Compare PBJ software
Every way to file PBJ, side by side.
Seven ways nursing homes produce a PBJ file, from a free CMS spreadsheet to a full workforce suite. Compare what each costs, where your staffing data comes from, and who uploads to CMS.
Published by EasyPBJ. Sources for every competitor statement are at the bottom of this page.
The options.
Published starting prices, not quotes. Open any option for a detailed, sourced comparison.
- Our product
EasyPBJ
PBJ filing workspace
$0 to $149
Free to prepare any quarter. Downloads free up to 25 employees; $149 per facility per quarter above that.
- Staffing data
- Your payroll and agency CSV or Excel exports
- Submission
- Your submitter uploads in iQIES
- Best for
- Teams that need PBJ done well, at a published price
SimplePBJ (formerly ezPBJ)
PBJ software
From $119/mo
Published SimplePBJ Pro starting price per facility.
- Staffing data
- Converts timekeeping and payroll data
- Submission
- Advertises sending to CMS after access approval
- Best for
- Teams that want staffing-rating forecasts
OnShift
Senior care workforce platform
Quote
No public price found. Capterra lists “Contact vendor.”
- Staffing data
- Syncs from HR and time systems, with agency file imports
- Submission
- Generates submission files; upload method not described
- Best for
- Replacing scheduling and workforce tools together
SmartLinx
Senior care workforce and HR suite
Quote
No public price found. SmartLinx offers a free demo.
- Staffing data
- Collected from the SmartLinx platform
- Submission
- Says the XML is submitted directly to CMS
- Best for
- One vendor for scheduling, time, payroll, and HR
Prelude Services
PBJ module on a reporting platform
Quote
No price on Prelude’s PBJ page.
- Staffing data
- Imports employee and time records from several sources
- Submission
- Produces XML for you to submit
- Best for
- Teams that want vendor training and 24/7 phone support
Payroll system PBJ export
Feature of some payroll suites
Varies
Part of your payroll contract.
- Staffing data
- Hours already in that payroll system
- Submission
- You upload in iQIES
- Best for
- One system that already holds every hour
CMS Excel to XML template
Free spreadsheet from CMS
$0
Your staff enter or paste every row.
- Staffing data
- Typed or pasted into an Excel workbook
- Submission
- You upload in iQIES
- Best for
- Very small rosters and strong Excel skills
At a glance.
| Option | Published price | Staffing data | Submission | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EasyPBJ | $0 to $149 | Your payroll and agency CSV or Excel exports | Your submitter uploads in iQIES | Teams that need PBJ done well, at a published price |
| SimplePBJ (formerly ezPBJ) | From $119/mo | Converts timekeeping and payroll data | Advertises sending to CMS after access approval | Teams that want staffing-rating forecasts |
| OnShift | Quote | Syncs from HR and time systems, with agency file imports | Generates submission files; upload method not described | Replacing scheduling and workforce tools together |
| SmartLinx | Quote | Collected from the SmartLinx platform | Says the XML is submitted directly to CMS | One vendor for scheduling, time, payroll, and HR |
| Prelude Services | Quote | Imports employee and time records from several sources | Produces XML for you to submit | Teams that want vendor training and 24/7 phone support |
| Payroll system PBJ export | Varies | Hours already in that payroll system | You upload in iQIES | One system that already holds every hour |
| CMS Excel to XML template | $0 | Typed or pasted into an Excel workbook | You upload in iQIES | Very small rosters and strong Excel skills |
Three questions that pick the right option.
Are you replacing scheduling, time, or HR too?
- Yes: compare workforce suites, where PBJ is one module.
- No: a PBJ workspace keeps the systems you have and handles only the filing.
How many employees are in a quarter?
- Up to 25 per facility: EasyPBJ downloads are free.
- More: compare $596 a year for EasyPBJ with published or quoted prices elsewhere.
Can you try it on a real-looking quarter first?
- EasyPBJ’s sample filing walks from a payroll row to the XML with no account.
- Suites typically start with a demo request.
Common questions.
What is the best PBJ software for a nursing home?
It depends on what else you are buying. If you only need the PBJ filing and want to keep your current payroll and agency systems, a PBJ workspace such as EasyPBJ or SimplePBJ fits. If you are replacing scheduling, time, and HR at the same time, a workforce suite such as OnShift or SmartLinx may include PBJ. For a very small roster and strong Excel skills, the free CMS template works.
Is there free PBJ software?
Yes. The CMS Excel to XML template is free. EasyPBJ is free to import, review, and prepare any quarter, and downloads are free when a facility has up to 25 unique employees in the quarter.
Which PBJ software publishes its price?
As of October 2026, EasyPBJ ($0, or $149 per facility per quarter above 25 employees) and SimplePBJ Pro (from $119 per month per facility) publish prices. OnShift, SmartLinx, and Prelude Services do not list PBJ prices on their websites.
Does any PBJ software guarantee CMS acceptance?
No. Software can check structure and common errors, but only the CMS validation report in iQIES shows what CMS accepted. Check it after every upload.
Do I have to change payroll systems to use PBJ software?
Not with file-based tools. EasyPBJ imports the CSV, TSV, XLSX, or XLS exports your payroll and agency already produce. Workforce suites typically collect hours from their own time and attendance products or integrations.
See a filing come together.
Open the sample filing with example data, no account needed. When you are ready, prepare your own quarter free.
Sources and notes.
Published by EasyPBJ, so read it with that in mind. Other products are described from their own public pages, quoted where possible, and were not tested hands-on. Sources checked October 22, 2026. Prices and features change; confirm current terms with each provider. EasyPBJ is not affiliated with CMS or the companies named here.
- OnShift: Payroll-Based Journal reporting
Describes syncing from HR and time and attendance systems, agency imports via XML, CSV, or Excel, a check-in app, review before submission, and generating submission files. Read October 22, 2026. - OnShift: product overview
Lists platform, talent acquisition, workforce management, payroll and HRIS, engagement, and reporting and compliance products. No published pricing. Read October 22, 2026. - Capterra: OnShift pricing listing
Shows the starting price as “Contact vendor.” Checked October 17, 2026. - SmartLinx: Payroll Based Journal reporting
Describes automatic collection and classification, CMS rule validation, CMS-compliant XML, and direct submission to the CMS portal. No published pricing. Read October 22, 2026. - SmartLinx: product overview
Lists workforce optimization, HR, compliance (PBJ, Five-Star Predictor, ACA), and contingent staff management. Offers a free demo. Read October 22, 2026. - Prelude Services: our PBJ solution
Describes import, create, review against CMS rules, XML generation, archiving, analytics, training, and 24/7 support. No pricing. Read October 22, 2026. - Simple: published SimplePBJ pricing
Lists SimplePBJ Pro from $119/month/facility. Checked October 8, 2026; a starting price is not a facility-specific quote. Details in our SimplePBJ comparison. - EasyPBJ: pricing and free download allowance
Free preparation, free downloads for quarters with up to 25 unique employees per facility, and $149 per facility per quarter above that. Checked October 22, 2026. - EasyPBJ: supported payroll file layouts
CSV, TSV, XLSX, and XLS imports with confirmed mappings. File import, not a direct payroll connection. Checked October 22, 2026.