed
  • Instant transaction data via API
  • Process both credit and debit transactions
  • Webhooks for event notifications
  • After hours processing
  • Support for both standard and Same-Day ACH
  • File-based origination (NACHA or JSON), but API use is encouraged
  • OFAC scanning for IAT payments
  • Support for microdeposit programs

Key Benefits

  • Faster settlement with Same-Day ACH (2-3 hours)
  • Direct connection to the Federal Reserve
  • API-driven for automation and efficiency
  • Instant transaction data via API
  • After hours processing and extended settlement windows
  • Supports both credit and debit transactions
  • Webhooks for real-time updates
  • Improved cash flow for merchants
  • Secure and reliable transactions

Who Is It For

  • Fintechs
  • Businesses (B2B payments)
  • Merchants
  • Organizations needing peer-to-peer payments
  • Wallet providers
  • Employers (direct deposit)
  • Billers (bill payment)
  • Companies running microdeposit programs

Use Cases

  • Business-to-business payments
  • Peer-to-peer payments
  • Wallet funding and disbursements
  • Direct deposit
  • Bill payment
  • Microdeposit programs

Traditional money movement, faster

Move funds efficiently across the Federal Reserve's Automated Clearing House (ACH) network with Cross River’s Operating System (COS), a proprietary API-driven bank core. Learn more about our options.

Key features

Cross River eliminates transaction inefficiencies with APIs and provides fintechs with the infrastructure needed to settle funds fast.

  • Direct connection to the Fed
  • Instant transaction data via API
  • Process credit & debit transactions
  • Webhooks
  • After hours processing

Uses for ACH

  • Business-to-business payments
  • Peer-to-peer payments
  • Wallet funding and disbursements
  • Direct deposit
  • Bill payment
  • Microdeposit programs

FAQs

Ready to get started?

Resources

Detailed Comparison

Transaction Speed

Same-Day ACH typically settles in 2, 3 hours. (crossriver.com) Standard ACH posts in 1, 3 business days. (crossriver.com) Cross River offers a later settlement option to extend processing to 11:59 pm ET, with cutoff times of 10 am, 1 pm, and 4 pm ET aligned to NACHA windows. (crossriver.com)

Cost-Effectiveness

ACH is cost‑efficient: industry schedules show ~$0.15 per standard ACH and ~$1.00 per Same‑Day item, while wires often cost $12, $40. NACHA’s Same‑Day interbank fee is only 5.2¢. Cross River’s after‑hours processing and extended cutoff windows help use ACH instead of wires for urgent payouts. (grasshopper.bank)

Integration Flexibility

API-first ACH with webhooks; supports standard and Same‑Day. Offers file-based origination (NACHA or JSON) in addition to APIs; files can be used alongside APIs/webhooks. Provides instant transaction data and after‑hours processing with extended cutoffs. Webhook events include ACH.Payment.Sent and ACH.Return.Received. (crossriver.com)
Last Updated: December 26, 2025
checkhq.com

CheckCompany Information

Check is a technology company that provides embedded payroll solutions for platforms, allowing them to offer seamless payroll services to their customers and generate new revenue streams.

Industry: Business Services
Type: private
Employees: 51-200
Founded: 2019
Location: San Francisco, CA
Revenue: 1m 10m
Funding: $119.0M (SERIES C)
Phone: +1 415-900-3644
API: Yes

Keywords

embedded payroll
payroll solutions
platform integration
financial technology
fintech
payroll
api integration
saas
hr solutions
time tracking

Description

Check supplies the technology, operations, and support needed to scale payroll with ease.

What They Do

Providing embedded payroll APIs and services for seamless payroll management.

Who They Serve

Businesses from startups to large enterprises seeking payroll services.

Key Value Propositions

Easy integration of payroll solutions
Comprehensive support and technology
Real-time payments and fraud protection

Case Studies

Eddy Eddy

HR and payroll platform for small to medium-sized businesses.

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7shifts 7shifts

7shifts streamlines restaurant workforce management with payroll.

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Miter Miter

Miter reduces friction in the construction industry with integrated payroll.

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Playground Playground

Comprehensive child care management software.

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Wave Wave

Wave simplifies payroll for microbusiness owners.

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What Customers Say

"I love having everything in one place. It makes life so much easier."

Katherine Feliz, Playground Customer

Target Customers

Startups
Enterprises
Microbusinesses
HR and payroll platforms

Industries Served

Workforce Management
Vertical SaaS
Accounting and Financial Management

Contact Information

Social Media

Summary

Check is an embedded payroll platform that handles payroll money movement, including ACH as well as RTP and FedNow, while managing taxes, filings, and compliance. Built for platforms, it offers a flexible API and proven scale across thousands of employers.

Key Features

  • Flexible Payroll API supporting various earnings types, pay periods, and processing timelines
  • Embeddable UI components for onboarding, payroll approval, and more
  • Scalable payments infrastructure with full-service setup
  • Automated tax calculation, payments, and filing (federal, state, local)
  • Console for customer management and visibility
  • Advanced risk and fraud monitoring tools
  • Credit and fraud protection (Check assumes all credit/fraud losses)
  • Payroll support tools and in-house support team
  • Accelerated payouts and faster payments
  • Brandable, automated notifications
  • Integrations for health benefits, 401k, workers comp, accounting, and more
  • Library of integrations with trusted HR and financial services providers
  • Horizontally-scalable API and infrastructure
  • Compliance and continual audits

Key Benefits

  • Embed payroll directly into your platform for an effortless customer experience
  • Accelerate time to market with robust APIs and plug-and-play UI components
  • Automated tax calculation, payments, and filing across all 50 states and DC
  • Fully licensed money movement and regulatory compliance handled by Check
  • Advanced risk monitoring and fraud prevention with no credit or fraud loss liability for partners
  • In-house experts for onboarding, data migration, and customer support
  • Unlock additional revenue streams with integrated benefits (health, 401k, workers comp, etc.)
  • Scalable, reliable payments infrastructure with leading processing timelines
  • Brandable automated notifications and direct-to-employer communication
  • Comprehensive calculation engine and real-time payroll previews

Who Is It For

  • Enterprise software companies
  • Startups
  • Vertical SaaS providers
  • Workforce management platforms
  • Accounting and financial management software providers
  • HR and workforce management platforms

Be more for your customers with payroll.

Embed payroll directly into your platform to create an effortless experience.

Embed a pain-free payroll experience.

Customer onboarding is optimized for conversion across newly-formed and migrating businesses. New workers can set themselves up to get paid in minutes. Automatic calculations and real-time previews make running payroll easy.

  • Seamless customer setup
  • Drop-in onboarding
  • Effortless payroll approval

A proven playbook.

Through powering dozens of successful payroll businesses, we’ve designed a platform to help you build, scale, and extend effectively.

  • Build: Launch an integrated payroll product quickly, backed by Check’s powerful infrastructure.
  • Scale: Grow your business without growing your team. Rely on our product suite and in-house experts to help you scale.
  • Extend: Unlock additional revenue streams by offering health benefits, 401k, workers comp, and more.

Build

Get to market faster with the pioneering payroll API, infrastructure, and tools, designed to simplify your build process and provide the most robust product for your customers.

  • Flexible Payroll API
  • Plug-and-play Components
  • Scalable payments infrastructure
  • Comprehensive calculation engine
  • Complete control with Console

Scale

We identified the hardest parts of scaling a payroll business – like onboarding, customer support, and fraud – and eliminated them.

  • Employer Setup
  • Credit & Fraud Protection
  • Payroll Support
  • Accelerated payouts
  • Direct-to-employer communication
  • Automated Tax Filing

Extend

Unlock additional revenue streams with payroll integrations, like health benefits, earned wage access, and 401k.

  • Embedded Benefits
  • Works with Check

Build on a trusted foundation.

Infrastructure that powers 65+ payroll products and counting, more than any other embedded payroll platform.

  • 99.999% Historical uptime
  • $4.1B Payroll funds moved in 2024
  • 10,000s Businesses served

Resources

Supporting Resources

Detailed Comparison

Transaction Speed

ACH: 1, 3 business days (processing period one-, two-, or three-day); one-day Morning Next Day Pay delivers by 8:30am local if approved by 8pm ET prior day. (docs.checkhq.com) Wire: approve up to 4pm ET on payday; settles same day (by morning if wired by 5pm prior day, else by 6pm ET). (checkhq.com) RTP/FedNow instant now used for some employees. (checkhq.com)

Cost-Effectiveness

Claims “fraction of the cost” to build/scale versus in-house. (checkhq.com) Embedded Setup can cut onboarding costs up to 10x vs. industry standard. (checkhq.com) Assumes all credit and fraud losses, eliminating partners’ loss exposure and associated reserves; fully licensed money movement keeps partners out of funds flow, easing regulatory burden. (checkhq.com)

Integration Flexibility

Flexible API (earnings types, pay periods, processing timelines); embeddable, customizable components; real-time webhooks and async APIs. (checkhq.com) Works-with-Check integrations for accounting, benefits, 401k, workers’ comp (e.g., QuickBooks, SimplyInsured, Guideline) with auto-synced payroll data. (checkhq.com) External Payroll API enables importing historical payrolls during migrations. (docs.checkhq.com)

Case Studies

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Our Ranking Methodology

How we rank these offerings

We ranked these ACH processing for payroll providers in USA based on three key factors: Integration Flexibility (40% weight), Transaction Speed (35% weight), and Cost-Effectiveness (25% weight). Payments scored highest because it offers extensive integration flexibility with multiple payment types and APIs, fast settlement times across methods, and a cost-effective solution that reduces fees through the use of FedNow/RTP.

Ranking Criteria Weights:

40%
Integration Flexibility
The ability to integrate seamlessly with various banking systems and platforms is crucial for payroll providers to streamline operations and maintain competitiveness.
35%
Transaction Speed
Fast settlement times for ACH transactions ensure timely payroll disbursement, which is critical for employee satisfaction and operational efficiency.
25%
Cost-Effectiveness
Minimizing costs associated with transaction fees and operational expenses can significantly impact the profitability of payroll providers.
Rankings last updated: 12/26/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical costs and pricing models for ACH processing platforms for payroll providers in the USA?
The pricing models for ACH processing platforms often involve a combination of transaction fees, subscription charges, and account maintenance fees. For instance, Modern Treasury’s platform typically charges based on the volume of transactions, reflecting the scale economy of ACH processes. Dwolla Connect also applies a transaction-based fee structure, but with added premium services like Same Day ACH which can incur higher costs. Such pricing models aim to provide flexibility according to the business size and transaction volume, making them cost-effective for both mid-sized businesses and large enterprises.
What are the key selection criteria and considerations when choosing an ACH processing platform for payroll?
When selecting an ACH processing platform, payroll providers should consider integration capabilities, compliance adherence, and transaction speed. For example, Cross River offers a direct connection to the Federal Reserve, which ensures fast transaction processing and reliability. Platforms like CashPro boast comprehensive integrations with TMS/ERP systems, which streamline financial workflows. Moreover, compliance with industry standards such as NACHA rules is essential, with Check's platform ensuring payroll providers remain compliant while handling money movement and tax filings.
What industry standards and compliance requirements should payroll providers be aware of with ACH processing?
Payroll providers must comply with NACHA Operating Rules, which govern the ACH network to ensure security and reliability. For example, platforms like Dwolla Connect adhere strictly to these standards, facilitating both standard and Same Day ACH transfers. Data privacy regulations such as the GDPR and CCPA also apply, necessitating robust data protection practices. Platforms like Check insure compliance by managing tax filings and regulatory requirements along with payroll disbursements.
What are the common implementation challenges faced by payroll providers when integrating ACH processing platforms, and what solutions can address them?
Common challenges include system compatibility, data migration, and user adoption. Modern Treasury and CashPro provide developer sandboxes to test integrations, which mitigate compatibility issues and facilitate smoother deployment. Additionally, utilizing platforms like Check that offer embedded solutions can minimize disruptions by seamlessly integrating with existing payroll systems. Training and dedicated support also play crucial roles in overcoming resistance and ensuring a successful transition.
How do payroll providers measure ROI and value delivery with ACH processing platforms?
ROI is typically measured through cost reduction, process efficiency, and error minimization. Platforms like Check deliver value by automating tax filings and compliance management, drastically reducing manual labor and associated errors. Similarly, Cross River's after-hours processing capability enhances operational efficiency and customer satisfaction by providing extended service hours. These features, combined with reduced transfer fees via bank-agnostic platforms like Dwolla Connect, enhance value delivery and allow for significant savings.

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