Best Payroll Software for Small Business in 2026
Nine payroll services priced for a 3-person shop and a 25-person company, with what changes when you hire in a second state.
Gusto is the best payroll software for most small businesses in 2026. Simple costs $49 a month plus a per-person fee, which is $67 a month for three people, with tax filings included, and Plus adds time tracking and multi-state payroll when you grow.
Pick OnPay if you already pay people in several states, since every plan covers as many states as you need at one price. Patriot Full Service has the lowest full-service list price here, and Roll by ADP gives new accounts three months free.
ADP RUN, Paychex and Rippling print no full price, so budget them only after a quote.
Key facts9 tools compared: Gusto, OnPay, Patriot Payroll, Roll by ADP, Square Payroll, QuickBooks…
- 9 tools compared: Gusto, OnPay, Patriot Payroll, Roll by ADP, Square Payroll, QuickBooks Payroll, ADP RUN, Paychex Flex, Rippling
- OnPay (best for: Small businesses already paying employees in more than one state): Payroll Essentials: base fee plus a per-worker fee, starting at $55/mo for one worker.
- Patriot Payroll (best for: Cost-focused owners who want full-service payroll at the lowest list price): Full Service $37/mo + $5 per worker paid; Basic $17/mo + $4 per worker (no tax filing).
- Roll by ADP (best for: Owners who want to run payroll from a phone and pay staff in several states): $39/mo + $5 per employee; 3 months free for new accounts. No long-term contract.
A small business buys payroll twice: once at the size it is today, and again when it hires the tenth person or the first employee in another state. The cheapest plan at three employees is rarely the cheapest at twenty-five, because the per-person fee, not the base fee, takes over the bill.
So this page prices every published plan at two sizes, a 3-person shop and a 25-person company, and flags the limits that force an upgrade. The 10-employee case is already covered in our payroll cost breakdown, so the sizes here bracket it.
Toolradar data: Toolradar, the software directory we run, tracks 74 payroll tools as of 18 October 2026 on its payroll ranking. Only 22 of them publish a price, with a median cheapest paid plan of $22 a month, so most of the market still asks for a sales call. Gusto is listed as an alternative to 56 other tools there, third behind QuickBooks and Rippling.
For a wider list that includes midsize companies, see our best payroll software guide, and if you are deciding whether to run payroll without software at all, start with how to run payroll yourself.
Top Picks
Based on features, real-world fit, and value for money.
The default small-business payroll, with three clear plans and month-to-month billing.
Simple from $49/mo plus a per-person fee; about $67/mo for 3 people. No contract.
Most small businesses paying W-2 staff in one state, with room to add states later
Payroll Essentials: base fee plus a per-worker fee, starting at $55/mo for one worker.
Small businesses already paying employees in more than one state
Full Service $37/mo + $5 per worker paid; Basic $17/mo + $4 per worker (no tax filing).
Cost-focused owners who want full-service payroll at the lowest list price
| Tool | Pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Gusto | Simple from $49/mo plus a per-person fee; about $67/mo for 3 people. No contract. | Most small businesses paying W-2 staff in one state, with room to add states later |
| OnPay | Payroll Essentials: base fee plus a per-worker fee, starting at $55/mo for one worker. | Small businesses already paying employees in more than one state |
| Patriot Payroll | Full Service $37/mo + $5 per worker paid; Basic $17/mo + $4 per worker (no tax filing). | Cost-focused owners who want full-service payroll at the lowest list price |
| Roll by ADP | $39/mo + $5 per employee; 3 months free for new accounts. No long-term contract. | Owners who want to run payroll from a phone and pay staff in several states |
| Square Payroll | Full-service $35/mo plus a per-person fee; contractor-only plan charges per person paid. | Restaurants and shops already using Square for sales and team scheduling |
| QuickBooks Payroll | Workforce Payroll + Simple Start $88/mo + $6.50/employee; 50% off the base for 3 months. | Businesses that want payroll and QuickBooks Online accounting on one bill |
| ADP RUN | Quote only. Four packages for 1 to 49 employees; 3 months free payroll for new clients. | Companies under 50 people that want a named provider and an HR package path |
| Paychex Flex | Quote only. Basic, Foundations, Advanced and Complete packages. | Small businesses that expect to add HR, applicant tracking or training under one provider |
| Rippling | Plans from $8 per employee/mo plus a monthly base fee; payroll priced by quote. | Small companies that want payroll, HR and device management in one system |
Pricing read from each vendor's own pricing page, checked Oct 2026. 1 of 9 sells by quote only and publishes no price; that entry says so rather than estimating. 2 of 9 publish prices for some plans and quote the rest.
Gusto
The default small-business payroll, with three clear plans and month-to-month billing.
- Pricing
- Simple from $49/mo plus a per-person fee; about $67/mo for 3 people. No contract.
Best for: Most small businesses paying W-2 staff in one state, with room to add states later
Pros
- Simple includes unlimited payrolls, tax filings and payments, payroll on AutoPilot and domestic contractor payments.
- Plus adds time tracking and scheduling, next-day pay and payroll in new states for a mixed workforce.
- US contractors are billed only in months you pay them, which suits seasonal or project help.
Cons
- Simple runs payroll in one state, so a remote hire elsewhere means Plus at $80 a month plus $12 per person.
- Same-day pay is $90 per payroll and instant pay $100 per payroll unless you are on Premium.
OnPay
One flat-priced plan that includes every state, unlimited pay runs and year-end forms.
- Pricing
- Payroll Essentials: base fee plus a per-worker fee, starting at $55/mo for one worker.
Best for: Small businesses already paying employees in more than one state
Pros
- Federal, state and local tax filings and W-2s, 1099s and year-end filings are included.
- You can pay workers in as many states as you need without a per-state fee.
- No implementation or integration fees, and expert support by phone, chat and email.
Cons
- Time tracking and HR are add-ons, so a team that needs both pays more than the payroll price.
- At 25 people the bill matches Gusto Simple, so OnPay's edge is states, not price.
Patriot Payroll
The cheapest full-service list price here, billed in arrears with no setup fee.
- Pricing
- Full Service $37/mo + $5 per worker paid; Basic $17/mo + $4 per worker (no tax filing).
Best for: Cost-focused owners who want full-service payroll at the lowest list price
Pros
- Full Service files Forms 940, 941, W-2 and state returns, with free setup and direct deposit.
- You pay only the base price in months you do not run payroll.
- A 30-day free trial, then 50% off for 3 months.
Cons
- Basic leaves federal and state filing to you, which is a false economy for most owners.
- Each additional state filing costs $12 a month, and time tracking and HR add $2 per employee each.
Roll by ADP
ADP's app-first payroll, with all 50 states and same-day or next-day deposit available.
- Pricing
- $39/mo + $5 per employee; 3 months free for new accounts. No long-term contract.
Best for: Owners who want to run payroll from a phone and pay staff in several states
Pros
- Supports all 50 states and multi-state employees on the single plan.
- Includes tax calculation and payment, 1099 contractor payments and QuickBooks Online integration.
- Same-day and next-day direct deposit are available, with 24/7 live chat support.
Cons
- One plan only, so a company that later wants HR or benefits tools has to move to another ADP product or provider.
- The chat-first design suits simple payrolls more than a company with complex pay rules.
Square Payroll
Full-service payroll that ties into Square's point of sale and staff tools.
- Pricing
- Full-service $35/mo plus a per-person fee; contractor-only plan charges per person paid.
Best for: Restaurants and shops already using Square for sales and team scheduling
Pros
- Full-service plan includes unlimited pay runs, new-hire reporting and QuickBooks Online integration.
- Sits in the same Square Dashboard as Square Staff and Shifts, so a Square seller manages team and pay in one place.
- The contractor-only plan has no base fee, which suits a business with no W-2 staff.
Cons
- Mailing paper W-2s or 1099s costs $3 per form a year.
- Most of its advantage disappears if you do not run your sales on Square.
QuickBooks Payroll
Payroll sold as a bundle with QuickBooks Online, priced above standalone payroll.
- Pricing
- Workforce Payroll + Simple Start $88/mo + $6.50/employee; 50% off the base for 3 months.
Best for: Businesses that want payroll and QuickBooks Online accounting on one bill
Pros
- The entry bundle includes full-service payroll, auto payroll, next-day direct deposit and 1099 e-filing.
- The Essentials bundle adds same-day direct deposit and includes 3 users.
- The Premium + Plus bundle adds expert setup review, time tracking and project profitability, with 5 users.
Cons
- Even the entry bundle costs more than most standalone payroll here, because accounting is included.
- The promotion discounts the base fee only, not the per-employee fee.
ADP RUN
ADP's small-business payroll, sold in four packages up to HR Pro.
- Pricing
- Quote only. Four packages for 1 to 49 employees; 3 months free payroll for new clients.
Best for: Companies under 50 people that want a named provider and an HR package path
Pros
- Packages run from Essential Payroll to HR Pro Payroll and HR, so HR help can be added later.
- Built for 1 to 49 employees, the exact range this page covers.
- New clients get 3 months of free payroll, subject to ADP's terms.
Cons
- No package shows a price; you fill a form or call sales.
- A quote-based bill is harder to compare against the printed plans above.
Paychex Flex
Four payroll and HR packages with a promotion of up to six months free for eligible new clients.
- Pricing
- Quote only. Basic, Foundations, Advanced and Complete packages.
Best for: Small businesses that expect to add HR, applicant tracking or training under one provider
Pros
- Basic includes unlimited payroll processing, W-2 and 1099 processing, tax filing and employee self-service.
- Advanced adds a learning management system and applicant tracking for companies that are hiring.
- New eligible clients with 1 to 250 employees who sign a one-year agreement by 31 October 2026 can get up to six months free.
Cons
- Every package says Request Pricing, so there is no list price to check.
- The promotion requires a one-year agreement, unlike month-to-month Gusto.
Rippling
Payroll as one module in a wider HR and IT platform, priced per product.
- Pricing
- Plans from $8 per employee/mo plus a monthly base fee; payroll priced by quote.
Best for: Small companies that want payroll, HR and device management in one system
Pros
- Most products are priced per employee per month, so you add modules as you need them.
- Payroll sits next to HR and IT tools, which saves a second system for onboarding and devices.
- It is the most compared payroll tool on Toolradar over the last 90 days, a sign of how often buyers shortlist it.
Cons
- Payroll pricing depends on headcount and products, so the published starting figure is not a payroll price.
- A monthly base fee sits on top, and the page does not print it.
What it is
Payroll software calculates each paycheck, withholds federal, state and local taxes, pays employees by direct deposit and files the payroll tax returns on your behalf. A full-service plan also produces W-2s and 1099s at year end.
The line that matters most for a small business is who files the taxes. Patriot's Basic plan calculates pay but leaves the filing to you, while its Full Service plan and every other plan on this page files for you. A missed deposit costs penalties that dwarf the price difference between the two.
Most services now bundle extras around payroll, such as time tracking, benefits administration, workers' comp and HR help. Those extras are where a small bill quietly doubles, so the cards below say which ones each plan includes and which cost more.
Why it matters
At three employees the base fee dominates. Patriot Full Service comes to $52 a month for three people, while QuickBooks' cheapest payroll bundle passes $100 because it includes the accounting software too. If you already pay for QuickBooks Online, that comparison changes.
At twenty-five employees the per-person fee decides the bill. Gusto Simple and OnPay land at the same $199 a month at that size, Patriot Full Service at $162 and Roll by ADP at $164. Gusto Plus, the plan a growing company often needs for time tracking and new states, reaches $380 a month.
The other trigger is geography. Gusto Simple runs payroll in one state, so the first remote hire in another state pushes you to Plus. OnPay and Roll by ADP include every state, and Patriot charges a monthly fee per additional state filing.
Key features to look for
Pricing
At 3 people, Patriot Full Service is the lowest full-service bill. Using each vendor's base fee plus the per-person fee times three, Patriot Full Service comes to $52 a month, Square $53, Roll by ADP $54, and Gusto Simple and OnPay $67 each. QuickBooks' entry bundle is $107.50 a month at list, but it includes QuickBooks Online.
At 25 people the order holds but the gaps widen. Patriot Full Service is $162 a month, Roll by ADP $164 and Square $185. Gusto Simple and OnPay each reach $199, and Gusto Plus reaches $380 a month for the time tracking and multi-state support it adds.
Prices were read on each vendor's own page on 18 October 2026: Gusto pricing, OnPay pricing, Patriot pricing, Roll by ADP pricing, Square Payroll pricing and QuickBooks Payroll pricing. Totals use list prices before trials and promotions, and exclude add-ons and benefits.
| Plan | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Gusto Simple | $49/mo + $6/person | One state, unlimited payrolls, tax filings, domestic contractor payments |
| Gusto Plus | $80/mo + $12/person | Adds time tracking, scheduling, next-day pay and payroll in new states |
| Gusto Premium | $180/mo + $22/person | Named advisor, HR guidance, same-day and instant pay included |
| OnPay Payroll Essentials | $49/mo + $6/worker | All states, tax filings, W-2s and 1099s, unlimited pay runs |
| Patriot Basic Payroll | $17/mo + $4/worker | Payroll calculation and direct deposit; you file the taxes |
| Patriot Full Service Payroll | $37/mo + $5/worker | Federal and state tax deposits and filings, W-2 and 940/941 forms |
| Roll by ADP | $39/mo + $5/employee | All 50 states, same-day or next-day deposit, 24/7 live chat |
| Square Payroll full-service | $35/mo + $6/person | Unlimited pay runs, new-hire reporting, QuickBooks Online integration |
| QuickBooks Workforce Payroll + Simple Start | $88/mo + $6.50/employee | Full-service payroll bundled with QuickBooks Online Simple Start |
| QuickBooks Workforce Payroll + Essentials | $125/mo + $6.50/employee | Same-day direct deposit, enhanced reporting, 3 users |
| QuickBooks Workforce Premium + Plus | $203/mo + $10/employee | Expert setup review, time tracking, project profitability, 5 users |
| ADP RUN | Contact sales | Four packages for 1 to 49 employees, from Essential to HR Pro |
| Paychex Flex | Contact sales | Basic, Foundations, Advanced and Complete payroll and HR packages |
| Rippling | From $8/employee/mo + base fee | Modular HR, IT and payroll platform; payroll quoted by headcount |
The bottom line
Gusto is the best payroll software for most small businesses in 2026: three clear plans, tax filing on every one, and an upgrade path when you add states or need time tracking. OnPay is the better buy if you already pay people in several states, and Patriot Full Service is the lowest list price for owners who only need payroll done right.
Roll by ADP suits phone-first owners, Square Payroll suits Square sellers, and QuickBooks Payroll makes sense when you want accounting on the same bill. Choose ADP RUN, Paychex or Rippling when you want a larger provider or HR and IT in one system, and get the quote in writing.
Methodology: we compared nine payroll services a small business is likely to shortlist, read every price and plan on the vendor's own page on 18 October 2026, and computed monthly totals at 3 and 25 employees from the printed base and per-person fees. Rankings weigh full-service tax filing, total cost at both sizes, multi-state coverage and price transparency. Plan detail is in our Gusto review, OnPay review, ADP review, Paychex review and Rippling review, and in Gusto pricing, cheaper Gusto alternatives and Gusto vs ADP. Toolradar profiles: Gusto, OnPay and Rippling.
If you need HR software as well as payroll, see best HRIS for small business; to hand off payroll and benefits entirely, see best PEO services.
This page is general information, not personalized financial advice. Confirm current pricing and terms directly with each provider before you sign.
Cite this: HRpresso, "Best Payroll Software for Small Business in 2026", October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best payroll software for a small business in 2026?
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Sources
Prices and plan details come from each vendor's own pricing page, re-checked by the Toolradar pricing tracker.
- Gusto pricingchecked Sep 2026
- QuickBooks Payroll pricingchecked Sep 2026
- Rippling pricingchecked Sep 2026
Some offers on this page may be paid placements or contain affiliate links.
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