Quick Overview
- 1#1: HomePay - Specialized payroll platform for nannies and household employees handling taxes, W-2s, and direct deposits.
- 2#2: Poppins Payroll - Tailored payroll service for families with nannies, including nanny tax calculations and quarterly filings.
- 3#3: NannyChex - Comprehensive nanny payroll solution with tax withholding, new hire reporting, and W-2 preparation.
- 4#4: Gusto - Full-service payroll software supporting household employee taxes, Schedule H, and automated nanny payments.
- 5#5: QuickBooks Payroll - Integrated payroll tool for small businesses with nanny tax support, W-2s, and accounting integration.
- 6#6: OnPay - Affordable, user-friendly payroll that calculates nanny-specific taxes and files forms for household employers.
- 7#7: SurePayroll - Simple online payroll service with household employee tax handling and direct deposit options.
- 8#8: Patriot Software - Budget-friendly payroll software that supports nanny payroll taxes and full-service filing.
- 9#9: ADP RUN - Scalable payroll platform for small businesses including compliance for domestic worker payroll.
- 10#10: Paychex - Professional payroll management with customization for nanny taxes and HR integration.
Tools were selected based on factors including depth of nanny-specific tax features, user experience, reliability of calculations, and overall value, ensuring they meet the practical and compliance needs of diverse households.
Comparison Table
Explore a breakdown of top nanny payroll software, including HomePay, Poppins Payroll, NannyChex, Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll, and more, in this comparison table. Here, you’ll discover key details on features, usability, pricing, and reliability to identify the best tool for your family’s requirements.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HomePay Specialized payroll platform for nannies and household employees handling taxes, W-2s, and direct deposits. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Poppins Payroll Tailored payroll service for families with nannies, including nanny tax calculations and quarterly filings. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | NannyChex Comprehensive nanny payroll solution with tax withholding, new hire reporting, and W-2 preparation. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 4 | Gusto Full-service payroll software supporting household employee taxes, Schedule H, and automated nanny payments. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 | QuickBooks Payroll Integrated payroll tool for small businesses with nanny tax support, W-2s, and accounting integration. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.9/10 |
| 6 | OnPay Affordable, user-friendly payroll that calculates nanny-specific taxes and files forms for household employers. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | SurePayroll Simple online payroll service with household employee tax handling and direct deposit options. | enterprise | 7.4/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 6.9/10 |
| 8 | Patriot Software Budget-friendly payroll software that supports nanny payroll taxes and full-service filing. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 9 | ADP RUN Scalable payroll platform for small businesses including compliance for domestic worker payroll. | enterprise | 7.3/10 | 8.1/10 | 6.7/10 | 6.4/10 |
| 10 | Paychex Professional payroll management with customization for nanny taxes and HR integration. | enterprise | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.0/10 | 6.5/10 |
Specialized payroll platform for nannies and household employees handling taxes, W-2s, and direct deposits.
Tailored payroll service for families with nannies, including nanny tax calculations and quarterly filings.
Comprehensive nanny payroll solution with tax withholding, new hire reporting, and W-2 preparation.
Full-service payroll software supporting household employee taxes, Schedule H, and automated nanny payments.
Integrated payroll tool for small businesses with nanny tax support, W-2s, and accounting integration.
Affordable, user-friendly payroll that calculates nanny-specific taxes and files forms for household employers.
Simple online payroll service with household employee tax handling and direct deposit options.
Budget-friendly payroll software that supports nanny payroll taxes and full-service filing.
Scalable payroll platform for small businesses including compliance for domestic worker payroll.
Professional payroll management with customization for nanny taxes and HR integration.
HomePay
specializedSpecialized payroll platform for nannies and household employees handling taxes, W-2s, and direct deposits.
End-to-end tax compliance service that files all household employer taxes on your behalf with a 100% accuracy guarantee.
HomePay is a specialized payroll platform designed exclusively for household employers, streamlining payroll processing for nannies, caregivers, housekeepers, and other domestic workers. It automates wage calculations, tax withholdings, direct deposits, and handles all federal, state, and local tax filings to ensure full compliance with nanny tax laws. Additional features include time tracking, workers' compensation management, and robust reporting tools, making it a one-stop solution for household payroll needs.
Pros
- Full-service tax filing including federal, state, unemployment, and household employment taxes
- Specialized compliance tools for nanny payroll with expert support
- Seamless time tracking and direct deposit integration
- Guaranteed accuracy and on-time filing
Cons
- Higher pricing compared to general payroll apps
- Limited to household employees only, no business scalability
- No extensive third-party HR integrations
Best For
Busy household employers hiring nannies or caregivers who prioritize hassle-free compliance and automated tax handling without needing payroll expertise.
Pricing
Starts at $49/month base fee + $10/active employee/month; full-service plans include all tax filings with no hidden fees.
Poppins Payroll
specializedTailored payroll service for families with nannies, including nanny tax calculations and quarterly filings.
Full-service tax filing and compliance guarantee, including reimbursing penalties if errors occur due to their calculations
Poppins Payroll is a user-friendly payroll platform tailored specifically for household employers managing nannies, housekeepers, and other domestic workers. It automates payroll calculations, tax withholdings, quarterly filings, and W-2/1099 form generation to ensure full compliance with IRS and state household employment laws. The service also supports direct deposit payments and provides employee self-service portals for pay stubs and tax documents.
Pros
- Comprehensive tax automation and compliance guarantees
- Seamless direct deposit and employee portals
- Quick setup with guided onboarding for new users
Cons
- Pricing can add up for multiple employees or low-volume users
- Limited integrations with time-tracking or HR tools
- Primarily focused on US household employment laws
Best For
Parents and household managers seeking a hands-off solution for nanny payroll and tax compliance without needing accounting expertise.
Pricing
Pay-as-you-go at $35/run + $6/employee or subscription starting at $49/month for unlimited runs (1 employee), scaling up per additional employee.
NannyChex
specializedComprehensive nanny payroll solution with tax withholding, new hire reporting, and W-2 preparation.
Full-service tax filing and compliance for household employers, including quarterly filings and year-end forms
NannyChex is a specialized payroll software designed exclusively for household employers managing nanny and domestic worker payroll. It automates payroll calculations, tax withholdings, direct deposits, and handles all federal, state, and local household employment tax filings, including W-2s and 1099s. The platform includes a mobile time-tracking app for employees and provides detailed reporting for compliance and budgeting.
Pros
- Expertise in household employment taxes with full-service filing
- Intuitive mobile app for time tracking and approvals
- Reliable direct deposit and payment processing
Cons
- Pricing can add up for frequent pay runs
- Limited integrations with other HR or accounting tools
- Primarily US-focused, less suitable for international users
Best For
Families or small household employers seeking a compliant, hands-off solution for nanny payroll and taxes without needing general HR features.
Pricing
Pay-per-run starting at $49 per payroll plus $6 per active employee, or subscription plans from $99/month for unlimited runs; taxes paid separately.
Gusto
enterpriseFull-service payroll software supporting household employee taxes, Schedule H, and automated nanny payments.
Automatic handling and e-filing of complex household employment taxes (Schedule H, FUTA, SUTA) tailored for nannies and domestic workers
Gusto is a full-service payroll and HR platform tailored for small businesses and household employers, automating nanny payroll by calculating wages, deductions, and specialized household taxes like Schedule H, FICA, FUTA, and SUTA. It handles W-2 generation, direct deposits, and quarterly/annual tax filings, ensuring compliance with domestic worker regulations across multiple states. The platform also integrates time tracking, benefits administration, and employee self-service portals for streamlined operations.
Pros
- Automated full-service tax filing for household employers including Schedule H
- Robust integrations with time-tracking apps like TSheets
- Comprehensive HR tools like onboarding and benefits management
Cons
- Relatively high cost for single-nanny households (base fee applies)
- Overkill for users needing only basic payroll without HR features
- Initial setup requires some familiarity with payroll concepts
Best For
Small household employers or families managing one or more nannies who want an all-in-one payroll, HR, and compliance solution.
Pricing
Starts at $40/month base + $6/employee/month for contractor payroll; full-service plans from $80/month base + $12/employee/month including tax filing.
QuickBooks Payroll
enterpriseIntegrated payroll tool for small businesses with nanny tax support, W-2s, and accounting integration.
Deep integration with QuickBooks accounting software for automatic syncing of payroll data to financial books
QuickBooks Payroll is a robust payroll management tool integrated with QuickBooks accounting software, designed primarily for small businesses to handle employee payments, tax withholdings, and compliance filings. For nanny payroll, it supports household employees by calculating federal, state, and local taxes including FUTA/SUTA, generating W-2s and Schedule H forms, and offering direct deposit options. While versatile and reliable, it requires some customization for domestic worker specifics and is best suited as part of a broader business payroll setup.
Pros
- Seamless integration with QuickBooks Online/Desktop for unified accounting and payroll tracking
- Automated tax calculations, filings, and year-end forms like W-2 and 1099 for household employees
- Employee self-service portal and mobile app for payslips and time tracking
Cons
- Pricing can be high for low-volume users managing just one or two nannies
- Not specialized for nanny-specific nuances like multi-state household taxes or immigration compliance
- Setup requires familiarity with QuickBooks ecosystem, which may overwhelm pure nanny-focused users
Best For
Small business owners already using QuickBooks who need to handle nanny payroll alongside other employees without switching platforms.
Pricing
Core plan starts at $50/month + $6/active employee; Premium at $80/month + $9/employee; Elite at $125/month + $11/employee (billed annually, includes tax filing guarantees).
OnPay
enterpriseAffordable, user-friendly payroll that calculates nanny-specific taxes and files forms for household employers.
Automated Schedule H filing integrated with Form 1040 for household employer tax compliance
OnPay is a full-service payroll platform designed for small businesses, offering robust tools for processing payroll, tax filings, and HR tasks. For nanny payroll, it excels in handling household employees with features like Schedule H tax form preparation, W-2 issuance, and compliance with domestic worker regulations. While not exclusively nanny-focused, it provides reliable automation for wages, withholdings, and multi-state filings tailored to family employers.
Pros
- Accurate handling of nanny-specific taxes including Schedule H and household employee classifications
- Seamless integrations with time-tracking apps like TSheets for nanny hours
- 100% payroll accuracy guarantee with expert support
Cons
- Lacks nanny-specific tools like contract templates or caregiver matching
- Base monthly fee applies even for single-employee households
- Initial setup requires some familiarity with payroll classifications
Best For
Families or small households hiring one or more nannies who need dependable, compliant payroll without advanced nanny management features.
Pricing
$40 base fee per month plus $6 per active employee; no long-term contracts.
SurePayroll
enterpriseSimple online payroll service with household employee tax handling and direct deposit options.
Guaranteed on-time, accurate tax filing including Schedule H for household employers
SurePayroll is a cloud-based payroll platform from Paychex designed for small businesses and household employers, offering automated payroll processing, tax calculations, direct deposits, and compliance support. For nanny payroll, it handles essential household employee requirements like Schedule H tax forms, W-2/1099 generation, and multi-state tax filings. While reliable for basic needs, it lacks deep specialization in nanny-specific workflows compared to dedicated household payroll services.
Pros
- Automated Schedule H tax preparation and e-filing
- Direct deposit, employee self-service portal, and mobile access
- Expert support and tax filing guarantees
Cons
- Pricing scales less favorably for single-nanny households
- Fewer nanny-specific templates or reimbursement tracking tools
- General small business focus may overlook household nuances
Best For
Parents or small households with one or two nannies seeking straightforward payroll and tax compliance integrated with basic business needs.
Pricing
Essential: $19.99/month + $4/employee; Full Service: $59.99/month + $4/employee; includes tax filing (annual contracts required).
Patriot Software
enterpriseBudget-friendly payroll software that supports nanny payroll taxes and full-service filing.
Unlimited payroll processing per month at a flat low rate, ideal for frequent or irregular nanny pay schedules
Patriot Software provides affordable, cloud-based payroll solutions tailored for small businesses and household employers, including nanny payroll. It automates wage calculations, household-specific tax withholdings like FICA, FUTA, and state unemployment taxes, and supports direct deposit and tax filings. Users benefit from unlimited payroll runs per month and straightforward W-2 generation, making it suitable for simple nanny pay management.
Pros
- Exceptionally low pricing with unlimited payroll runs
- Accurate handling of nanny-specific household taxes and filings
- Intuitive interface for quick setup and processing
Cons
- Lacks advanced nanny tools like mileage tracking or contract management
- Reporting features are basic and less customizable
- No dedicated mobile app for employee self-service
Best For
Budget-conscious families or small households with 1-5 nannies needing reliable, no-frills payroll and tax compliance.
Pricing
Basic Payroll: $17 base + $4/employee/month; Full Service Payroll: $37 base + $4/employee/month (billed monthly, no long-term contracts).
ADP RUN
enterpriseScalable payroll platform for small businesses including compliance for domestic worker payroll.
Expert-backed household tax compliance with automatic Schedule H integration and nationwide state nanny tax support.
ADP RUN is a robust payroll platform from ADP tailored for small businesses, offering comprehensive payroll processing that extends to household employees like nannies. It handles essential nanny payroll tasks including Schedule H tax forms, state nanny taxes (e.g., CA, NY, NJ), W-2 generation, and automated federal/state filings. While not exclusively designed for nannies, it provides reliable compliance and scalability for families with simple to moderate payroll needs.
Pros
- Strong tax compliance for household employees including Schedule H and multi-state nanny taxes
- Reliable payroll automation with guaranteed accuracy and direct deposit
- Access to ADP's expert support and extensive integrations for growing needs
Cons
- Higher cost structure better suited for businesses than single-nanny households
- Steeper learning curve with a more complex interface for non-HR users
- Lacks nanny-specific tools like mileage tracking or household expense categorization found in specialized software
Best For
Families or small household employers managing multiple nannies who need enterprise-grade compliance and scalability alongside business payroll.
Pricing
Essential plan starts at $59/month + $4/employee; Enhanced at $99/month + $9/employee; Complete at $148/month + $11/employee (billed annually, minimums apply).
Paychex
enterpriseProfessional payroll management with customization for nanny taxes and HR integration.
Payroll Guarantee: Paychex covers any payroll tax penalties if their errors cause issues, providing peace of mind for compliance.
Paychex is a comprehensive payroll and HR software platform primarily designed for small to medium-sized businesses, offering automated payroll processing, tax filing, compliance management, and employee self-service portals. It can handle nanny payroll as household employees, including W-2 generation and federal tax withholding, but lacks deep specialization in nanny-specific state programs or Schedule H nuances. While reliable for general use, it's better suited for scaling businesses rather than simple household nanny needs.
Pros
- Robust tax filing and compliance with payroll accuracy guarantee
- Strong customer support and dedicated payroll specialists
- Scalable with integrations for time tracking and HR management
Cons
- Expensive for single-nanny households with quote-based pricing
- Overly complex interface and features for basic nanny payroll
- Limited customization for household employer-specific regulations like state nanny taxes
Best For
Small business owners or households employing multiple nannies who need integrated HR and payroll for growing teams.
Pricing
Custom quote-based; typically $80+/month base fee plus $5–$10 per employee/pay period, with add-ons for HR features.
Conclusion
When comparing the best nanny payroll software, HomePay stands out as the top choice, offering specialized tools that simplify tax handling, W-2 management, and direct deposits for household employees. Poppins Payroll and NannyChex follow closely, with Poppins excelling in tailored tax calculations and quarterly filings, and NannyChex providing a comprehensive package with reporting and W-2 preparation. Each tool addresses unique needs, but HomePay leads as the most streamlined solution.
Explore HomePay to experience a seamless, specialized approach to managing nanny payroll—whether you need to handle taxes, deposits, or filings, it delivers the simplicity and compliance you require.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
