Top 10 Best Small Company Payroll Software of 2026

Gusto is a comprehensive payroll and HR platform designed specifically for small businesses, automating payroll processing, tax calculations, filings, and direct deposits. It also integrates benefits administration, time tracking, onboarding, and compliance tools to streamline HR operations. With a user-friendly interface, it supports unlimited payroll runs and offers robust employee self-service features.

OnPay is a full-service payroll software designed specifically for small businesses, providing unlimited payroll runs, automated federal, state, and local tax calculations and filings, and W-2/1099 form generation. It includes employee self-service portals, benefits administration, and seamless integrations with accounting tools like QuickBooks and Xero. The platform also offers HR tools, time-off tracking, and compliance support, making it a comprehensive solution for managing payroll end-to-end.

QuickBooks Payroll is a comprehensive payroll solution from Intuit tailored for small businesses, handling employee payments, tax calculations, filings, and compliance automatically. It excels in seamless integration with QuickBooks Online and Desktop accounting software, unifying payroll and financial data in one platform. Key features include direct deposit, employee self-service portals, time tracking, and benefits management like health insurance and 401(k) administration.

Rippling is an all-in-one workforce management platform that seamlessly integrates payroll, HR, IT, and benefits administration for small to mid-sized companies. It automates payroll processing across 100+ countries, handles employee onboarding, time-off requests, and device management through a unified employee portal. Designed to replace multiple point solutions, it enables admins to manage the entire employee lifecycle from a single dashboard.

Patriot Software offers affordable, cloud-based payroll solutions designed specifically for small businesses, including payroll processing, automatic tax calculations and filings, direct deposit, and 1099 support. It provides two main plans: Basic Payroll for DIY users and Full Service Payroll where experts handle filings. Additional HR tools like onboarding and ACA reporting are available as add-ons, making it a straightforward option for compliance-focused small companies.

ADP RUN is a robust payroll and HR software designed specifically for small businesses with 1-50 employees, handling everything from payroll processing and tax filings to benefits administration and compliance. It offers automated payroll runs, time tracking, employee self-service portals, and integrations with popular accounting tools like QuickBooks. Scalable and backed by ADP's decades of expertise, it ensures accuracy and regulatory compliance across multiple states.

Paychex Flex is a robust, cloud-based payroll and HR management platform designed for small to mid-sized businesses, offering automated payroll processing, tax compliance, benefits administration, time tracking, and employee self-service portals. It integrates HR functions like onboarding, performance management, and recruiting into a single system, ensuring scalability as companies grow. With strong emphasis on regulatory compliance and accuracy, it's backed by Paychex's decades of payroll expertise.

BambooHR is a cloud-based HR management platform that includes integrated payroll processing, designed primarily for small to medium-sized businesses. It handles payroll runs, tax calculations and filings, direct deposits, and benefits administration alongside core HR functions like employee records, onboarding, time tracking, and performance management. The software emphasizes simplicity and automation to reduce administrative burdens for growing teams.

Square Payroll is a streamlined, cloud-based payroll solution from Square, tailored for small businesses, especially those already using Square's POS and payment systems. It automates payroll processing, tax calculations, filings, and direct deposits for employees and contractors across multiple states. The service emphasizes simplicity, allowing users to run unlimited payruns in minutes without complex setups.

Wave Payroll is a cloud-based payroll solution from Wave Apps, designed for small businesses and integrated seamlessly with their free accounting software. It automates payroll calculations, tax withholdings, direct deposits, and compliance filings for W-2 employees and 1099 contractors. Available only in select U.S. states and Canada, it emphasizes simplicity and low cost for basic payroll needs.