Business & Side Income · Topic page
Best Payroll Software for Small Businesses
Every company here was researched from its own pricing pages and terms. No paid rankings.
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How we researched this page: we read each company’s own pricing pages and terms, independent tests, and customer reviews. We did not use these products ourselves. Prices change often, so each one shows the date we checked it.
The short version
Gusto is the easiest all-round pick for most small businesses. OnPay is a strong value with one simple price. Patriot is the lowest-cost option for basic payroll. QuickBooks Payroll makes sense if you already use QuickBooks. ADP and Rippling suit businesses that expect to grow into HR, benefits and IT.
Quick comparison
| Company | Best for | Starting price | Trial / refund |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gusto | Most small businesses, easy setup | $49/mo + $6 per person, checked October 25, 2026 | See the official site |
| Patriot Payroll | Lowest cost basic payroll | See the official site | Free trial |
| QuickBooks Payroll | Businesses already on QuickBooks | See the official site | See the official site |
| SurePayroll | Very small employers, household payroll | From $29/mo + $7 per worker, checked October 25, 2026 | See the official site |
| ADP RUN | Businesses expecting to add HR and benefits | Quote only | See the official site |
| Rippling | Payroll plus HR and IT in one | Quote only | See the official site |
Gusto
Who it fits: Small businesses that want easy payroll, tax filings, benefits and onboarding.
What it costs (checked October 25, 2026): $49/mo plus $6 per person, $80/mo plus $12 per person, or $180/mo plus $22 per person, by plan. A contractor-only plan exists.
Honest downsides: Per-person fees add up for larger teams. Phone support is better on higher plans.
Compare: Read our full Gusto review · Gusto vs QuickBooks Payroll
Patriot Payroll
Who it fits: Very small businesses that want basic payroll for the lowest monthly cost.
What it costs Check the official page for current prices.
Honest downsides: Fewer HR and benefits tools than Gusto.
Visit Patriot Payroll’s official site
Compare: Read our full Patriot Payroll review
QuickBooks Payroll
Who it fits: Businesses that already keep their books in QuickBooks.
What it costs Check the official page for current prices.
Honest downsides: Pricier than Gusto or Patriot for a similar core feature set.
Visit QuickBooks Payroll’s official site
Compare: Read our full QuickBooks Payroll review · Gusto vs QuickBooks Payroll
SurePayroll
Who it fits: Very small employers, including families paying a nanny or caregiver.
What it costs (checked October 25, 2026): from $29/mo plus $7 per worker.
Honest downsides: Fewer modern HR features than Gusto.
Visit SurePayroll’s official site
ADP RUN
Who it fits: Businesses that want a big, established provider with HR help.
What it costs (checked October 25, 2026): quote only.
Honest downsides: No public prices, so comparing is harder. More than a 3-person business needs.
Compare: Read our full ADP RUN review
Rippling
Who it fits: Companies that want payroll, HR, devices and apps in one system.
What it costs (checked October 25, 2026): quote only.
Honest downsides: No public prices, so comparing is harder. More than a 3-person business needs.
Visit Rippling’s official site
Also worth knowing
- OnPay is a well-reviewed, simply priced option (from $55/mo, checked October 25, 2026).
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