Best Online Payroll Software Services of October 2021
These top payroll products are reliable, easy to use and full of useful features.
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The best online payroll software products for small businesses take care of payroll dependably and with minimal fuss. For most companies, that means offering tax filing and payment options, direct deposit options, live support and employee online access to past pay stubs. Our top picks stand out by offering those features and more.
The best online payroll software products for small businesses take care of payroll dependably and with minimal fuss. For most companies, that means offering tax filing and payment options, direct deposit options, live support and employee online access to past pay stubs. Our top picks stand out by offering those features and more.
Our pick for
Overall payroll software
Our pick for
Larger businesses
Our pick for
Integrated payroll solution
Our pick for
Best value
Our pick for
Low-cost option
Patriot Payroll
Starting at
Plus $4 per employee. Additional pricing tiers (per month): $30.
Promotion
Terms apply
Our pick for
Best mobile option
Summary of Best Online Payroll Software Services of October 2021
| Product | Best For | Starting at | Promotion | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Gusto Payroll Shop now on Gusto's website | Best for Overall payroll software | $39/mo Additional pricing tiers (per month): $149. Fee per employee varies by tier. | One month free Terms apply | Shop now on Gusto's website |
 RUN Powered by ADP Shop now on ADP's website | Best for Larger businesses | $59/mo Plus $4 per employee. Custom pricing also available. | Three months free Terms apply | Shop now on ADP's website |
 QuickBooks Payroll Shop now on QuickBooks's website | Best for Integrated payroll solution | $45/mo Additional pricing tiers (per month): $75, $125. Fee per employee varies by tier. | 50% off 50% off for three months or 30-day free trial; terms apply. | Shop now on QuickBooks's website |
 OnPay Payroll Shop now on OnPay's website | Best for Best value | $36/mo Plus $4 per employee. | One month free Terms apply | Shop now on OnPay's website |
Patriot Payroll | Best for Low-cost option | $10/mo Plus $4 per employee. Additional pricing tiers (per month): $30. | One month free Terms apply | Read review |
 Roll by ADP Shop now on Roll by ADP's website | Best for Best mobile option | $17/mo Plus $5 per employee. | Three months free Terms apply | Shop now on Roll by ADP's website |
Our picks for best online payroll software
Click the software name to read our review.
Our pick for: Best overall payroll software
Price:
Contractor: $6 per person per month.
Core: $39 per month plus $6 per person per month.
Complete: $39 per month plus $12 per person per month.
Concierge: $149 per month plus $12 per person per month.
At all pricing tiers, Gusto's robust payroll product includes a suite of HR features, like administration of health insurance and other benefits. Employees also get access to a mobile app (Gusto Wallet) to help them track their finances, and can opt to be paid via debit card. For businesses that want the human touch, the Concierge level ($149 per month base, plus $12 per employee) offers dedicated HR support. Gusto integrates with many third-party software products, including popular accounting apps like QuickBooks Online, FreshBooks and Xero.
Our pick for: Larger businesses
Price:
Essential: $59 per month plus $4 per employee per month.
Enhanced: Quote only.
Complete: Quote only.
HR Pro: Quote only.
This small-business payroll product from ADP, a payroll industry leader, offers a strong list of payroll features and solid customer support. And if you’re planning to scale your business up, ADP has products for every stage of your growth. The downsides: You have to talk to a sales rep to get a quote, and many features come with an extra price tag. RUN is geared toward companies of up to 49 employees; Workforce Now is the ADP product geared to those with 50 or more employees.
Our pick for: Best integrated payroll solution
Price:
Core: $45 per month plus $4 per employee per month.
Premium: $75 per month plus $8 per employee per month.
Elite: $125 per month plus $10 per employee per month.
For the many small-business owners who use QuickBooks Online for accounting needs, turning to QuickBooks Payroll is a logical choice if only for the fast, convenient integration. The Core plan offers a full suite of payroll features, including tax support, 1099 filing and next-day direct deposit. Higher tiers add features such as same-day direct deposit and mobile time tracking, but the cost can add up fast. At $125 a month plus $10 per employee, the Elite plan includes a personal HR advisor, expert setup help and the ability to pay employees in other states at no extra cost.
Our pick for: Best value
Price:
$36 per month plus $4 per employee.
OnPay keeps it simple, offering a wide range of features encompassing payroll, HR and benefits for one base rate — and the first month is free. While designed for smaller businesses, it can run larger payrolls and boasts support for specialized needs such as restaurants, farms, nonprofits and churches. It integrates with accounting software such as QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop and Xero.
Our pick for: Best low-cost option
Price:
Basic: $10 per month plus $4 person per month.
Full service: $30 per month plus $4 per person per month.
Patriot Payroll offers an affordable suite of well-regarded products covering accounting and payroll, with add-ons that can cover HR and time and attendance reporting. For price-conscious companies looking for a single, integrated package, it's worth a look. Be aware that the Basic level does not include tax filing and depositing. These features are included at the Full Service level, which bumps the monthly base fee to $30 — but keeps the per-employee fee low at $4 per month.
Roll by ADP
Our pick for: Best mobile option
Price:
$17 per month plus $5 per employee.
With Roll, introduced in 2021, all functions can be performed on a mobile device, using a natural-language, chat-style interface. That includes adding a new employee, running payroll, awarding a bonus — even setting up your company's payroll for the first time. No desktop work is required, though a desktop interface is available. Roll takes full advantage of newer mobile-first technologies while retaining the useful features and reliability of ADP, a payroll industry stalwart.
Last updated on July 12, 2021
To recap our selections...
NerdWallet's Best Online Payroll Software Services of October 2021
- Gusto Payroll: Best for Overall payroll software
- RUN Powered by ADP: Best for Larger businesses
- QuickBooks Payroll: Best for Integrated payroll solution
- OnPay Payroll: Best for Best value
- Patriot Payroll: Best for Low-cost option
- Roll by ADP: Best for Best mobile option
