The best payroll software for most US small businesses is Gusto: published prices from $49 a month plus $6 per person, with federal, state and local tax filings included (multi-state payroll needs Plus at $80 plus $12). QuickBooks Payroll is best if your books are already in QuickBooks ($88 a month plus $7 per employee with Simple Start). Rippling is best for growing teams that want payroll, HR and IT in one system, and Deel is best for hiring employees in other countries through its employer of record.
Best payroll software in 2026
Gusto
Simple $49 a month + $6 per person (one state), Plus $80 + $12 (multi-state, time tracking), Premium $180 + $22. Tax filings, W-2s, 1099s and unlimited payroll runs included on every plan.
QuickBooks Online
Payroll is sold as a bundle with the books: Workforce Payroll + Simple Start $88 a month + $7 per employee, + Essentials $135 + $7. Full-service tax filing and next-day direct deposit; 50% off for 3 months for new customers.
Rippling
Payroll in every state plus HR, benefits, devices and apps on one employee record. Quote only: plans start at $8 per employee a month plus a monthly base fee, and payroll is its own module.
Deel
Hire employees in 130+ countries without a local entity from $599 per employee a month, or pay contractors from $49 each. Overkill for a US-only team, where its US payroll costs $29 per employee.
Questions buyers ask
What is the best payroll software for small businesses?
Gusto for most US small businesses: clear published prices from $49 a month plus $6 per person, tax filings included and an easy setup. If your employees work in several states, compare Gusto Plus ($80 plus $12 per person) with OnPay ($49 plus $6 per employee, all states included). If your books are in QuickBooks, its payroll bundle keeps everything in one place.
What is the cheapest full-service payroll software?
Among published prices checked November 13, 2026: Paychex Flex Essentials is $39 a month plus $5 per employee (other Paychex packages are quote only), Gusto Simple and OnPay are both $49 plus $6, and QuickBooks Payroll with Simple Start is $88 plus $7. OnPay is the cheapest of these with multi-state payroll included. ADP RUN publishes no prices.
Gusto vs ADP: which is better for a small business?
Gusto is easier and publishes its prices ($49 to $180 a month plus $6 to $22 per person). ADP RUN sells four packages (Essential, Enhanced, Complete and HR Pro) by quote only, and ADP says fees rise with payroll frequency. ADP suits businesses that want a large provider with phone-based service and a clear path to ADP Workforce Now past 50 employees; get a written quote to compare.
Do payroll services file payroll taxes for you?
Full-service ones do. Gusto, OnPay, QuickBooks Payroll, Rippling and ADP RUN calculate, pay and file federal, state and local payroll taxes and send W-2s and 1099s. Paychex Flex Essentials figures and files payroll taxes, but its page marks tax administration and W-2s/1099s with footnotes, so ask what costs extra. Self-service payroll tools that leave filing to you are cheaper but put penalties on you.
What is the best payroll software for contractors only?
Gusto no longer sells its contractor-only plan to new customers (closed October 1, 2026); new contractor-only businesses pay a regular plan's base fee plus the per-person fee only in months they pay a contractor. For contractors abroad, Gusto pays 120+ countries with no monthly per-contractor fee, while Deel charges from $49 per contractor a month and adds contracts and compliance.
How do I pay employees in another country?
If you have no local entity there, use an employer of record: Deel employs the person on your behalf in 130+ countries from $599 per employee a month, handling contracts, payroll, taxes and benefits. Rippling also offers EOR (about 115 countries) by quote. If you do have a local entity, a global payroll product is cheaper.
Is OnPay a good alternative to Gusto?
Yes, especially across several states: OnPay has one plan at $49 a month plus $6 per employee with federal, state and local filings, W-2s and 1099s and every state included, plus its first month free. Gusto has the more polished app and more benefits and HR options on its higher plans.
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