EasyPBJ

SmartLinx alternative

EasyPBJ vs SmartLinx: a PBJ workspace, or PBJ inside a workforce suite.

SmartLinx lists PBJ reporting under compliance, next to scheduling, time and attendance, payroll, HR, and agency management for senior care. EasyPBJ is only a PBJ workspace: you bring the files your current payroll and agency already produce.

EasyPBJ

$0 to $149

Free to prepare any quarter. Downloads free up to 25 employees; $149 per facility per quarter above that.

SmartLinx

Quote

No public price found. SmartLinx offers a free demo.

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EasyPBJ and SmartLinx at a glance.

SmartLinx statements come from its own public pages, quoted where possible. We have not tested it hands-on.

Your questionEasyPBJSmartLinx
Published priceFree to prepare any quarter. Downloads free up to 25 employees; $149 per facility per quarter above that.Not published. SmartLinx offers a free demo and an ROI calculator.
Getting startedCreate an account and start. The sample filing needs no account, and there is no sales call.Request a demo or speak to a SmartLinx specialist.
How staffing data gets inImport the CSV, TSV, XLSX, or XLS exports your payroll and agency already produce, then confirm each column mapping.SmartLinx says it “automatically collects and classifies your employee data per CMS regulations” from its platform.
Review before exportEvery finding links to the source row behind it, and your review decisions are saved with the filing.SmartLinx says it “validates your staffing data against CMS rules before you submit” and flags potential issues.
What you getCMS PBJ XML (4.10.0) with a review workbook and audit package.SmartLinx says data is “formatted into a CMS-compliant XML file.”
Submission to CMSYour authorized submitter uploads the file in iQIES and checks the CMS validation report.SmartLinx says the file is “submitted directly to the CMS portal.” Confirm which person holds iQIES access in your setup.
What else it doesPBJ only. Not a scheduling, time clock, HR, or payroll system.Scheduling, time and attendance, mobile app, payroll, HR, recruiting, benefits, Five-Star prediction, ACA, and agency management.

Which one fits your facility.

An honest split. SmartLinx does more than PBJ; EasyPBJ does PBJ only.

SmartLinx may fit better if

  • You want one vendor for scheduling, time, payroll, HR, and PBJ across many communities.
  • You are already moving time and attendance onto SmartLinx.
  • You want agency staff management and Five-Star prediction in the same system.

EasyPBJ fits better if

  • You are keeping your current payroll and time systems and only need PBJ prepared.
  • You want a published price and a working sample before any sales conversation.
  • Your submitter wants to see and upload the exact XML in iQIES themselves.
  • Your facility has 25 or fewer employees in a quarter, so downloads are free.

Common questions.

Is EasyPBJ a SmartLinx alternative?

For PBJ reporting, yes. EasyPBJ prepares the filing from your existing payroll and agency exports. It does not replace SmartLinx scheduling, time and attendance, payroll, or HR, so compare them only on the PBJ job.

How much does SmartLinx PBJ reporting cost?

SmartLinx does not publish pricing on its website; it offers a free demo. EasyPBJ is free to prepare any quarter, free to download up to 25 employees per facility per quarter, and $149 per facility per quarter above that.

Do I need to switch payroll systems to use EasyPBJ?

No. EasyPBJ imports CSV, TSV, XLSX, and XLS exports from the systems you already use and asks you to confirm how each column maps to PBJ fields.

Does EasyPBJ submit to CMS for me?

No. Your facility’s authorized submitter uploads the XML in iQIES and then checks the CMS validation report. A downloaded file is not proof of CMS acceptance.

Compare it with SmartLinx on your own terms.

Open the sample filing with example data, no account needed. When you are ready, prepare your own quarter free.

Start free Try a sample filing

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.

  • 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.
  • 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.

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