10 Best Payroll Services for Small Businesses in 2025
We’ve carefully demoed and tested dozens of payroll systems to arrive at this selection of the best payroll software for small businesses. See below for expert insight, pricing info, pros & cons, integrations, and more.
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Best Small Company Payroll Software
Small business payroll software automates, organizes, and optimizes payroll processing tasks for SMEs who don’t enjoy the luxury of limitless budgets and copious capacity. Selecting the correct tool for the task can quite literally make or break a small business, so it’s crucial you know what to look for when making a decision.
We have collated evidence and insight from multiple sources including demos, interviews, and user questionnaires to provide you with the best possible buyer’s guide for small business software below. We have been writing about these tools for years, so we know what makes one platform stand out from the rest.
We considered numerous factors when whittling down our list of small business payroll software tools to the select few featured in this guide, chief among which are automation capabilities, compliance features, and price.
- Payroll Automation: One of the primary considerations for any small business looking for payroll software is reliably automating tasks. We prioritized the tools with the most advanced features here, which translates to saving more hours each payroll cycle.
- Compliance: Then there’s the question of peace of mind. You want to know that the system helps you remain compliant and avoid fines. The companies we chose all do an excellent job when it comes to helping small business owners adhere to all regulations regarding payroll.
- Pricing: Lastly, we know that price is a significant consideration for most small businesses. We picked tools that would adapt to all kinds of budgets and situations. This ranges from tools that are good for solopreneurs paying contractors to premium plans designed for larger headcounts but that still won’t break the bank.
To learn more about our process for evaluating software companies, read this blog on how we select the best HR tech.

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Deel
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Deel offers an intuitive and highly automated solution which we found particularly useful for international teams, big and small. Its ability to simplify payroll across 100+ countries while ensuring compliance, combined with a free HRIS makes it a strong option for small businesses managing global talent.
PROS
- Payroll automation supports payments in over 200 currencies.
- 15+ payment options including bank transfers, Wise, PayPal, and cryptocurrency.
- Strong compliance support with 200+ in-house legal, tax, and payroll experts.
- Free, lightweight global HRIS for payroll customers.
- Competitive pricing for salaried employees.
- Excellent 24/7 customer service with fast onboarding (2-3 days) and local payroll experts in each jurisdiction.
- Deel HR is free for companies of all sizes.
- Seamless integration with platforms like QuickBooks, BambooHR, and Greenhouse, plus custom integration options.
- User-friendly, self-service features enable quick setup; identity verification often takes under 24 hours.
- Automated invoices simplify payments, provided they're in English.
CONS
- No free trial available.
- Pricing for contractors is slightly higher than some competitors.
- Key features like onboarding automation come as add-ons.
- Key features like onboarding automation are add-ons, which may increase costs.
- Limited flexibility in modifying contracts or service agreements; changes often require an addendum.
- Invoices cannot be generated in languages other than English.
We picked Deel’s payroll because it’s easy to use, offers a variety of payment options, and provides strong compliance support.

The payroll automation immediately caught our eye during testing. Running payroll across multiple countries is as simple as a few clicks, and we could pay both employees and contractors in over 200 currencies. Furthermore, with so many payment options, including bank transfers, Wise, PayPal, Payoneer, and even cryptocurrency, it feels like Deel has thought of every possible way to ensure employees and contractors get paid efficiently.
One of our favorite features is the Deel Card, which allows global contractors to receive payments in USD and use the funds directly without the hassle of currency conversions—something we believe, most, if not all, distributed teams will appreciate.
Beyond ease of use, Deel’s built-in compliance support is also well executed. As a 14-person startup, we understand that many small businesses don’t have an in-house legal or tax team, so knowing that Deel has over 200 experts ensuring compliance in more than 100 countries does provide great peace of mind. There is also a Shield module for those needing extra protection against compliance risks. However, we did find that modifying contracts wasn’t as flexible as we wanted—any changes require an addendum, which could mean additional administrative work for HR.
When it comes to pricing, Deel is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, the vendor provides free HRIS for all payroll customers, which is a great perk for small businesses needing a lightweight HR system. The payroll pricing for salaried workers is also reasonable, being at just $19 per U.S.-based employee and $29 per employee per month for companies with entities abroad.
On the other hand, Deel charges $49 per contractor per month, which is somewhat steeper than competitors like Papaya Global ($30 per contractor per month) and Oyster ($29 per contractor per month). We also noticed that some key features, such as onboarding automation, come as add-ons, which can increase the total cost of ownership.
Deel has served over 35,000 companies, including Brex, Makerpad, and Andela.
Deel provides a range of payroll services: Deel Payroll at $29/employee/month, Deel U.S. Payroll at $19/employee/month, Deel Contractor at $49/month, Deel EOR at $499/month, and Deel US PEO at $89/employee/month.
Best For
Deel’s payroll software is a great fit for small businesses managing a global workforce.

QuickBooks

QuickBooks' direct deposits are super fast, and if you're already using other products from this vendor, it's a major bonus. The payroll tool integrates beautifully with the rest of QuickBooks’, which makes it a breeze to manage timesheets, invoicing, and expenses.
PROS
- Unlimited pay runs, auto full-service payroll, and same-day deposits included.
- Supports unscheduled payrolls and automatic year-end tax filings.
- Reminders for tax readiness provided.
- Pricing transparency. 30-day free trial available.
- Unlimited pay runs, auto full-service payroll, and same-day deposits included.
- Supports unscheduled payrolls and automatic year-end tax filings.
- Reminders for tax readiness provided.
- Pricing transparency. 30-day free trial available.
CONS
- No employer app.
- More expensive than some competitors like Patriot.
- Limited third-party integrations.
- No global payroll features.
- No employer app.
- More expensive than some competitors like Patriot.
- Limited third-party integrations.
- No global payroll features.

Millions of small businesses have used Intuit QuickBooks accounting software for their lightweight bookkeeping, so we bet this brand is no stranger to most of you. It is effective, simple, and affordable. And as we tested its online payroll product, the same is true for this tool.
QuickBooks payroll processes employee pay stubs and automatically files taxes in a simple, intuitive interface. Remarkably, the direct deposits are among the fastest we’ve seen, with next-day payments offered in the cheapest plan and same-day ones in the rest.
The platform also helps with calculating and submitting your payroll taxes, and it gives you reminders to make sure you're tax-ready.
Many HRs we talked to praised this payroll for its seamless integration with other QuickBooks products, which was also part of the reasons they chose this software in the first place.
However, we would not recommend this tool for businesses with international staff, as global payroll is currently beyond the vendor's capabilities. The same goes for those on a tight payroll budget. For context, QuickBooks charges $25 per month plus $6 per employee, while Patriot does $17 plus $4 per employee.
Regarding the mobile experience, although the browser version is optimized for both desktop and mobile use, there is no dedicated mobile app for employers, and the employee app lacks some features found on the web version. For example, on the web, we could match our receipts to incoming bank transactions, whereas in the mobile app, we were only able to take photos of the receipts.
29,000,000+ companies, including Industrial Manila, Tamar's Hope, and Hiplus.
QuickBooks has three plans as below and a 30-day free trial:
- Core: $25 per month plus $6 per employee
- Premium: $55 per month plus $8 per employee
- Elite: $80 per month plus $15 per employee
Best For
Small businesses that are already using QuickBooks accounting.
First and foremost, we utilize the invoicing functionality to create and send professional invoices to our clients. This feature allows us to track payments, send reminders, and easily manage our accounts receivable.
In addition, QuickBooks helps us with tax tracking by enabling us to categorize income and expenses appropriately, making tax preparation more efficient. This feature ensures that we have accurate records and can easily generate reports for tax purposes.
Another important aspect of our QuickBooks usage is the mileage and expense tracking. We utilize the built-in tools to record and categorize our business-related mileage and expenses, ensuring that we have a comprehensive record for reimbursement or tax deductions.
The reporting capabilities are vital to our organization as well. We leverage the various reporting options available to gain insights into our financial performance, monitor cash flow, track profitability, and make informed business decisions based on real-time data.
Finally, QuickBooks serves as our central hub for transaction tracking. We record and categorize all our financial transactions, including sales, purchases, and payments, in order to maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records.

- QuickBooks integrates seamlessly with other business tools and software
- It allows us to customize our needs and only pay for what we use
- It integrates with other vendors to help us streamline processes
I have used it for almost 3 years and tried different versions. I chose QuickBooks because it provides a user-friendly interface, comprehensive features, industry recognition, seamless integration capabilities, and scalability options—all of which contribute to efficient financial management and supports the organization's needs.
It is easy to switch between versions as business needs change (add or remove payroll option, etc). One of the primary reasons we selected QuickBooks is its widespread adoption and industry recognition. QuickBooks is widely regarded as a leading accounting software solution, trusted by millions of businesses worldwide. This reputation reassured us of its reliability and stability.
It offers scalable options that can accommodate our organization's growth and evolving needs. As we expand, QuickBooks provides the flexibility to add additional features or upgrade to more advanced versions to support our changing requirements, ensuring long-term viability for our financial management system.
- There are so many versions and it's hard to find directions for the one that we use at that time
- It is nearly impossible to talk to a human being
- During the sales process they will give you as much attention as you need but as soon as you are in, you are pretty much on your own
- Quickbooks offers many different options and they will cater to your business needs (just make sure you do your due diligence at the beginning before they close the deal)
- EVERYONE knows about Quickbooks so it's easy to use and clients have no problem paying you via QB
- However, many other similar tools will offer live support or even a dedicated account manager. Even though it may cost a little more but this might be a dealbreaker to some businesses.
- Know exactly what you need it to do for you and clearly specify it during the sales process. Make sure you do not overpay for something you will not use
- Make sure you stay within budget and pay attention to special pricing as most plans will offer discounted costs but only for the first few months.
- Check that your bank and other third-party vendors will integrate with QB. While a lot of them do, not all.
They evolve all the time by adding new versions to accommodate everyone's needs (last time I checked there were 45).
Small to Medium, independent contractors, startups.
This helps us explain it better to readers of the review, and proves you are a customer of the product with access to the tool

Gusto

Gusto is a top-notch option for SMBs when it comes to full-service payroll and customer service. Plus, its UI is among the best we’ve seen in this space.
PROS
- Features online signatures, automated tax filing, unlimited pay runs, and automatic deductions for benefits administration.
- Supports payroll for U.S. W2 workers and domestic or international contractors.
- Reliable customer support. Licensed benefits advisors assist with all plans.
- Transparent pricing with no long-term contracts or setup fees.
- The dashboard feature keeps tabs on compliance tasks
- The hiring and onboarding sequence is nicely streamlined between HR and the new hire
- Post-offer, pre-start tasks are made easy with integrations like CorpNet (state tax set up) Checkr (background checks)
- Easy payroll for U.S.-based W-2 folks, domestic, and international contractors
- Person-to-person phone support, email, and other customer service resources
- The business model is responsive to customer needs
CONS
- No support for international full-time salaried workers.
- No accounting tool for tracking earnings and spending.
- Simple plan lacks time tracking and online signature features.
- Compliance alerts and broker integration cost extra.
- No free trial available.
- Gusto can support payments for international contractors, but not employees
- No native accounting feature to keep earning and spending under the same roof
- Analytics dashboard is simplistic

We’ve kept track of Gusto for years, and in our view, they have done a great job avoiding a common software pitfall. The vendor has kept a steady pace through the years and their primary focus on payroll and benefits has not been clouded by impulsively building more features into their stack. Instead, they work with numerous integrated partners who take the wheel on new initiatives, letting Gusto focus on what they do best.
One of our favorite features is the full-service payroll. Gusto supports payroll for U.S.-based W-2 employees and domestic and international contractors. This vendor also offers e-signature collection, automated tax filing, automatic deductions, varied payroll schedules, and unlimited pay runs so businesses can ensure employees receive pay and benefits promptly.
For a long time, we have also appreciated how transparent Gusto is about pricing. The payroll software does not require long-term contracts or setup fees, allowing SMBs to manage their payroll efficiently without any unexpected costs.
A fair warning, though, international payroll through Gusto is only possible for contractors, not for full-time employees. In other words, they don’t offer an EOR model. Another feature Gusto lacks is accounting, meaning you must use third-party integrations for complete financial management.
Furthermore, while the Simple plan is cost-friendly, it lacks essential features like native time tracking and the e-sign. Lastly, compliance alerts and broker integration are terrific features, but the platform requires you to either opt for its Premium plan or pay extra to use them.
We are excited to announce that Gusto now serves more than 400,000 customers nationwide! Please update any and all references of "300,000+ customers" to "400,000+ customers".
Gusto is increasing our Simple Plan’s pricing from $40 per month + $6 per person per month to $49 per month + $6 per person per month (a $9 increase in monthly base).
Best For
Startups with limited budgets (Basic plan) and SMBs with smaller HR departments and greater financial capacity (Premium plan).
We used Gusto to manage payroll, streamline benefits administration, and centralize HR tasks. The platform simplifies payroll processing, ensures compliance with tax regulations, and automates various HR functions. Additionally, Gusto facilitates employee self-service, allowing individuals to access their pay stubs, tax forms, and benefit information conveniently. Its reporting tools provide valuable insights for strategic decision-making. Overall, Gusto plays a pivotal role in enhancing our HR efficiency and employee experience.

Gusto offers an intuitive interface that makes it easy to navigate various tasks. Their system consolidates our processes and reduces the need for multiple platforms. Additionally, they provide excellent customer support, offering timely assistance whenever needed.
We chose Gusto due to its comprehensive payroll, benefits, and HR solutions, streamlining our administrative processes. The user-friendly interface and automation features enhance efficiency. Overall, Gusto has been a valuable asset to our HR team.
- While Gusto is comprehensive, we have encountered some challenges with integrating it with other existing HR tools. Also, there are instances where we wished for more customization options within Gusto.
- Periodic updates to the platform have previously disrupted our workflow.
Gusto is a bit more user-friendly. Also, their comprehensive approach distinguishes them from competitors that may offer specialized services but not the same breadth of integrated solutions.
Ensure it aligns with your organization's specific needs and growth objectives. Also, look for a platform that is intuitive and requires minimal training for your team to navigate and operate effectively.
Given the dynamic nature of tax regulations and HR compliance, Gusto has demonstrated platform update agility. Over time, they have refined the platform's interface, making it more intuitive and user-friendly.
It seems to be best fit for smaller organizations.
A small team that is looking to grow and provide more impact for their organizations.

Patriot

Patriot offers unlimited payroll runs, free account setup, U.S.-based inhouse support, and takes full responsibility for any issues pertaining to user tax filings.
PROS
- Intuitive and simple service.
- Guaranteed tax filing accuracy with free end-of-year payroll tax filings.
- Free U.S.-based software support via phone, email, and chat.
- Transparent fee structure, 30-day free trial available.
- Regularly rolls out new features and enhancements.
- Intuitive and simple service.
- Guaranteed tax filing accuracy with free end-of-year payroll tax filings.
- Free U.S.-based software support via phone, email, and chat.
- Transparent fee structure, 30-day free trial available.
- Regularly rolls out new features and enhancements.
CONS
- No support for teams with members outside the U.S.
- No employee benefits management services.
- Limited integration capabilities.
- No support for teams with members outside the U.S.
- No employee benefits management services.
- Limited integration capabilities.

We didn’t expect this level of flexibility from an economical payroll tool. With Patriot, there’s no limit to the number of payroll runs, and you can pay your team members at the frequency of their choice, be it weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly, or monthly.
Moreover, this platform does not charge any fees for its account setup assistance. Should you opt to DIY, it probably won’t be much trouble, thanks to the platform’s payroll startup wizard and the in-house support team. In our tests, it took just 7 minutes to hear back from them.
As long as all your team members are based in the U.S., you’ll find Patriot to be an invaluable ally, as this vendor can handle payroll processing and direct deposit payments for both full-time salaried workers and contractors. If you opt for the higher-tiered plan, this platform can also take care of your payroll tax filing and payment at both the federal and state levels.
That said, we should caution you that Patriot will charge $12 per month for each state tax filing. And unlike some competing tools like Gusto, this vendor does not support employee benefits management.
Another point to note is that Patriot’s payroll services are tailored to US-based companies. In other words, it’s not a good fit for those with international hires.
10,000+ companies, including Ninja Window Washing, B Squared Fine Homes, and Coblentz Cabinets.
Patriot offers two payroll plans:
- Basic costs $17/month plus $4 per employee or contractor. The business owner is responsible for payroll and tax filing.
- Full Service costs $37/month plus $4 per employee or contractor. The business owner runs payroll, but Patriot handles payroll tax filings.
Best For
Small businesses whose employees and contractors are based in the U.S.
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Netchex
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We really like Netchex because it's super easy to use. Your team won’t need a bunch of training to get started, and if anyone’s got questions, there’s always a dedicated customer support rep ready to help out.
PROS
- Seamless plan upgrades without data loss.
- Pre-payroll reports for critical error checks before payroll processing.
- Highly praised customer service, entirely U.S.-based.
- Payroll grid for easy input, changes, and error fixes during payroll cycle.
- Diverse payment options: paper checks, direct deposit, and pay cards.
- Grows with your team: With Netchex, it’s very easy to opt for a new plan and keep all your data in the same place even if you outgrow your current pricing plan. Other vendors require a switch to a new service in that kind of event.
- Dedicated support team: Netchex are note-worthy for their award-winning and often lauded customer service. It’s all US-based and provided in real-time through email, live chat, and phone calls.
- Pre-payroll reports: Allows for critical error checks before submission.
- Flexible payroll grid: Easy to make changes or correct errors on the fly.
- Versatile payment options: Includes paper checks, direct deposit, and pay cards.
CONS
- Users must use the payroll module to access other functionalities.
- Overkill for teams with under 50 employees.
- Undisclosed pricing. No free trial available.
- Requirement of payroll: Users must use the payroll module to access other functionalities, so it wouldn’t work as stand-alone HR software.
- No free trial: Potential users can't test the software without committing to a purchase. The demo with a sales rep is the closest thing.

We know that most small businesses are pressed for time, so their payroll tool must be extremely easy to use. And the fact that Netchex remains easy and pleasant to work with in all our test cases is truly impressive.
You can add employees, set payroll cycles, and fix issues with minimal training. Plus, no matter which plan you pick, you’ll get a customer support rep from Netchex who not only helps with the initial setup and then vanishes, but stays approachable for any snags that may arise post-implementation.
Given how pricey payroll mistakes can be, being able to spot issues before everything is finalized is a lifesaver - and that’s exactly what Netchex’s pre-payroll does, which we love. It gives you a heads-up if there's a paycheck going out to someone who shouldn't be getting one or if the numbers aren’t adding up right.
Another big thumbs up for Netchex is its eye for innovation. They’ve recently added some neat features like AskHR, where employees can get quick answers to their questions, and Netchex AI, which is stellar at crunching data in complex ways.
As much as Netchex is geared towards SMBs, if you've got fewer than 50 employees, it might feel a bit much and lean towards the expensive side. And just like Paychex, they don’t let you take their service for a test drive before committing.
6,500+ organizations, including Xpressdocs, BK Corrosion, Regal Hospitality, and The Colony ER Hospital.
Netchex uses a per employee per month pricing model, which varies based on company size and products.
Best For
Businesses with 50-500 employees.

Paychex

Paychex is worth mentioning as a top SMB payroll tool because of Paychex Flex, a simplified but powerful version of its product. It’s an all-in-one payroll system designed to grow with your business, built as a simple-to-use solution that gets it done without any fluff.
PROS
- Timecard processing can be fully automated.
- Integrates well with benefits providers like Benetrac for benefits management.
- User-friendly interface for reviewing W2s and paystubs.
- Timecard processing can be fully automated.
- Integrates well with benefits providers like Benetrac for benefits management.
- User-friendly interface for reviewing W2s and paystubs.
CONS
- Limited third-party integrations.
- Some users reported slow app login.
- Less modern looking compared to competitors.
- Limited third-party integrations.
- Some users reported slow app login.
- Less modern looking compared to competitors.

When it comes to SMB payroll tech, Paychex Flex has been our perennial favorite, thanks to its scalability. We first tested this software a couple of years ago, and until now, we’re still impressed with the simplicity and the range of plans it offers for various business sizes.
From HR to retirement packages, online payroll services, and benefits, you get the flexibility to choose what really fits your team’s needs. And as we’ve kept a close eye on every HR tech we review, we’ve barely heard negative comments about this platform’s usability.
We are not big fanz of Paychex’s appearance (the design looks quite dated compared to modern-looking competitors like Gusto or Remote, actually), but what’s underneath didn’t disappoint—the platform’s features are constantly improving. The timecards are a good example. Each time an employee punches in and out, the system generates a timecard and is ready to process once it’s time to run a payroll cycle. This alone can save dozens of hours of company time.
Paychex products have evolved a lot, but unfortunately, the integration capabilities have not. As of this writing, the platform still lacks native integration with Quicken. While we can’t say this is a deal breaker for most, those seeking to remove manual entry for certain tasks like 401k transactions may find this bothersome and might be better served by another tool.
745,000+ companies, including Warner Bros, Denny's, Grubhub, and Frito-Lay.
Paychex Flex offers three curated plans: Essentials, Select, and Pro. Essentials has a monthly base rate of $39 plus $5 per employee. Select and Pro are custom plans that require a call for a quote.
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses that require a scalable payroll and HR solution.
The tool was used every time a new employee joined. However, the company did not utilize the direct deposit services provided by Paychex. All the required details were filled manually by the new employee on paper, and then HR manually entered the information into Paychex.
Payroll checks were mailed out every pay period. This manual process increased the chances of errors. During separations, the last paycheck had to be collected from the office after returning company property, which was inconvenient for both HR and employees.
Paychex is easy to use. It provides the option to run payroll through checks, which is helpful for certain organizations. The customer service provided by Paychex is reliable.
The company purchased the Paychex subscription before I joined, and I used it for about a month. Paychex was chosen because it was user-friendly for employees. The company operated in the security services industry, so it was crucial for the HRIS used for payroll management to be easy to navigate, especially for employees who were not technically advanced. Paychex addressed this need effectively by offering a simple interface.
The tax options in the Paychex app are not clearly explained, making it difficult for HR to assist new employees. I later learned about Paychex's history of data breaches, which raised concerns. The app does not allow screenshots, which can be inconvenient, though this feature has its advantages from a security perspective.
For a company in the security services industry, Paychex worked adequately. However, I would prefer a system that supports direct deposits and online separation processes, which might also be available in Paychex but were not used by the company.
Consider whether your company is comfortable with manually entering employee information and mailing checks. If employees are tech-savvy, you may want to explore additional features. Pricing should also be taken into account, especially for companies with expansion plans or budget constraints.
I haven’t used it long enough to comment on its evolution.
This tool is suitable for companies that prefer paying employees via checks. Few apps support this feature as smoothly as Paychex does. It is also a good option for users who are not particularly tech-savvy and do not require advanced features.
It might not be a good fit for companies with limited budgets or those seeking a fully automated payroll and HRIS system.

Remote

We highly recommend Remote to SMBs looking to hire employees and contractors worldwide. With this platform, you can easily handle salaries, benefits, expenses, and incentives compliantly in over 170 countries—all in one place.
PROS
- Fast and compliant payroll in 170+ countries.
- Live chat support with local payroll experts.
- Flexible, localized benefit packages.
- Flat-rate pricing structure, no deposits or hidden fees.
- Mobile app streamlines expense reimbursement with autofill from receipt photos.
- Fast and compliant payroll in 170+ countries.
- Live chat support with local payroll experts.
- Flexible, localized benefit packages.
- Flat-rate pricing structure, no deposits or hidden fees.
- Mobile app streamlines expense reimbursement with autofill from receipt photos.
CONS
- Doesn’t have a free trial.
- Redundant for organizations solely recruiting within the U.S.
- Help center documentation isn’t easiest to understand.
- Doesn’t have a free trial.
- Redundant for organizations solely recruiting within the U.S.
- Help center documentation isn’t easiest to understand.

Scaling internationally is exciting news for any business, but it also comes with a huge HR headache. Each country and state has different laws (which change over time), and local talent has varying interests in compensation packages. Having been there ourselves, so we can't help but appreciate how much easier Remote has made it for SMBs looking to expand their teams globally.
Remote offers two plans: one for global payroll and another for Employer of Record (EOR)—which includes everything from payroll to benefits, HR, and tax needed to hire and pay people from over 170 countries compliantly. Both come with transparent rates and no hidden fees. However, what really stands out to us is that regardless of the plan chosen, you gain access to in-house, local payroll support. We bugged these people a couple of times in our testing, and they have never let us down once—always quick turnaround and thorough guidelines.
That said, we do wish there was a free trial so the platform is more accessible to small businesses. Also, those preferring self-help documentation instead of always having to reach out to human support might not be satisfied with what's available in Remote's help center. In our experience, the instructions are not the easiest to follow, as they are mostly in written form with very few product screenshots for illustration.
Remote customers include brands like GitLab, Paystack, and Loom, but the exact number is undisclosed.
Remote offers two packages for payroll management:
- Global Payroll: $50 per employee per month
- Employer of Record: Starting at $599/month billed annually
Best For
Remote-first companies to hire and pay employees and contractors worldwide.
Remote was introduced to an international employee or contractor after they were hired and the first part of their onboarding process. They were asked to complete basic personal information; such as address, contact info, emergency contacts, and bank details for payment. Medical benefits were offered to employees and could be elected through the platform. Once employees and contractors were onboarded they could access their portal at any time to view their personal details, and pay stubs. Payroll ran on a bi-weekly and semi-monthly basis for employees and contractors, this was dependent on their in-country laws and was processed completely by Remote. We would fund the platform a month in advance for payroll. In some cases we had employees who submitted timecards for overtime differential.
The platform was easy to onboard new employees, and select and edit all personal and employment details. Employees and Contractors were paid timely and we never ran into any payroll issues of people not being paid on time. We had monthly calls with our Account Rep who was always willing to step in to escalate or help answer any questions we had or anything that came up that was employee specific.
Our org purchased the platform so we could pay and offer benefits to our international employees. I used Remote for just under 2 years. We had over 50 employees in 5-10 different states and using this platform allowed us to offer benefits in those local countries, along with any other country-specific benefits that in some cases we were required to offer. Remote also served as our EOR, employer of record, and provided legal protections related to employee terminations. All international employees and contractors were onboarded into the platform at hire and could access their portal at any time.
There was no reporting function. There would be payroll reconciliations each month, sometimes there was a payment due to us and other times we underfunded accounts, this posed problems with forecasting and budgeting for our finance team. It was unclear and not detailed on employee pay stubs to see what the benefits breakdown was for employees and employers. Meaning who was covering what percentage or what amount was being paid by each party on a biweekly or monthly basis.
I know Remote is an EOR and not all international platforms are. Over the last year I used a different international platform and did prefer that over Remote. The functionality was built out more, support was more responsive and as the HR admin I had more control over the contracts and editing.
How many employees or contractors you are planning to hire internationally. Does Remote support those countries and in what way? What is your annual budget for an International HRIS tool? How do you want federal taxes to be withheld from international employees or contractors? Do you want to offer benefits to international employees? If so, what benefit tiers are you looking to offer, can Remote support your company goals.
Remote increased the number of countries they offered onboarding and hiring during the time I used the platform.
Companies looking to hire internationally and ones' where they do not want to be the Employer of Record and would prefer the HRIS have an entity in the countries you are looking to hire in and be the EOR.
Organizations that do not have any plans to grow globally.

Square

Square’s level of flexibility is amazing. It supports unlimited pay runs and next-day direct deposit, comes with some add-ons that you can choose to pay for if you need them, and can beautifully integrate with its ecosystem as well as several third-party business tools.
PROS
- Integrates with Square POS and other Square tools. Strong third-party integrations.
- Free seasonal inactivity provided.
- Reasonable, flat pricing. Free trial available.
- Free federal and state tax filing and payments.
- U.S.-based phone support for all plans.
- Integrates with Square POS and other Square tools. Strong third-party integrations.
- Free seasonal inactivity provided.
- Reasonable, flat pricing. Free trial available.
- Free federal and state tax filing and payments.
- U.S.-based phone support for all plans.
CONS
- Does not support employers in household and agricultural sectors.
- Automated payroll, PTO, sick leave tracking, time tracking, shift scheduling, and overtime calculations can only be accessed on higher-priced plans.
- Does not support employers in household and agricultural sectors.
- Automated payroll, PTO, sick leave tracking, time tracking, shift scheduling, and overtime calculations can only be accessed on higher-priced plans.

We first tested Square in 2020 and have kept a close eye on the tool ever since, and we have to admit that this is one of the best payroll options available when it comes to flexibility.
Square has two simple plans: one for contractor payroll and another for both contractors and full-time employees. The pricing is transparent and reasonable, with no annual commitment required. The best part, though, is that users can pause their subscription and won't be charged until it resumes after 9 months or when they process payroll again, whichever comes first. For businesses dealing with off-season, this is a huge money saving.
If you're a retailer, especially a store owner or in the restaurant business, you’ll find the combination of Square POS and Square payroll useful in many ways. Plus, if you're looking for third-party integrations, there are still plenty of options offered.
Just keep in mind that Square Payroll only works for businesses that file Form 941 or Form 944 and doesn't support employers in the household and agriculture sectors.
We should also warn you that even though the contractor plan is incredibly affordable — at $6 per contractor per month — it doesn’t cover features like automated payroll, PTO, and overtime calculations. You’d have to choose the higher-priced plan to access these features.
Square's clients include The Art of Donut, Glamourax Salon, and Live by the Sword, but the exact number of customers remains undisclosed.
- Employees and Contractors: $35/month + $6 per person paid per month. Free trial is available.
- Contractors Only: $6/contractor paid per month
Best For
Seasonal employers, including store owners and restaurants.
We use Square for mobile sales. It allows us to avoid a hodgepodge of Venmo and PayPal transactions going through multiple workers. We use it a few times a month when we run large events and sell concessions. It's made the sales transactions much easier for customers. And it's also allowed us better control over our budget.
It's very convenient to use on the go. We don't have to pay a monthly fee - we just pay a percentage of transactions. Customers like having this option instead of using cash.
My organization bought Square for mobile sales transactions. It's a small operation, and we had been operating cash only, but a lot of customers didn't have cash. We tried using other online payment services, but they were going through organization volunteers instead of directly to the organization. This made it difficult to manage the budget and track down payments.
We are a very small non-profit operation so the transaction charges can add up. I don't like that we have to pay more if we have to manually enter a payment card number.
I can only compare this to using Venmo, PayPal, and Zelle and Square is much easier for us to use. Customers don't need to have a pre-existing account - they can just use their credit or debit card. It makes things much easier.
Consider whether this would be easier to use than cash or cash apps. Also consider the transaction fees. They can add up when you are a small business and/or nonprofit.
I think they are always trying to be more user-friendly and accessible. It's nice to have a pricing model where we don't have to pay a monthly or annual fee.
It could be good for a range of organizations from large to small. Mine is very small and the pricing flexibility is good for us and allows us much easier transactions with our customers.
I think most organizations would benefit from Square. Again, I would just caution you to consider the transaction fees and make sure they are within an acceptable range for your organization.

OnPay

OnPay is fast, and you won't have to spend hours figuring out how to use this tool. In addition to payroll, this vendor provides some nice HR basics in its one-and-only plan, at no extra costs.
PROS
- Free tax form handling for W-2 employees and 1099 contractors.
- Some HR services included within the plan at no additional cost.
- 30-day free trial available (starts after OnPay verification).
- Well-developed online help resources.
- Free tax form handling for W-2 employees and 1099 contractors.
- Some HR services included within the plan at no additional cost.
- 30-day free trial available (starts after OnPay verification).
- Well-developed online help resources.
CONS
- Poor functioned employee mobile app.
- Requires payment four days before payday for direct deposit.
- Doesn’t support automatic payroll.
- Customer support sometimes hard to reach.
- Poor functioned employee mobile app.
- Requires payment four days before payday for direct deposit.
- Doesn’t support automatic payroll.
- Customer support sometimes hard to reach.

If you’ve already read our reviews of other payroll tools we’ve included in this guide, you may have noticed that OnPay is not the only vendor that can perform full-service payroll plus HR and benefits. However, it is the only one that has bundled all these functions into a single, affordable plan.
Starting at $46 per employee per month, you'll receive everything from multi-state payroll processing to automated onboarding, e-signing, broker-of-record integration, employee self-service, and account migration—all without additional fees or the need for plan upgrades.
Moreover, this platform is one of the few in the industry that offers a 30-day free trial, which you can easily sign up for online through its website. The only thing to note here is that the trial starts only after OnPay verifies your provided information, including your bank account. So make sure you double check the form before submitting.
Compared to its peers, OnPay has done an outstanding job providing online free guides. Despite being free resources, the guides are rich in information and offer many good insights into payroll, benefits, and HR.
Unfortunately, the vendor’s support didn’t meet our expectations. It took some time to receive a response from their live chat, and our email also had to wait until the next day for a reply.
Lastly, a few things to be clear: Unlike Gusto, OnPay has no native time tracking tool. It also doesn’t support automatic payroll.
OnPay charges a $40 monthly base fee plus $6 per employee. It also offers a free trial.
Best For
Small business owners that need full-service payroll and HR basics.
We use Onpay weekly for our payroll runs, and it's become an essential part of our routine. The key workflows we rely on include calculating and processing employee salaries, handling automated tax filings, and managing direct deposits. This is challenging for us because we have employees on several different types of contracts. Onpay’s benefits administration feature simplifies enrollment and tracking for our team. It also keeps all our employee records up-to-date and compliant, ensuring everyone gets paid accurately and on time. We've also minimized payroll complaints from staff, which is a significant improvement.
- Super Simple: Onpay is easy to use, even for someone who’s not a payroll expert.
- Tax Magic: It takes care of all our tax filings automatically, saving us a lot of time.
- Great Value: For what it offers, the price is excellent, especially for a smaller team like ours.
We bought Onpay because our previous payroll system was outdated, causing delays and errors that made payroll days difficult. We needed something reliable and easy to use, especially for our small team. Onpay met all our requirements with its straightforward interface, automated tax filings, and affordable pricing. It also integrates well with benefits and handles employee onboarding efficiently. I've been using Onpay for about a year now, and it has significantly reduced our administrative workload.
- Limited Customization: I wish there were more options to customize reports and dashboards.
- Customer Support: The support can be slow at times, which is frustrating when you need quick assistance.
- Advanced Features: It lacks some advanced features that larger businesses might need, making it feel a bit basic for more complex needs.
Onpay stands out with its straightforward, user-friendly interface and great value for money. Unlike some other tools I've tried, it's incredibly easy to navigate and doesn’t overwhelm with unnecessary features. I appreciate that it automates tax filings, which many other tools don't do as effectively. While it might lack some advanced options that larger businesses may need, for a small team, it offers the right balance of functionality and simplicity at a great price.
- Ease of Use: Choose a tool that is easy to navigate, so you’re not stuck figuring out complex menus.
- Automation: Ensure it handles tax tasks and direct deposits automatically to make payroll days stress-free.
- Support: Verify that the support team is helpful and quick to respond when needed.
- Cost: Make sure it fits your budget without sacrificing essential features.
Onpay has improved over time by keeping things simple and adding useful features. They have perfected automating tax filings and direct deposits, making payroll days easier. The interface has become increasingly user-friendly, which is a big plus.
It is ideal for small to mid-sized businesses that need a payroll system without extra complexity. It’s perfect for those who want an easy-to-use platform that handles all the payroll essentials, such as automated tax filings and direct deposits. If you’re running a business and want something straightforward and affordable without all the complicated features, Onpay is an excellent choice.
Onpay wouldn’t be a great fit for large organizations with complex payroll and HR needs. If you require advanced features, extensive customization, or robust integration with other sophisticated systems, Onpay might feel too basic.

Homebase

We found Homebase Payroll to be a strong choice for small businesses with hourly workers, particularly those already and/or looking to integrate scheduling and time tracking into their payroll workflow. Its automation capabilities significantly reduce payroll errors, and its compliance features ensure accurate tax filings.
PROS
- Easy, real-time syncing with Homebase’s time tracking system eliminates manual timesheet adjustments.
- Built-in overtime prevention tool auto-clocks out workers to reduce unintended labor costs.
- Automated tax filing at the federal, state, and local levels makes compliance easier for small businesses.
- Automated hours, wage and tip calculations to reduce payroll errors.
- Transparent pricing. Free plan available for basic time tracking and scheduling.
- More cost-effective than Patriot Payroll for multi-state businesses due to no additional state tax filing fees.
- Separate dashboards for managers and employees
- Real-time communication features allow for schedule changes on the move
- Requesting and approving paid time off is easy
- Great scheduling templates help managers streamline work
CONS
- Homebase doesn't offer benefits administration directly. (it can be obtained through their partnership with Stride though.)
- Not suitable for businesses with salaried employees due to its focus on hourly workers.
- Currently only supports U.S.-based businesses.
- Limited third-party integration support
- Additional features are somewhat expensive
If intuitive time tracking, compliance support, and transparent pricing are high on your priority list, Homebase is a solid option worth considering.
There are many great payroll solutions on the market; however, many bury their costs in the fine print. For a transparent priced option, we like Homebase. Right on its website, you can easily find out how much the payroll tool costs.
As of this writing, it’s priced at $39 per month plus $6 per active employee, which is relatively affordable. To sweeten the deal, the vendor also has a free trial. The only thing to keep in mind is that payroll is an add-on, so you'll need to choose one of their four plans to access it. That being said, their basic plan is free to start with—good enough for companies with one location and up to 20 employees.
Another thing we loved about this payroll software is its automation capabilities, particularly its real-time syncing with the time tracking system. To test this out, we set up a schedule for an hourly team and had employees clock in and out using their mobile app.
The system didn’t disappoint: it automatically pulled hours worked, calculated overtime, and factored in PTO, all without requiring manual timesheet adjustments. Compared to Gusto’s Simple Plan, which lacks built-in time tracking, Homebase includes this feature natively, making it a better option for businesses managing shift workers.
We also liked the overtime prevention tool, which automatically clocks out employees at the end of their shifts to prevent unnecessary labor costs. In this area, Homebase outshines QuickBooks Payroll, which does not offer built-in overtime prevention.
With Homebase, your tax filing is automated at the federal, state, and local levels. We prefer this to Patriot’s Full Service Plan, which charges $12 per month per state for the feature. We think many users would, too.
However, Homebase doesn’t have built-in benefits administration features the way Gusto does, so you’d need to rely on a third-party tool for such needs.
Another drawback we noticed while assessing the product was that this payroll system does not offer automatic compliance reporting, or real-time GPS tracking, all of which are available in Gusto Premium and QuickBooks Payroll.
100,000+ companies, including The Blind Goat & Xin Chao, Fuzzy Goat Yarn Shop, and Forth & Nomad.
Homebase Payroll costs $39/month + $6/month per active employee and is offered as an add-on.
Best For
Homebase Payroll is a great option for small businesses with shift-based employees, such as retail stores, restaurants, and service providers.
Payroll Software Benefits and ROI for Small Businesses
Payroll Software Helps SMBs Save Time and Money
For small businesses, time is money. You don’t want to spend time on repetitive tasks that can be easily automated. It is estimated that an hour wasted per employee amounts to $3,750 per year, and that figure can be as high as $11,250! For a small business, this is too high of a cost to bear. It affects your profitability and growth.
On the other end of the spectrum, automated payroll management saves you a lot of time (up to 40 hours a month) and money.
Automated Payroll Help Reduce Human Errors
Money lost due to human error during payroll preparation proves to be a huge problem. The American Payroll Association estimates that human error can reach 8% while processing payroll manually. To give an example of what this means in hard numbers, an 8% human error rate on a $15,000 payroll equals $1,200 lost in erroneous wage calculation.
Payroll Software Helps Protect SMBs from Compliance Issues and Tax Penalties
With payroll software solutions, you are protected from compliance issues. Small businesses do not have the time nor resources to be at the front of the ever-changing tax policy landscape.
It is especially complicated when you have employees in different states or beyond US borders. Each state and country has differing tax policies (deduction rates, compulsory contributions, etc.). If you default in filing correct tax returns, you will be penalized. As a small business looking to grow and expand, losing money to tax penalties will grossly affect your bottom line. All these can be avoided with a simple automated payroll solution.
Pricing Models for Small Business Payroll Service
For small businesses, payroll software mostly offers two kinds of pricing models:
- Flat rate per month/year
- Base rate plus per employee per month/year
The majority of the payroll software companies mentioned in this article use a base rate model. That is a good choice for small businesses, especially those with few employees. If you are a rapidly-growing business or you already have a sizable number of employees (say > 50) then a flat-rate pricing model might be best.
FAQs
Which payroll company is best for small businesses?
It depends on your business needs and the price you are willing to pay. If you want an affordable, stand-alone, full-service payroll, you can go for the more affordable options like Patriot, Quickbooks, and Zenefits. If you want HR solutions too, Gusto and Paychex Flex are a good fit.
What is the most used payroll software?
Due to its accounting suite, Quickbooks is the most used payroll software. Paychex and Gusto are close runner-ups.
What is the best international small business payroll service?
Amongst the payroll software providers on our list, Remote offers the best international options.
Final Advice on Buying a Small Business Payroll Solution
For small businesses, the process of choosing a payroll service provider can be cumbersome. The extreme dynamicity of small businesses requires you to choose one that fits your exact needs. We advise you to highlight your needs using these questions:
- How big is my business? Are you a solopreneur, a microbusiness with fewer than 10 employees, or maybe a small enterprise with over 100 staff?
- Who are my employees? Are your employees salaried workers or contractors? If they are salaried, do you pay an hourly wage or monthly salary?
- What is my budget? How much can you spend per employee/per month?
Answering these questions satisfactorily will streamline your payroll options. If, for example, you have employees who get paid per hour, you will likely opt for a payroll software that has time tracking to calculate and sync employee hours with payroll.
In the end, make sure to take your time and ask a lot of questions before you choose the best payroll software for your small company.
Please note that the services mentioned in this article are for small companies in the United States. If you are a global business looking to compensate your remote employees while staying compliant with international labor laws, check out our roundup of the best international payroll companies.
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