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Last Updated on: 10/20/2026Written by POS Expert Martin Nikolaev 
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Our top payroll picks
Compare all 6 providers’ pricing ↓
Pricing from each provider’s website, checked Oct 16, 2026. Prices can change.
The best payroll software for a small business pays your team on time, calculates and files payroll taxes for you, and doesn’t charge for features you won’t use. We compared six leading payroll processing services on price, tax filing, contractor payments, benefits, integrations and support. All prices below were checked on each provider’s official website as of October 2026. Always confirm current pricing with the provider before you sign up.
Quick Answer: Best Payroll Software for Small Business in 2026
- Best overall for small businesses: Gusto. From $49/month + $6 per person.
- Best value: OnPay. $49/month base + $6 per worker.
- Best if you already use QuickBooks: QuickBooks Workforce. Payroll + accounting bundles from $88/month + $6.50 per employee (list price; promotions vary).
- Best for growing to 50+ employees: ADP RUN. Quote-based.
- Best for hands-on service and HR support: Paychex Flex. Quote-based.
- Best for payroll + HR + IT in one system: Rippling. From $8 per employee/month plus a monthly base fee.
Payroll Software Pricing Compared (as of Oct 2026)
| Provider | Starting price (official site) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Gusto | Simple $49/mo + $6/person; Plus $80/mo + $12/person; Premium $180/mo + $22/person | Small teams wanting payroll + benefits |
| OnPay | $49/mo base + $6/worker | Budget-conscious full-service payroll |
| QuickBooks Workforce | Bundles from $88/mo + $6.50/employee (list price) | QuickBooks accounting users |
| ADP RUN | Quote only | Scaling businesses |
| Paychex Flex (Basic, Foundations, Advanced, Complete) | Quote only | Service-heavy businesses, HR outsourcing |
| Rippling | From $8/employee/mo + monthly base fee | Payroll + HR + IT/device management |
What Is Payroll Processing Software?
Payroll processing software calculates employee pay (wages, overtime, bonuses, deductions and benefits), pays employees by direct deposit or check, and calculates, withholds and files federal, state and local payroll taxes. Most modern payroll management software is cloud-based, so you can run payroll from any device, and employees can see pay stubs and tax forms in a self-service portal.
Common types of payroll systems:
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Full-service online payroll (Gusto, OnPay, QuickBooks Workforce): you enter hours, and the provider pays employees and files taxes.
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Payroll + HR platforms (Rippling, Paychex, ADP): payroll bundled with hiring, onboarding, benefits administration and compliance tools.
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Outsourced payroll / PEO: a provider takes over payroll administration and, in a PEO, co-employment of your staff.
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DIY spreadsheets or desktop tools: cheapest, but you’re responsible for every tax calculation and filing deadline.
1. Gusto: Best Overall Payroll Software for Small Business
Gusto is full-service payroll built for small businesses, with benefits and HR tools that grow with you. Every plan includes unlimited payroll runs, and Gusto files federal, state and local payroll tax forms (W-2, 1099, 940, 941 and more) on your behalf. Gusto is month-to-month with no long-term contract.
Pricing (as of Oct 2026): Simple $49/month + $6 per person (single-state payroll); Plus $80/month + $12 per person (multi-state payroll, time tracking, next-day pay); Premium $180/month + $22 per person (dedicated support, HR guidance, compliance tools).
Who it’s for: small teams that want easy payroll plus health benefits, 401(k) and contractor payments in one place.
2. OnPay: Best Value Payroll Service
OnPay is full-service payroll at a simple, low price. It handles payroll tax filings, direct deposit, contractor payments and employee self-service, with optional HR and time-tracking add-ons.
Pricing (as of Oct 2026): Payroll Essentials $49/month base + $6 per worker, according to OnPay’s pricing page. OnPay also advertises one month free for new customers (check current terms).
Who it’s for: budget-conscious small businesses that want full-service payroll without paying for a large HR suite.
3. QuickBooks Workforce: Best for QuickBooks Users
Intuit’s payroll is now sold as QuickBooks Workforce. It includes full-service payroll (Intuit calculates, files and pays payroll taxes), auto payroll for salaried employees, 1099 e-filing and an employee portal, all tied into QuickBooks accounting.
Pricing (as of Oct 2026): payroll + accounting bundles start at $88/month + $6.50 per employee (Workforce Payroll + Simple Start, list price). Higher tiers add same-day direct deposit, time tracking and HR tools. Intuit often runs promotional discounts, so check the current offer.
Who it’s for: businesses already doing their books in QuickBooks that want payroll and accounting in one place.
See QuickBooks payroll pricing
4. ADP RUN: Best for Growing Businesses
ADP is one of the largest payroll and HR providers. RUN Powered by ADP is its small-business payroll platform, with options to add HR, time tracking, benefits and compliance support as you grow.
Pricing: quote-based. ADP doesn’t publish prices, so request a quote for your headcount and features.
Who it’s for: businesses planning to grow past a few dozen employees that want a provider they won’t outgrow.
5. Paychex Flex: Best for Hands-On Service and HR Support
Paychex Flex automatically calculates, withholds and files federal, state and local payroll taxes, provides W-2s and 1099s, and gives employees a 24/7 self-service portal. Paychex offers four tiers (Basic, Foundations, Advanced and Complete) that add reporting, HR and compliance support, and access to Paychex HR business partners.
Pricing: quote-based. Paychex doesn’t publish plan prices.
Who it’s for: businesses that want a dedicated service relationship and HR help alongside payroll.
6. Rippling: Best for Payroll + HR + IT in One System
Rippling combines payroll with HR, benefits and IT tools (such as device and app management) on one employee record, so changes like a new hire or a raise flow through every system automatically.
Pricing (as of Oct 2026): from $8 per employee per month, plus a monthly base fee, per Rippling’s pricing FAQ. Your total depends on the modules you choose.
Who it’s for: growing companies that want payroll, HR and IT administration managed from one place.
How Much Does Payroll Software Cost?
Most small-business payroll software charges a monthly base fee plus a per-employee fee. Based on the published prices above (as of Oct 2026), base fees start around $49–$88 per month and per-employee fees around $6–$12 for core plans, with premium HR tiers costing more. ADP and Paychex quote each business individually. Watch for add-on costs such as same-day pay, state tax registration, HR advisory services and workers’ comp.
How We Compared These Payroll Services
We reviewed each provider’s official website and pricing pages, looking at:
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Price: base fee, per-employee fee and common add-ons.
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Tax filing: whether federal, state and local payroll taxes are calculated, paid and filed for you.
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Contractors: 1099 support and contractor payments.
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Benefits and HR: health insurance, 401(k), onboarding and compliance tools.
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Integrations: accounting (e.g. QuickBooks, Xero) and time-tracking connections.
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Support: service levels and access to human help.
Our Verdict
For most small businesses, Gusto offers the best mix of easy payroll, benefits and transparent pricing. OnPay is the best value for straightforward full-service payroll, and QuickBooks Workforce makes the most sense if your books already live in QuickBooks. Choose ADP or Paychex if you want a large provider with hands-on service as you grow, and Rippling if you want payroll, HR and IT in one system.
Running other parts of your business? See our guides to credit card processing, business credit cards, CRM software and online business tools.
Payroll Software FAQ
Which payroll software is best for a small business?
For most small businesses, Gusto is the best overall choice. OnPay is the best value, and QuickBooks Workforce is best if you already use QuickBooks accounting.
Is payroll software worth it for 1–5 employees?
Usually, yes. Even one employee means withholding and filing payroll taxes on time, and full-service payroll handles the calculations and filings for a monthly fee that typically starts around $49 plus a per-employee charge.
Can payroll software file my payroll taxes?
Full-service providers such as Gusto, OnPay, QuickBooks Workforce and Paychex calculate, pay and file federal, state and local payroll taxes for you. Confirm local tax coverage for your area.
Gusto vs QuickBooks payroll: which is better?
Gusto is the stronger standalone payroll and benefits platform. QuickBooks Workforce is the better fit if you want payroll tightly integrated with QuickBooks accounting.
How much does payroll software cost per employee?
Core plans from the providers above charge roughly $6–$12 per employee per month on top of a base fee (as of Oct 2026). ADP and Paychex are quote-only.