Payroll software is easy to compare until the first unusual payroll arrives. A second state, a worker paid $0, a late submission, or a mailed W-2 can change the cost and the plan you need.
We evaluated the services below for pricing transparency, tax handling, payroll flexibility, direct deposit, multi-state support, and the failure points most likely to surprise a small employer. For 2026, Gusto is the best overall choice for many small businesses, while OnPay is a strong alternative for employers that want one straightforward plan and included multi-state filings. Patriot is the budget pick, QuickBooks Payroll is the natural choice for businesses already committed to QuickBooks, and RUN Powered by ADP is the better fit when payroll support and a broader HR platform matter more than a posted price.
Prices and features can change, so verify the provider’s checkout page or quote before signing up.
Our picks for the best payroll services
| Payroll service | Best for | Starting price | Key limitation or qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gusto | Best overall | $49/month + $6/person/month | Simple is limited to one state; multi-state payroll starts with Plus |
| OnPay | Simple, flexible payroll | $49/month + $6/person/month | Workers selected in a pay run can count even when paid $0 |
| Patriot Payroll | Lowest-cost payroll | $17/month + $4/worker paid for Basic | Basic does not file or deposit employer payroll taxes |
| QuickBooks Online Payroll | QuickBooks users | About $50/month + $6.50/employee/month in current comparison pricing | Final cost depends on the QuickBooks plan, promotion, and account setup |
| RUN Powered by ADP | Growing businesses needing support | Quote required | There is no universal public price |
| Square Payroll | Businesses already using Square | About $35/month + $6/person/month in current comparison pricing | Confirm eligibility and current terms directly with Square |
1. Gusto: Best overall payroll service
Gusto has the best balance of usability, automation, employee features, and transparent pricing for many small businesses. It handles recurring payroll, direct deposit, tax filings and payments, employee onboarding, benefits administration, and contractor payments in one interface.
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The current plans are:
- Simple: $49 per month plus $6 per person per month. This includes unlimited payroll runs and tax filings and payments, but payroll is limited to one state.
- Plus: $80 per month plus $12 per person per month. It adds multi-state payroll, next-day pay, time tracking, and additional HR and benefits features.
- Premium: $180 per month plus $22 per person per month. This includes a dedicated service advisor, certified HR experts, custom reports, priority support, and payroll migration or account setup.
Gusto’s pricing makes it easy to estimate a normal month. For example, a five-person company on Simple would pay $79 per month before optional add-ons: $49 plus five times $6.
Direct deposit deserves a closer look. New employers generally start with a four-day schedule. Two-day pay requires a 15-day waiting period and one successful payroll debit. Gusto also offers same-day and instant options, but these are not regular on-demand payroll switches. On Simple and Plus, Same-day Pay costs $90 per payroll and Instant Pay costs $100 per payroll, and both are restricted to eligible late payrolls. Premium includes them subject to eligibility.
To review add-ons in an existing account, go to Settings > Plan and pricing > Add-ons. To check your actual account billing, use Settings > Plan & billing. This matters because benefits, broker connections, and other additions can materially change the advertised base price. Broker integration is unavailable on Simple, costs $6 per eligible employee per month on Plus, and is included with Premium.
Choose Gusto if: you want a polished, approachable system and have a fairly typical small-business payroll.
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2. OnPay: Best for straightforward pricing and multi-state payroll
OnPay is particularly attractive for businesses that want one main plan rather than a ladder of packages. Its current price is $49 per month plus $6 per person, including tax filings and payments in all 50 states, unlimited payroll runs, direct deposit, debit-card payments, printed checks, and employee access.
That multi-state inclusion is important. A business adding a second state does not have to move from a single-state starter tier as it would with Gusto Simple. OnPay also supports employee and contractor payments, multiple pay schedules, and common HR and benefits tasks.
OnPay bills the per-person charge once per monthly billing period, not once per payroll run. Running payroll weekly or daily does not multiply the $6 charge by the number of runs. However, a person selected in a pay run counts toward the fee even if that person receives $0. Before processing, review the selected workers carefully, especially for inactive employees or employees who were carried into the run accidentally.
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OnPay requires a signed Form 8655 authorizing it to file and deposit taxes as the company’s reporting agent. That is normal for a full-service payroll arrangement, but it is one reason your business information and tax registrations must be accurate before the first run.
Payroll cancellation also has a real cutoff. A processed run can generally be canceled until 11:30 p.m. on the business day before payroll funds are drafted. After that, cancellation may not be possible.
Electronic year-end forms are included. If you want OnPay to print and mail forms directly, it charges $10 per form. That can matter when comparing providers that advertise included W-2 or 1099 preparation but charge separately for physical delivery.
Choose OnPay if: you want included multi-state filing, unlimited payroll runs, and a relatively simple pricing structure.
Look elsewhere if: you need sophisticated enterprise HR tools or want to pay only for workers who receive money in a particular run.
3. Patriot Payroll: Best budget option
Patriot offers one of the lowest entry prices in this group, but the two payroll products are materially different.
- Basic Payroll: $17 per month plus $4 per worker paid. The employer is responsible for calculating, filing, and depositing payroll taxes.
- Full Service Payroll: $37 per month plus $5 per worker paid. Patriot handles federal, state, and local tax filings and deposits and year-end filings.
Patriot charges based on each worker paid during the month, not on the number of payroll runs. The base fee still applies in a month when you do not run payroll. Full Service also charges $12 for each additional state beyond the included state.
The distinction between Basic and Full Service is the central buying decision. Basic can be a good value for an owner who is comfortable managing tax deposits and filings, but it should not be treated as a cheaper version of a tax-filing service. Full Service is the more relevant comparison with Gusto and OnPay.
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Patriot supports unlimited payrolls, multiple pay frequencies, unlimited pay schedules, employee self-onboarding, employee portals, and up to 25 pay rates per employee. Those features make it more capable than its low headline price may suggest.
Choose Patriot if: price is your first priority and you understand exactly who is responsible for payroll tax compliance.
Look elsewhere if: you need included multi-state filings without an additional-state charge or prefer a more modern all-in-one HR and benefits experience.
4. QuickBooks Online Payroll: Best for QuickBooks users
QuickBooks Online Payroll is most compelling when the business already uses QuickBooks Online for bookkeeping. Payroll data can stay within the same accounting ecosystem, reducing duplicate entry and making payroll reports, wages, and tax liabilities easier to reconcile.
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The practical question is not simply whether QuickBooks Payroll is inexpensive. It is whether keeping payroll and accounting together saves enough administrative time to justify the subscription. A business that would need QuickBooks Online anyway may find the combined setup sensible. A business seeking payroll alone should compare the total bundle cost against Gusto, OnPay, and Patriot Full Service.
Before buying, confirm the exact tax-filing scope, direct-deposit timing, state support, promotional expiration date, and whether any desired HR features require a higher QuickBooks plan.
Choose QuickBooks Payroll if: your books already live in QuickBooks Online and minimizing reconciliation work is valuable.
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Look elsewhere if: you do not need QuickBooks accounting or want a payroll provider with simpler standalone pricing.
5. RUN Powered by ADP: Best for support and growth
RUN Powered by ADP is designed for small businesses that may need more support, HR guidance, and room to grow than a basic payroll application provides. ADP advertises automatic calculation, filing, and payment of federal, state, and local payroll taxes; W-2 and 1099 preparation and e-filing; recurring payroll through RUN & DONE; and AI-enabled error flagging.
Its current package names are Essential Payroll, Enhanced Payroll, Complete Payroll & HR+, and HR Pro Payroll & HR. ADP does not publish one standard price. The quote varies based on employee count, employee types, payroll frequency, and selected features.
A quote-based product can be a disadvantage for a very small employer comparing monthly costs. Ask for the complete first-year price, implementation fees, per-run charges, year-end form fees, additional-state charges, and the price after any introductory promotion. Also ask which support channels and HR services are included in the specific package rather than relying on broad “24/7 support” marketing language.
ADP also cannot eliminate the employer’s setup responsibilities. You may need an EIN, state and local tax IDs, state unemployment registrations, I-9 and W-4 records, and defined pay periods before payroll can run correctly.
Choose RUN if: you value provider support, want broader HR capabilities, or expect your payroll needs to become more complex.
Look elsewhere if: you need a clear public price for a very small operation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.6. Square Payroll: Best for Square businesses
Square Payroll generally makes the most sense for a business already using Square for payments, scheduling, time tracking, or point-of-sale operations. Keeping employee hours and payroll within the same ecosystem can be useful for restaurants, retailers, and other hourly businesses.
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Business News Daily’s comparison lists pricing around $35 per month plus $6 per person per month, but Square’s current terms, eligibility rules, and plan details should be confirmed directly before relying on that figure. The total value depends heavily on how much of the Square system the business already uses.
Choose Square Payroll if: Square already runs a central part of your business and payroll integration is more important than broad provider choice.
Look elsewhere if: you need a payroll-first product with more independent HR, benefits, or multi-state comparison flexibility.
How to choose a payroll service
- Count states, not just employees. A five-person company spread across two states may need a more expensive plan than a 20-person single-state company. Gusto Simple is single-state, Gusto Plus supports multi-state payroll, OnPay includes filings in all 50 states, and Patriot Full Service adds $12 for each additional state.
- Separate payroll processing from tax filing. A low base price may cover calculations while leaving the employer responsible for deposits and returns, as with Patriot Basic.
- Ask how workers are billed. OnPay charges a person selected in a pay run even at $0; Patriot charges each worker paid during the month. “Unlimited payroll” does not mean unlimited workers at no additional cost.
- Price the unusual month. Check the cost of an extra payroll, a late payroll, mailed year-end forms, another state, contractors, benefits, and an inactive employee.
- Confirm direct-deposit deadlines. A provider’s fastest advertised schedule may require approval or advance notice. Late payrolls can trigger fees or prevent same-day payment.
- Prepare registrations and records. Full-service payroll providers generally act on the information you provide. They cannot correct a wrong address, tax ID, work location, employee classification, or pay date after the fact without potential consequences.
What “full-service payroll” does—and does not—mean
Full-service payroll usually means the provider calculates payroll, files required tax returns, makes tax payments, and prepares year-end forms. It does not mean the provider knows where every employee worked, whether a worker is correctly classified, or whether the business has completed every required registration.
Before the first payroll, verify the company’s EIN, state and local tax accounts, state unemployment IDs, employee W-4 and I-9 records, pay rates, deductions, work locations, and pay schedule. Review the first tax filings and payroll register rather than assuming automation makes review unnecessary.
Important pricing claims to disregard
- Gusto does not currently start at $55 per month. Its standard Simple price is $49 per month plus $6 per person.
- OnPay’s current listed price is $49 per month plus $6 per person, not the frequently repeated $40 plus $6 figure.
- Gusto Premium is currently listed at $180 per month plus $22 per person, rather than being universally custom-priced.
- Same-day payroll is not an always-available button. Gusto restricts Same-day Pay and Instant Pay to eligible late payroll situations.
- Multi-state payroll is not included in every Gusto plan.
- “Full service” does not guarantee error-free compliance when employer-supplied data is wrong.
FAQ
What is the best payroll service for a small business in 2026?
Gusto is the best overall choice for many small businesses because it combines transparent pricing, tax filing, employee tools, benefits options, and a relatively approachable interface. OnPay may be better if you need included multi-state filings under one main plan.
What is the cheapest full-service payroll option?
Patriot Full Service Payroll starts at $37 per month plus $5 per worker paid, but additional states cost extra. Patriot Basic is cheaper at $17 per month plus $4 per worker paid, yet the employer—not Patriot—is responsible for tax filings and deposits.
Does unlimited payroll mean there are no per-employee charges?
No. Unlimited usually refers to the number of payroll runs. OnPay still charges per person included in the monthly billing period, including a worker selected in a run who receives $0. Patriot charges per worker paid during the month.
Can a payroll service handle a business with employees in multiple states?
Yes, but plan rules vary. Gusto Simple is limited to one state and multi-state payroll begins with Plus. OnPay says filings in all 50 states are included. Patriot Full Service charges $12 for each additional state beyond the included state. Confirm registrations, local taxes, and the exact quote before enrolling.
The Bottom Line
Gusto is the strongest all-around pick for 2026 if you want a polished payroll and HR system with visible pricing. Choose OnPay when multi-state filing and a single straightforward plan are priorities. Choose Patriot for the lowest starting cost—but only choose Basic if you are prepared to manage tax filings yourself. QuickBooks Payroll is best evaluated as part of a QuickBooks accounting setup, while RUN Powered by ADP is worth a quote for employers that need more hands-on support and broader HR capabilities.
Whichever service you choose, compare the cost of your most complicated normal month—not just the advertised starter price.
Quick Recap
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