Category · 67 tools · 58 comparisons
Payroll software
Automate payroll calculations, tax filings, wage payments, and employee pay access.
At a glance
- Tools tracked
- 67
- Entry plans
- $0.55–$89/mo
- Typical entry plan
- $25/mo
- Free plan
- 8 of 67
- Cheapest paid
- Aatrix, $0.55/mo
- Best value score
- Patriot Payroll, 8/10
Every tool we cover
Price tracker →| Tool | Score | From | Top listed plan | Free plan | Trial | Pages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 PayworksPayworks | 7.8 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 JustworksJustworks | 7.2 | $8/mo | $599/mo | No | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 FingercheckFingercheck | 7.2 | $29/mo | $65/mo | No | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 Papaya GlobalPapaya Global | 7.2 | $5/mo | $499/mo | Yes | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 Patriot PayrollPatriot Payroll | 7.1 | $8.50/mo | $18.50/mo | No | 30 days | ReviewPricing |
 WrapbookWrapbook | 7.1 | Custom* | — | No | — | ReviewPricing |
 greytHRgreytHR | 7.0 | Free* | — | Yes | 7 days | ReviewAlternatives |
 APSAPS | 7.0 | $6/mo | $14/mo | No | — | ReviewPricing |
 EvereeEveree | 7.0 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 AatrixAatrix | 7.0 | $0.55/mo | — | No | — | Review |
 GreenshadesGreenshades | 7.0 | $2/mo* | $13/mo | No | — | Review |
 Medlin Payroll SoftwareMedlin Payroll Software | 6.8 | $7.83/mo* | $14.92/mo | No | 30 days | ReviewPricing |
 RiseRise | 6.8 | $49/mo | $399/mo | No | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 PaycomPaycom | 6.5 | Custom* | — | No | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 OnPayOnPay | 6.5 | $55/mo | $49/mo | No | 1 month | ReviewPricing |
 EmpeonEmpeon | 6.5 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
| TheraThera | 6.5 | $41.58/mo* | $108.25/mo | No | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 HourlyHourly | 6.5 | $80/mo | $120/mo | No | — | ReviewPricing |
 GoGlobalGoGlobal | 6.5 | Custom* | — | No | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 RainRain | 6.5 | Free* | — | Yes | — | Review |
 iPayrolliPayroll | 6.5 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 GustoGusto | 6.3 | $49/mo | $180/mo | No | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 DailyPayDailyPay | 6.3 | Free* | — | Yes | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 Toast PayrollToast Payroll | 6.3 | $69/mo* | $110/mo | No | — | ReviewPricing |
 PayentryPayentry | 6.3 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 CheckwritersCheckwriters | 6.3 | Custom* | — | No | Yes | Review |
 PaychexPaychex | 6.2 | Custom* | — | No | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 ZayZoonZayZoon | 6.2 | Free* | — | Yes | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 SurePayrollSurePayroll | 6.2 | $20/mo* | $39/mo | No | — | ReviewPricing |
 Heartland PayrollHeartland Payroll | 6.2 | $89/mo* | $89/mo | No | — | ReviewPricing |
| ClairClair | 6.2 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 eBaconeBacon | 6.2 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
| WingspanWingspan | 6.2 | $10/mo* | $10/mo | No | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 PayactivPayactiv | 6.0 | Free | — | Yes | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 PrimePayPrimePay | 6.0 | $55/mo | $85/mo | No | — | Review |
 CintraCintra | 6.0 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 hh2hh2 | 6.0 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 PaylocityPaylocity | 5.9 | Custom* | — | No | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 Roll by ADPRoll by ADP | 5.9 | $59/mo | $59/mo | No | 3 months | ReviewPricing |
 Inova PayrollInova Payroll | 5.9 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 QuickBooks Online PayrollQuickBooks Online Payroll | 5.8 | $25/mo* | $134/mo | No | 30 days | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 ViventiumViventium | 5.8 | Custom* | — | No | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 isolvedisolved | 5.8 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 FridayFriday | 5.8 | $15.20/mo* | $39/mo | Yes | 7 days | ReviewPricing |
 GreenSlateGreenSlate | 5.8 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 Payroll4FreePayroll4Free | 5.8 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 ExcelforceExcelforce | 5.8 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 AurionAurion | 5.8 | Custom* | — | No | 7 days | Review |
 WinTeamWinTeam | 5.8 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 ExecupayExecupay | 5.8 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 PayslipPayslip | 5.6 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 ADP Workforce NowADP Workforce Now | 5.5 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 NetchexNetchex | 5.5 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 ExponentHRExponentHR | 5.5 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 FlexWageFlexWage | 5.5 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 TapcheckTapcheck | 5.4 | Free* | — | Yes | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 CertiPayCertiPay | 5.4 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 AllianceHCMAllianceHCM | 5.4 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 Instant FinancialInstant Financial | 5.3 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 ADP PayrollADP Payroll | 5.2 | $39/mo* | $39/mo | No | 3 months | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 ProliantProliant | 5.2 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 UKG ReadyUKG Ready | 5.0 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 Wisely by ADPWisely by ADP | 5.0 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 RUN Powered by ADPRUN Powered by ADP | 4.8 | Custom* | — | No | — | ReviewPricing |
| RUN Powered by ADPRUN Powered by ADP | 4.8 | Custom* | — | No | — | ReviewPricing |
 UKG WalletUKG Wallet | 3.6 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 Asure HCMAsure HCM | 3.6 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
* Lower confidence: the vendor's pricing page couldn't be read directly or didn't list every price, so the figure was compiled from other public sources and may be incomplete. Check the vendor's page before you buy.
Head-to-head
PaycomvsPaylocityPaycom vs Paylocity
GustovsQuickBooks Online PayrollGusto vs QuickBooks Online Payroll
GustovsPaychexGusto vs Paychex
GustovsSurePayrollGusto vs SurePayroll
JustworksvsGustoJustworks vs Gusto
OnPayvsGustoOnPay vs Gusto
PaylocityvsPaychexPaylocity vs Paychex
ADP Workforce NowvsRUN Powered by ADPADP Workforce Now vs RUN Powered by ADP
PaycomvsPaychexPaycom vs Paychex
GustovsPaycomGusto vs Paycom
QuickBooks Online PayrollvsPaychexQuickBooks Online Payroll vs Paychex
SurePayrollvsPaychexSurePayroll vs Paychex
Patriot PayrollvsGustoPatriot Payroll vs Gusto
ADP Workforce NowvsPaycomADP Workforce Now vs Paycom
GustovsViventiumGusto vs Viventium
QuickBooks Online PayrollvsViventiumQuickBooks Online Payroll vs Viventium
Heartland PayrollvsPrimePayHeartland Payroll vs PrimePay
DailyPayvsInstant FinancialDailyPay vs Instant Financial
ADP Workforce NowvsAPSADP Workforce Now vs APS
DailyPayvsPaylocityDailyPay vs Paylocity
RUN Powered by ADPvsRoll by ADPRUN Powered by ADP vs Roll by ADP
ADP Workforce NowvsPaychexADP Workforce Now vs Paychex
GustovsRoll by ADPGusto vs Roll by ADP
RUN Powered by ADPvsGustoRUN Powered by ADP vs Gusto
OnPayvsPaylocityOnPay vs Paylocity
PayactivvsPaychexPayactiv vs Paychex
Heartland PayrollvsRUN Powered by ADPHeartland Payroll vs RUN Powered by ADP
DailyPayvsPaycomDailyPay vs Paycom
OnPayvsRUN Powered by ADPOnPay vs RUN Powered by ADP
ADP Workforce NowvsPaylocityADP Workforce Now vs Paylocity
ADP Workforce NowvsSurePayrollADP Workforce Now vs SurePayroll
RUN Powered by ADPvsSurePayrollRUN Powered by ADP vs SurePayroll
PayactivvsTapcheckPayactiv vs Tapcheck
eBaconvsPayroll4FreeeBacon vs Payroll4Free
DailyPayvsWisely by ADPDailyPay vs Wisely by ADP
Payroll4FreevsQuickBooks Online PayrollPayroll4Free vs QuickBooks Online Payroll
DailyPayClair vs DailyPay
DailyPayvsRainDailyPay vs Rain
ADP Workforce NowvsUKG ReadyADP Workforce Now vs UKG Ready
PayactivvsWisely by ADPPayactiv vs Wisely by ADP
ADP Workforce NowvsQuickBooks Online PayrollADP Workforce Now vs QuickBooks Online Payroll
Instant FinancialvsWisely by ADPInstant Financial vs Wisely by ADP
isolvedvsPaychexisolved vs Paychex
PaylocityvsUKG ReadyPaylocity vs UKG Ready
PaycomvsUKG ReadyPaycom vs UKG Ready
DailyPayvsTapcheckDailyPay vs Tapcheck
RUN Powered by ADPvsPaychexRUN Powered by ADP vs Paychex
DailyPayvsPayactivDailyPay vs Payactiv
DailyPayvsZayZoonDailyPay vs ZayZoon
Heartland PayrollvsUKG ReadyHeartland Payroll vs UKG Ready
TapcheckvsZayZoonTapcheck vs ZayZoon
Patriot PayrollvsQuickBooks Online PayrollPatriot Payroll vs QuickBooks Online Payroll
GustovsPaylocityGusto vs Paylocity
Inova PayrollvsisolvedInova Payroll vs isolved
NetchexvsPaychexNetchex vs Paychex
ADP Workforce NowvsOnPayADP Workforce Now vs OnPay
OnPayvsPaycomOnPay vs Paycom
isolvedvsPayworksisolved vs Payworks
Highest scored
PayworksPayworks
Choose Payworks for Canadian payroll support; compare quotes before committing.
JustworksJustworks
Justworks covers payroll, HR and global hiring, but budget for possible benefits cost increases.
FingercheckFingercheck
Fingercheck bundles payroll and hourly-team tools, but the per-employee charges add up.
Payroll software: quick answers
How much does payroll software cost?
Paid plans for the 67 payroll tools we track start between $0.55 and $89 a month, and the typical entry plan is about $25 a month. 8 of them have a free plan. Payworks, Wrapbook, Everee, Paycom, Empeon, GoGlobal, iPayroll, Payentry, Checkwriters, Paychex, Clair, eBacon, Cintra, hh2, Paylocity, Inova Payroll, Viventium, isolved, GreenSlate, Payroll4Free, Excelforce, Aurion, WinTeam, Execupay, Payslip, ADP Workforce Now, Netchex, ExponentHR, FlexWage, CertiPay, AllianceHCM, Instant Financial, Proliant, UKG Ready, Wisely by ADP, RUN Powered by ADP, RUN Powered by ADP, UKG Wallet and Asure HCM don't publish a starting price. Prices are the vendors' own, checked Nov 7, 2026; most quote the per-month price when billed annually.
Which payroll tool is the cheapest?
Aatrix has the lowest paid entry plan at $0.55 a month, followed by Greenshades at $2. If you can live with limits, Papaya Global, greytHR, Rain and DailyPay have a free plan.
Which payroll tools have a free plan?
Which payroll tool scores highest in our reviews?
Payworks scores highest at 7.8/10. Choose Payworks for Canadian payroll support; compare quotes before committing. On value for money alone, Patriot Payroll rates best (8/10).