On this page16 sections
- Ratings and complaints
- Patriot Software vs. competitors
- Pricing
- Step by step
- Patriot Software legitimacy and licensing
- Patriot Software pricing explained
- How Patriot payroll works
- How Patriot Software Works
- Stand Out Features
- Complaints and what customers report
- Cancellation and refunds
- Your tax responsibilities as an employer
- Who should look elsewhere
- What customers say
- Alternatives
- FAQ
Patriot Software suits small US businesses that want low, published prices and US-based phone support more than built-in benefits or a big HR suite. It is a legitimate, long-running payroll company: the BBB rates it A+ with 6 complaints in three years, and it scores 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot from more than 3,400 reviews. The main tradeoffs are that the cheaper Basic plan leaves tax filing to you, new accounts start on 4-day direct deposit, and filing in extra states costs $12 a month each.
Your options
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Patriot Software This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. This review Small US businesses with simple payroll that want low published prices and human support.
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Deel This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. Alternative Companies hiring a mix of contractors and employees across several countries that want one platform and one invoice.
- Payroll price
- Basic $17 a month plus $4 per worker paid; Full Service $37 a month plus $5 per worker paid, as listed October 20261
- New customer offer
- 30 days free, then 50% off for 3 months1
- Tax filing
- Full Service files and deposits federal, state and local payroll taxes and year-end forms such as W-2s at no extra fee; Basic calculates taxes but you file and pay them3
- Direct deposit
- Free on both plans; standard 4-day timing, 2-day for qualifying customers, or prefunding4
- Extra states
- Full Service files in all 50 states; $12 a month for each additional state5
- Company size
- Built for 1 to 500 employees; Patriot says it has more than 80,000 customers3
- Contract
- Month to month; cancel in your account at any time; fees already invoiced are not refunded6
- Support
- US-based phone, chat and email, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday to Friday1
Pros
- Published, low prices with unlimited payroll runs
- Full Service includes year-end W-2 filing at no extra fee
- US-based phone, chat and email support
- 30-day free trial and free setup help
- Month to month with no long-term contract
Cons
- Basic plan leaves tax filing and deposits to you
- New accounts start on 4-day direct deposit
- $12 a month for each extra state you file in
- Time tracking and HR tools cost extra
- No refunds once a month is invoiced
Best for: Small US businesses with simple payroll that want low published prices and human support.
Skip it if: You need next-day pay, integrated health benefits administration, or payroll in other countries.
Patriot Software vs. competitors
| Company | Base per month | Per worker | Tax filing at entry price | BBB | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patriot Software | $17 (Basic) or $37 (Full Service) | $4 or $5 | Only on Full Service | A+, 6 complaints in 3 years | Visit site |
| Gusto | $49 (Simple) | $6 | Yes | A+, 349 complaints in 3 years | Visit site |
| OnPay | $49 | $6 | Yes, multi-state included | A+, 26 complaints in 3 years | Visit site |
| ADP RUN | Quote only | Quote only | Yes | A+, 879 complaints in 3 years | Read review |
Payroll software we reviewed
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Patriot Software This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. This review BestGuide rating: 4.7 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Small US businesses with simple payroll that want low published prices and human support. -
Deel This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.9 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Companies hiring a mix of contractors and employees across several countries that want one platform and one invoice. -
Paychex This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.9 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: U.S. businesses with roughly 10 to several hundred employees that want one provider for payroll, HR support, benefits and possibly a PEO. -
Gusto This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.8 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Small businesses that want to run their own payroll online with taxes filed for them and clear monthly pricing. -
Multiplier This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.6 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Startups and mid-size companies hiring a handful of full-time employees abroad without setting up local entities. -
Remote This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.8 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Startups and mid-size companies hiring a handful to a few hundred people abroad that want published prices and an EOR that owns its local entities. -
Paycor, Inc. This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: U.S. businesses of roughly 10 to a few hundred employees that want payroll, HR and reporting in one platform and are willing to manage a structured setup. -
Quickbooks Payroll Best for: Small businesses that already keep their books in QuickBooks Online and want payroll in the same system.
Patriot Software pricing at a glance
Patriot Software prices, as listed October 20261
| Product | Monthly base | Per worker | What it adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Payroll | $17 | $4 per worker paid | Tax calculations, free direct deposit, unlimited payrolls, employee portal, contractor payments |
| Full Service Payroll | $37 | $5 per worker paid | Everything in Basic plus federal, state and local tax filings and deposits and year-end filings |
| Time and Attendance add-on | $6 | $2 per employee | Clock in and out, timecards that flow into payroll |
| HR Software add-on | $6 | $2 per employee | Paperless employee files, documents, reporting |
| Additional state (Full Service) | $12 per state | None | Tax filing in each state beyond the first |
| Accounting Basic / Premium | $20 / $30 | None | Invoicing, bank imports, reports; Premium adds estimates, recurring invoices, reminders |
New accounts get 30 days free and 50% off for 3 months on software plans. The Bookkeeping Service starts at $100 a month plus a one-time onboarding fee and is not discounted.
Patriot Software, step by step
Start a free trial
Create an account and use the 30-day trial. Patriot offers free setup help, where its team enters your employees and year-to-date payroll.
Pick Basic or Full Service
Choose Basic if you will file payroll taxes yourself, or Full Service if you want Patriot to file and deposit them.
Set up direct deposit
Connect your bank account. New accounts usually start on the 4-day schedule; qualifying customers can move to 2-day.
Run payroll
Enter hours or import them from the Time and Attendance add-on, approve, and Patriot pays employees and, on Full Service, handles the tax deposits.
Cancel when you want
Cancel in your account at any time. Billing is monthly in arrears and invoiced fees are not refunded.
Patriot Software legitimacy and licensing
Yes. Patriot Software LLC is based at 4883 Dressler Road in Canton, Ohio, and the BBB lists its start date as August 2002. The BBB rates it A+ with 6 complaints in the last three years. It is not BBB accredited, which is a business choice and not a mark against it.
On Trustpilot it scores 4.7 out of 5 from 3,446 reviews, with 89% five star and 2% one star. Patriot says it serves more than 80,000 customers and supports companies of up to 500 employees.
Patriot Software pricing explained
Payroll comes in two plans. Basic Payroll is $17 a month plus $4 per worker paid and calculates taxes, but you file and deposit them yourself. Full Service Payroll is $37 a month plus $5 per worker paid and files and deposits federal, state and local payroll taxes, plus year-end forms, at no extra fee.
A 10-person company on Full Service pays about $87 a month at the regular price. Add $12 a month for each extra state you file in, and $6 a month plus $2 per employee for Time and Attendance or HR software. New accounts get 30 days free and 50% off for 3 months.
How Patriot payroll works
You enter hours or import them from the time clock add-on, approve the run, and Patriot pays employees by direct deposit or printed check. Payroll runs are unlimited, and Auto Payroll can repeat salaried runs on a schedule. Employees get a free portal for pay stubs and W-2s, and contractors can be paid in the same system.
Direct deposit is free. New accounts typically use a 4-day schedule, qualifying customers can use 2-day, and you can also prefund payroll. If a deposit is rejected, Patriot can charge an insufficient funds fee for each occurrence under its terms.
Running a small business involves wearing many hats, but acting as a payroll accountant shouldn’t be one of them. For American business owners seeking an affordable, no-nonsense solution to paying employees and managing payroll taxes, Patriot Software has emerged as a leading contender. In this comprehensive Patriot Software Review, we will dive deep into its features, pricing, and usability to help you decide if it is the right fit for your company.
With a reputation for excellent US-based support and a pricing structure that undercuts many competitors, Patriot aims to streamline administrative burdens without breaking the bank. Whether you are a startup with one employee or a growing enterprise, finding the right software is critical to compliance and efficiency.
Ready to see how Patriot stacks up against the competition? Compare Patriot Software with other top-rated companies to find the perfect match for your business needs.
How Patriot Software Works
Patriot Software is designed with simplicity at its core. As a cloud-based platform, it requires no installation and can be accessed from any device with an internet connection. The user interface is clean, intuitive, and devoid of the clutter that often plagues enterprise-level software. The goal is to get you in, get payroll run, and get you back to business in minutes.
The process typically begins with the setup wizard. Unlike some platforms that leave you to figure out tax settings on your own, Patriot offers a guided setup that helps you input company information, employee details, and tax data. If you are switching from another provider, they even offer free payroll setup and data migration, which is a massive time-saver.
Once up and running, executing payroll is a simple three-step process:
- Enter Hours: You input regular hours, overtime, and any time-off for your employees. If you use their Time & Attendance add-on, this data flows in automatically.
- Approve Payroll: Review the totals, taxes, and deductions to ensure accuracy. The system calculates everything in real-time.
- Pay Employees: With a single click, you finalize the payroll. You can pay employees via direct deposit or print checks manually using the system’s generated pay stubs.
Patriot separates its offering into two primary tiers: Basic Payroll and Full Service Payroll. The Basic plan handles the calculations but leaves the tax filing and deposits to you. The Full Service plan, the more popular option in our Patriot Software Review analysis, handles all federal, state, and local tax filings and deposits automatically, offering a hands-off experience for busy owners.
Stand Out Features
Despite its affordability, Patriot Software does not skimp on essential functionality. Throughout our Patriot Software Review, we identified several features that elevate it above bare-bones calculators.
Full Service Tax Filing
The standout feature for most users is the Full Service Payroll option. Payroll taxes are notoriously complex, with varying deadlines for federal, state, and local agencies. Patriot takes full liability for the accuracy of these filings (provided you give them correct information). They automatically calculate, collect, and remit your payroll taxes, ensuring you never miss a deadline or face an IRS penalty.
Employee Portal
Transparency is key to employee satisfaction. Patriot includes a free employee portal where staff can log in securely to view their pay stubs, download W-2 forms, and manage their personal details. This self-service model reduces the administrative load on the business owner, as employees no longer need to email HR for copies of past paychecks.
Unlimited Payrolls
Some payroll providers charge you every time you run a payroll, which can get expensive if you have weekly pay cycles or frequent off-cycle bonuses. Patriot Software allows for unlimited payroll runs at no extra cost. This flexibility is vital for businesses with irregular pay schedules or commission-based structures.
Time and Attendance Integration
While sold as an add-on, the Time and Attendance software integrates seamlessly with the payroll module. Employees can clock in and out via their own portals, and that data flows directly into the payroll run. This eliminates the risk of manual data entry errors and saves significant time during pay periods.
Net-to-Gross Capability
Have you ever wanted to give an employee a bonus of exactly $500 after taxes? Calculating the gross amount required to hit a specific net number can be difficult manually. Patriot includes a “Net-to-Gross” tool that does this calculation instantly, a feature often overlooked but highly valued during bonus seasons.
What customers say about Patriot Software
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Fast, friendly US-based support by phone, chat and email
- Simple screens that first-time employers can use
- Low published prices with unlimited payroll runs
- Reliable tax calculations and year-end forms once set up
Common complaints
- Setup and direct deposit activation take longer than expected
- 4-day direct deposit lead time for new accounts
- Occasional trouble reaching support by phone at busy times
- Fewer HR and benefits tools than larger providers
Complaints and what customers report
Complaint volume is low for a payroll company: 6 BBB complaints in three years, compared with hundreds at larger providers. On Trustpilot the recurring negatives are slow setup, the wait to activate direct deposit, the 4-day lead time for new accounts and occasional trouble getting through by phone.
To avoid problems, finish bank verification well before your first payday, submit payroll before the cutoff, and confirm which plan you are on, because Basic customers who assume Patriot files their taxes can miss deadlines.
Cancellation and refunds
Plans are month to month with no long-term contract. You cancel by following the steps in your account. Fees are billed monthly in arrears, and Patriot’s terms say fees are not refunded once invoiced. Before you cancel, download your payroll reports and make sure the current quarter’s filings are handled, either by Patriot or your next provider.
Your tax responsibilities as an employer
The IRS holds the employer responsible for withholding, depositing and filing payroll taxes, including Forms 941, 940 and W-2, even when a payroll company does the work. Patriot’s Full Service plan advertises a tax filing reliability guarantee, but its terms say you pay any penalties caused by your own errors, such as wrong employee data or late funding. Check your EFTPS account each quarter to confirm deposits were made.
Who should look elsewhere
Patriot is a payroll and bookkeeping tool, not a PEO. A professional employer organization that co-employs your staff to handle HR and benefits. Compare payroll software or a global payroll service. If you want employee benefits run through your payroll provider, same-day or next-day pay, or workers outside the US, compare Gusto, OnPay or an Employer of record (EOR). A provider that legally employs workers on your behalf in a country where you have no entity. Compare payroll software instead.
Alternatives to Patriot Software
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Better if you pay people in several states, since multi-state filing is included in one price.
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Better if you want benefits, next-day deposit on higher tiers and a large app ecosystem in one place.
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Quickbooks Payroll
Worth a look if your books already live in QuickBooks Online. Intuit renamed QuickBooks Payroll to QuickBooks Workforce in May 2026.
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Do it yourself with IRS tools
With one or two employees you can calculate withholding with IRS Publication 15-T and pay through EFTPS for free, but you carry all filing risk.
Next steps
Patriot Software reviews
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Patriot Software cost?
Basic Payroll is $17 a month plus $4 per worker paid, and Full Service Payroll is $37 a month plus $5 per worker paid, as listed October 2026. Accounting is $20 or $30 a month. New accounts get 30 days free and 50% off for 3 months.
Can you trust Patriot Software?
Yes. It is a Canton, Ohio company that the BBB lists as in business since 2002, rated A+ with 6 complaints in three years. It scores 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot from more than 3,400 reviews.
Does Patriot Software file payroll taxes?
Only on Full Service Payroll, which files and deposits federal, state and local payroll taxes and year-end forms. Basic Payroll calculates taxes and gives you reports, but you file and pay them yourself.
How long does Patriot direct deposit take?
Standard direct deposit uses a 4-day schedule. Qualifying customers can get free 2-day direct deposit, and you can also prefund payroll.
Does Patriot Software have a free trial?
Yes, 30 days free, followed by 50% off for 3 months on software plans. Patriot also offers free setup help where its team enters your employee and year-to-date data.
Can Patriot handle employees in more than one state?
Yes. Full Service files in all 50 states, with a $12 monthly fee for each state beyond the first.
Is there a contract or cancellation fee?
No long-term contract. You can cancel in your account at any time, but fees already invoiced are not refunded.
Does Patriot Software have a mobile app?
Employees can use a mobile app on Google Play or the App Store for time and attendance. The main software runs in a mobile browser.
How many employees can Patriot handle?
Patriot says its software supports businesses from 1 to 500 employees.
Patriot Software vs Gusto: which is cheaper?
Patriot is cheaper at list price: $37 plus $5 per worker for full service versus Gusto Simple at $49 plus $6 per person. Gusto includes more benefits and HR tools, and Patriot charges extra for each additional state.
Sources (8)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- Patriot Software: Pricing (accessed October 13, 2026)
- BBB: Patriot Software LLC (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Patriot Software: Online Payroll (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Patriot Software: Direct Deposit (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Patriot Software: FAQs (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Patriot Software: Terms of Use (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Trustpilot: Patriot Software (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Patriot Software: Full Service Payroll (accessed October 13, 2026)
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