2026 Software Rankings • Updated October 2026
Best Payroll Software of 2026: 12 Top Picks Compared
We compared plan pricing, automatic tax filing, ease of use, integrations and support across the leading payroll software. Find the right fit, then get free quotes.
Compare Payroll Software Quotes → Jump to Pricing Table
What Is the Best Payroll Software?
The best payroll software in 2026 is Gusto for most small businesses, ADP RUN for growing businesses, OnPay for the best value, Rippling for all-in-one HR and IT, QuickBooks Payroll for QuickBooks users and Patriot for the lowest price. Full-service payroll software that files your taxes typically costs $29–$50 per month plus $5–$7 per employee.
Payroll Software Pricing Compared
Starting prices and whether each product files payroll taxes for you. Tap a name for the full review.
| Software | Best for | Starting price | Files taxes for you |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Gusto | Best overall for small businesses | $49/mo + $6/employee | Yes, all plans |
| 2. ADP RUN | Best for growing small businesses | Custom quote | Yes |
| 3. OnPay | Best value payroll software | $49/mo + $6/employee | Yes |
| 4. Rippling | Best all-in-one payroll, HR and IT | From $8/employee/mo + modules | Yes |
| 5. QuickBooks Payroll | Best for QuickBooks users | $50/mo + $7/employee | Yes |
| 6. Paychex Flex | Best for live payroll support | Quoted (entry plan reported from $39/mo + $5/employee) | Yes |
| 7. Paycom | Best for mid-sized self-service | Custom quote | Yes |
| 8. Paylocity | Best employee experience for 50–750 | Custom quote | Yes |
| 9. Patriot Payroll | Cheapest payroll software | $17/mo + $4/employee | Full Service plan only |
| 10. SurePayroll | Best for household employers | $29/mo + $7/employee (full service) | Full Service plan |
| 11. Square Payroll | Best for hourly teams using Square | $35/mo + $6/employee | Yes |
| 12. Deel | Best for international teams | $29/employee/mo (U.S. payroll) | Yes |
Published list prices as of mid-2026. Quoted products price by headcount, pay frequency and modules. Confirm current pricing with a quote.
ADP, Paychex, Paycom and Paylocity don’t publish prices. Get real quotes for your team in about 2 minutes.
Get Free Payroll QuotesBest Payroll Software Reviews
Each product is ranked for the business it fits best, with plan pricing, pros and cons.
Best overall for small businesses1. Gusto
Starting price: $49/mo + $6/employee
Plans: Simple $49 + $6 • Plus $80 + $12 (multi-state) • Premium $180 + $22
Gusto is the easiest full-service payroll software for most small teams: unlimited payroll runs, automatic federal, state and local tax filing, and built-in onboarding, benefits and HR tools.
✔ Pros
- Very easy setup and clean interface
- Unlimited runs, auto tax filing
- Benefits and 401(k) built in
⚠ Cons
- Multi-state requires Plus
- Support quality depends on plan
Best for growing small businesses2. ADP RUN
Starting price: Custom quote
Plans: Essential, Enhanced, Complete and HR Pro packages (quoted)
RUN Powered by ADP is ADP’s small business payroll software, with tax filing, compliance alerts, a strong mobile app and an easy path to HR, benefits and Workforce Now as you grow.
✔ Pros
- Scales from 1 to 49 employees and beyond
- Strong compliance tools
- Highly rated mobile app
⚠ Cons
- Pricing isn’t published
- Add-ons raise cost quickly
Best value payroll software3. OnPay
Starting price: $49/mo + $6/employee
Plans: One plan: $49 + $6 per worker
OnPay keeps it simple with one all-inclusive plan: multi-state payroll, tax filing, W-2s and 1099s, HR tools and free data migration.
✔ Pros
- Everything in one plan
- Multi-state payroll included
- Free data migration
⚠ Cons
- No native time tracking
- Fewer advanced HR tools
Best all-in-one payroll, HR and IT4. Rippling
Starting price: From $8/employee/mo + modules
Plans: Modular: platform fee per employee plus payroll, HR and IT modules (quoted)
Rippling connects payroll to HR, benefits, devices and app access in one system, with powerful workflow automation and U.S. and global payroll.
✔ Pros
- Payroll, HR and IT in one database
- Deep automation and integrations
- Global payroll option
⚠ Cons
- Total cost grows with modules
- Overkill for very small teams
Best for QuickBooks users5. QuickBooks Payroll
Starting price: $50/mo + $7/employee
Plans: Payroll $50 + $7 • Premium $88 + $13 • Elite $134 + $17
QuickBooks Workforce Payroll syncs payroll straight into QuickBooks Online, with automatic tax filing, next-day direct deposit and optional time tracking.
✔ Pros
- Native QuickBooks Online sync
- Next-day direct deposit
- Tax penalty protection on top tier
⚠ Cons
- Higher per-employee fees
- Best value only with QuickBooks
Best for live payroll support6. Paychex Flex
Starting price: Quoted (entry plan reported from $39/mo + $5/employee)
Plans: Flex Select, Foundations, Advanced and Complete packages
Paychex Flex is cloud payroll software backed by payroll specialists, with HR, time tracking, benefits and AI-assisted error checks. Pricing is based on payroll runs.
✔ Pros
- Dedicated specialist on higher tiers
- AI flags payroll errors before submission
- Scales into HR and PEO
⚠ Cons
- Per-run pricing for weekly payroll
- Can feel complex for small teams
Best for mid-sized self-service7. Paycom
Starting price: Custom quote
Plans: All-in-one HCM platform (quoted per employee)
Paycom is single-database HCM software for mid-sized companies. Employees review and approve their own paychecks before payroll runs, which cuts errors.
✔ Pros
- One database for payroll and HR
- Employee-driven payroll review
- Dedicated support rep
⚠ Cons
- Not built for very small teams
- Limited international payroll
8. Paylocity
Starting price: Custom quote
Plans: Payroll and HCM modules (quoted per employee)
Paylocity is mid-market payroll and HR software with a modern employee app, engagement tools and predictable per-employee pricing.
✔ Pros
- Modern employee app
- Strong mid-market feature set
- ACA and multi-state support
⚠ Cons
- Not cost-effective for very small teams
- Reporting learning curve
9. Patriot Payroll
Starting price: $17/mo + $4/employee
Plans: Basic $17 + $4 (you file taxes) • Full Service $37 + $5
Patriot Payroll is the lowest-cost option on our list, with unlimited payrolls and free U.S.-based support. Choose Full Service if you want taxes filed for you.
✔ Pros
- Lowest published price
- Free U.S.-based support
- 30-day free trial
⚠ Cons
- Basic plan doesn’t file taxes
- Fewer integrations
Best for household employers10. SurePayroll
Starting price: $29/mo + $7/employee (full service)
Plans: No Tax Filing $20 + $4 • Full Service $29 + $7 • Household $39 + $10
SurePayroll, owned by Paychex, is simple online payroll for small businesses and household employers such as families paying nannies or caregivers.
✔ Pros
- Affordable entry pricing
- Household and nanny payroll
- Unlimited payroll runs
⚠ Cons
- Year-end services cost extra on some plans
- No built-in time tracking
Best for hourly teams using Square11. Square Payroll
Starting price: $35/mo + $6/employee
Plans: Full service $35 + $6 per person • Contractor-only $6 per contractor
Square Payroll is built for hourly and tipped teams, syncing timecards and tips from Square POS straight into payroll, with automatic tax filing.
✔ Pros
- Syncs with Square POS timecards and tips
- Simple pricing
- Contractor-only plan
⚠ Cons
- Best fit only for Square users
- Limited HR features
12. Deel
Starting price: $29/employee/mo (U.S. payroll)
Plans: U.S. payroll $29/employee • Contractors $49 each • EOR from $599/employee
Deel pays employees and contractors in 100+ countries, with localized compliance and an Employer of Record service for hiring where you have no entity.
✔ Pros
- Pay workers in 100+ countries
- Contractor and EOR options
- Multi-currency payments
⚠ Cons
- Costly for U.S.-only teams
- More than most small businesses need
Other payroll software to consider
Paycor (HR-focused, now part of Paychex — Paycor review), isolved, Heartland, TriNet Zenefits (now part of TriNet) and Justworks. Want someone to run payroll for you instead? See the best payroll outsourcing companies.
DIY vs. Full-Service Payroll Software
The biggest difference between payroll software plans is whether they file your payroll taxes. DIY plans calculate pay and taxes but leave deposits and filings to you; full-service plans do it automatically.
| DIY payroll software | Full-service payroll software | |
|---|---|---|
| Who files taxes | You (software calculates) | The software provider, automatically |
| Typical price | $17–$20/mo + $4/employee | $29–$50/mo + $5–$7/employee |
| Penalty risk | Higher — deadlines are on you | Lower — many include accuracy guarantees |
| Examples | Patriot Basic, SurePayroll No Tax Filing | Gusto, OnPay, QuickBooks, ADP RUN, Square |
| Best for | Owners comfortable with filings | Most small businesses |
Prefer to hand off payroll entirely? Compare payroll services or read is outsourcing payroll worth it.
Must-Have Payroll Software Features
Use this checklist when you compare demos and free trials.
Automatic tax filing
Federal, state and local deposits plus 941, 940, W-2 and 1099 filings.
Unlimited payroll runs
Run bonuses and off-cycle payrolls without extra fees.
Fast direct deposit
Next-day or same-day options keep you flexible on cash flow.
Employee self-service app
Pay stubs, W-2s, W-4 updates and PTO requests on any phone.
Time tracking sync
Hours flow from timeclocks or POS into payroll automatically.
Contractor payments
Pay 1099 workers in the same run and file 1099-NEC forms.
Accounting integrations
Syncs with QuickBooks, Xero and other general ledgers.
Security
Two-factor login, encryption and role-based permissions.
Best Payroll Software by Business Size
| Business | Top picks | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Solo / 1–5 employees | Patriot, Gusto, OnPay, Square Payroll | $42–$85/mo |
| Small business, 6–49 | Gusto, OnPay, ADP RUN, QuickBooks Payroll | $85–$400/mo |
| Mid-sized, 50–500 | Paycom, Paylocity, Rippling, Paychex Flex, ADP Workforce Now | $12–$30 per employee/mo |
| International teams | Deel, Rippling | From $29 per employee/mo |
Go deeper: payroll outsourcing for small business, payroll outsourcing for mid-sized business, and our payroll cost guide. Industry needs: restaurants, construction, non-profits.
How We Ranked the Best Payroll Software
We compared each product’s published plans and features against what small and mid-sized businesses need most:
- Pricing and transparency — published prices, unlimited runs, extra fees.
- Tax filing and compliance — automatic filing, multi-state, year-end forms.
- Ease of use — setup, running payroll and the employee experience.
- Features and integrations — time tracking, benefits, accounting sync.
- Support and scalability — help channels and room to grow.
Avoid costly setup mistakes with 7 payroll errors that could be costing you money.
Payroll Software FAQs
What is the best payroll software?
Gusto is the best payroll software for most small businesses because it combines easy setup, unlimited payroll runs and automatic tax filing for $49 per month plus $6 per employee. ADP RUN is best for growing businesses, OnPay is the best value, Rippling is best for all-in-one HR and IT, and QuickBooks Payroll is best for QuickBooks users.
What is the best payroll software for small businesses?
Gusto, OnPay and ADP RUN are the top payroll software choices for small businesses. Gusto and OnPay both start at $49 per month plus $6 per employee with tax filing included, while ADP RUN offers more room to grow with custom pricing.
How much does payroll software cost?
Most payroll software costs $17 to $50 per month plus $4 to $7 per employee for small businesses. Plans that file your taxes usually start around $29 to $50 per month. Mid-market platforms such as Paycom, Paylocity and Rippling are priced per employee per month by quote.
What is the cheapest payroll software?
Patriot Payroll is one of the cheapest at $17 per month plus $4 per employee, but that plan does not file taxes. Its Full Service plan costs $37 per month plus $5 per employee. SurePayroll and Square Payroll are other low-cost options.
Does payroll software file payroll taxes automatically?
Full-service payroll software such as Gusto, OnPay, ADP RUN, QuickBooks Payroll and Square Payroll calculates, deposits and files federal, state and local payroll taxes automatically. Some budget plans, such as Patriot Basic and SurePayroll No Tax Filing, leave filing to you.
What is the difference between payroll software and a payroll service?
Payroll software gives you tools to run payroll yourself, while a payroll service or outsourcing company takes responsibility for processing payroll and filing taxes. Many full-service software plans now file taxes automatically, which blurs the line between the two.
What features should payroll software have?
Look for automatic tax filing, unlimited payroll runs, direct deposit, an employee self-service portal or app, contractor payments, multi-state support, time tracking integration, accounting software integration, reporting and strong security such as two-factor authentication.
What is the best payroll software for QuickBooks users?
QuickBooks Payroll is the best fit for QuickBooks Online users because payroll data syncs automatically into your books. Gusto, OnPay, Patriot and ADP also integrate with QuickBooks if you prefer another provider.
What is the best payroll software for paying international workers?
Deel and Rippling are the strongest options for international payroll. Deel pays employees and contractors in more than 100 countries and offers an Employer of Record service, while Rippling offers global payroll alongside U.S. payroll.
Can I switch payroll software in the middle of the year?
Yes. Most payroll software providers import your year-to-date payroll data so W-2s stay accurate. Switching at the start of a quarter is easiest because quarterly Form 941 filings stay with one provider.
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