9 Best Payroll Software for Small Business of 2026

1. 1

   Gusto

   Online payroll, benefits and HR for small businesses, sold in three published plans.

   8.9overall

   Online payroll, benefits and HR for small businesses, sold in three published plans.

   Best forSmall businesses that want published prices, no contract and room to add HR later.

   Adoption data

   500,000Gusto says it serves more than 500,000 businesses in the United States.

   Gusto, About Gusto (2026): “Gusto serves more than 500,000 businesses nationwide.”

   Gusto gives a small employer the clearest path from first hire to a 50-person team. The Simple plan, at $49 a month plus $6 per person, covers unlimited payroll runs, tax filings and payments, payroll approvals, contractor payments and expense reimbursements, which is enough for a single-state business with salaried staff. The jump to Plus, at $80 plus $12 per person, is where hourly teams land, because it adds time tracking, scheduling, next-day pay and multi-state payroll. Premium, at $180 plus $22, adds a named advisor, HR guidance and same-day pay. Gusto's adoption figure is strong: the company says it serves more than 500,000 businesses, the largest count among providers that publish prices. The drawbacks are about plan boundaries. A business with one remote employee in a second state must move to Plus, and registering for state tax accounts costs extra. At 10 employees on Simple the bill is $109 a month, which is mid-pack against the cheapest published plans here.

   Strengths

   • +All three plans and their per-person fees are published
   • +No contracts and free account setup
   • +Employer and employee mobile apps on every plan

   Limitations

   • −Simple plan covers payroll in one state only
   • −Time tracking needs the $80 Plus plan
   • −State tax registration is a paid add-on

   SummaryGusto is the best all-round pick for small employers who want published prices and a large customer base. Hourly or multi-state teams should budget for the Plus plan.

2. 2

   RUN Powered by ADP

   ADP's payroll and HR platform for businesses with 1 to 49 employees, sold in four packages.

   8.5overall

   ADP's payroll and HR platform for businesses with 1 to 49 employees, sold in four packages.

   Best forSmall businesses that want the most widely used small business payroll and 24/7 phone support.

   Adoption data

   980,000ADP's annual report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026 says RUN Powered by ADP serves more than 980,000 small businesses.

   Automatic Data Processing (SEC Form 10-K), ADP Form 10-K for fiscal year ended June 30, 2026 (2026): “serving over 980,000 small businesses, is an all-in-one platform designed specifically for small businesses to simplify payroll, HR, and compliance”

   RUN Powered by ADP is the small business arm of the largest US payroll company, and its scale shows in the numbers: ADP's fiscal 2026 annual report says RUN serves more than 980,000 small businesses. ADP sells it in four packages for firms with 1 to 49 employees. Essential covers payroll processing, tax filing, automated recurring payroll and 24/7 live support. Enhanced adds hiring tools with ZipRecruiter, state unemployment insurance services, background checks and wage garnishment processing. Complete adds live HR support, an employee handbook wizard and salary benchmarks, and HR Pro adds legal assistance, workplace training and an applicant tracking system. ADP also lists AI-enabled error flagging, pay by Wisely debit card and a Clover point of sale link. The weakness for a cost-conscious owner is that none of this has a public price, so you cannot compare RUN against Gusto or OnPay without a sales call. We scored value conservatively for that reason.

   Strengths

   • +Most small business clients of any provider in this ranking
   • +Clear upgrade path from payroll only to HR Pro with legal assistance
   • +State unemployment insurance services and wage garnishment processing in Enhanced

   Limitations

   • −No published prices for any package
   • −Hiring tools and background checks start at the Enhanced package
   • −Live HR support requires the Complete package or higher

   SummaryRUN is the safest choice by reach, with more small business clients than any rival here. Get a written quote before signing, because prices are not published.

3. 3

   Paychex Flex

   Paychex's online payroll and HR platform for small businesses, including businesses of one.

   8.3overall

   Paychex's online payroll and HR platform for small businesses, including businesses of one.

   Best forSmall businesses that expect to add benefits, time tracking and HR services from one provider.

   Adoption data

   800,000Paychex's annual report for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2026 says it serves about 800,000 payroll clients, a figure that covers all client sizes.

   Paychex (SEC Form 10-K), Paychex Form 10-K for fiscal year ended May 31, 2026 (2026): “Serving approximately 800,000 payroll clients, we pay 1 in 11 U.S. private sector workers and moved approximately $1.3 trillion last fiscal year.”

   Paychex Flex is the online platform behind Paychex's small business payroll, and Paychex's fiscal 2026 annual report puts the company at about 800,000 payroll clients, a total that spans all client sizes. The small business page lists automatic calculation, withholding and filing of federal, state and local taxes, year-end W-2s and 1099s, a configurable payroll dashboard, and a 24/7 portal where employees get pay stubs, W-2s and chat support. Paychex also markets a version for businesses of one and Paychex Promise, which it says gives up to 7 days of flexibility when cash flow is tight on payday. The pitch is continuity: start with payroll, then add benefits, time and attendance, hiring and HR advice without moving data. For an owner comparing costs, the problem is the same as with ADP. Paychex does not publish small business payroll prices, so the value score is conservative and the real price depends on a quote.

   Strengths

   • +Very large client base and long track record
   • +Supports one-person businesses as well as growing teams
   • +Add benefits, time tracking or HR tools without switching systems

   Limitations

   • −Small business payroll prices are not published
   • −Client count is not split out for small businesses
   • −HR business partner access depends on the package you buy

   SummaryPaychex Flex fits small businesses that want one provider for payroll now and benefits and HR later. Ask for an itemized quote, since list prices are not public.

4. 4

   OnPay

   Single-plan full-service payroll for small businesses, with HR, time tracking and benefits as add-ons.

   8.2overall

   Single-plan full-service payroll for small businesses, with HR, time tracking and benefits as add-ons.

   Best forSmall businesses with staff in more than one state that want one low published price.

   Adoption data

   25,000OnPay said in January 2025 that it provides payroll, HR and benefits to more than 25,000 small and medium-sized US businesses.

   Carrick Capital Partners (OnPay press release), OnPay Raises Over $100 Million in Funding (2025): “OnPay provides payroll, HR, and benefit solutions to over 25,000 small and medium-sized businesses across the United States.”

   OnPay sells one payroll plan and lets owners add what they need, which keeps the price easy to model: $49 a month plus $6 per worker, or $109 at 10 employees. What sets it apart for small employers is what that base plan includes. OnPay lists multi-state payroll, local taxes, accounting software integration and year-end filings as included essentials, while Gusto reserves multi-state payroll for its $80 plan. Switching is also cheaper, because OnPay migrates prior wage and employee data for free. Optional modules cover HR workflows with e-signature templates and PTO, time tracking with mobile clock-in and geofencing, and health benefits placed by in-house licensed agents with no extra admin fee. Adoption is the weak point: OnPay's last public figure, from January 2025, is more than 25,000 businesses, far below the leaders. Its homepage shows $49 plus $6, but the site footer says pricing starts at $55 a month, so check the figure at signup.

   Strengths

   • +Multi-state payroll is included rather than sold as an upgrade
   • +US-based support by phone, chat and email for every client
   • +Same per-worker fee for employees and contractors

   Limitations

   • −HR tools and time tracking cost extra
   • −The site footer lists pricing from $55 a month, so confirm the current base fee
   • −Smaller customer count than Gusto, ADP or Paychex

   SummaryOnPay is the best value for small employers who pay people in several states. Its customer base is smaller than the top three, and HR features cost extra.

5. 5

   Rippling

   Payroll built on a shared employee data platform that also runs HR, IT and spend tools.

   8.1overall

   Payroll built on a shared employee data platform that also runs HR, IT and spend tools.

   Best forFast-growing small companies that want payroll, devices and app access managed from one system.

   Adoption data

   20,000TechCrunch reported in May 2025 that Rippling had more than 20,000 customers.

   TechCrunch, Rippling raises $450M at a $16.8B valuation, reveals YC is a customer (2025): “It has over 20,000 customers and more than 4,000 employees.”

   Rippling approaches payroll as one module of a wider employee platform. Pay data, job codes, departments, benefits and devices sit on a single record, and Rippling says withholdings flow into payroll automatically, so changes made in HR do not have to be retyped before a pay run. Payroll taxes at the federal, state and local level are calculated and filed for you. On top of that sit custom permissions, policies and automations, a report builder and more than 650 integrations, which is the strongest feature depth in this ranking. For small businesses the question is cost and fit. Rippling publishes $8 per employee per month but not the base fee, so the real total for a 10-person company is unknown until you get a quote. Adoption rests on a May 2025 TechCrunch report of more than 20,000 customers. Rippling makes most sense for a small company planning to grow quickly that also wants to manage laptops and app access.

   Strengths

   • +Payroll, HR and IT data live in one system
   • +Deep automation and permission controls
   • +Large integration catalog

   Limitations

   • −Base fee is not published, so totals need a quote
   • −More system than a five-person business may need
   • −Customer figure comes from a 2025 news report

   SummaryRippling has the deepest feature set here for small companies that plan to scale. The unpublished base fee keeps its value score below the simpler plans.

6. 6

   QuickBooks Payroll

   Intuit's full-service payroll, sold alone or bundled with QuickBooks Online accounting.

   7.9overall

   Intuit's full-service payroll, sold alone or bundled with QuickBooks Online accounting.

   Best forSmall businesses that already keep their books in QuickBooks Online.

   QuickBooks Payroll is the natural choice when the books already live in QuickBooks Online, because pay runs, tax payments and contractor payments land in the same ledger without exports. The entry Workforce Payroll plan costs $50 a month plus $7 per employee at list price and covers full-service tax filing, garnishments and deductions, auto payroll for salaried staff, unlimited 1099 e-filing, next-day direct deposit and an employee portal for pay stubs and W-2s. Workforce Premium, at $88 plus $13, adds time tracking, HR tools, same-day direct deposit and an expert review of your payroll setup, and Elite is $134 plus $17. Intuit was offering 50% off the base fee for the first 3 months when we checked. The per-employee fee is the highest among the published plans here, so the bill reaches $120 a month at 10 employees. Intuit does not publish a payroll customer count, so adoption is scored conservatively.

   Strengths

   • +Payroll data posts straight into QuickBooks accounting
   • +Phone and chat support from payroll experts on every plan
   • +Promotional 50% discount on the base fee for 3 months

   Limitations

   • −Per-employee fee is higher than Gusto, OnPay or Square
   • −Time tracking needs the $88 Premium plan
   • −Intuit does not publish a payroll customer count

   SummaryQuickBooks Payroll is the easiest fit for QuickBooks Online users. Businesses that do not use QuickBooks can find lower per-employee fees elsewhere.

7. 7

   Square Payroll

   Full-service payroll built into the Square dashboard, with timecards and tips imported from Square POS.

   7.9overall

   Full-service payroll built into the Square dashboard, with timecards and tips imported from Square POS.

   Best forRestaurants, retailers and service businesses that already take payments with Square.

   Square Payroll is the most practical choice for small businesses that already run on Square, because hours and tips flow from the point of sale into payroll without a spreadsheet. Restaurants can import direct tips, retailers can track commission rates, and home service crews can run payroll from the Square Team App. The full-service plan costs $35 a month plus $6 per person paid, which works out to $95 at 10 people, the lowest 10-person bill among full-service plans here. Square says federal and state tax filings and payments come at no additional charge, and the plan supports multiple states and localities, including home-state unemployment tax for remote staff. Two-Day Payroll and Instant Payments shorten the gap between submitting payroll and payday. Benefits, 401(k) plans and a QuickBooks Online sync are available. The trade-offs are a feature set built around Square's ecosystem and no public payroll customer count, so adoption is scored conservatively.

   Strengths

   • +Lowest full-service base fee among the larger brands here
   • +Contractor-only plan has no base fee
   • +Syncs payroll data with QuickBooks Online

   Limitations

   • −Most useful for businesses already on Square
   • −Mailing paper W-2s and 1099s costs $3 per form
   • −Square does not publish a payroll customer count

   SummarySquare Payroll is the best value for Square sellers with hourly and tipped staff. Businesses outside Square gain less from its POS link.

8. 8

   SurePayroll

   Paychex-owned online payroll for very small businesses and household employers.

   7.8overall

   Paychex-owned online payroll for very small businesses and household employers.

   Best forVery small businesses with a handful of employees that want the lowest published monthly fee.

   Adoption data

   Tens of thousandsSurePayroll says tens of thousands of small business owners and families use its payroll service.

   SurePayroll, About SurePayroll (2026): “Tens of thousands of small business owners and families trust SurePayroll by Paychex to pay employees and caregivers right.”

   SurePayroll targets the smallest employers and prices accordingly. Its Full Service plan costs $29 a month plus $7 per employee and files and deposits federal and state payroll taxes, while the No Tax Filing plan is $20 plus $4 for owners or bookkeepers who file taxes themselves. Both include unlimited payroll runs, free 2-day direct deposit, automatic scheduled payroll, online pay stubs and a mobile app, and SurePayroll lists live phone and chat support and free onboarding. Read the fee schedule closely, though. W-2 and 1099-NEC forms are billed once a year at a $50 base fee plus $5 per form, and payroll in more than one state adds $9.99 a month. A five-person, single-state business on Full Service pays $64 a month plus about $75 at year end. SurePayroll is owned by Paychex, and its own page says tens of thousands of small businesses and families use it, a vague figure that keeps its adoption score modest.

   Strengths

   • +Lowest published base fees in this ranking
   • +Live phone and chat support and free onboarding
   • +Household and nanny payroll from the same provider

   Limitations

   • −W-2 and 1099 forms billed yearly at $50 plus $5 per form
   • −Each extra state costs $9.99 a month
   • −No Tax Filing plan leaves tax deposits and filings to you

   SummarySurePayroll has the lowest published fees for very small, single-state employers. Year-end form and extra-state fees narrow that lead as the team grows.

9. 9

   Wave Payroll

   Payroll add-on for Wave's free small business accounting and invoicing software.

   7.6overall

   Payroll add-on for Wave's free small business accounting and invoicing software.

   Best forFreelancers and very small businesses that already use Wave for invoices and books.

   Adoption data

   5.9 millionWave says it has helped more than 5.9 million small business owners in the US and Canada since 2010; the figure covers all Wave products, not payroll alone.

   Wave Financial, About Wave (2026): “Wave has helped more than 5.9 million small business owners in the US and Canada manage their money since 2010”

   Wave Payroll is built for owners who already send invoices and keep books in Wave, and its main advantage is that payroll journal entries post to the accounting ledger without manual work. US pricing is $40 a month plus $6 per active employee and $6 per contractor paid, with no setup fees and a 30-day free trial. Wave says its tax service pays and files state and federal payroll taxes automatically, although it excludes 1099 filings, and it generates W-2, W-3 and 1099-NEC forms for you to send. Employees get a portal for pay stubs, W-2s and leave balances, and Wave tracks leave time and accruals. Payroll customers get priority live chat Monday to Friday. The feature list is shorter than Gusto's or OnPay's, with no built-in time tracking or HR module. Wave, backed by H&R Block, says it has helped more than 5.9 million small business owners, but that counts every Wave product rather than payroll.

   Strengths

   • +Pairs with Wave's free Starter accounting plan
   • +30-day free trial and no setup fees
   • +Priority live chat support on weekdays

   Limitations

   • −Tax service does not file 1099 forms
   • −Fewer HR and time tracking tools than other options here
   • −Adoption figure counts all Wave users, not payroll customers

   SummaryWave Payroll is a sensible add-on for businesses already running on Wave accounting. Teams that need HR tools or 1099 filing should look higher on the list.

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