The best payroll software for small businesses has ensures accurate wages, tax filing and payment options, and employee accessibility. The payroll software you choose should also be easy to use and affordable. In our evaluation of accounting software products, we've found the easiest to use, most affordable, and most capable of working with all business types.
| Product | Best for | NerdWallet rating | Starting at | Promotion | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Gusto Payroll |
| $49/month Additional pricing tiers (per month): $80, $180. Fee per employee varies by tier. | 1 months free | on Gusto Payroll's secure website | |
 OnPay Payroll |
| $40/month Plus $6 per employee. | One month free Terms apply | on OnPay Payroll's secure website | |
 RUN Powered by ADP |
| $79/month Plus $4 per employee. Custom pricing also available. | Three months free Terms apply | on RUN Powered by ADP's secure website | |
 Patriot Payroll |
| $17/month Plus $4 per employee. Additional pricing tiers (per month): $37. | One month free Terms apply | on Patriot Payroll's secure website |
Gusto Payroll
Starting at
$49/month
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $80, $180. Fee per employee varies by tier.
Promotion
1 months free
Learn more on Gusto's website
Pros
- Benefits administration (health benefits are available in 38 states and Washington, D.C.; 401(k) plans are available in all 50 states).
- Time-tracking features at higher-price tiers (limited at Simple level).
- Certified HR experts available (at the Premium level).
- Free account setup.
- Next-day direct deposit (at Plus and Premium levels).
Cons
- More expensive than some options.
- Limited hours for live support.
OnPay Payroll
Starting at
$40/month
Plus $6 per employee.
Promotion
One month free
Terms apply
on OnPay's website
Pros
- Benefits administration included.
- Integrates with third-party software for time tracking.
- HR tools included.
- One-month free trial; terms apply.
- Straightforward pricing.
- Integrates with QuickBooks and Xero.
- Calculates hourly and overtime wages as well as cash and controlled tips.
Cons
- Limited customer support hours.
RUN Powered by ADP
Starting at
$79/month
Plus $4 per employee. Custom pricing also available.
Promotion
Three months free
Terms apply
on ADP's website
Pros
- Benefits administration available as add-on.
- Time-tracking features available as add-on.
- HR features offered at higher tiers, including HR help desk support.
- First three months free; terms apply.
- Ability to scale up for growing businesses.
Cons
- Opaque pricing.
- Limited HR support at base level.
Patriot Payroll
Starting at
$17/month
Plus $4 per employee. Additional pricing tiers (per month): $37.
Promotion
One month free
Terms apply
on Patriot Software's website
Pros
- Transparent pricing.
- One-month free trial; terms apply.
- Scales from one to 500 employees.
- Time tracking and HR support available as add-ons.
- Abundant payroll reports.
Cons
- Benefits administration limited to 401(k) plans.
- Extra fee for 1099 e-filing (at Basic level).
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Starting at
$49/month
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $80, $180. Fee per employee varies by tier.
Promotion
1 months free
on Gusto's website
Pros
- Benefits administration (health benefits are available in 38 states and Washington, D.C.; 401(k) plans are available in all 50 states).
- Time-tracking features at higher-price tiers (limited at Simple level).
- Certified HR experts available (at the Premium level).
- Free account setup.
- Next-day direct deposit (at Plus and Premium levels).
Cons
- More expensive than some options.
- Limited hours for live support.
Gusto Payroll
Starting at
$49/month
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $80, $180. Fee per employee varies by tier.
Promotion
1 months free
on Gusto's website
Pros
- Benefits administration (health benefits are available in 38 states and Washington, D.C.; 401(k) plans are available in all 50 states).
- Time-tracking features at higher-price tiers (limited at Simple level).
- Certified HR experts available (at the Premium level).
- Free account setup.
- Next-day direct deposit (at Plus and Premium levels).
Cons
- More expensive than some options.
- Limited hours for live support.
Starting at
$40/month
Plus $6 per employee.
Promotion
One month free
Terms apply
on OnPay's website
Pros
- Benefits administration included.
- Integrates with third-party software for time tracking.
- HR tools included.
- One-month free trial; terms apply.
- Straightforward pricing.
- Integrates with QuickBooks and Xero.
- Calculates hourly and overtime wages as well as cash and controlled tips.
Cons
- Limited customer support hours.
OnPay Payroll
Starting at
$40/month
Plus $6 per employee.
Promotion
One month free
Terms apply
on OnPay's website
Pros
- Benefits administration included.
- Integrates with third-party software for time tracking.
- HR tools included.
- One-month free trial; terms apply.
- Straightforward pricing.
- Integrates with QuickBooks and Xero.
- Calculates hourly and overtime wages as well as cash and controlled tips.
Cons
- Limited customer support hours.
Starting at
$79/month
Plus $4 per employee. Custom pricing also available.
Promotion
Three months free
Terms apply
on ADP's website
Pros
- Benefits administration available as add-on.
- Time-tracking features available as add-on.
- HR features offered at higher tiers, including HR help desk support.
- First three months free; terms apply.
- Ability to scale up for growing businesses.
Cons
- Opaque pricing.
- Limited HR support at base level.
RUN Powered by ADP
Starting at
$79/month
Plus $4 per employee. Custom pricing also available.
Promotion
Three months free
Terms apply
on ADP's website
Pros
- Benefits administration available as add-on.
- Time-tracking features available as add-on.
- HR features offered at higher tiers, including HR help desk support.
- First three months free; terms apply.
- Ability to scale up for growing businesses.
Cons
- Opaque pricing.
- Limited HR support at base level.
Starting at
$17/month
Plus $4 per employee. Additional pricing tiers (per month): $37.
Promotion
One month free
Terms apply
on Patriot Software's website
Pros
- Transparent pricing.
- One-month free trial; terms apply.
- Scales from one to 500 employees.
- Time tracking and HR support available as add-ons.
- Abundant payroll reports.
Cons
- Benefits administration limited to 401(k) plans.
- Extra fee for 1099 e-filing (at Basic level).
Patriot Payroll
Starting at
$17/month
Plus $4 per employee. Additional pricing tiers (per month): $37.
Promotion
One month free
Terms apply
on Patriot Software's website
Pros
- Transparent pricing.
- One-month free trial; terms apply.
- Scales from one to 500 employees.
- Time tracking and HR support available as add-ons.
- Abundant payroll reports.
Cons
- Benefits administration limited to 401(k) plans.
- Extra fee for 1099 e-filing (at Basic level).