Gusto
- Used by 300,000+ U.S. businesses
- Automated federal and state tax filing
- W-2 and 1099 payroll supported
Quickbooks Payroll
- Automated multi-state tax filing
- Auto-calculates OT and bonuses
- AI Agent flags pay discrepancies
Patriot Software
- Guided 3-step payroll process
- Free direct deposit included
- Federal, state tax filing options
OnPay
- Unlimited monthly payroll runs
- Integrates with top accounting software
- Offers health insurance in 50 states
Paycor, Inc.
- Includes specialized tools for complex hourly shifts
- On-demand pay for early wage access
- Automated onboarding for new hires
ADP Payroll
- Payroll for 40M+ workers worldwide
- One of every six U.S. workers paid
- Reduce payroll risk and errors
Justworks
- A+ BBB rated, trusted by thousands of businesses
- Automated tax filings, W-2s and 1099s included
- Payroll across all 50 states from $8/employee/mo
Deel
- Multiple payment options available
- Integrates with popular HR tools
- Equity management capabilities
Best Picks
Top Payroll Software by Features and Benefits
- Best Overall Gusto
- Best for Small Businesses OnPay
- Best for Budget-Friendly Payroll Patriot Software
- Best for Global Payroll Deel
- Best for Hourly & Shift Workers Paycor, Inc.
- Best for Enterprise Scalability ADP Payroll
- Best for QuickBooks Integration Quickbooks Payroll
- Best for Startups Justworks
- Best for Contractor Payments Deel
- Best for Multi-State Tax Filing OnPay
- Best Overall Gusto
- Best for Small Businesses OnPay
- Best for Budget-Friendly Payroll Patriot Software
- Best for Global Payroll Deel
- Best for Hourly & Shift Workers Paycor, Inc.
- Best for Enterprise Scalability ADP Payroll
- Best for QuickBooks Integration Quickbooks Payroll
- Best for Startups Justworks
- Best for Contractor Payments Deel
- Best for Multi-State Tax Filing OnPay
Compare the Top Payroll Software Companies
| Company | Rating | Starting Price | Automated Tax Filing | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4.8
|
$49/mo + $6/employee | Yes | Small businesses & startups | ||
|
4.7
|
$50/mo + $6.50/employee | Yes | QuickBooks accounting users | ||
|
4.7
|
$17/mo + $4/employee | Full Service plan only | Budget micro businesses | ||
|
4.5
|
$49/mo + $6/employee | Yes, all 50 states | Small to mid-size businesses | ||
|
4.3
|
$99/mo + $4/employee | Yes | Mid-size & hourly teams |
LEARN MORE
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about our top-ranked companies.
Most payroll software charges a monthly base fee plus a per-employee fee. In 2026, base fees typically range from about $17 to $99 per month, with per-employee fees of $4 to $12. Budget tools start near $17 per month, while full-service platforms with HR and benefits run higher.
Still have
questions?
Most full-service platforms calculate, withhold, deposit, and file federal, state, and local payroll taxes on your behalf, including year-end W-2 and 1099 forms. Some lower-tier or self-service plans only calculate taxes and leave the filing to you, so confirm full-service filing is included before signing up.
Still have
questions?
Payroll software runs your payroll and files taxes while you stay the legal employer. A PEO uses a co-employment model, pooling your team with others to unlock lower-cost benefits and handle compliance and workers' comp. PEOs typically charge either 2% to 12% of total payroll or roughly $40 to $160 per employee per month.
Still have
questions?
Yes. Most modern platforms support multi-state payroll and automatically apply the correct tax rules for each state where you have staff. Some providers include multi-state filing at no extra cost, while others charge a per-state fee, which matters for remote-first teams.
Still have
questions?
Yes. Most platforms handle W-2 employees and 1099 contractors in the same system and generate both forms at year-end. Some offer contractor-only plans for businesses without salaried staff, and global platforms can pay international contractors in local currencies.
Still have
questions?
THE BOTTOM LINE
Our Top Picks
Companies that stand out for results, transparency, and customer satisfaction.
Gusto
Bottom line
Used by 300,000+ U.S. businesses
Quickbooks Payroll
Bottom line
Automated multi-state tax filing
Patriot Software
Bottom line
Guided 3-step payroll process
How BestGuide Works
Common questions about our rankings and methodology.
At BestGuide, we pride ourselves on transparency. Our recommendations are based on a combination of research, expert insights, and partnerships with brands that support our platform. Yes, brands pay for placement, and we take that into account alongside other key factors like reputation, services, and customer satisfaction to provide you with useful, curated results. Ultimately, we make placement decisions based on what we believe serves both you and our platform best.
Our team carefully evaluates brands using customer reviews, industry trends, sales performance, and direct assessments. In addition, we consider advertising budgets and compensation from our partners. While paid placement is a factor, it’s not the only one—we prioritize brands that demonstrate quality and reliability while meeting the expectations of our audience.
Our star rating system is designed to simplify your decision-making process. It incorporates multiple factors, including customer feedback, brand reputation, satisfaction rates, and sales conversions. While partnerships and advertising budgets do influence rankings, we aim to provide a balanced perspective that highlights standout performers in each industry.
Search results on BestGuide are dynamic and may differ depending on when or how you search. Factors such as brand availability, timing, and budget allocations can impact placement. Additionally, updates are processed through global data centers, which may cause slight variations in results depending on your location or when you search. This flexibility allows us to provide the most relevant and up-to-date options tailored to your needs.
BestGuide also tailors results to match the context of your search. For instance, if you’re looking for home security systems in a specific region, we prioritize brands that can service that area. This ensures your results are as relevant and practical as possible.
At BestGuide, we combine research, industry insights, and paid partnerships to bring you curated recommendations that meet your needs. Our approach balances brand compensation with a commitment to quality, ensuring that we provide results you can trust. While paid placements are part of our model, we make decisions thoughtfully, always keeping your best interests in mind.