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Top 10 Best Law Firm Payroll Software of 2026

Discover the top 10 best law firm payroll software solutions. Compare features and choose the perfect fit today.

Sarah Mitchell

Sarah Mitchell

Feb 11, 2026

10 tools comparedExpert reviewed
Independent evaluation · Unbiased commentary · Updated regularly
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Law firm payroll software is a cornerstone of operational efficiency, ensuring seamless management of billable hours, tax compliance, and employee workflows—critical for navigating the unique demands of legal practices. Below, our curated list of 10 tools addresses diverse needs, from solo practitioners to growing firms, offering tailored solutions to streamline processes and mitigate risks.

Quick Overview

  1. 1#1: Gusto - Gusto delivers automated payroll, benefits administration, and HR tools tailored for small businesses like law firms with seamless compliance and integrations.
  2. 2#2: QuickBooks Payroll - QuickBooks Payroll integrates payroll processing with accounting software, ideal for law firms tracking billable hours and expenses.
  3. 3#3: ADP RUN - ADP RUN provides scalable payroll solutions with tax compliance and time tracking for growing law firms.
  4. 4#4: Paychex Flex - Paychex Flex offers comprehensive payroll, HR, and benefits management with strong multi-state support for legal practices.
  5. 5#5: Rippling - Rippling unifies payroll, HR, IT, and finance in one platform with automated compliance for professional services firms.
  6. 6#6: Paylocity - Paylocity streamlines payroll, time tracking, and employee self-service for mid-sized law firms with robust reporting.
  7. 7#7: OnPay - OnPay provides affordable, full-service payroll with unlimited payroll runs and expert support for small law offices.
  8. 8#8: BambooHR - BambooHR combines HR management and payroll with performance tracking suitable for law firms focused on talent retention.
  9. 9#9: Patriot Software - Patriot Software offers simple, low-cost payroll with in-house support and multi-state filing for small legal teams.
  10. 10#10: SurePayroll - SurePayroll by Paychex delivers straightforward payroll processing with direct deposit and tax filing for solo practitioners and small firms.

These tools were selected based on their ability to deliver features like automated compliance, integration with legal workflows, user-friendly design, and scalable value, ensuring they meet the rigorous standards of legal practice management.

Comparison Table

Navigating payroll software for law firms? This comparison table details tools like Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll, ADP RUN, Paychex Flex, Rippling, and more, clarifying features, pricing, and integration fit. Readers will discover which solution aligns with their firm’s size and operational needs, streamlining the selection process.

1Gusto logo9.5/10

Gusto delivers automated payroll, benefits administration, and HR tools tailored for small businesses like law firms with seamless compliance and integrations.

Features
9.6/10
Ease
9.8/10
Value
9.2/10

QuickBooks Payroll integrates payroll processing with accounting software, ideal for law firms tracking billable hours and expenses.

Features
8.8/10
Ease
9.2/10
Value
8.3/10
3ADP RUN logo8.7/10

ADP RUN provides scalable payroll solutions with tax compliance and time tracking for growing law firms.

Features
9.2/10
Ease
8.0/10
Value
8.1/10

Paychex Flex offers comprehensive payroll, HR, and benefits management with strong multi-state support for legal practices.

Features
8.7/10
Ease
8.2/10
Value
7.9/10
5Rippling logo8.5/10

Rippling unifies payroll, HR, IT, and finance in one platform with automated compliance for professional services firms.

Features
8.8/10
Ease
8.2/10
Value
8.0/10
6Paylocity logo8.2/10

Paylocity streamlines payroll, time tracking, and employee self-service for mid-sized law firms with robust reporting.

Features
8.5/10
Ease
8.7/10
Value
7.8/10
7OnPay logo8.4/10

OnPay provides affordable, full-service payroll with unlimited payroll runs and expert support for small law offices.

Features
8.2/10
Ease
9.1/10
Value
9.3/10
8BambooHR logo7.3/10

BambooHR combines HR management and payroll with performance tracking suitable for law firms focused on talent retention.

Features
6.8/10
Ease
9.1/10
Value
7.2/10

Patriot Software offers simple, low-cost payroll with in-house support and multi-state filing for small legal teams.

Features
6.5/10
Ease
8.7/10
Value
8.3/10
10SurePayroll logo7.1/10

SurePayroll by Paychex delivers straightforward payroll processing with direct deposit and tax filing for solo practitioners and small firms.

Features
6.4/10
Ease
8.7/10
Value
8.0/10
1
Gusto logo

Gusto

enterprise

Gusto delivers automated payroll, benefits administration, and HR tools tailored for small businesses like law firms with seamless compliance and integrations.

Overall Rating9.5/10
Features
9.6/10
Ease of Use
9.8/10
Value
9.2/10
Standout Feature

Full-service payroll where Gusto automatically files and pays federal, state, and local taxes on behalf of the firm

Gusto is an all-in-one payroll and HR platform tailored for small to mid-sized businesses, including law firms, offering automated payroll processing, tax filing, and compliance management. It handles employee payments, benefits administration, time tracking, and contractor 1099 filings, with integrations for accounting tools like QuickBooks and Clio commonly used in legal practices. For law firms, it simplifies multi-state payroll, bonus structures for partners, and ACA reporting while ensuring regulatory compliance.

Pros

  • Automated full-service payroll with tax calculations, filings, and payments handled by Gusto
  • Seamless integrations with law firm tools like Clio, QuickBooks, and time-tracking software
  • User-friendly interface with employee self-service portal and mobile app for easy access

Cons

  • Per-employee pricing can become expensive for larger law firms with 50+ staff
  • Lacks deep customization for complex legal-specific payroll like contingency fee splits
  • Occasional delays in customer support during tax season peaks

Best For

Small to mid-sized law firms needing a compliant, scalable payroll solution that integrates with practice management software without requiring in-house expertise.

Pricing

Simple ($40 base + $6/person/month), Plus ($80 + $12/person), Premium (custom quote); contractor-only option at $35 base + $6/contractor.

Visit Gustogusto.com
2
QuickBooks Payroll logo

QuickBooks Payroll

enterprise

QuickBooks Payroll integrates payroll processing with accounting software, ideal for law firms tracking billable hours and expenses.

Overall Rating8.7/10
Features
8.8/10
Ease of Use
9.2/10
Value
8.3/10
Standout Feature

Automatic payroll journal entry syncing to QuickBooks books, eliminating manual accounting reconciliation.

QuickBooks Payroll, from Intuit, is a robust payroll management solution tailored for small to medium-sized businesses, including law firms, offering automated payroll processing, tax calculations, and direct deposits. It excels in seamless integration with QuickBooks accounting software, automatically syncing payroll expenses, liabilities, and employee data to maintain accurate financial records. Additional features include employee self-service portals for payslip access, time tracking integration for billable hours, and compliance tools for federal, state, and local tax filings, making it efficient for managing attorney, paralegal, and support staff compensation.

Pros

  • Seamless integration with QuickBooks accounting for automatic ledger updates
  • Automated tax filing and payments with guaranteed accuracy
  • Intuitive interface and mobile app for easy payroll runs and employee management

Cons

  • Higher costs for larger teams due to per-employee pricing
  • Lacks deep legal industry-specific features like advanced trust account handling
  • Best suited within the QuickBooks ecosystem, limiting flexibility for non-users

Best For

Small to mid-sized law firms already using QuickBooks accounting that need reliable, integrated payroll with strong automation and compliance tools.

Pricing

Core plan starts at $50/month + $6/employee; Premium at $80/month + $9/employee; Elite at $125/month + $11/employee (requires separate QuickBooks subscription).

Visit QuickBooks Payrollquickbooks.intuit.com/payroll
3
ADP RUN logo

ADP RUN

enterprise

ADP RUN provides scalable payroll solutions with tax compliance and time tracking for growing law firms.

Overall Rating8.7/10
Features
9.2/10
Ease of Use
8.0/10
Value
8.1/10
Standout Feature

Expert-assisted payroll guarantee with 100% accuracy for tax filings and compliance specific to professional services industries

ADP RUN is a robust payroll and HR platform from ADP tailored for small to mid-sized businesses, including law firms, offering automated payroll processing, tax filing, and compliance management. It supports essential needs like W-2 and 1099 handling, multi-state payroll, and integration with time-tracking tools crucial for billable hours in legal practices. Additional features include employee self-service portals, benefits administration, and analytics for workforce management.

Pros

  • Comprehensive tax compliance and automated filings across multiple states
  • Seamless integrations with accounting and time-tracking software like QuickBooks and Clio
  • Scalable HR tools including onboarding and performance management

Cons

  • Higher pricing that may strain very small law firms
  • Steeper learning curve for initial setup and customization
  • Occasional reports of slower customer support response times

Best For

Mid-sized law firms with multiple locations or complex payroll needs requiring strong compliance and scalability.

Pricing

Starts at $59/month + $4/employee for Essential plan; scales to $148/month + $11/employee for Complete plan with full HR features.

4
Paychex Flex logo

Paychex Flex

enterprise

Paychex Flex offers comprehensive payroll, HR, and benefits management with strong multi-state support for legal practices.

Overall Rating8.4/10
Features
8.7/10
Ease of Use
8.2/10
Value
7.9/10
Standout Feature

Advanced automated tax compliance and filing across all 50 states plus federal requirements

Paychex Flex is a robust cloud-based payroll and HR platform that automates payroll processing, tax filings, benefits administration, and time tracking for businesses including law firms. It handles complex payroll needs like multi-state compliance, salaried professionals, bonuses, and 1099 contractor payments essential for legal practices. The solution integrates with popular accounting and time-tracking tools, offering scalable features for growing firms while ensuring regulatory adherence.

Pros

  • Comprehensive compliance and multi-state tax filing automation
  • Scalable HR tools including benefits and onboarding
  • Reliable integration with QuickBooks and time-tracking software

Cons

  • Pricing can be steep for small law firms under 50 employees
  • Initial setup and customization require support assistance
  • Lacks deep specialization in legal-specific payroll like contingency fee tracking

Best For

Mid-sized law firms with multi-state operations needing an all-in-one payroll and HR solution with strong compliance.

Pricing

Custom quote-based pricing; typically starts at $80-$100 base fee per month plus $4-$6 per employee per pay period, with add-ons for HR and benefits.

5
Rippling logo

Rippling

enterprise

Rippling unifies payroll, HR, IT, and finance in one platform with automated compliance for professional services firms.

Overall Rating8.5/10
Features
8.8/10
Ease of Use
8.2/10
Value
8.0/10
Standout Feature

Everything-connected platform that syncs payroll data across HR, IT, and finance in real-time

Rippling is an all-in-one HR, payroll, IT, and finance platform that automates employee management from onboarding to offboarding. For law firms, it handles complex payroll needs like multi-state compliance, salaried partners, hourly associates, and contractor payments with automated tax filings and deductions. It integrates payroll seamlessly with HR tools, benefits, and device management, reducing administrative burdens in legal practices.

Pros

  • Unified platform integrates HR, payroll, IT, and finance for streamlined operations
  • Robust multi-state and global payroll compliance with automation
  • Scalable for growing law firms with diverse employee structures

Cons

  • Lacks law firm-specific features like IOLTA trust accounting integration
  • Higher pricing can be steep for small firms with under 50 employees
  • Initial setup and learning curve due to extensive customization options

Best For

Mid-sized law firms seeking a scalable, integrated payroll and HR solution without niche legal customizations.

Pricing

Starts at $8 per employee/month for core payroll/HR, plus add-ons for IT/finance; custom enterprise pricing available.

Visit Ripplingrippling.com
6
Paylocity logo

Paylocity

enterprise

Paylocity streamlines payroll, time tracking, and employee self-service for mid-sized law firms with robust reporting.

Overall Rating8.2/10
Features
8.5/10
Ease of Use
8.7/10
Value
7.8/10
Standout Feature

Award-winning mobile-first platform for seamless payroll approvals and employee engagement

Paylocity is a comprehensive cloud-based HCM platform that delivers robust payroll processing, including support for complex pay structures like bonuses and commissions common in law firms. It integrates time and attendance tracking with payroll to handle billable hours and overtime accurately, while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations. Beyond payroll, it offers HR management, benefits administration, and analytics dashboards tailored for professional services firms.

Pros

  • Intuitive mobile app for employee self-service and time tracking
  • Automated payroll compliance and real-time reporting
  • Strong integrations with popular time-tracking and accounting tools

Cons

  • Pricing can be steep for small law firms
  • Less specialized for legal-specific needs like trust accounting
  • Initial setup and customization may require IT support

Best For

Mid-sized law firms needing an all-in-one payroll and HR solution with excellent mobile accessibility.

Pricing

Custom quote-based; typically starts at $20-30 per employee/month plus implementation fees.

Visit Paylocitypaylocity.com
7
OnPay logo

OnPay

enterprise

OnPay provides affordable, full-service payroll with unlimited payroll runs and expert support for small law offices.

Overall Rating8.4/10
Features
8.2/10
Ease of Use
9.1/10
Value
9.3/10
Standout Feature

Unlimited payroll runs with expert tax filing support and accuracy guarantee

OnPay is a user-friendly payroll platform tailored for small to medium-sized businesses, including law firms, providing automated payroll processing, federal and state tax filings, and benefits administration. It supports unlimited payroll runs, handles W-2 employees and 1099 contractors prevalent in legal practices, and offers multi-state payroll compliance. While not law firm-specific, it integrates with accounting tools like QuickBooks to streamline financial workflows for solo practitioners and small firms.

Pros

  • Affordable pricing with unlimited payroll runs and no hidden fees
  • Excellent customer support with live experts and 100% accuracy guarantee
  • Seamless handling of taxes, garnishments, and multi-state payroll

Cons

  • Limited integrations with law firm management software like Clio or PracticePanther
  • No built-in time tracking, requiring third-party apps
  • Basic reporting lacks advanced analytics for legal billing reconciliation

Best For

Small to mid-sized law firms seeking cost-effective, reliable payroll without complex HR needs.

Pricing

Starts at $40/month base + $6 per active employee; includes unlimited runs, tax filings, and year-end forms.

Visit OnPayonpay.com
8
BambooHR logo

BambooHR

enterprise

BambooHR combines HR management and payroll with performance tracking suitable for law firms focused on talent retention.

Overall Rating7.3/10
Features
6.8/10
Ease of Use
9.1/10
Value
7.2/10
Standout Feature

Employee self-service portal for time-off requests, payslip access, and profile updates, minimizing HR admin for busy law firm teams

BambooHR is a cloud-based HR management platform with integrated payroll functionality tailored for small to medium-sized businesses, including law firms seeking streamlined employee compensation processing. It handles payroll runs, tax filings, direct deposits, and time tracking while syncing with core HR data for accuracy. For law firms, it supports basic salaried and hourly pay but lacks specialized features like billable hour billing or partner draw calculations.

Pros

  • Intuitive, modern interface with mobile app for easy access
  • Seamless HR-payroll integration reduces data entry errors
  • Automated compliance features like tax calculations and filings for US payroll

Cons

  • US-only payroll with no international support
  • Lacks law firm-specific tools like contingency fee handling or advanced time-to-bill integrations
  • Reporting customization requires add-ons or exports for complex legal needs

Best For

Small to mid-sized law firms prioritizing ease of use and all-in-one HR-payroll over industry-specific legal payroll customizations.

Pricing

Custom quote-based pricing; core HR starts at ~$6-12/employee/month, payroll add-on ~$4-6/employee/month (US only).

Visit BambooHRbamboohr.com
9
Patriot Software logo

Patriot Software

enterprise

Patriot Software offers simple, low-cost payroll with in-house support and multi-state filing for small legal teams.

Overall Rating7.2/10
Features
6.5/10
Ease of Use
8.7/10
Value
8.3/10
Standout Feature

Payroll Guarantee: Ensures 100% on-time, accurate payroll and tax filing, or it's free for that period.

Patriot Software offers affordable, cloud-based payroll solutions tailored for small businesses, including automated payroll processing, tax filing, direct deposit, and basic HR tools like new hire reporting and employee self-service. For law firms, it reliably handles standard payroll tasks such as W-2 and 1099 processing, multi-state compliance, and garnishments, but lacks specialized features for legal billing integration or attorney-specific compensation structures. Overall, it's a straightforward option for firms prioritizing simplicity over advanced industry customization.

Pros

  • Highly affordable pricing for small teams
  • Excellent in-house customer support with quick response times
  • Simple interface ideal for non-HR experts

Cons

  • No native integrations with popular law firm software like Clio or MyCase
  • Limited advanced reporting for legal-specific payroll needs
  • Basic HR module lacks robust time-off tracking for professional services

Best For

Small law firms with 1-50 employees seeking simple, cost-effective payroll without complex industry-specific requirements.

Pricing

Basic Payroll: $17 base + $4/employee/month; Full Service Payroll: $37 base + $4/employee/month; add-ons like HR extra.

Visit Patriot Softwarepatriotsoftware.com
10
SurePayroll logo

SurePayroll

enterprise

SurePayroll by Paychex delivers straightforward payroll processing with direct deposit and tax filing for solo practitioners and small firms.

Overall Rating7.1/10
Features
6.4/10
Ease of Use
8.7/10
Value
8.0/10
Standout Feature

Payroll Completion Guarantee: Pays for penalties if payroll isn't processed on time due to their error

SurePayroll is a cloud-based payroll solution from Paychex designed primarily for small businesses, offering automated payroll processing, tax calculations, filings, and direct deposit in just minutes. It includes employee self-service portals for payslips and PTO tracking, multi-state payroll support, and integration with QuickBooks. While reliable for basic needs, it lacks specialized features for law firms such as integrations with legal practice management tools like Clio or advanced handling of billable hours and contingency fees.

Pros

  • Intuitive interface with quick payroll runs in under 5 minutes
  • Affordable pay-as-you-go pricing with no long-term contracts
  • Automated federal, state, and local tax filing with accuracy guarantees

Cons

  • No native integrations with law firm software like Clio or MyCase
  • Limited support for complex legal compensation structures like bonuses tied to cases
  • Basic reporting lacks depth for compliance-heavy legal environments

Best For

Small law firms with 1-50 employees needing simple, straightforward payroll without industry-specific customizations.

Pricing

Pay-as-you-go starts at $19.99/month + $4.99/employee/pay period; full-service plans add ~$10-20/month for guaranteed tax filing.

Visit SurePayrollsurepayroll.com

Conclusion

Among the reviewed tools, Gusto emerges as the top choice, excelling in automated payroll, benefits, and HR tailored to small law firms. QuickBooks Payroll follows, ideal for integrating payroll with accounting software to track billable hours, while ADP RUN secures third, offering scalable solutions with tax compliance for growing firms. Each tool addresses distinct needs, but Gusto’s blend of simplicity and compliance makes it the best overall.

Gusto logo
Our Top Pick
Gusto

Don’t miss out—try Gusto to experience streamlined payroll processing, seamless integrations, and expert support designed to elevate your law firm’s operations.