Top 10 Best Payroll Free Software of 2026

Payroll4Free is a web-based payroll software that provides completely free payroll processing for small businesses with up to 25 employees. It automates calculations for wages, taxes, deductions, and generates essential forms like W-2s, 1099s, and quarterly/annual tax filings. The platform supports direct deposit, check printing, and multi-state payroll, making it a straightforward solution for basic payroll needs without any subscription fees.

TimeTrex Community Edition is a free, open-source workforce management platform that offers robust time and attendance tracking, employee scheduling, and integrated payroll processing for multiple countries including the US and Canada. It supports features like timecard approvals, exception reporting, and automated payroll calculations with deductions, taxes, and benefits. Ideal for self-hosted deployments, it provides a comprehensive suite without licensing fees, though it requires technical setup.

Odoo Payroll is an open-source module integrated into the Odoo ERP suite, designed to automate payroll management including salary calculations, payslip generation, tax deductions, and compliance with various country-specific rules. It seamlessly connects with Odoo's HR, accounting, and employee management apps for a unified workflow. Available in the free Community edition, it supports self-hosting or cloud deployment, making it a robust option for cost-conscious businesses.

ERPNext is a fully open-source ERP platform that offers comprehensive payroll management as part of its HR module, enabling salary structure definition, automated payroll processing, payslip generation, and compliance handling. It integrates seamlessly with attendance, employee management, and accounting for end-to-end operations. As free software, it's self-hostable with no licensing costs, making it suitable for cost-conscious organizations seeking scalability.

Frappe HR is a free, open-source HR management system built on the Frappe framework, offering comprehensive payroll processing alongside employee lifecycle management. It handles attendance tracking, leave management, salary structure setup, automated payslip generation, and tax compliance features, primarily tailored for small to medium businesses. As a self-hosted solution, it integrates seamlessly with ERPNext for broader business operations, making it highly customizable for specific payroll needs.

OrangeHRM is an open-source HR management system available for free at orangehrm.com, offering modules for employee management, attendance, leave tracking, and basic payroll processing. The payroll features in the free version allow defining salary structures, components like allowances and deductions, and generating payslips. While suitable for basic needs, it requires self-hosting and customization for full functionality, with advanced payroll available in paid editions.

Dolibarr is a free, open-source ERP and CRM suite that includes a dedicated payroll module for managing employee salaries, generating payslips, handling deductions, and calculating social contributions. It integrates payroll seamlessly with HR, accounting, invoicing, and other business functions, allowing small to medium enterprises to centralize operations. As modular software, users can enable or disable features as needed, promoting flexibility and customization.

IceHRM is a free, open-source HR management system with built-in payroll capabilities, designed for self-hosted deployment. It handles employee data management, attendance tracking, leave requests, and payroll processing including salary components, deductions, taxes, and payslip generation. While basic payroll features are available in the free version, advanced automation and reporting may require the paid Pro edition.

Sentrifugo is a free, open-source Human Resource Management System (HRMS) that includes a basic payroll module integrated with other HR functions like employee management, attendance tracking, leave management, and performance appraisals. The payroll component supports salary structure setup, deductions, taxes (primarily India-focused), and payslip generation but lacks advanced features like multi-currency support or seamless integrations. It is designed for self-hosting, offering full data control at no licensing cost.

Tryton is a free and open-source ERP platform with a dedicated payroll module that handles salary computations, payslips, employee contracts, deductions, taxes, and social security contributions. It integrates seamlessly with HR, accounting, and other business modules for a unified workflow. Designed for flexibility, it supports customizable rules and reporting tailored to various legal requirements.