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First, identify who the “one employee” is
You are paying yourself as the owner
Owner-only payroll is not appropriate for every business structure. Gusto says its Solo plan is for owner-only businesses with no W-2 employees besides the owner, and its eligibility guidance includes sole proprietors, single-member LLCs, and S corporation owners. That describes the product’s eligibility, not a rule that every owner in those structures must run payroll. Check your tax obligations before choosing a plan. Gusto Solo and Gusto’s owner and S corporation guidance explain its product scope.
For an S corporation owner who works in the business, Gusto advises taking wages before distributions and recommends considering the business economics with an accountant. This is vendor guidance, not individualized tax advice. Review current IRS S corporation information and consult a tax professional about your situation.
You hired one W-2 employee
Choose a service that accepts businesses with an employee and confirm what it handles: wage calculations, payroll tax withholding, tax deposits and filings, year-end forms, and payment delivery. Gusto Solo is specifically described as having no W-2 employee besides the owner, so a business with a separate employee should check another Gusto plan or another provider. ADP explicitly markets RUN for businesses with one employee.
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- Unlimited number of companies and employees
- NACHA files for Direct Deposit
- Optional integratd E-File for Federal W2's and 1099-NEC's
- Create checks for Employees or 1099-NEC contractors.
- Generate and populate tax forms such as W-2, W-3, 1099-NEC, 940, 941 and 941-B. Optional federal E-File and some supported State E-File
You pay a contractor
Contractor-only payroll can cost less than employee payroll, but it is not a substitute for correctly classifying a worker. Square lists a contractor-only service priced per person paid, and Gusto says contractor payments are supported. Confirm whether you need contractor payments only or also employee payroll, tax filings, and employee forms.
Compare the eight services by fit and known pricing
Prices below are not a like-for-like ranking. Square’s figures come from its official pricing page; other figures are attributed to provider-authored comparisons or a partner pricing page and should be confirmed with the provider. One-person totals can include a base fee plus a per-person fee, and the filing scope may differ.
Rank #2
- Sold as 1 Each.
- Simplifies payroll record keeping.
- Quarterly and yearly summaries.
- Seven columns for deductions.
- Includes Calendar of Tax Form Due Dates and Explanation of Payroll Tax Forms.
| Service | Known price or pricing status | Why it may fit | Check before signing up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gusto Solo | $49 monthly base plus $6 per person, as listed in Gusto’s 2026 comparison; verify current checkout pricing. Source | Designed for owner-only businesses; Gusto’s plan guidance says contractor payments are supported. Plan details | Confirm eligibility for your entity and whether Solo handles the filings you need. It is not described as a plan for a separate W-2 employee. |
| Square Payroll | Full service: $35 per month plus $6 per person paid. Contractor-only: $6 per person paid. Square pricing page accessed in 2026. Official pricing | Worth comparing if your business already uses Square’s point-of-sale ecosystem; this fit distinction is from Gusto’s vendor-authored comparison. Comparison | Confirm whether the full-service or contractor-only scope fits your payees and filing needs. |
| OnPay | $49 base plus $6 per worker on an accountant/partner pricing page accessed in 2026; confirm regular customer terms. Pricing page | The partner page lists federal, state, and local filings among Payroll Essentials inclusions. | Ask for the price and included filing scope available to your business, rather than assuming partner terms apply. |
| QuickBooks Payroll | Gusto’s comparison lists Core at $50 plus $6.50 per employee, Premium at $88 plus $10, and Elite at $134 plus $12. Confirm directly. Comparison | May suit a business already using QuickBooks; the fit assessment comes from Gusto’s comparison. | Check current plan prices and which QuickBooks integration or service features your accounting workflow actually requires. |
| Patriot Payroll | Gusto’s comparison lists Basic at $17 plus $4 per employee and Full Service at $37 plus $4 per employee. Confirm current terms. Comparison | Could be a lower-base-price candidate if its plan scope fits. | The comparison says Basic does not include tax filing. Confirm filing responsibilities and current plan details. |
| Roll by ADP | Gusto’s comparison lists $39 monthly base plus $5 per employee and a three-month introductory offer. Verify current price and offer terms. Comparison | Gusto describes it as mobile-first and chat-based. | Confirm post-promotion pricing, tax filing scope, and whether its support model suits you. |
| RUN Powered by ADP | ADP does not state a fixed price on its one-employee page; it says pricing depends on selected services. Request a quote. ADP product page | ADP markets it for one-employee businesses and says it calculates, deducts, and files payroll taxes, creates W-2 forms, and offers direct deposit and support. | Ask which services are included in the quote and what the recurring total will be. |
| SurePayroll by Paychex | Gusto’s comparison lists self-service at $19.99 plus $4 per employee and full service at $29.99 plus $5 per employee. Treat these as unconfirmed leads, not current quotes. Comparison | Provides a self-service versus full-service distinction to investigate. | Verify present prices and exactly which tax tasks are included in each option. |
How to choose without overpaying
Calculate the full recurring cost for your payee
For a plan with a base charge and a per-person charge, add the two for one paid person. Square’s published full-service price therefore works out to $41 for a month in which one person is paid ($35 base plus $6 per person paid); its contractor-only charge is $6 for one person paid. These are calculations from Square’s stated pricing, not a claim about taxes or additional services. For the other listed prices, confirm current terms and whether “per employee,” “per worker,” or “per person paid” is assessed each payroll or each month.
Compare filing responsibility, not just the sticker price
A lower subscription price may leave tax filings or deposits to you. ADP says RUN calculates, deducts, and files payroll taxes, while the Gusto comparison says Patriot Basic does not include tax filing. For any quote, ask who submits federal, state, and local returns, makes tax payments, prepares year-end forms, and corrects filing errors. Also ask whether these services are included or cost extra.
Rank #3
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- PROCESS PAYROLL: Simplify your payroll processes for 1-10 of your employees with updated tax calculation for efiling, employee witholdings and automated W2s.
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- AUTOMATE BANK FEEDS: Streamline your business processes with automated bank feeds that flow seamlessly into your accounts and automate repetitive manual tasks, saving you time and money.
Let your existing workflow shape the shortlist
Existing accounting or point-of-sale tools can matter more than a small difference in the advertised base price. Gusto’s comparisons position QuickBooks Payroll for existing QuickBooks users and Square Payroll for businesses already in the Square ecosystem. These are vendor-authored comparisons, not independent evaluations. If you prioritize a mobile-first experience, Gusto describes Roll by ADP that way; if you need a broader provider with support, ADP lists support among RUN’s offerings. Ask providers to demonstrate the specific workflow you rely on.
Questions to ask before enrolling
- Does the plan accept an owner-only business, a business with one outside W-2 employee, or both?
- Does the quoted amount include all base and per-person charges for your pay schedule?
- Who calculates, pays, and files payroll taxes at the federal, state, and local levels?
- Which payment methods and pay frequencies are available, and are any fees separate?
- Can the service pay contractors as well as employees, if you need both?
- Are year-end forms such as W-2s included, and what support is available if a filing or payment needs correction?
- Does the service connect to your accounting or POS workflow, and are the features you need included in your selected plan?
What about a tenth option?
Payroll4Free.com appears in Gusto’s eight-provider comparison, but the available product information does not establish its current pricing, limitations, or eligibility well enough to recommend it here. Rather than present it as a ranked “best” choice, treat it as an additional service to investigate directly if the other candidates do not fit. Gusto’s comparison is vendor-authored, not independent testing.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 1. Efficient double-copy paper:The inner pages of payroll record book are made of carbonless white and yellow double-copy paper, which is clear and does not require additional carbon paper, saving costs. The white copy is used for archiving, and the yellow copy is used for checking or distribution, which is convenient for employees to check and manage wages. The tear line design on the top makes it easy to tear neatly, which is convenient for file sorting and filing. The torn documents can be directly used for salary verification or employee distribution, which is convenient for subsequent file sorting and filing, and improves work efficiency.
- 2. Portable size and professional design:The 4.2x7.2-inch size design not only ensures sufficient recording space, but also facilitates detailed recording of salary details, such as employee name, salary items (basic salary, bonus, subsidy, etc.), amount and other information, and is easy to carry. The weekly employee payroll log book can be easily put into a folder or handbag, which is convenient for financial personnel to check and record salary information anytime and anywhere. It is suitable for use in offices, out-of-office or mobile office scenarios.
- 3. High-quality binding and durability:White spiral binding can be completely flat, smooth writing, easy to flip through, suitable for frequent use. 50 double-copied inner pages create clear records for employees and management to meet daily wage record needs and can record the wage details of 50 employees.
- 4. Single-sided color printed inner pages:The inner pages are printed in color on one side, which is beautiful and practical. Different wage items or important information are distinguished by color to track employees' working hours, total income, deductions and net wages, and improve the clarity and readability of records. The payroll ledger book’s inner pages are made of high-quality paper, with smooth writing and clear carbon copies to ensure the accuracy and completeness of wage records.
- 5. Applicable to multiple scenarios:This set of weekly payroll record book is suitable for corporate finance departments, human resources departments, small businesses or individual businesses, and can provide efficient support for wage accounting, employee communication or salary surveys. Simple and easy to use, no professional training required, it is a powerful assistant for wage management, helping you to easily manage wage records and improve work efficiency.
Rank #4
- Tracks weekly hours, pay rates, taxes and other deductions
- Wire-o spiral binding allows book to lay flat so rows line up across the pages
- Summary page in back of book
- Blue and yellow printing designed to reduce eye strain
- Up to 20 employee capacity
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
