Compare / Spreadsheets & manual review
PayTransparency vs. Spreadsheets & manual review
Most HR teams start with a spreadsheet of state rules and a checklist someone runs before a job goes live. It is free and it works while you hire in one or two states.
It breaks down when roles are remote, when a new law takes effect, or when postings are syndicated to job boards you don't control. The spreadsheet only knows what someone last typed into it.
| PayTransparency | Spreadsheets & manual review | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free validator; Pro $99/mo with a 14-day trial | Free, plus HR time per posting |
| Which laws apply | Worked out from where the role can be performed and your headcount | Whoever reviews the posting decides |
| New laws | Rules updated within 5 business days of a confirmed change | Updated when someone notices |
| Benefits and bonus language | Flagged where a state requires it | Depends on the checklist |
| Postings already live | Pro scans your careers page nightly | Manual re-review |
| Audit trail | Saved scan history and PDF reports | Whatever you keep |
Choose Spreadsheets & manual review if…
- You hire in a single state with no remote roles.
- You post a handful of roles a year and a manual check takes minutes.
Choose PayTransparency if…
- You hire in two or more states, or post remote roles.
- You want to know when a new law changes what your existing postings need.
- You need a record showing each posting was checked.
Questions
Can I keep my spreadsheet and still use the validator?
Yes. The validator is free and needs no account. Many teams use it as the final check before a posting goes live.
How do I know my spreadsheet is out of date?
Compare it with the law timeline, which lists every state and city law by effective date. If a law on the timeline is missing from your sheet, the sheet is stale.
Third-party descriptions are based on each vendor’s public materials as of October 2026and may have changed; check the vendor’s site for current features and pricing. Product names are trademarks of their owners. Other comparisons: Employment attorney review · Your ATS's pay-range fields · Syndio · Trusaic · PayAnalytics