Best Payroll Software (2026)

Compare the best payroll software for small businesses, contractors, and growing teams. See top picks, pricing, features, and who each platform is best for.

We test payroll tools for ease of use, tax automation, contractor support, and value. Our picks suit different needs—whether you want an all-in-one like Gusto, QuickBooks integration, or full-service support from ADP or Paychex.

Updated for 2026

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Best Payroll Software Picks

Why we picked each platform and who it fits.

Best overall4.8From $40/mo

Gusto

Best for: Best overall

All-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR with transparent pricing and a modern interface. Strong for small businesses and contractors.

Gusto is our top pick for most small businesses and growing teams. It combines payroll, benefits, and HR in one platform with published pricing—no sales call required. Setup is straightforward, tax filing is automatic, and contractor support is built in. If you want a single place to run payroll, offer benefits, and manage onboarding, Gusto is the default choice.

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Best for QuickBooks users4.6From $30/mo

QuickBooks Payroll

Best for: Best for QuickBooks users

Payroll that runs inside QuickBooks so your books and pay runs stay in one place. Ideal if you already use QuickBooks for accounting.

QuickBooks Payroll is the obvious fit when you already run your books in QuickBooks. Payroll posts to the right accounts and jobs with no sync or export, and labor cost flows straight into job costing. Pricing is competitive at entry, and the workflow is seamless for anyone who lives in QuickBooks. If you're not on QuickBooks, other options often offer better standalone value.

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Best value4.5From $40/mo

OnPay

Best for: Best value

Straightforward payroll with flat pricing and no tier maze. Good for small teams that want simplicity and predictable costs.

OnPay stands out for value and clarity. One main plan, base-plus-per-person pricing you can see upfront, and solid payroll plus benefits without the complexity of tiered plans. It's a strong alternative to Gusto if you want similar ease of use with a simpler pricing structure. Support is included, and it works with any accounting software.

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Best for larger teams4.4From Custom pricing

ADP

Best for: Best for larger teams

Enterprise-grade payroll and HR that scales. Custom pricing and optional dedicated support for growing and multi-state businesses.

ADP is the pick when you need to scale. It handles large headcounts, multi-state payroll, and optional global payroll. Pricing is custom—you get a quote—and you can get dedicated account management. For very small teams, Gusto or OnPay are often simpler; for growing or midsize businesses that want a full-service provider, ADP is a top option.

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Best for payroll + HR support4.3From Custom pricing

Paychex

Best for: Best for payroll + HR support

Full-service payroll with strong support and advisory. Good for businesses that want a partner for compliance and benefits.

Paychex is the full-service alternative: custom pricing, optional dedicated reps, and a reputation for hands-on support. If you want someone to guide you through compliance, benefits, and setup—rather than running everything yourself—Paychex is a strong choice. Compare with ADP if you're weighing two traditional providers.

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Compare payroll software

Side-by-side at a glance.

Software	Best for	Starting price	Payroll types	Standout feature	Review
Gusto	Best overall	$40/mo	W-2, 1099	All-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR; transparent pricing	Read review
QuickBooks Payroll	Best for QuickBooks users	$30/mo	W-2, 1099	Native QuickBooks integration; job costing and books in one place	Read review
OnPay	Best value	$40/mo	W-2, 1099	Flat pricing; one plan with no add-on maze	Read review
ADP	Best for larger teams	Custom pricing	W-2, 1099, multi-state	Scale and enterprise features; multi-country option	Read review
Paychex	Best for payroll + HR support	Custom pricing	W-2, 1099	Dedicated support; compliance and benefits advisory	Read review

More payroll software options

Additional payroll tools worth considering.

Rippling

Payroll, HR, and IT in one platform. Strong for growing businesses that want automation and breadth.

Read review →

Square Payroll

Simple payroll for businesses already using Square. Easy setup and straightforward pricing.

Read review →

Patriot Payroll

Affordable payroll for budget-conscious small businesses. Solid basics and low cost.

Read review →

Justworks

PEO-style payroll and benefits in one platform. Good for teams that want large-group benefits and compliance support.

Read review →

Deel

Global contractor and employee payments, EOR, and compliant payroll in 150+ countries. Strong for distributed teams.

Read review →

SurePayroll

Simple small-business payroll with optional full-service. Part of the Paychex family.

Read review →

Wave

Free accounting plus payroll add-on. Good for micro businesses and solopreneurs who want books and pay in one place.

Read review →

How to choose payroll software

What to look for when you compare options.

Payroll types (W-2 / 1099 / mixed)

Most small businesses need both W-2 employees and 1099 contractors. Choose a platform that handles both with clear tax treatment and forms. If you're contractor-only or mixed, ensure 1099 support and contractor self-service are included.

Contractor support

Look for 1099 payment runs, automatic tax forms (e.g. 1099-NEC), and a contractor portal so subs can view pay stubs and documents. Some tools charge extra for 1099 e-file—check before you commit.

Tax automation

Full-service payroll should calculate, file, and deposit federal and state payroll taxes. Confirm that tax filing and deposits are included and that the provider takes responsibility for accuracy and deadlines.

HR and benefits features

If you offer health insurance or 401(k), choose a payroll provider that can run benefits and deductions in sync with payroll. Onboarding, compliance docs, and PTO tracking may be included or add-ons.

Integrations

Payroll should connect to your accounting software (QuickBooks, Xero) and optionally time tracking. Native integration is better than manual export. If you're deep in QuickBooks, QuickBooks Payroll keeps everything in one place.

Ease of use

Setup, running pay runs, and adding employees or contractors should be straightforward. Read reviews and try demos if possible. Modern tools like Gusto and OnPay are built for self-serve; ADP and Paychex offer more hand-holding with custom pricing.

Pricing transparency

Prefer published base + per-person pricing when you can budget upfront. Providers like ADP and Paychex use custom quotes—get a quote and compare total cost to Gusto or OnPay at your headcount.

Best payroll software by use case

Find payroll software that fits your situation.

Best payroll software by trade

Payroll guides by industry and trade.

Best payroll software FAQs

Quick answers to common questions.

Best Payroll Software (2026)