Patriot Software vs. SurePayroll: 2026 Payroll Compare

It depends on team size, but Patriot costs less for most small businesses. Patriot's Full Service Payroll is $37/month + $5 per worker paid, while SurePayroll's Full Service plan is $29/month + $7 per worker. SurePayroll charges an additional year-end filing fee for W-2s and 1099s of $50 + $5 per form filed, something Patriot Software includes for free.

Because SurePayroll charges $2 more per worker, Patriot Software becomes the lower-cost option once you have four or more employees, and the savings grow with every hire. And if you include the additional end-of-year filing fee, Patriot Software comes out on top if you have two or more employees.

For example, here's how the monthly cost breaks down based on team size:

In this example, small businesses with 5 - 50 employees save $2 - $92/month with Patriot Software, which adds up to $24 - $1,104 in annual savings. Small businesses save an additional $75 - $300 per year with Patriot Software for year-end filing since SurePayroll charges an annual fee.

Patriot Software includes year-end filings (W-2s and 1099s) with Full Service Payroll at no additional cost. SurePayroll charges a $50 base fee + $5 per form for year-end tax services, an added cost that can erase its lower sticker price for very small teams.

For example, here's how the annual cost breaks down based on how many year-end forms you want filed:

No, SurePayroll does not offer accounting software. Patriot Software includes native accounting starting at $20/month, making it the better fit for small businesses that want payroll and accounting in one place.

Patriot Software offers a native time tracking add-on starting at $6/month + $2 per worker paid. SurePayroll does not offer built-in time tracking, so SurePayroll users would need a separate third-party solution, which comes with an integration fee.

Patriot offers an HR add-on for $6/month + $2 per worker paid with published pricing. SurePayroll offers HR advisory services through SixFifty starting at $75 per month with an annual subscription, but you'll need to contact them for pricing.

Patriot Software offers up to 30% wholesale discounts for all accountants, starting with the first client. SurePayroll offers a reseller program through its parent company Paychex, but does not publish its discount rates.

Both offer self-filing options. Patriot's Basic Payroll starts at $17/month + $4 per worker paid, while SurePayroll's No Tax Filing plan is $20/month + $4 per worker, making Patriot the lower-cost option for self-filers.

Patriot Software offers a 30-day free trial plus 50% off for the first three months. SurePayroll does not advertise a free trial.

Yes, both Patriot Software and SurePayroll support multi-state payroll. Patriot Software charges $12/month per additional state with Full Service Payroll. SurePayroll charges a $9.99/month multi-state fee. Both back their full-service tax filings with an accuracy guarantee.

SurePayroll offers a dedicated Household plan at $45/month (includes one employee) for paying nannies, caregivers, and other domestic staff, and it's a common choice for household payroll.

Patriot Software is often considered the best choice for small businesses due to its affordability, included year-end filings, and highly rated customer support.

Yes, Patriot Software is a strong alternative to SurePayroll, offering payroll plus native accounting and time tracking, with year-end filings included at no extra cost.

Patriot Software may be the better choice for small businesses that want lower total costs as they grow, year-end W-2 and 1099 filings included free, native accounting software, and native time tracking, features SurePayroll does not offer or charges extra for. Patriot Software also carries higher customer ratings (4.7 vs. 3.8 on Trustpilot and 4.8 vs. 4.4 on G2) and offers a transparent wholesale discount program for accountants. The best payroll software for small business depends on your specific needs, but Patriot Software's combination of lower pricing, included year-end filings, and broader feature set makes it a strong option for most small businesses.