Payroll Software for Small Business: 9 Top Picks (2026)

By Satish · Last updated: November 11, 2026 · Prices and features from vendor pages read in November 2026. No hands-on testing is claimed; prices change, so confirm on the vendor’s site.

Contents

• What is payroll software for small business?
• How is payroll software for small business priced?
• Best payroll software for small business: comparison table
• 1. Gusto
• 2. OnPay
• 3. QuickBooks Payroll
• 4. Patriot Payroll
• 5. Square Payroll
• 6. Wave Payroll
• 7. Rippling
• 8. ADP RUN
• 9. Paychex Flex
• Is there free payroll software for small business?
• Payroll cost example for a 10-person business
• How to choose payroll software for small business
• Common payroll software mistakes
• In short
• Payroll software for small business: FAQ

What is payroll software for small business?

Payroll software calculates wages and withholdings, pays employees and contractors, and, on full-service plans, files payroll taxes. Payroll software for small business also produces W-2s and 1099s.

Payroll programs vs. payroll companies for small businesses

Payroll programs for small business, such as Gusto, OnPay, Patriot, Square and Wave, publish their prices. Payroll companies for small businesses, such as ADP and Paychex, sell packages by quote. Rippling publishes only a general starting rate. This grouping is ours, not a vendor label.

How is payroll software for small business priced?

Most charge a monthly base fee plus a fee per person paid. Gusto, OnPay, QuickBooks, Patriot, Square and Wave publish both numbers. Rippling publishes only a general starting rate; ADP and Paychex publish none.

Watch for three extras: fees for each additional state (Patriot charges $12 per month for each additional state filed), paper year-end forms (Square charges $3 per employee or contractor per year for mailed copies), and promotions that expire. We leave introductory discounts out of the comparison.

Best payroll software for small business: comparison table

Entry-level full-service plans, as published:

1. Gusto: best all-around payroll software for small business

Price: Simple is $49 a month plus $6 per person. Plus is $80 plus $12 per person. Premium is $180 plus $22 per person. Simple is labeled one-state on the pricing page; Plus and Premium list multi-state payroll.

Gusto’s product page says “Every Gusto plan comes with unlimited payroll runs.” That page also says payroll is available in all 50 states with no price change by state count, which sits oddly with Simple’s one-state label, so confirm the limit with Gusto. The pricing page lists no free trial for the three plans.

Pros

• Fully published pricing on all three tiers

Cons

• Simple is labeled one-state on the pricing page
• Per-person fee doubles on Plus

Choose it if you want a published price and room to add HR tools later. Skip it if you only need the cheapest possible payroll run.

2. OnPay: best for a single flat plan

Price: Payroll Essentials is $49 a month plus $6 per worker. The page lists “No implementation or integration fees” and includes unlimited pay runs, federal, state and local tax filings, payroll in multiple states, and W-2s and 1099s.

OnPay’s homepage mentions “free expert setup” and “Get one month free” without terms. Its “Pricing starts at $55 per month” line matches the $49 base plus $6 for one worker. Add-ons cost extra: HR is $15 plus $2 per worker, and Time Tracking is $15 plus $4 per worker.

Pros

• Multi-state payroll in the base plan
• Optional HR, time tracking and benefits add-ons

Cons

• HR and time tracking cost extra
• Free-month terms not shown

Choose it if you pay in more than one state and want one plan. Skip it if you want HR tools included in the base price.

3. QuickBooks Payroll: best if you already use QuickBooks

Price: Intuit sells payroll in three Workforce bundles. Workforce Payroll + Simple Start shows $88 a month plus $6.50 per employee, with “Save 50% for 3 months” taking the base to $44. Payroll + Essentials shows $125 plus $6.50. Premium Workforce + Plus shows $203 plus $10.

Intuit’s bundles page lists $88, $125 and $203 as the regular prices and $44, $62.50 and $101.50 as the 3-month promotion. The main pricing page does not label them, and one plan page shows $7 rather than $6.50 per employee. We use $88 plus $6.50 as list price; at $7, 10 employees would cost $5 more a month. The bundles include accounting, so the price is not comparable to payroll-only plans.

Pros

• Payroll and accounting in one bundle

Cons

• Highest entry-level base fee in this guide ($88, versus $17 to $49 for the other entry plans)
• Per-employee fee shown inconsistently, and no free trial of the payroll plans is shown

Choose it if QuickBooks is already your books. Skip it if you only want payroll and a low base fee.

4. Patriot Payroll: best low-cost payroll software for small business

Price: Basic is $17 a month plus $4 per worker. Full Service is $37 plus $5 per worker. The page also shows $8.50 plus $2 and $18.50 plus $2.50, exactly half the list rates, matching its “30 days free + 50% off for 3 months” promotion.

Basic includes free direct deposit, unlimited payrolls and contractor payments but does not list tax filing. Full Service adds federal, state and local tax filings and deposits and a “tax filing reliability guarantee” whose terms the page does not detail. Patriot’s pages mention no free payroll tier.

Pros

• Lowest published prices of the nine
• 30-day free trial and free setup help, per its payroll page

Cons

• $12 per month for each additional state on Full Service
• Basic does not file taxes for you

Choose it if price is your top filter. Skip it if you need advisors or deep HR tools.

5. Square Payroll: best for Square sellers and tip-heavy teams

Price: Full-service payroll is $35 a month plus $6 per person paid. Contractor-only payroll is $6 per person paid with no base fee. The page mentions no free trial or free tier.

Full service includes unlimited pay runs, multistate payroll, automated federal and state tax payments and filings and direct-tip tracking. Paper W-2s and 1099s are optional at $3 per employee or contractor per year; digital delivery is free.

Pros

• Lowest base fee among the full-service plans here ($35, versus $37 for Patriot Full Service)

Cons

• No trial shown
• No HR or benefits bundle listed; health insurance is an add-on

Choose it if you already run Square. Skip it if you want bundled HR and benefits tools.

6. Wave Payroll: best for existing Wave accounting users

Price: In the U.S., $40 a month plus $6 per active employee and $6 per independent contractor paid. Wave says its tax service now covers all 50 states, so pricing is the same everywhere.

Wave says you can use it for up to 30 days after processing your first payroll, with no commitment. Activating billing unlocks features such as tax filing and payroll approval beyond the current month. The listed prices apply to customers who signed up after April 2, 2025.

Pros

• Unlimited free direct deposits, per the page
• Integrates with Wave accounting

Cons

• Contractors are billed the same $6 as employees

Choose it if you keep your books in Wave. Skip it if you pay many contractors.

7. Rippling: best for teams that want HR, IT and payroll together

Price: Rippling’s pricing page says its plans “start at $8 per employee per month, with a monthly base fee.” That is a general starting rate, not a payroll-specific price, and no base fee amount is published. Cost depends on which products you choose, and you receive a custom quote.

Its payroll page lists tax automation, pay run comparison and accounting integrations.

Pros

• Payroll links to HR data so changes flow through automatically

Cons

• Cannot be priced without a quote
• Built around a wider platform than a small team may need

Choose it if you want payroll, HR and device management on one platform. Skip it if you want a public price today. For HR-first options, see our best HRIS systems guide.

8. ADP RUN: best for teams that want a human service package

Price: No prices are shown. Each package has a “Get Pricing” button. ADP RUN is described for businesses with 1 to 49 employees and has four packages: Essential Payroll, Enhanced Payroll, Complete Payroll & HR+ and HR Pro Payroll & HR.

Complete adds live HR support and a handbook wizard. The page advertises “Get up to 6 months FREE payroll*” without terms.

Pros

• Clear package ladder from payroll to HR support

Cons

• Quote-only pricing
• Free-months offer terms not visible

Choose it if you want HR support bundled and are happy to get a quote. Skip it if you need to compare prices online first.

9. Paychex Flex: best for scaling from basic to full HR

Price: No prices are shown; the page directs visitors to request pricing or a free quote. Paychex Flex has four payroll packages: Basic, Foundations, Advanced and Complete.

It lists automated tax administration, multi-state tax calculation and QuickBooks and Xero integrations.

Pros

• Four tiers that you can add to as you grow

Cons

• Quote-only pricing
• No trial or free offer shown

Choose it if you expect to add HR and talent tools. Skip it if you want a self-serve price. If you later need broader HR, compare BambooHR alternatives.

Is there free payroll software for small business?

Not on a paid plan from any of the nine providers above, based on their pages. What exists is trials and promotions:

• Patriot: 30 days free, then 50% off for 3 months; no free payroll tier mentioned.
• Wave: up to 30 days after your first payroll.
• OnPay and ADP RUN: “Get one month free” and “up to 6 months FREE payroll*,” terms not shown.
• Rippling: six months free for eligible VC-backed startups.

One genuinely free option is Payroll4Free. Its page shows “$0.0” and says basic services are free “as long as you pay 9 or less employees monthly.” It lists direct deposit or paper checks and an employee portal. Advertisers pay for small ads shown inside the software.

Gaps apply: the page says only “basic services” are free without defining them, does not say what happens at 10 employees, and does not list tax filing as included. Confirm those points before you rely on it.

Payroll cost example for a 10-person business

A worked example, assuming 10 workers paid every month in one state, at list prices and ignoring promotions, benefits and paper forms. QuickBooks uses $88 plus $6.50 per employee.

Rippling is left as a quote because it publishes only a general $8-per-employee starting rate and no base fee. Payroll4Free is excluded because its free tier stops at 9 employees.

Hiring? Our job posting generator guide may help.

How to choose payroll software for small business

Use this checklist before you commit.

• Count employees and contractors separately; Wave and Square charge contractors the same per-person rate as employees.
• Confirm the plan files and pays taxes. Patriot Basic does not list tax filing.
• Check multi-state needs. Gusto Simple is one-state only; Patriot charges per additional state.
• Ask what happens when a promotion ends.

Common payroll software mistakes

• Comparing promotional prices. Introductory discounts such as 50% off for 3 months end. Compare list prices.
• Ignoring the per-person fee. At 10 workers the per-person fee is often larger than the base fee.
• Assuming “free” means free. Free trials end, and Payroll4Free limits you to 9 or fewer employees.

In short

The best payroll software for small business depends on what you value. Patriot is the cheapest published option at $57 a month for 10 workers on Basic or $87 on Full Service. Gusto and OnPay both cost $109 a month at 10 workers. ADP RUN, Paychex Flex and Rippling need quotes. Free options are trials, plus Payroll4Free for 9 or fewer employees.

Sources, as read in November 2026: Gusto pricing, Gusto payroll, OnPay pricing, OnPay, OnPay costs and pricing, QuickBooks Payroll pricing, QuickBooks Workforce bundles, QuickBooks Workforce + Simple Start, Patriot Payroll pricing, Patriot Payroll, Square Payroll pricing, Wave Payroll, Rippling pricing, Rippling payroll, ADP RUN, Paychex payroll, Payroll4Free.

Payroll software for small business: FAQ

What is the best payroll software for small business?

It depends on your needs. Patriot has the lowest published prices at $57 a month for 10 workers on Basic and $87 on Full Service. Gusto and OnPay each cost $109 a month at 10 workers, and OnPay lists multi-state payroll in its base plan. ADP, Paychex and Rippling require quotes.

What is the cheapest payroll software for small business?

Patriot Payroll has the lowest published prices: Basic is $17 a month plus $4 per worker, and Full Service is $37 plus $5 per worker. For 10 workers that is $57 and $87 a month. Basic does not list tax filing.

Is there free payroll software for small business?

Payroll4Free says its basic services are free for businesses that pay 9 or fewer employees monthly, supported by ads. The nine paid providers we checked offer trials or promotions, not permanent free plans.

Which payroll programs for small business include tax filing?

Patriot Full Service, OnPay, Square full-service payroll, ADP RUN and Paychex Flex list tax filing on their pages. Patriot Basic does not list it, and Payroll4Free lists tax calculations but not filing.

Which payroll companies for small businesses publish their prices?

Gusto, OnPay, QuickBooks, Patriot, Square and Wave publish prices. ADP RUN shows Get Pricing buttons and Paychex Flex directs visitors to request pricing or a free quote. Rippling publishes only a general $8-per-employee starting rate and no base fee.

How much does Gusto cost?

Gusto lists Simple at $49 a month plus $6 per person, Plus at $80 plus $12 per person, and Premium at $180 plus $22 per person. For 10 people that is $109, $200 and $400 a month.

Does Wave Payroll have a free trial?

Wave says you can use it for up to 30 days after processing your first payroll, with no commitment. Activating billing unlocks features such as tax filing and payroll approval beyond the current month.

How much does payroll cost for 10 employees?

On published list prices, 10 workers cost $57 to $400 a month: $109 on Gusto Simple or OnPay, $95 on Square, $100 on Wave and $153 on QuickBooks Workforce + Simple Start. ADP, Paychex and Rippling require quotes.