Prices verified from vendor pricing pages on September 3, 2026.
Best payroll software for small business in 2026
For most US small teams, Gusto is the best payroll software for small business in 2026: published prices, benefits and onboarding built in, starting at $49 a month plus $6 per person. OnPay is the value pick at the same math with more filing included, and Patriot Full Service is the cheapest full-service option.
The honest caveat: "best" depends on headcount, states, and whether your books already live in QuickBooks. The table below is the verified data; the picks explain the tradeoff each vendor forces on you.
Verified 2026 pricing table
| Provider | Base | Per person | 10 people | Tax filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patriot Basic | $17/mo | $4 | $57/mo | You file |
| Patriot Full Service | $37/mo | $5 | $87/mo | Included |
| Square Payroll | $35/mo | $6 | $95/mo | Included |
| Gusto (Simple) | $49/mo | $6 | $109/mo | Included |
| OnPay | $49/mo | $6 | $109/mo | Included |
| QuickBooks Workforce (Core) | $50/mo | $6.5 | $115/mo | Included |
Verified pricing as of 2026-09-03, sorted by cost for a 10-person team. Each row is checked against the vendor's own pricing page.
ADP RUN is excluded from the sort because it requires a sales quote. Third-party reviews place typical small-business quotes around $79/mo plus $6 per person — verify by phone. Source: adp.com (no public pricing).
Our picks
Gusto — Best overall for small teams
Publishes its prices, bundles benefits and onboarding, single-state payroll from $49/mo + $6/person. The smoothest first payroll you can buy.
OnPay — Best value full-service
One plan for everyone: $49/mo + $6/worker, federal, state, and local filing, multi-state included. Zero upgrade pressure at any headcount.
Patriot Full Service — Cheapest full-service
$37/mo + $5/worker with federal, state, and local filings included. Bare-bones interface, US-based phone support, no contract.
Square Payroll — Best for Square POS users
$35/mo + $6/person, imports timecards straight from Square POS. Contractor-only is $6/person with no base fee.
How we picked
Three filters: published, verifiable pricing; full-service tax filing available at every team size; and a support model a non-HR owner can actually use. We read vendor pricing pages and third-party review platforms, then price the same 10-person team on every vendor before ranking. Full method on the editorial standards page.
Which payroll software is easiest to use?
Gusto and OnPay test as the easiest for a first-time payroll admin. Square is simple too, if your time tracking already lives in Square POS. QuickBooks Workforce is easy once you know QuickBooks, and rough if you don't. ADP RUN works fine but expects you to sit through a sales call first.
Compare your own numbers
Payroll cost calculator
Estimates the monthly service fee a payroll company charges you. Wages and employer taxes are not included.
$109per month
$1,308per year
Fee inputs default to Gusto Simple pricing, verified September 3, 2026. Change them to match any quote you're holding.
When the cheapest option is the wrong answer
Patriot Basic at $17 plus $4 is the cheapest real payroll software, and for a single-state, one or two person team it can be the right pick. But you file the taxes yourself. If the phrase "Form 941" makes you tired, pay the $20 more per month for full service. Penalty risk on a missed federal deposit starts at 2% and climbs to 10% the longer it goes unpaid, which dwarfs the monthly savings.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best payroll for a business with 5 employees?
Gusto Simple at $49 + $30 = $79 a month, or OnPay at the same math with multi-state included. If all five people are contractors, Square's contractor-only plan is $30 a month total.
Is Gusto better than QuickBooks Payroll?
For a business that already runs its books in QuickBooks, yes — QuickBooks Workforce keeps payroll and accounting in one login. For a fresh start without QuickBooks, Gusto bundles more (HR, onboarding, benefits) at comparable published prices.
Who has the cheapest full-service payroll?
Patriot Full Service at $37 + $5 is the cheapest we've verified with all tax filings included. OnPay is the cheapest at scale: its per-worker price stays flat as you grow.