Central (YC S24)
AI-powered payroll, HR, benefits, and compliance platform for startups, using AI agents to automate administrative work.
| What is it | AI-powered payroll, HR, benefits, and compliance platform for startups, using AI agents to automate administrative work. |
|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid — from $50/mo |
| Free tier | No |
| Platform | Web Application |
| Best for | running payroll for US employees and global contractors, managing multi-state business registrations and compliance |
| Domain registered | 2004 |
Data updated Aug. 1, 2026
What does Central (YC S24) do?
Central (YC S24) is an all-in-one platform that handles payroll, HR, benefits, and compliance for startups. It goes beyond being just a dashboard by using a combination of AI agents and human HR experts to actively manage tasks. This means the system can process payroll for employees and contractors anywhere, file necessary taxes, handle state registrations, and manage benefits—freeing founders and operators from hours of manual administrative work each month.
The tool stands out by automating complex, error-prone processes. Its AI agents can answer questions and execute commands directly within Slack, like retrieving a company's EIN or changing an employee's salary. For compliance, it proactively identifies requirements, such as registering a business in a new state when an employee moves. The platform also provides white-glove setup and migration, aiming to get companies operational quickly.
This service is built for startup teams who need reliable back-office operations but lack the time or expertise to manage them. It's particularly useful for companies hiring in multiple US states or working with international contractors, as it consolidates these fragmented tasks. By automating the administrative grind, Central (YC S24) aims to give founders back more than 10 hours a month to focus on building their business.
Key features
What makes it stand outWho is Central (YC S24) for?
Who benefits most from this toolPricing
Central
- US payroll & compliance in 50 states
- Pay contractors in 200+ countries
- Health insurance & 401(k)
- Hire, manage and fire
- PTO tracking and policies
- AI teammate in Slack
- White-glove migration & setup
- Expert support via Slack/email
- Dedicated insurance broker
- Quickbook & Puzzle integrations
- Add your accountant for free
- First month free
- Unlimited payruns
- No hidden fees
- No annual contract
- Cancel anytime
Trust & presence
Gallery
Click any image to enlargeAlternatives in Employee Management
AI-powered platform for managing frontline workforces — handles scheduling, time tracking, payroll, HR, and talent acquisition.
AI-powered employee onboarding platform — creates personalized plans, centralizes knowledge, and tracks progress automatically.
Agentic AI platform that automates IT and HR support, answering questions and resolving tickets across Teams, Slack, and email.
AI-powered HR platform that manages the entire employee lifecycle from hiring to offboarding in one system.
AI agents that automate IT and HR employee support tasks, answer questions, and resolve tickets 24/7.
Enterprise AI platform that automates back-office workflows in HR, IT, Finance, and Procurement with pre-built AI agents.
AI employee experience platform for frontline workers — connect, inform, and automate without an email or laptop
All-in-one HR software for small to mid-sized businesses — handles payroll, hiring, benefits, and employee data.
Similar tools
AI-powered applicant tracking system for startups and SMEs — manage candidates, pipelines, and career portals in one place.
Cloud HR platform with ATS, CRM, AI resume parsing, video interviews, and skills testing for staffing agencies.
Automated testing and monitoring platform for voice and chat AI agents — catch issues before they reach customers
AI-powered health benefits platform for startups — get personalized, level-funded plans with a 24/7 employee concierge.