Quick verdict: Patriot Payroll is more affordable for small teams starting out, while Justworks offers more advanced features for growing businesses.
At a Glance
Justworks
PEO payroll and benefits for small businesses
G2
★★★★☆
4.6/5
Capterra
★★★★☆
4.6/5
$59/mo + $59/employee
Patriot Payroll
Simple, affordable payroll for micro and small businesses
G2
★★★★☆
4.8/5
Capterra
★★★★☆
4.8/5
$17/mo + $4/employee
Free trial
Feature Comparison
| Feature |
Justworks |
Patriot Payroll |
| Payroll processing |
✓ |
✓ |
| Automated tax filing |
✓ |
✓ |
| Direct deposit |
✓ |
✓ |
| Benefits administration |
✓ |
✗ |
| Time tracking |
✓ |
✓ |
| Employee onboarding |
✓ |
✗ |
| PTO management |
✓ |
✗ |
| Contractor payments |
✗ |
✓ |
| International payroll |
✗ |
✗ |
| Mobile app |
✓ |
✗ |
| API access |
✗ |
✓ |
| Starting price |
$59/mo + $59/employee |
$17/mo + $4/employee |
| Countries supported |
US |
US |
| Best for |
Small Business, Startups, 1-200 Employees |
Micro Business, Small Business, 1-25 Employees |
Pros & Cons
Justworks
- Fortune 500-level benefits for small teams
- Great compliance support
- Simple pricing
- US-only
- No API
- No contractor payments
- More expensive than alternatives
Patriot Payroll
- Cheapest full-service payroll
- Highest rated for simplicity
- Great for very small teams
- Free trial available
- No HR features
- US-only
- No mobile app
- Very basic feature set
Who Should Use Each?
Patriot Payroll
You're a small team on a tight budget and want the most affordable option with solid core features.
Patriot Payroll
User satisfaction matters most — Patriot Payroll holds a higher G2 rating (4.8 vs 4.6).
Patriot Payroll
You want to try before you buy — only one of them offers a free trial.
Patriot Payroll
You work with freelancers or contractors and need to pay them through the platform.
Ready to decide?
Try both and pick what works best for your team.
* Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission if you sign up through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Justworks better than Patriot Payroll?
It depends on your needs. Justworks is generally better for small business, startups, while Patriot Payroll shines for micro business, small business. Both have strong ratings on G2 and Capterra.
How much does Justworks cost compared to Patriot Payroll?
$59/mo + $59/employee vs $17/mo + $4/employee. Always check each vendor's official pricing page as rates may have changed.
Can I switch from Justworks to Patriot Payroll?
Yes, both platforms support data export. Most businesses complete a migration in 2–4 weeks. It's best to run both in parallel for one payroll cycle before fully switching.
Does Justworks or Patriot Payroll offer a free trial?
Justworks does not currently offer a free trial. Yes, Patriot Payroll offers a free trial.
Which is better for international payroll — Justworks or Patriot Payroll?
Neither currently offers international payroll — consider Deel or Remote for global hiring.