Quick Overview
- 1#1: Gusto - Full-service payroll, benefits administration, and HR tools tailored for small businesses with automated tax filing and compliance.
- 2#2: QuickBooks Payroll - Seamless payroll integration with QuickBooks accounting software for small businesses, including direct deposit and tax calculations.
- 3#3: OnPay - Unlimited payroll runs with expert support, benefits, and time tracking at a flat rate ideal for small businesses.
- 4#4: Patriot Payroll - Affordable full-service payroll with direct deposit, tax filing, and 1099 support designed for small business owners.
- 5#5: ADP RUN - Scalable payroll solution for small businesses with automated compliance, HR features, and integration capabilities.
- 6#6: Paychex Flex - Comprehensive payroll and HR management with expert guidance, benefits, and analytics for growing small businesses.
- 7#7: Rippling - All-in-one payroll, HR, and IT platform that automates employee management and global payroll for small teams.
- 8#8: Wave Payroll - Simple, low-cost payroll software with tax calculations and direct deposit integrated into Wave's free accounting tools.
- 9#9: Square Payroll - Easy payroll for small businesses using Square, with automatic tax filings and next-day direct deposit.
- 10#10: SurePayroll - User-friendly payroll service with guaranteed accuracy, direct deposit, and tax filing powered by Paychex.
We ranked tools by evaluating key factors: robust features (automated tax filing, HR integration), user-friendliness, compliance reliability, and value, ensuring they cater to the unique needs of growing and established small businesses.
Comparison Table
Finding the right payroll software for small businesses requires clarity, and this comparison table breaks down top tools like Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll, OnPay, Patriot Payroll, ADP RUN, and more, helping readers identify options aligned with their needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gusto Full-service payroll, benefits administration, and HR tools tailored for small businesses with automated tax filing and compliance. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | QuickBooks Payroll Seamless payroll integration with QuickBooks accounting software for small businesses, including direct deposit and tax calculations. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 3 | OnPay Unlimited payroll runs with expert support, benefits, and time tracking at a flat rate ideal for small businesses. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 4 | Patriot Payroll Affordable full-service payroll with direct deposit, tax filing, and 1099 support designed for small business owners. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 5 | ADP RUN Scalable payroll solution for small businesses with automated compliance, HR features, and integration capabilities. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Paychex Flex Comprehensive payroll and HR management with expert guidance, benefits, and analytics for growing small businesses. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 7 | Rippling All-in-one payroll, HR, and IT platform that automates employee management and global payroll for small teams. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.3/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 8 | Wave Payroll Simple, low-cost payroll software with tax calculations and direct deposit integrated into Wave's free accounting tools. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 9 | Square Payroll Easy payroll for small businesses using Square, with automatic tax filings and next-day direct deposit. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 10 | SurePayroll User-friendly payroll service with guaranteed accuracy, direct deposit, and tax filing powered by Paychex. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
Full-service payroll, benefits administration, and HR tools tailored for small businesses with automated tax filing and compliance.
Seamless payroll integration with QuickBooks accounting software for small businesses, including direct deposit and tax calculations.
Unlimited payroll runs with expert support, benefits, and time tracking at a flat rate ideal for small businesses.
Affordable full-service payroll with direct deposit, tax filing, and 1099 support designed for small business owners.
Scalable payroll solution for small businesses with automated compliance, HR features, and integration capabilities.
Comprehensive payroll and HR management with expert guidance, benefits, and analytics for growing small businesses.
All-in-one payroll, HR, and IT platform that automates employee management and global payroll for small teams.
Simple, low-cost payroll software with tax calculations and direct deposit integrated into Wave's free accounting tools.
Easy payroll for small businesses using Square, with automatic tax filings and next-day direct deposit.
User-friendly payroll service with guaranteed accuracy, direct deposit, and tax filing powered by Paychex.
Gusto
specializedFull-service payroll, benefits administration, and HR tools tailored for small businesses with automated tax filing and compliance.
Seamless, automated multi-state payroll compliance and filings handled end-to-end
Gusto is a comprehensive payroll and HR platform tailored for small businesses, automating payroll processing, tax calculations, filings, and direct deposits. It also provides benefits administration, employee onboarding, time tracking, and compliance tools to streamline HR operations. With seamless integrations to accounting software like QuickBooks and user-friendly dashboards, Gusto enables small teams to manage workforce needs efficiently without dedicated HR staff.
Pros
- Automated payroll, tax filing, and compliance across all 50 states
- All-in-one HR tools including benefits, onboarding, and performance management
- 24/7 customer support with high satisfaction ratings and easy integrations
Cons
- Per-employee pricing can become costly for larger small businesses (50+ employees)
- Advanced reporting and analytics limited to higher-tier plans
- No built-in international payroll support
Best For
Small businesses with 1-50 employees seeking an intuitive, full-service payroll and HR solution without needing in-house expertise.
Pricing
Starts at $40/month base + $6/employee/month (Simple); $80 + $12 (Plus); Premium custom pricing.
QuickBooks Payroll
specializedSeamless payroll integration with QuickBooks accounting software for small businesses, including direct deposit and tax calculations.
Deep integration with QuickBooks Online for automatic syncing of payroll data to accounting books
QuickBooks Payroll is a robust payroll management solution from Intuit tailored for small businesses, automating wage calculations, tax withholdings, direct deposits, and compliance filings like W-2s and 1099s. It excels in seamless integration with QuickBooks Online, unifying payroll and accounting workflows to reduce manual data entry. The platform also offers employee self-service portals for payslip access and time tracking, making it efficient for growing teams.
Pros
- Seamless integration with QuickBooks Online for unified accounting and payroll
- Automated federal and state tax calculations, filings, and payments
- Employee self-service portal with mobile access for payslips and PTO requests
Cons
- Higher pricing structure with per-employee fees that add up for larger teams
- Less cost-effective as a standalone solution without QuickBooks
- Occasional learning curve for non-QuickBooks users
Best For
Small businesses already using QuickBooks Online that need integrated, reliable payroll with automated tax compliance.
Pricing
Core ($45/mo + $6/employee), Premium ($80/mo + $9/employee), Elite ($125/mo + $11/employee); 30-day free trial available.
OnPay
specializedUnlimited payroll runs with expert support, benefits, and time tracking at a flat rate ideal for small businesses.
Guaranteed tax filing accuracy with expert support to fix any errors at no additional cost
OnPay is a user-friendly payroll platform tailored for small businesses, providing unlimited payroll runs, automatic federal, state, and local tax calculations and filings, and multi-state support. It includes employee self-service portals, benefits administration for health insurance and 401(k)s, and seamless integrations with accounting tools like QuickBooks and Xero. The service handles complex tasks such as garnishments, workers' comp tracking, and new hire reporting, making it efficient for U.S.-based operations.
Pros
- Unlimited payroll runs at no extra cost per run
- Exceptional U.S.-based customer support with payroll experts
- Transparent, flat-rate pricing with strong integrations
Cons
- No built-in time tracking (requires integrations)
- Limited advanced HR analytics compared to enterprise tools
- No support for international payroll
Best For
Small businesses with up to 50 employees seeking reliable, hassle-free U.S. payroll processing and tax compliance.
Pricing
$40/month base fee + $6 per active employee/month, unlimited runs and no hidden fees.
Patriot Payroll
specializedAffordable full-service payroll with direct deposit, tax filing, and 1099 support designed for small business owners.
Risk-Free Accuracy Guarantee, covering any payroll penalties due to their errors
Patriot Payroll is an affordable, user-friendly payroll software tailored for small businesses, offering unlimited monthly payroll runs, automated tax calculations, filings, and direct deposit capabilities. It supports multi-state payroll, 1099 filings, and integrates basic time and attendance tracking. The platform emphasizes compliance accuracy with a risk-free guarantee, backed by U.S.-based customer support.
Pros
- Unlimited payroll runs at no extra cost
- Highly affordable pricing with strong value for small teams
- U.S.-based support and 100% accuracy guarantee
Cons
- Limited advanced HR and benefits management
- Fewer integrations with accounting software
- Basic employee self-service portal
Best For
Small businesses with 1-50 employees needing simple, reliable payroll without complex integrations or enterprise features.
Pricing
Online Payroll: $17 base + $4/employee/month; Full Service Payroll: $37 base + $4/employee/month (with promotions and free trials available).
ADP RUN
enterpriseScalable payroll solution for small businesses with automated compliance, HR features, and integration capabilities.
Guaranteed on-time and accurate payroll tax filings handled by ADP experts
ADP RUN is a robust payroll platform tailored for small businesses, automating payroll processing, direct deposits, and tax calculations while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. It offers integrated HR tools like employee self-service, benefits administration, time and attendance tracking, and performance management. Backed by ADP's decades of expertise, it scales with business growth and includes mobile access for on-the-go management.
Pros
- Comprehensive tax compliance and automated filings with accuracy guarantee
- Scalable features including HR, benefits, and time tracking
- 24/7 U.S.-based support and seamless integrations with accounting software
Cons
- Higher cost for very small teams (under 10 employees)
- Initial setup and learning curve for advanced HR modules
- Limited options for international payroll
Best For
Small businesses with 10-100 employees seeking reliable, all-in-one payroll and basic HR without needing extensive in-house expertise.
Pricing
Essential: $59/mo + $4/employee; Enhanced: $119/mo + $11/employee; Complete: $148/mo + $13/employee (annual billing; add-ons extra).
Paychex Flex
enterpriseComprehensive payroll and HR management with expert guidance, benefits, and analytics for growing small businesses.
Seamless integration of payroll with PEO services for outsourced compliance and HR expertise
Paychex Flex is a cloud-based payroll and HR platform tailored for small to mid-sized businesses, offering automated payroll processing, direct deposit, and tax filing. It integrates essential HR tools like employee onboarding, benefits administration, time and attendance tracking, and performance management. The software emphasizes compliance support and scalability, allowing businesses to manage growing workforces efficiently.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one payroll, HR, and benefits management
- Robust multi-state tax compliance and automated filings
- Dedicated U.S.-based customer support with 24/7 access
Cons
- Higher costs make it less ideal for businesses under 10 employees
- Setup and interface can feel overwhelming for beginners
- Pricing is quote-based with limited transparency upfront
Best For
Small businesses with 10-100 employees needing scalable payroll integrated with full HR functionality.
Pricing
Custom quotes required; typically starts at $80/month base + $4-$6 per employee per pay period, with add-ons for HR features.
Rippling
specializedAll-in-one payroll, HR, and IT platform that automates employee management and global payroll for small teams.
Seamless automation syncing payroll with IT provisioning, instantly granting/revoking app access and devices upon hire/termination
Rippling is a comprehensive all-in-one HR, payroll, IT, and finance platform designed to unify workforce management for businesses. It automates payroll processing, tax compliance, benefits enrollment, employee onboarding, and IT provisioning like device and app management. For small businesses, it offers seamless payroll runs in minutes with global support, reducing manual work across departments.
Pros
- Unified platform integrating payroll with HR, IT, and benefits for streamlined operations
- Fast, automated payroll processing with instant pay options and global compliance
- Extensive integrations and automations that scale with business growth
Cons
- Higher pricing that may not suit very small teams with basic needs
- Steeper learning curve for users wanting only simple payroll functionality
- Custom quotes can make budgeting unpredictable for startups
Best For
Growing small businesses needing an integrated HR-payroll-IT solution rather than standalone payroll software.
Pricing
Starts at $8 per user per month (billed annually) for core HR/IT; payroll and full suite typically $11-20+ per user/month based on custom plans.
Wave Payroll
specializedSimple, low-cost payroll software with tax calculations and direct deposit integrated into Wave's free accounting tools.
Free unlimited payroll runs for 1099 contractors with automatic 1099 form generation
Wave Payroll is a cloud-based payroll solution from Wave Apps, tailored for small businesses and integrated with their free accounting software. It simplifies payroll processing for W-2 employees and 1099 contractors, including automatic tax calculations, direct deposits, and filings in the US and Canada. Users can choose self-service payroll in most states or full-service options in select states for automated tax handling.
Pros
- Extremely affordable, with free payroll for contractors and low per-employee fees
- Intuitive interface that's easy for non-experts to use
- Seamless integration with Wave's free accounting tools for unified financial management
Cons
- Full-service tax filing limited to 14 US states
- No phone support, relying on email and chat
- Lacks advanced features like benefits administration or robust time tracking
Best For
Very small businesses, solopreneurs, or freelancers using Wave Accounting who need simple, low-cost payroll for a few employees or contractors.
Pricing
Free for 1099 contractors; $40 base + $6/active employee or contractor per month for self-service (US); full-service starts at $80 base + $6/person in select states.
Square Payroll
specializedEasy payroll for small businesses using Square, with automatic tax filings and next-day direct deposit.
Native integration with Square Shifts, automatically generating payroll from employee clock-ins
Square Payroll is a streamlined payroll solution tailored for small businesses, especially those already using Square's point-of-sale and payment systems. It enables quick payroll runs for W-2 employees and 1099 contractors, with automatic tax calculations, filings in select states, and direct deposits. The platform integrates with Square Shifts for time tracking, simplifying payroll from clock-ins to payments.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Square POS and Shifts for effortless time-to-payroll flow
- Simple, intuitive interface ideal for non-HR experts
- Affordable flat per-person pricing with no base fees or contracts
Cons
- Tax filing automation limited to 9 states, requiring manual handling elsewhere
- Lacks advanced HR tools like benefits administration or performance tracking
- No dedicated phone support; relies on chat and email
Best For
Small retail, restaurant, or service businesses using Square POS that need straightforward payroll in supported states.
Pricing
$6 per team member + $6 per contractor per month or pay period; no base fee or contracts.
SurePayroll
specializedUser-friendly payroll service with guaranteed accuracy, direct deposit, and tax filing powered by Paychex.
Guaranteed tax filing accuracy with penalty protection
SurePayroll is a cloud-based payroll software designed specifically for small businesses, automating payroll processing, tax calculations, filings, and direct deposits. It offers employee self-service portals for payslip access and supports multi-state payroll with W-2/1099 form generation. The platform integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks and provides guaranteed accuracy on tax filings backed by experts.
Pros
- Intuitive interface ideal for non-experts
- Affordable pricing with no hidden fees
- Fast setup and quick payroll runs
Cons
- Limited advanced HR and benefits features
- Customer support lacks 24/7 availability
- No native time tracking (requires add-ons)
Best For
Small businesses with fewer than 25 employees seeking simple, reliable payroll without extensive HR tools.
Pricing
Starts at $20/month base fee plus $5 per employee per pay period; free trial available.
Conclusion
The review highlights a range of strong options, with Gusto leading as the top choice—offering full-service payroll, benefits, and automated compliance, making it ideal for businesses seeking all-in-one efficiency. QuickBooks Payroll follows, excelling with seamless integration for existing accounting users, while OnPay stands out for its flat rate and expert support, catering to cost-conscious or hands-on teams. Together, these tools prove there’s a fit for nearly every small business need.
Don’t miss out on streamlined payroll—start with Gusto today and experience the ease of expert-managed, error-free processes for your business.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison