Best payroll software for small business — Ranked
#1 Best overall
Full-service payroll and HR for small businesses
Why we picked it: Gusto combines full-service payroll, automated tax filing, and HR tools in one intuitive platform. With transparent pricing starting at $40/mo + $6/employee, it's the best all-in-one solution for most small businesses.
Free trial
From $40/mo + $6/emp
Pros
- Easy setup
- Great customer support
- All-in-one payroll + HR
Cons
- US-only
- Pricier for large teams
- Limited reporting
#2 Best value
Simple, accurate payroll for any type of business
Why we picked it: OnPay consistently earns the highest user ratings (4.8/5 on G2) for simplicity and value. At $40/mo + $6/employee with all features included, it's the most affordable full-service option.
Free trial
From $40/mo + $6/emp
Pros
- Highest rated payroll for SMB
- Transparent flat pricing
- Excellent customer service
Cons
- US-only
- No built-in time tracking
- Limited HR features
#3 Best for micro teams
Simple, affordable payroll for micro and small businesses
Why we picked it: At $17/mo + $4/employee, Patriot is the cheapest full-service payroll software available. Perfect for businesses under 25 employees who don't need complex HR features.
Free trial
From $17/mo + $4/emp
Pros
- Cheapest full-service payroll
- Highest rated for simplicity
- Great for very small teams
Cons
- No HR features
- US-only
- No mobile app
#4 Best for QuickBooks users
Payroll built right into QuickBooks accounting
Why we picked it: If your accounting lives in QuickBooks, adding QuickBooks Payroll eliminates duplicate data entry completely. The seamless sync saves hours every pay run.
Free trial
From $45/mo + $6/emp
Pros
- Seamless QuickBooks integration
- Automatic tax filings
- Next-day direct deposit
Cons
- US-only
- Best only if you use QuickBooks
- Limited HR features
#5 Best for scaling up
Payroll and HR for small businesses
Why we picked it: ADP RUN is built to scale — start as a small business and grow without switching platforms. The trusted ADP brand brings robust compliance tools.
From $59/mo + $4/emp
Pros
- Trusted ADP brand
- Automatic tax filings
- Easy migration
Cons
- US-only and small business only
- Pushy upsell to Workforce Now
- Limited HR features
#6 Best budget pick
Free accounting with affordable payroll add-on
Why we picked it: At $20/mo base, Wave is ideal for tiny teams already using free Wave accounting. Contractor-only mode is just $6/month per contractor.
From $20/mo + $6/emp
Pros
- Very affordable for tiny teams
- Integrates with free Wave accounting
- Simple interface
Cons
- Very limited HR features
- No benefits admin
- No time tracking
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest payroll software for small business?
Gusto and OnPay are consistently rated the easiest to use, with most businesses running their first payroll within 24 hours of signing up. Both offer step-by-step setup and unlimited customer support.
Does small business payroll software file taxes automatically?
Yes — all platforms on this list offer automated federal, state, and local tax filing. This includes calculating withholdings, filing returns, and paying taxes on your behalf.
How much does payroll software cost for a small business?
Most payroll software charges a base fee ($17-$59/month) plus a per-employee fee ($4-$12/employee/month). For 5 employees, expect to pay $40-$100/month total.
Can I run payroll myself without an accountant?
Yes — modern payroll software is designed for non-experts. Gusto, OnPay, and Patriot all guide you through setup and automate the complex tax calculations.