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Patriot Payroll is our best overall pick for small businesses with straightforward payroll, while Fingercheck fits hourly teams and OnPay is a better match for employers paying across states. There is no single winner for every buyer: the listed starting prices for these picks range from $8.50 to $69. Treat those figures as entry points, not a full quote. Before switching, compare employee charges, tax filing, benefits and support terms against your actual setup. Several other reviewed vendors do not publish a starting price.
Quick picksThe shortlist
Patriot PayrollPatriot PayrollBest overall · $8.50/mo
FingercheckFingercheckBest for hourly teams · $29/mo
JustworksJustworksBest for bundled HR · $8/mo
OnPayOnPayBest for multi-state · $55/mo
QuickBooks Online PayrollQuickBooks Online PayrollBest for QuickBooks · $25/mo
GustoGustoBest for payroll and HR · $49/mo
SurePayrollSurePayrollBest for simple payroll · $20/mo
Toast PayrollToast PayrollBest for restaurants · $69/mo
01Compared at a glance
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patriot PayrollPatriot Payroll | 7.1 | $8.50/mo | No | 30 days |
| FingercheckFingercheck | 7.2 | $29/mo | No | — |
| JustworksJustworks | 7.2 | $8/mo | No | — |
| OnPayOnPay | 6.5 | $55/mo | No | 1 month |
| QuickBooks Online PayrollQuickBooks Online Payroll | 5.8 | $25/mo | No | 30 days |
| GustoGusto | 6.3 | $49/mo | No | — |
| SurePayrollSurePayroll | 6.2 | $20/mo | No | — |
| Toast PayrollToast Payroll | 6.3 | $69/mo | No | — |
02The picks, in detail
- Best overallPatriot PayrollPatriot Payroll
Patriot Payroll is our top pick for a small business with straightforward payroll: the listing starts at $8.50 and says tax filing is included. It offers payroll alongside Patriot accounting, too. The trade-off is scope: the source says it is less convincing for complex benefits or retirement setups, so compare those needs before switching.
What works
- Unlimited payrolls on both listed plans
- Free direct deposit and employee portal
- Full Service includes federal, state and local tax filings
What doesn't
- Introductory prices rise to the listed regular rates
- Time and attendance costs extra
- HR software costs extra
- Best for hourly teamsFingercheckFingercheck
Fingercheck suits hourly, field and deskless teams that need payroll alongside scheduling, hiring and HR tools. Its listed starting price is $29, and the product score is among the highest in this group. The catch is per-employee charges: those can add up, so get the full cost for your headcount before comparing it with flat starting prices.
What works
- Unlimited payroll is included in 360
- Multi-state tax calculation and filing
- Mobile, physical-clock and geofenced time tracking
What doesn't
- Per-employee charges sit on top of monthly plan fees
- 360 promotion lasts only three months
- Regular 360 pricing is $79/month plus $10 per employee
- Best for bundled HRJustworksJustworks
Justworks combines payroll and HR with benefits administration, and the listing also names international hiring as a fit. Its starting price is $8, but that figure does not settle the cost of a benefits package. The source flags possible benefits cost increases, so ask for a full quote based on your team and the benefits you plan to offer.
What works
- Payroll plan starts at $8 per employee monthly
- PEO Basic includes payroll, HR tools and 24/7 support
- PEO Plus adds medical, dental and vision administration
What doesn't
- Payroll also has a $50 monthly base fee
- PEO Plus costs $124 per employee monthly
- Annual billing rates are not published
- Best for multi-stateOnPayOnPay
OnPay is a strong match for small businesses paying workers in multiple states, with payroll, HR and integrated time tracking in the mix. The listed starting price is $55, and the source describes its base pricing as transparent. It also advises buyers to investigate tax support before switching, so clarify what help is included for your filing needs.
What works
- Automates payroll calculations, tax filings and payments
- Supports payroll in any number of states
- Includes year-end W-2 and 1099 filings
What doesn't
- HR and time tracking increase the monthly cost
- Annual pricing is not published
- Some benefit and insurance premiums cost extra
- Best for QuickBooksQuickBooks Online PayrollQuickBooks Online Payroll
If your business already uses QuickBooks accounting, QuickBooks Online Payroll is a natural option to compare. The listing starts at $25 and cites payroll tax filing as a strength; it also names contractor-only payroll for up to 20 as a fit. Per-employee pricing and reported issues are reasons to check the full cost and support picture first.
What works
- Payroll syncs with QuickBooks accounting records
- Unlimited payroll runs on listed employee plans
- Auto Payroll supports salaried direct-deposit employees
What doesn't
- Employee plans add a monthly fee per person
- Annual billing prices are not published
- Discounted base prices last only three months
- Best for payroll and HRGustoGusto
Gusto brings payroll and HR together, with time tracking as a reason to consider it. The listing starts at $49 and calls out small teams running payroll in one state as a good fit. Per-person pricing and support complaints temper the case, so compare the cost at your headcount and ask how support works before you move.
What works
- Unlimited payrolls per month on Simple
- Tax filings and payments included on Simple
- Plus adds time tracking and scheduling
What doesn't
- Simple costs $49/month plus $6 per person
- Annual plan prices are not published
- Simple is for payroll in one state
- Best for simple payrollSurePayrollSurePayroll
SurePayroll is worth comparing if you need straightforward small-business payroll or pay one in-home employee. The listing starts at $20 and points to automatic tax filing as a key feature. Its own buying caveat is worth taking seriously: verify the price and plan details before moving payroll, rather than assuming the starting figure covers your setup.
What works
- Unlimited payroll runs, including off-cycle runs
- Full Service files and deposits payroll taxes
- Free two-day direct deposit on listed plans
What doesn't
- Listed base prices vary across the published pricing
- No Tax Filing leaves deposits and filing to the employer
- W-2 and 1099-NEC forms cost $50 plus $5 per form
- Best for restaurantsToast PayrollToast Payroll
Toast Payroll makes the most sense for restaurants already using Toast POS, where payroll-POS integration is the main reason to consider it. The listing starts at $69 and specifically names eligible new, single-location restaurants as a fit. It is not a general value pick: the source cautions that price and support are not a sure win, so get the terms in writing.
What works
- Payroll is part of Toast’s restaurant platform
- Lists remote clock-in and tip distribution
- Includes labor management tools
What doesn't
- Existing-customer payroll pricing is quote-only
- Employee and seat caps are not published
- Reddit users report onboarding friction
03How we chose
We weigh published pricing, plan limits, product documentation, and Reddit sentiment when comparing payroll software. We look for the costs and constraints a buyer needs to check before switching: what a plan includes, which features cost extra, and what the vendor documents about payroll tasks and employee pay access. We do not treat missing information as a feature or infer a price from another product. When a source does not publish a price, limit, or capability, we mark it as not published rather than filling the gap. This methodology does not rely on hands-on testing or claim independent benchmarks.
04Match the payroll product to the work you need done
Start with your payroll workload, not a vendor’s feature list. Write down how many people you pay, how often you run payroll, and which pay-related tasks you expect the software to handle. Separate payroll calculations, tax filings, wage payments, and employee pay access; a product that addresses one does not automatically cover the others. Then check the pricing page and plan details for the exact package, published limits, and any add-on charges. If a cost or cap is not published, treat it as an open question and ask for it in writing before comparing quotes. Review the documentation for how the product describes its payroll and tax workflows. For employee pay access, confirm what is offered and whether it is included in the plan. Compare vendors against the same checklist, not against a broad promise.
05Plan the switch before you commit
A payroll change is a data and process change, not just a subscription decision. Before signing, ask each shortlisted provider how it handles the information and setup your team will need to move, and what the provider expects you to supply. Confirm who is responsible for payroll setup, tax-related configuration, and employee access; get responsibilities and any extra charges in writing. Map your current payroll calendar and identify the first run you would move. Ask what support is available during setup and what happens if a detail is missing or incorrect. Use the vendor’s documentation to check the steps it describes, then compare that information with the contract and quote. Do not assume that a feature, service, or migration task is included because it appears in a product description. If the answer is not published, record it as unresolved before choosing.
Questions people ask
How should I compare payroll software prices?
Compare the published price for the specific plan you need, then check its limits and any listed add-ons. Ask vendors to confirm costs that are not published, including the services you expect to use. Do not treat a missing price as included or assume plans from different vendors cover the same work.
What should payroll software handle?
For this category, compare tools on payroll calculations, tax filings, wage payments, and employee pay access. Check each capability in the product documentation and plan details. Do not assume every tool covers all four tasks, or that a listed capability is included in every plan.
What should I ask before switching payroll providers?
Ask what information and setup the provider needs, who handles each migration task, and whether any help carries an extra charge. Confirm the first payroll date you plan to move and get unclear responsibilities in writing. Check the vendor’s documentation, but resolve gaps directly before committing.
Is employee pay access the same as payroll software?
Not necessarily. The category covers payroll tasks as well as employee pay access, but a product may focus on only part of that job. Check the documentation and plan details for the exact capability you need, and confirm whether it is included or priced separately.