Earned wage access (EWA) is no longer a niche perk—it’s becoming a must-have for hourly and shift-based workforces. But with multiple earned wage access companies to choose from, how do you know which one is best for your organization?
Here’s a head-to-head comparison of Keeper, DailyPay, PayActiv, and Tapcheck.
1. Cost to Employers
Keeper: Always $0 cost to employers. No setup fees, no monthly platform charges.
DailyPay: Typically charges an employer platform fee; may require contract minimums.
PayActiv: Offers employer-paid plans; may involve ongoing costs.
Tapcheck: Employer-paid or employee-paid models; setup fees may apply.
Why it matters: Among the earned wage access companies, Keeper lets you deliver a high-impact benefit with no budget impact.
2. Integration and Setup
Keeper: Integrates with payroll, HRIS, and time-tracking systems. Go live in under 2 weeks.
DailyPay: Deep integrations but may require more complex onboarding.
PayActiv: Integrates with major payroll providers; setup time varies.
Tapcheck: Integrates with popular payroll systems; setup timelines vary.
Why it matters: Keeper’s fast, plug-and-play setup gets your team using EWA sooner.
3. Employee Experience
Keeper: Simple, mobile-first app. Multiple payout options—Instant Cash, Prizeout gift cards, and coming soon, Keeper Debit Card. Transparent, low fees.
DailyPay: Focus on instant cash to bank accounts; limited alternative payout methods.
PayActiv: Offers cash, bill pay, and financial counseling; interface can be more complex.
Tapcheck: Primarily instant bank and debit payouts; gift card options limited.
Why it matters: Keeper maximizes employee choice and keeps it easy compared to the other earned wage access companies.
4. Industry Focus
Keeper: Designed for high-turnover, hourly, and shift-based industries—especially healthcare, home health, and skilled nursing facilities.
DailyPay: Broad industry focus; strong presence in large enterprises.
PayActiv: General market approach; adds financial wellness services.
Tapcheck: Broad industry coverage; popular with small to mid-size businesses.
Why it matters: Keeper understands the unique needs of healthcare, where staffing stability is critical.
Summary Table of Earned Wage Access Companies
Here’s a quick look at how the top earned wage access companies compare on what matters most to employers.
| Feature | Keeper | DailyPay | PayActiv | Tapcheck |
| Employer Cost | $0 | Fees apply | Fees may apply | Fees may apply |
| Time to Launch | <2 weeks | 4–6 weeks typical | Varies | Varies |
| Payout Options | Cash, Gift Cards, Debit Card (coming) | Cash only | Cash, Bill Pay, Services | Cash only |
| Industry Focus | Hourly, shift-heavy | Broad | Broad | Broad |
| Integration | 180+ systems | Major systems | Major systems | Popular systems |
| Employee Experience | Simple, transparent | Focus on cash payouts | Broad but complex | Limited payout flexibility |
The Bottom Line
Earned wage access companies like DailyPay, PayActiv, and Tapcheck each offer solid capabilities. But if you want a solution that’s:
- Free for employers
- Fast to implement
- Built for hourly and shift-based industries
- Flexible for employees
…Keeper is the clear choice.
Request a Demo to see how Keeper compares in action.
