Updated: September 30, 2026
Best Payroll Software for Small Businesses in 2026
Payroll software can help small businesses calculate wages, organize payroll records, pay employees, and—depending on the service—handle payroll tax calculations, filings, and other workforce administration.
Payroll Software Compared
| Provider | Published Entry Pricing | Useful For Comparing |
|---|---|---|
| Gusto | $49/mo + $6/person | Payroll combined with HR functionality |
| Patriot Payroll | $17/mo + $4 per worker paid for Basic | Straightforward published payroll pricing |
| QuickBooks Workforce Payroll | $50/mo + $7/employee | Businesses already using QuickBooks |
| RUN Powered by ADP | Quote required | Businesses comparing broader payroll and HR packages |
| Rippling | Custom pricing | Payroll integrated with HR, IT, and workforce operations |
Prices, promotions, add-ons, and product features can change. Verify current terms directly with each provider before purchasing.
1. Gusto
Gusto combines payroll with employee onboarding, benefits, HR tools, and workforce-management functionality.
Its Simple plan currently starts at $49 per month plus $6 per person and includes single-state payroll, unlimited payroll runs, tax filings and payments, reports, and basic PTO functionality.
Gusto Plus currently starts at $80 per month plus $12 per person and adds features including multi-state payroll and time tracking.
Gusto may be worth evaluating if your business:
- Wants payroll and HR functionality in the same platform
- Values unlimited payroll runs
- Prefers transparent published pricing
- May need broader HR tools as the business grows
Potential limitation
The per-person charge makes employee count increasingly important to total cost, while several advanced workforce features require higher plans.
If you are specifically comparing Gusto with QuickBooks, see our Gusto vs QuickBooks Payroll comparison.
2. Patriot Payroll
Patriot offers Basic Payroll and Full Service Payroll.
Basic Payroll currently costs $17 per month plus $4 per worker paid during the month. It includes unlimited payroll runs, direct deposit, employee access, payroll reports, and related payroll features.
Businesses using Basic Payroll remain responsible for their own payroll tax filings and deposits.
Full Service Payroll currently costs $37 per month plus $5 per worker paid. It adds federal, state, local, and year-end payroll tax filings and deposits.
Patriot may be worth evaluating if your business:
- Prioritizes lower published subscription pricing
- Wants unlimited payroll runs
- Wants a choice between DIY tax filing and full-service payroll
- Has a relatively straightforward payroll operation
Potential limitation
Businesses looking for a broad HR, IT, finance, and workforce platform may need functionality beyond a payroll-focused product.
3. QuickBooks Workforce Payroll
QuickBooks Workforce Payroll is particularly relevant to businesses already using the QuickBooks ecosystem.
Its standard Workforce Payroll price is currently $50 per month plus $7 per employee.
The plan includes full-service payroll, automated payroll tax calculations and filings, payroll reporting, employee management tools, 1099 e-filing, and Auto Payroll for eligible employees.
QuickBooks Payroll may be worth evaluating if your business:
- Already uses QuickBooks accounting
- Wants payroll and accounting workflows within the same ecosystem
- Needs full-service payroll tax handling
- May later want expanded time-tracking or HR functionality
Potential limitation
Businesses that do not use QuickBooks accounting may place less value on the ecosystem integration.
For a direct comparison, read Gusto vs QuickBooks Payroll.
4. RUN Powered by ADP
RUN Powered by ADP is designed for small businesses and currently offers four major package levels:
- Essential Payroll
- Enhanced Payroll
- Complete Payroll & HR Plus
- HR Pro Payroll & HR
Essential includes payroll, direct deposit, payroll tax filing, reporting, employee access, onboarding, and related payroll functionality.
Higher packages progressively add recruiting, HR support, employee handbook tools, training, applicant tracking, and other workforce services.
ADP may be worth evaluating if your business:
- Wants payroll from a large established provider
- Expects HR requirements to become more complex
- Wants several package levels to compare
- Needs payroll tax filing and broader workforce services
Potential limitation
RUN does not publish a single standard small-business subscription price on its public package comparison page. Businesses generally need to request pricing.
5. Rippling
Rippling takes a broader approach than standalone payroll software by connecting payroll with HR, benefits, time tracking, expenses, identity management, devices, and other employee operations.
Rippling states that its individual HR, Finance, and IT products can be purchased alongside its required core platform. Most products use per-employee-per-month pricing, although some products may also include a monthly base fee.
Rippling may be worth evaluating if your business:
- Wants payroll integrated with HR and IT workflows
- Plans to automate employee onboarding and administration
- Expects workforce-management requirements to grow
- Wants a modular platform beyond basic payroll
Potential limitation
A business that only needs simple payroll may not need the broader platform structure, and exact pricing generally requires contacting Rippling.
How to Choose Payroll Software
For a step-by-step selection process, read our guide to choosing payroll software for a small business .
Do not choose payroll software only by comparing the advertised monthly base price.
A provider charging a lower base fee can still become more expensive once employee charges, additional states, time tracking, HR tools, and other add-ons are included.
For a deeper pricing breakdown, read our Payroll Software Cost Guide.
1. Calculate the real monthly subscription cost
A common formula is:
Base Fee + (Per-Employee Fee × Number of Employees) + Add-ons
2. Check payroll tax coverage
Determine whether the service only calculates payroll or also files and deposits payroll taxes.
3. Check multi-state requirements
Businesses with employees working in multiple states should confirm plan requirements and additional state fees.
4. Review time-tracking requirements
If your employees are paid hourly, determine whether time tracking is included, requires a higher plan, or is sold separately.
5. Consider your existing accounting software
Integrating payroll with accounting can reduce duplicate work and manual data entry.
6. Look beyond your current employee count
A platform that is inexpensive for five workers can become substantially more expensive at 20 or 50 employees.
Payroll Software Cost Example
Suppose a payroll service costs:
- $50 monthly base fee
- $7 per employee per month
- 10 employees
This calculation only covers software subscription fees. Employee wages, taxes, benefits, insurance, and other employment costs are separate.
Useful Payroll Tools and Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What does payroll software do?
Payroll software helps businesses calculate employee earnings, maintain payroll records, process payments, produce reports, and—depending on the service—calculate, file, and pay payroll taxes.
How much does payroll software cost?
There is no universal price. Many providers charge a monthly base fee plus a separate employee or worker fee, while others use custom quotes.
See our complete Payroll Software Cost Guide for examples and a cost calculator.
Do small businesses need full-service payroll?
Not necessarily. Businesses comfortable managing their own payroll tax filings may use a more basic payroll service, while others may prefer a full-service provider.
Can payroll software pay contractors?
Many payroll platforms support contractor payments, but contractor pricing, payment methods, tax forms, and features vary by provider.
What should I compare besides price?
Compare tax filing, employee payment methods, payroll frequency, state support, time tracking, accounting integrations, HR features, support, and the total cost at your expected workforce size.
Sources and Pricing Verification
Pricing and product information were reviewed from official provider websites on September 30, 2026. Features and prices may change.