Running payroll as a small business can be tricky: taxes, compliance, direct deposits, time tracking, it all adds up. Thankfully, payroll software makes this easier by automating calculations, filing taxes, and keeping your team happy. Based on recent expert rankings and reviews, here are the top 10 payroll solutions worth considering this year.
1. Gusto
Gusto is one of the most beloved payroll platforms for small businesses thanks to its intuitive interface and powerful features. You get automated payroll runs, tax filing, direct deposits, employee self-service, and essential HR tools all in one place. Many small business owners appreciate how easy it is to set up, manage benefits, and onboard new hires without an HR team. Its transparent pricing and helpful support make it especially attractive if you’re launching or scaling your payroll processes.
2. QuickBooks Payroll
For entrepreneurs already using QuickBooks accounting, QuickBooks Payroll is a natural fit. This platform tightly integrates with your books, syncing payroll data, tax payments, and reports so you never duplicate work. It automates federal and state tax filings, calculates deductions, and offers direct deposit, all while staying up to date with compliance changes. Reviewers also praise its employee self-service tools and mobile access, making payroll management possible on the go.
3. ADP RUN
ADP RUN brings enterprise-level payroll processing to small businesses with user-friendly tools and strong tax compliance features. It handles payroll runs, automated tax filings, multi-state payments, and garnishment tracking, ideal if you have employees in different regions. While slightly pricier, ADP’s reputation for accuracy and dependable customer support gives small business owners confidence. Integration with HR services, time tracking, and benefits administration also makes this a scalable choice.
4. Paychex Flex
Paychex Flex blends payroll with HR features to give small teams a complete workforce management solution. It automates payroll tax compliance, supports direct deposits, and even includes onboarding tools, benefits administration, and performance tracking. Small business owners like that everything, from payroll to HR, can be handled in one system, without juggling separate tools. Its flexible plans let you add services as you grow, so you’re never stuck with more than you need.
5. Paycor
If you want something that scales with your business, Paycor is worth a look. It delivers modern payroll automation, integrated HR tools, and reporting dashboards that help you understand labor costs at a glance. It simplifies payroll runs, tax filings, and compliance tasks while offering onboarding and employee self-service options. Paycor is especially strong if you expect to grow your headcount and want a platform that can support HR functions alongside payroll without added complexity.
6. Square Payroll
Designed with simplicity in mind, Square Payroll works especially well for small businesses that already use Square for payments. It handles payroll runs, tax withholdings, and direct deposits, whether your team is salaried, hourly, or contract-based. You can even pay contractors for a flat low fee per person. Square’s easy-to-learn interface and transparent pricing make it a smart choice if you want reliable payroll without a steep learning curve.
7. OnPay
OnPay is a great pick for small teams that want value without sacrificing features. It bundles unlimited payroll runs into a predictable monthly price and automates tax filings, calculating deductions, and generating year-end forms. OnPay also integrates with common accounting tools to keep your financial data in sync, and its clean interface makes payroll tasks less intimidating. Business owners praise its strong customer service and straightforward setup.
8. Patriot Payroll
If budget friendliness is a priority, Patriot Payroll delivers solid payroll features at a competitive price. It automates tax calculations, direct deposits, and payroll reporting without a hefty subscription fee. While it may not offer all HR tools that larger platforms do, it covers the essentials, making it perfect for very small teams or startups looking to outsource payroll without breaking the bank. Its simple setup and low learning curve are major perks.
9. Payroll4Free
For ultra-small teams or new businesses, Payroll4Free is a standout thanks to its free basic plan for up to 10 employees. It handles payroll calculations, check printing, and basic reporting at no cost, ideal if cash flow is tight. Optional paid services add tax filing or direct deposit, but the core offering is enough to replace spreadsheets quickly. If you want zero-cost payroll software that still works, this is a compelling option.
10. Rippling
While more robust than basic payroll tools, Rippling combines payroll, HR, and IT management in a single platform, making it ideal if you want an all-in-one solution. Its payroll engine handles taxes, benefits, and compliance across multiple countries. The trade-off is that Rippling can feel complex if you only need payroll basics, but for founders planning to scale globally or consolidate tools, its flexibility and integration options are hard to beat.
Conclusion
Choosing the right payroll software for your small business depends on your needs: simplicity, integration, HR features, or budget. Whether you opt for intuitive tools like Gusto and Square Payroll, full-service options like QuickBooks Payroll and ADP RUN, or budget-friendly picks like Patriot and Payroll4Free, there’s a solution here to help streamline your payroll in 2026.