The short answer
Both are free for employers. Payactiv makes ACH and real-time transfers to its card with direct deposit free and charges $2.49 or $3.49 otherwise; ZayZoon charges a flat $5 per payout in most states and always offers a $0 method.
LeadChange Score: editorial assessment based on public information.
Payactiv wins 3ZayZoon wins 1
| Dimension | Payactiv | ZayZoon |
|---|---|---|
| CapabilitiesPayactiv documents 9 of the 11 items on our earned wage access checklist. ZayZoon documents 8, including no-recourse treatment. Always a no-fee transfer option and no tips, Employer eligibility and program controls, Deductions shown as a line item on the pay stub, One-on-one guidance from independent financial professionals, Bill pay, savings goals and discounts in the app | 9 of 11 core capabilities | 8 of 11 core capabilities |
| IntegrationsPayactiv connects to 150+ payroll and workforce systems and publishes OpenAPI documentation. ZayZoon integrates with major payroll processors and powers UKG Wallet in UKG Ready, without a published count. 150 | 150 native | 3 documented |
| SecurityPayactiv states ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II. ZayZoon holds a SOC 2 Type II report. Yes | SOC 2, ISO 27001 | SOC 2 |
| Fit and supportZayZoon serves SMB, enterprise, mom-and-pop and franchise employers. Payactiv states no company sizes; its published case is a 20,000-employee retailer. Small businesses, mid-market companies, enterprises | Enterprises | Small businesses, mid-market companies, enterprises |
| Attribute | Payactiv | ZayZoon |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Enterprises | Small businesses, mid-market companies, enterprises |
| Support channels | Phone, email | Chat, email |
| Founded | 2012 | 2014 |
| Attribute | Payactiv | ZayZoon |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Price transparency | Published | Published |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud |
| Mobile apps | iOS, Android | iOS, Android |
| SOC 2 Type II | ||
| Ownership | Private | Private |
Pricing. Both are free for employers. Payactiv’s paid options cost $2.49 or $3.49, and ACH and real-time pay to its card with a qualifying direct deposit are free. ZayZoon charges $5 per payout in most states, with a $0 method always available.
Capabilities. Payactiv documents 9 of the 11 items on our earned wage access checklist. ZayZoon documents 8, including no-recourse treatment.
Integrations. Payactiv connects to 150+ payroll and workforce systems and publishes OpenAPI documentation. ZayZoon integrates with major payroll processors and powers UKG Wallet in UKG Ready, without a published count.
Security. Payactiv states ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II. ZayZoon holds a SOC 2 Type II report.
Fit and support. ZayZoon serves SMB, enterprise, mom-and-pop and franchise employers. Payactiv states no company sizes; its published case is a 20,000-employee retailer.
DailyPay has the highest LeadChange Score in Earned Wage Access after excluding these two (9.3/10).
From $0/employee/mo
Usually, for paid transfers: ZayZoon charges $5 per payout in most states, while Payactiv’s paid options are $2.49 or $3.49. Each also has a free method.
ZayZoon allows up to 50% of earnings, $200 per payout and one payout a day. Payactiv makes a portion of earned wages available within the employer’s program controls.
ZayZoon targets SMB, mom-and-pop and franchise employers. Payactiv publishes industries rather than sizes, and its case study is a 20,000-employee retailer.
Payactiv states ISO 27001 certification and a SOC 2 Type II attestation; ZayZoon holds a SOC 2 Type II report.
Both do: Payactiv adds one-on-one guidance from independent financial professionals, savings goals and bill pay, and ZayZoon adds financial education courses and budgeting tools.
DailyPay, Tapcheck, Rain, Branch and Instant Financial are the other earned wage access providers we review. Here, Payactiv’s case is free instant pay to its card; ZayZoon’s is small-business focus.
Your team size, what matters most and your role: see which one fits more of your answers, from verified facts and list prices. Then, if you like, ask to hear from both.
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What the LeadChange Score means
A 0–10 editorial assessment built only from verified facts, across six weighted dimensions: capabilities, pricing, integrations, security, fit and support, and data confidence.
Payments, commissions and lead fees are never inputs.
