Best Payroll Software for Small Businesses in 2026
Which leading provider will make your life easier?
How the Top Payroll Providers Compare
Best payroll software chart
Chart compares best-fit use cases and pricing for Patriot Payroll®, Gusto, OnPay, QuickBooks Workforce, ADP Run, Paychex Flex, SurePayroll, Rippling, and Deel Payroll.
| Payroll Provider | Starting Price (Current as of July 2026) | Best Payroll For… | G2 Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patriot Payroll | $17/mo + $4/worker paid | Small to mid-sized businesses seeking the best value and highly-rated customer support. | 4.8/5 |
| Gusto | $49/mo + $6/worker | Small to mid sized businesses that want a modern payroll and HR experience. | 4.4/5 |
| OnPay | $49/mo + $6/worker | Small businesses that are multi-state employers. | 4.7/5 |
| QuickBooks Workforce | $50/mo + $7/worker | Businesses already using QuickBooks Online that want tightly integrated payroll and accounting. | 4.6/5 |
| ADP RUN | Call for quote | Businesses that need to scale quickly and need advanced HR compliance infrastructure. | 4.4/5 |
| Paychex Flex | Call for quote | Growing businesses wanting to bundle payroll with HR and benefits management. | 4.8/5 |
| SurePayroll | $20/mo + $4/worker | Household employers. | 4.1/5 |
| Rippling | Call for quote | Businesses that want payroll unified with HR, IT, and device management in one system. | 4.8/5 |
| Deel Payroll | $29 per employee per month (U.S. payroll) | Businesses paying international employees and contractors across multiple countries. | 4.7/5 |
*Comparisons are based on publicly available information as of July 2026 and may change. Features and pricing vary by plan and jurisdiction.
#1 Patriot Payroll — Best Value for Small Businesses
Business owners looking for a reliable payroll system choose Patriot Software due to its value, free USA-based support, and easy-to-use interface.
Patriot Software Pros/Cons
| Pros of Patriot Software | Cons of Patriot Software |
|---|---|
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Patriot Software Pricing
Patriot Software offers two payroll packages:
Basic Payroll $17/mo + $4 per worker paid
Full Service Payroll $37/mo + $5 per worker paid
Patriot Software offers 30 days free, then 50% off for 3 months on all products when you sign up.
Patriot Software Features
- Unlimited payrolls (no extra fees)
- Auto payroll
- Direct deposit
- Multiple pay rates
- Employee and contractor portal
- Pay contractors in payroll
- Health benefit integration
- 401(k) integration
- Federal, state, and local tax filing and deposits (with Full Service Payroll)
- Multi-state payroll
#2 Gusto — Best for Modern User Experience & Benefits
Gusto is rated highly for user experience, with reviewers often saying the software has a “modern” experience.
Gusto Pros/Cons
| Pros of Gusto | Cons of Gusto |
|---|---|
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Gusto Pricing
Gusto offers three payroll packages. They also have a “Solo” plan (not listed) available for solopreneurs needing payroll.
Simple $49/mo + $6 per worker
Plus $80/mo + $12 per worker
Premium $180/mo + $22 per worker
Gusto Features
- Unlimited payrolls (no extra fees)
- Federal, state, and local tax filing and deposits
- Direct deposit
- Gusto debit card for employees
- Same-day pay
- Multiple pay rates
- Pay contractors in payroll
#3 OnPay — Best for Multi-state Employers
OnPay’s transparent pricing, high reviews, and ease of use make it a strong contender for small businesses and niche industries.
OnPay Pros/Cons
| Pros of OnPay | Cons of OnPay |
|---|---|
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OnPay Pricing
OnPay only has one payroll plan.
OnPay Payroll $49/mo + $6 per worker
OnPay Features
- Federal, state, and local tax filing and deposits
- Unlimited payrolls (no extra fees)
- HR tools (new hire onboarding, self-service)
- Pay contractors in payroll
- Direct deposit
- Debit card payments
- Multiple pay rates
- Multi-state payroll
- Benefits administration
#4 QuickBooks Workforce — Best for QuickBooks Online Users
QuickBooks Workforce Payroll is a strong candidate for businesses that are already using the Intuit ecosystem, as it seamlessly integrates with QuickBooks Online (QBO).
QuickBooks Pros/Cons
| Pros of QuickBooks Workforce | Cons of QuickBooks Workforce |
|---|---|
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QuickBooks Pricing
QuickBooks Workforce offers three payroll-only packages.
Workforce Payroll $50/mo + $7 per worker
Workforce Premium $88/mo + $13 per worker
Workforce Elite $134/mo + $17 per worker
QuickBooks Workforce frequently offers temporary discounts on its payroll software. However, users must choose between a free 30-day trial and a 3-month discount.
QuickBooks Features
- Unlimited payrolls (no extra fees)
- Direct deposit
- Auto payroll
- Tax filing and deposits
- Health benefits
- 1099 e-File and pay
- Employee and contractor portal
- 401(k) plans
#5 ADP RUN — Best for Scaling Compliance Needs
RUN Powered by ADP (aka ADP RUN) is a payroll option for businesses wanting payroll, HR, and the ability to scale quickly.
ADP Pros/Cons
| Pros of ADP RUN | Cons of ADP RUN |
|---|---|
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ADP Pricing
ADP does not advertise pricing.
Interested employers must contact ADP for a custom quote.
ADP Features
- Federal, state, and local tax filing and deposits
- Direct deposit
- Employee portal
- Compliance support
- Mobile app
- Benefits administration add-on
- W-2 filing for an additional fee
#6 Paychex Flex — Best for Bundling Payroll + HR at Scale
Paychex Flex’s scalability makes it a good choice for growing businesses.
Paychex Pros/Cons
| Pros of Paychex Flex | Cons of Paychex Flex |
|---|---|
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Paychex Pricing
Paychex Flex does not list its prices. Here are the different payroll tiers:
Paychex Flex Select
Paychex Flex Pro
Paychex Flex Enterprise
Paychex Features
- Federal, state, and local tax filing and deposits
- Compliance library
- New hire reporting
- Labor posters
- Employee self-service
- Job costing and labor distribution (with Enterprise)
- Direct deposit
- 1099 and W-2 administration
#7 SurePayroll — Best for Household Employers
SurePayroll by Paychex, another payroll software in this list, provides payroll designed for small businesses and household employers.
SurePayroll Pros/Cons
| Pros of SurePayroll | Cons of SurePayroll |
|---|---|
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SurePayroll Pricing
SurePayroll has two pricing structures for small business payroll, plus a household payroll option.
No Tax Filing $20/mo + $4 per worker
Full Service $29/mo + $7 per worker
Household $39/mo (includes 1 employee) + $10 per worker
SurePayroll Features
- Easy 3-step payroll process
- Unlimited payrolls (no extra fees)
- Direct deposit
- Pay contractors in payroll
- Auto payroll
- Federal, state, and local tax filing and deposits (with Full Service)
- Multiple pay rates
#8 Rippling — Best for Unified IT + HR + Payroll
Rippling combines payroll with HR, IT, and finance tools, making it a fit for larger businesses that want a unified experience.
Rippling Pros/Cons
| Pros of Rippling | Cons of Rippling |
|---|---|
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Rippling Pricing
Rippling does not advertise pricing.
Interested employers must contact Rippling for a custom quote.
Rippling Features
- Federal, state, and local tax filing and deposits
- Multi-state payroll
- Direct deposit
- Global payroll
- Benefits administration
- Time tracking
- IT and device management
- Employee self-service and mobile app
#9 Deel Payroll — Best for International Contractors
Deel Payroll is built for global hiring, letting businesses pay employees and contractors in 130+ countries.
Deel Payroll Pros/Cons
| Pros of Deel | Cons of Deel |
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Deel Payroll Pricing
Deel’s pricing varies by global or U.S. payroll.
Deel Payroll Global $29 per employee per month (self-serve starting at $8 per employee per cycle)
Pay contractors globally $49 per contractor per month
Hire and pay employees globally $599 per contractor per month
Deel Payroll U.S. $29 per employee per month (self-service)
PEO $125 per employee per month
Deel Payroll Features
- Global contractor onboarding and payments
- Localized contracts and compliance
- Employer of Record hiring without a local entity
- Free HR platform (employee director, org chart, time off)
- Multi-currency payments
- Global benefits management add-on ($10 per employee per month)
FAQs
Patriot Payroll is frequently identified as the leader in "Value for Money" and the lowest-cost entry point. Its Basic Payroll plan starts at $17 per month plus $4 per worker, making it ideal for small businesses focused on minimizing operational expenses. However, this low cost means handling your own tax filings (unless you upgrade to the Full Service plan).
Patriot Payroll consistently receives the highest reviews for customer support across review sites such as Trustpilot and Capterra. OnPay is also a leader in customer service, with many customers praising its reliability, personalized onboarding, and accessible, highly-trained experts. Both Patriot Software and OnPay are considered excellent choices if reliable help is a top priority.
The main difference is payroll runs. Providers like Patriot Software, Gusto, OnPay, and QuickBooks offer unlimited payroll runs. Paychex charges per payroll run. This per-run charge can significantly increase the total payroll cost for businesses that pay employees weekly or frequently issue off-cycle payrolls or bonuses.
Reviewers widely recognize Gusto for offering a “modern” interface that is easy to use. OnPay and Patriot Software are also highly rated for their ease of use.
Deel and Rippling are purpose-built for global contractor and employer of record payments across 100+ countries. U.S.-first platforms like Patriot Software and OnPay do not support international contractor payments or global compliance.
Churches have unique payroll needs, including clergy housing allowances, ministers' exemption from FICA withholding, and FUTA exemptions. The best payroll for churches is one that handles these correctly at a price that fits a ministry budget.
Patriot Software and OnPay both handle clergy-specific setups, including housing allowance exclusions and exempt-organization tax treatment, at a lower cost than competitors.
The best payroll for healthcare is one that helps employers manage shift differentials, overtime pay, and multiple locations. Gusto's benefits administration depth and Paychex Flex's compliance library make both contenders for healthcare employers.
Nonprofit payroll software should handle tax exemptions, multiple pay rates, and the ability to pay contractors. Patriot Software’s low price (starting at $17/month plus $4 per worker) makes it a strong contender for nonprofits. OnPay and Gusto are also common picks for nonprofit payroll.
The best payroll for startups is affordable and won't break when the team grows. Patriot Software is the low-cost leader starting at $17/month plus $4 per worker, with unlimited payrolls and the ability to pay contractors and employees in the same payroll. Startups planning to offer extensive benefits or hire internationally from day one may also consider Gusto or Deel, though both cost significantly more.
Restaurant payroll software should handle reported tips, manage hourly employees, and allow customized pay schedules and the ability to add multiple pay rates. Gusto and OnPay both handle tip credit calculations and tip pooling, making them an option for restaurants.