Payroll is often one of the largest expenses incurred by a company, and managing it can be frustrating for everyone involved. Payroll errors are time-consuming to fix and can cause employee satisfaction to plummet. 

That’s why many small businesses turn to payroll services for processing payroll. However, not all small business payroll services are created equal. The most basic will simply help you crunch numbers, while the best will allow you to automate your payroll and simplify tax filings.

When it comes to choosing a payroll service for your business, you’ll want to select one that can handle everything you need. To help you make an informed decision, we researched the top small business payroll service providers, identifying the brands that excel in specific areas.

Quick Comparison Table of Top Payroll Providers

Payroll Service	Starting Price	Best For	Key Features
QuickBooks	$45/mo + $5/employee	Same-day deposits	Unlimited payroll, tax forms, PTO
Gusto	$40/mo + $6/employee	HR services & onboarding	HR tools, payment options, employee app
OnPay	$40/mo + $6/employee	Small businesses	Tax filing, unlimited payroll runs, benefits
Patriot Software	$17/mo + $4/employee	Budget-friendly payroll	Manual tax filing, PTO, QuickBooks integration
ADP	Custom quote	Growing businesses	Scalable payroll, mobile app, global services

In-Depth Reviews of Top Payroll Providers

1. QuickBooks Payroll

• Starting Price: $45 per month + $5 per employee
• Free Trial: 30 days

#Key Features

QuickBooks Payroll offers a variety of features that integrate seamlessly with QuickBooks accounting software, including same-day direct deposits, unlimited payroll runs, and automatic tax forms. This service allows small businesses to manage payroll taxes, employee payments, year-end forms, and benefit deductions.

Why We Chose QuickBooks for Same-Day Deposit?

QuickBooks Payroll allows businesses to make same-day deposits, which is useful for companies with last-minute payroll needs. With both iOS and Android apps, QuickBooks Payroll is accessible on the go, and forthcoming updates will include Form 943 filings and retroactive state unemployment insurance rate adjustments.

QuickBooks Payroll Pros:

• Scalable Plans: Various pricing tiers provide flexibility as your business grows.
• Seamless Integration: Works well with QuickBooks and other Intuit products, streamlining your accounting.
• User-Friendly: An intuitive dashboard makes it easy to run payroll and manage tax filings.

QuickBooks Payroll Cons:

• Higher Cost: QuickBooks Payroll can be more expensive compared to other options.
• Limited Integrations: Supports fewer third-party integrations than some competitors.

User Ratings & Testimonials:

• Trustpilot: 4.5/5

2. Gusto

• Starting Price: $40 per month + $6 per employee
• Free Trial: N/A

#Key Features

Gusto is a comprehensive payroll service that goes beyond payroll to offer HR features such as onboarding, performance management, and benefits administration. Gusto integrates with over 20 time-tracking apps, as well as popular hiring platforms, making it a solid choice for businesses looking for an all-in-one payroll and HR solution.

Why We Chose Gusto for HR Services?

Gusto excels in providing robust HR support alongside payroll processing, ideal for businesses that want to manage everything from benefits administration to employee time-tracking in one place.

Gusto Pros:

• Comprehensive HR Features: Includes access to HR experts and advanced HR tools.
• Flexible Pricing: Multiple plans allow businesses to tailor services to their needs.
• Employee Support: The free mobile app provides employees with an easy way to manage their information.

Gusto Cons:

• Costs Can Add Up: Per-employee fees may make Gusto less affordable for large teams.
• Limited Global Support: No international payroll capabilities, restricting its use for companies with overseas employees.

User Ratings & Testimonials:

• GetApp: 4.6/5

3. OnPay

• Starting Price: $40 per month + $6 per employee
• Free Trial: 30 days

#Key Features

OnPay is designed for small businesses and offers payroll tax filing, employee payment options, and simple benefit administration. Users can also customize document templates, create expense reports, and pay employees by direct deposit or paper check.

Why We Chose OnPay for Small Businesses?

OnPay offers an easy-to-use interface, unlimited payroll runs, and excellent customer service. Its pricing model is straightforward, making it ideal for startups and small businesses looking for an affordable and reliable payroll solution.

OnPay Pros:

• Customer Support: High level of support compared to other services.
• Unlimited Payroll Runs: Pay employees as frequently as needed without extra charges.
• Simple Pricing: A flat rate makes it easy to predict costs.

OnPay Cons:

• No Mobile App: Lacks an employer-facing mobile app.
• No Auto-Pay for Salaried Employees: Users need to manually run payroll for salaried staff.

User Ratings & Testimonials:

• Capterra: 4.8/5
• “OnPay is incredibly straightforward, and the support team is always available to help.” – User Review

4. Patriot Software

• Starting Price: $17 per month + $4 per employee
• Free Trial: 30 days

#Key Features

Patriot Software is one of the most affordable payroll options, offering a basic plan that includes unlimited payroll runs, PTO tracking, and QuickBooks integration. Users can manually handle tax filing or upgrade to include full-service tax filing for a lower total cost than many competitors.

Why We Chose Patriot for Budget-Friendly Payroll?

With its low starting price, Patriot Software is perfect for small businesses with limited budgets. The platform’s ability to handle tax filings manually makes it more affordable, while full-service tax filing remains competitively priced.

Patriot Software Pros:

• Low Cost: Affordable monthly pricing compared to other payroll services.
• Manual Tax Filing: Users have control over tax filings, with the option to upgrade.
• Great Customer Service: Patriot Software has a reputation for excellent support.

Patriot Software Cons:

• Limited HR Features: Lacks advanced onboarding and HR tools.
• Additional Charges: Tax filing and employee benefits incur extra fees.

User Ratings & Testimonials:

• Trustpilot: 4.9/5
• “Patriot is perfect for my small business. I love that it’s affordable and provides everything I need.” – User Review

5. ADP

• Starting Price: Custom quote
• Free Trial: N/A

#Key Features

ADP is a scalable platform suitable for businesses of all sizes, including those with complex needs. ADP offers payroll processing, compliance tools, payroll taxes, and additional HR services such as background checks, onboarding tools, and employee training.

Why We Chose ADP for Growing Businesses?

ADP is designed for scalability, making it ideal for growing companies that need flexibility. With multiple plans and customized pricing, ADP can serve small businesses as well as large enterprises.

ADP Pros:

• Global Support: Available in over 140 countries, ADP can handle payroll for multinational businesses.
• Comprehensive HR: Includes advanced features like employee self-service and ZipRecruiter job postings.
• Trusted Brand: ADP is a well-established name in payroll and HR services.

ADP Cons:

• Custom Pricing: Requires a quote, and pricing can be higher with additional features.
• No Time Tracking: Does not include time-tracking capabilities in the base plan.

User Ratings & Testimonials

• TrustRadius: 6.1/10
• “ADP is reliable and scalable, but the cost has increased as our company has grown.” – User Review

Choosing the Right Payroll Software: Key Considerations

Selecting the right payroll service for your small business involves evaluating your needs, researching potential vendors, and comparing costs over time. Here’s a quick checklist to help you choose:

• Employee Count: Consider a provider that scales well with your team size.
• Budget: Calculate the annual cost, including any per-employee fees.
• Features: Do you need HR tools, tax filing support, or PTO management?
• Support for Remote Employees: Ensure the service supports multiple states or international locations.
• Future Growth: Choose a provider that can scale with your business needs.

By taking advantage of a comprehensive payroll service, you’ll gain peace of mind and valuable time to focus on what matters most—growing your business. The best choice will depend on your budget, your growth plans, and how much time you want to spend managing payroll.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Payroll Service?
A payroll service is a company or software that helps businesses manage payroll, tax filings, and employee payments.

What’s Unique About Comprehensive Payroll Companies?
Comprehensive services handle everything from payroll to HR, allowing businesses to outsource these functions fully.

What Are Unpaid Payroll Tax Penalties?
Penalties for missed tax payments include fines and interest. Many payroll services offer a tax guarantee to cover these penalties.

How Long Does It Take to Process Payroll?
Payroll processing times vary by provider, but most offer options for next- or same-day deposits.

What Is a Pay Period?
A pay period is the frequency at which employees are paid (e.g., weekly, biweekly, monthly).

What Is an Employer of Record?
An employer of record (EOR) is a third-party organization that handles employee management for companies, often used to employ workers in different countries