nominaHQ vs outsourcing payroll
Many companies in Panama outsource payroll to an accountant or BPO. It's a valid option — but today software like nominaHQ lets you run it yourself in minutes, with full control. Here's what changes.
| nominaHQ (you run it) | Outsourcing (accountant/BPO) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Per-employee fee, predictable | Monthly fee, usually rises with headcount |
| Control & visibility | Full, in real time | Depends on the provider's timing |
| Speed | Close payroll in minutes | Subject to provider availability |
| Last-minute changes | You make them instantly | Request to the provider |
| Your data | In your account, always available | Held by the provider |
| Compliance | Rates current by date (CSS, ISR, Ley 462) | Depends on the provider |
What if you're the accountant or BPO?
Then nominaHQ is your tool: run all your clients' payroll from one multi-company account and deliver a better service in less time. See nominaHQ for accountants & BPO.
Note: a general comparison of approaches (self-service software vs outsourced service); experience with each provider varies. Reference only.
Frequently asked questions
If I outsource payroll, who answers to the CSS if the contributions are wrong?
Before the CSS, the employer company is always the legal party responsible for correctly withholding and paying, even when a third party does the calculation. With nominaHQ you run payroll yourself, with rates current by date (CSS 9.75% employee and 13.25% employer, seguro educativo 1.25%/1.50%) and you generate the SIPE file yourself, so control and traceability stay in your account.
How much does running payroll with nominaHQ cost versus a BPO fee?
nominaHQ charges a fixed per-employee monthly fee billed annually: $3.11 for 1 to 25 employees, $2.60 for 26 to 100, and $2.08 for 101 to 300, with a $25/month minimum on the Starter plan. It's a predictable cost you scale yourself, with no variable fees or charges for every change you request from a third party.
If I stop working with my accountant or BPO, do I lose my payroll history?
When you outsource, the history usually stays with the provider and recovering it during a switch can be slow. With nominaHQ your data lives in your own 100% cloud account, always available, and the REST API with webhooks lets you export or integrate it whenever you want.
Can I try nominaHQ before leaving my current provider?
Yes. You can run a free 30-day trial with up to 5 employees and no card, so you compare in parallel how you close payroll yourself in minutes before deciding. When you're ready, you subscribe in-app with Stripe.