Gusto is the best payroll software for most small businesses in 2026, and Patriot Software is the best pick on a tight budget. Gusto pairs full-service payroll with an easy setup, while Patriot runs payroll from $17 a month plus $4 per worker.
Other picks fit specific needs. OnPay matches Gusto’s entry price and includes multi-state payroll at no extra charge. ADP RUN and Paychex Flex suit employers who want a large provider with phone support and HR services. Rippling fits fast-growing companies that want payroll, HR, and IT on one system.
Read the fine print on promotions. Several providers advertise free months, but those offers can require a one-year agreement, and setup, year-end, or add-on fees may sit outside the deal.
Our top pick
Gusto
Full-service payroll that a first-time employer can set up without help.
Quick picks
Best overall
Best for multi-state teams
Best on a budget
Best for HR support
Best for fast-growing companies
How we ranked these tools
We scored each service on five criteria: fit for small and midsize employers, payroll and tax filing features, pricing and value, ease of use, and support. We based the scores on vendor documentation, published pricing, and public user reviews. We did not accept payment for placement. Prices reflect published rates as of October 2026, so confirm the current price with the vendor.
The 6 best payroll software tools
1. Gusto
Best for most small businesses
Our rating4.7 / 5
Starting price$49 / month + $6 / person
Free planNo
Gusto is full-service payroll built for small employers. It runs payroll, files and pays federal, state, and local payroll taxes, and handles W-2s and 1099s, with onboarding and benefits tools on top. The Simple plan costs $49 a month plus $6 per person, Plus costs $80 a month plus $12 per person, and Premium is quoted on request. It is easy to set up without an accountant. Per-person fees climb quickly on the Plus plan.
Pros
- Clean setup for first-time employers
- Automatic tax filing and year-end forms
- Benefits and onboarding tools included
Cons
- Per-person cost doubles on the Plus plan
- Premium pricing is not published
Key features
- Automated payroll tax filing
- Employee self-service
- Benefits administration
- Contractor payments
2. OnPay
Best for multi-state teams on one simple plan
Our rating4.6 / 5
Starting price$49 / month + $6 / worker
Free planFree first month
OnPay sells one payroll plan, Payroll Essentials, at $49 a month plus $6 per worker. That price includes unlimited pay runs, federal, state, and local tax filings, W-2 and 1099 workers, multi-state payroll with no per-state fee, and free setup and data migration. HR, time tracking, and live HR support are paid add-ons. The single plan keeps budgeting simple, though the add-ons raise the bill for employers who want a full HR suite.
Pros
- Multi-state payroll at no extra charge
- Free setup and data migration
- First month free
Cons
- HR and time tracking cost extra
- Fewer advanced HR features than Rippling
Key features
- Unlimited pay runs
- Multi-state tax filing
- Employee self-service portal
- Accounting integrations
3. Patriot Software
Best for employers on a tight budget
Our rating4.5 / 5
Starting price$17 / month + $4 / worker
Free planFree trial
Patriot Software keeps payroll cheap. Basic Payroll costs $17 a month plus $4 per worker, but you file and deposit payroll taxes yourself. Full Service Payroll costs $37 a month plus $5 per worker and takes over tax filing. Both plans are month to month, with a 30-day free trial. Patriot suits small employers with simple pay schedules and a handful of workers. The interface is plainer than Gusto’s, and HR tools are thinner.
Pros
- Lowest published price on this list
- Month-to-month with a 30-day trial
- Full-service option for $37 a month
Cons
- Basic plan leaves tax filing to you
- Fewer HR and benefits features
Key features
- Unlimited payroll runs
- Tax filing on Full Service
- Employee portal
- Direct deposit
4. ADP RUN
Best for employers who want HR support with payroll
Our rating4.4 / 5
Starting priceCustom pricing
Free planNo
RUN Powered by ADP is ADP’s payroll service for small businesses. It comes in four packages, Essential, Enhanced, Complete, and HR Pro, with recruiting, unemployment insurance, and HR support added at each step up. ADP does not publish prices, so you request a quote, and it often runs promotions with free months of payroll. It fits employers who want a long-established provider and HR help. Comparing quotes takes more effort than with flat-priced rivals.
Pros
- Four packages from payroll to full HR
- Long-established payroll provider
- HR support on upper tiers
Cons
- No published pricing
- Promotions add terms to read closely
Key features
- Payroll tax filing
- HR support
- Hiring tools
- Mobile app
5. Rippling
Best for fast-growing companies
Our rating4.3 / 5
Starting price$8 / employee / month + base fee
Free planNo
Rippling combines payroll, HR, benefits, and IT tools such as device and app management on one employee record. Plans start at $8 per employee per month plus a monthly base fee, and the final price depends on which products you add, so most buyers get a quote. It suits companies that hire quickly and want one system to onboard, pay, and equip staff. A 10-person business with simple payroll pays for more platform than it uses.
Pros
- Payroll, HR, and IT on one system
- Scales well as headcount grows
- Global payroll options
Cons
- Base fee plus modules makes pricing hard to predict
- More than a small team needs
Key features
- Payroll and tax filing
- Onboarding workflows
- Device and app management
- Benefits administration
6. Paychex Flex
Best for employers who want a dedicated service team
Our rating4.2 / 5
Starting priceCustom pricing
Free planNo
Paychex Flex is the platform behind Paychex’s payroll and HR packages, which run from Basic through Foundations, Advanced, and Complete, plus PEO options. Prices are quote-only. Paychex regularly runs promotions with free months of payroll for new clients, but its current offer requires a one-year agreement. It suits employers who want a large provider with HR services and phone support. Smaller employers will usually pay less with a flat-priced online service.
Pros
- Packages from basic payroll to PEO
- HR services on higher tiers
- Serves employers of most sizes
Cons
- No published pricing
- Promotions can require a one-year agreement
- Fees beyond payroll can add up
Key features
- Payroll processing
- Tax filing
- HR services
- Time and attendance
Compare the top payroll software
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gusto | Most small businesses | $49 / month + $6 / person | No | 4.7 |
| OnPay | Multi-state teams on one simple plan | $49 / month + $6 / worker | Free first month | 4.6 |
| Patriot Software | Employers on a tight budget | $17 / month + $4 / worker | Free trial | 4.5 |
| ADP RUN | Employers who want HR support with payroll | Custom pricing | No | 4.4 |
| Rippling | Fast-growing companies | $8 / employee / month + base fee | No | 4.3 |
| Paychex Flex | Employers who want a dedicated service team | Custom pricing | No | 4.2 |
How to choose payroll software
Decide who files the taxes
Full-service payroll files and pays your federal, state, and local payroll taxes. Cheaper plans, such as Patriot’s Basic Payroll, leave filing to you. A missed deposit costs more in penalties than the price difference, so most employers should pay for full service.
Price it at your real headcount
Payroll pricing is a base fee plus a per-person fee. Multiply the per-person fee by your staff count, including contractors if the provider charges for them, then add the base. Run the math again at the headcount you expect next year.
Count your states
Remote hires create tax registrations in new states. OnPay includes multi-state payroll at no extra charge. If you hire across state lines, confirm how each provider handles new state registrations before you sign.
Read promotion terms before you commit
Free months from ADP and Paychex can be good value, but check for a minimum term, early termination clauses, and fees that the promotion does not cover, such as setup or year-end forms.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best payroll software for a small business?
Gusto is the best payroll software for most small businesses because it handles tax filing, year-end forms, and onboarding with an easy setup. OnPay is a close second at the same entry price, and Patriot Software is the best choice when cost matters most.
How much does payroll software cost?
Most small business payroll costs a monthly base fee plus a per-person fee. Patriot starts at $17 a month plus $4 per worker, while Gusto and OnPay start at $49 a month plus $6 per person. ADP RUN and Paychex Flex quote prices on request.
What is full-service payroll?
Full-service payroll means the provider calculates pay, withholds taxes, and files and pays your payroll taxes for you. It also produces year-end W-2 and 1099 forms. Self-service plans run the calculations but leave tax deposits and filings to you, along with the penalties for mistakes.
Can you run payroll yourself without software?
You can, but it is risky. You must calculate withholding, deposit taxes on schedule, and file quarterly and annual returns in every state where you have employees. Payroll software costs far less than the penalties from a late or wrong filing.
Is ADP or Paychex better than Gusto?
Not for most small businesses. ADP and Paychex suit employers who want a large provider with HR services and a dedicated team, but they quote prices on request. Gusto publishes its prices and is simpler to set up, which fits most teams under 50 people.
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