10 Reviews: Best Effective Payroll Software for Small Business (Apr 2024)

Quickbooks Online is a web-based accounting tool that helps small businesses manage all areas of their finances. The software can be used for bookkeeping, payroll, invoice administration, bank reconciliation, expense monitoring, financial reporting, tax management, and more. Subscription-based programs are charged on a monthly basis, with the opportunity to cancel at any time. A free expert setup is included with every subscription. It has an easy-to-use spending tracker with cleanly separated sections based on tax filing requirements, making it ideal for managing your small business. 

"...It’s easy to keep thorough, detailed records with QuickBooks Online. When you’re adding an expense, for example, you have the option of adding reference numbers, permit numbers, attachments and memos. You can also split the expense into multiple categories or items...."

by nerdwallet

Homebase speeds your payroll process, allowing you to pay your employees in a matter of seconds. It will instantly convert your timesheets into hours and wages on the payroll. Homebase calculates and pays wages and taxes to employees, the state, and the Internal Revenue Service. You can also have your tax returns processed automatically, including with 1099s and W-2s. You may save time and reduce errors by having all of your data in one place. With the help of Homebase, let’s get organized and grow your small business. 

"I honestly have not thought about payroll since switching to Homebase Payroll—which is the best endorsement I can give a platform designed to make you more efficient or take away a once tedious task. WE LOVE IT."

by Eric Murphy

Patriot Payroll is a payroll solution for companies with up to 100 employees. The software is available in two versions, both of which are free to test for 30 days. The Basic plan is $10 per month plus $4 per employee or contractor. Standard payroll features are included, but you are responsible for paying and filing payroll taxes. Payroll setup and support are among the features available in the software. Payroll runs are unlimited, Employee portal, as well as direct deposit or the possibility to print checks Integrations for workers’ compensation, accounting, and time management

“As a small business owner, there is no substitute for Patriot payroll software. Easy to use and very flexible. Highly recommended.”

by Joel

Unlimited payroll runs, direct deposit, check, or cash app, tax filing and payments, employee app, live support of payroll setup, workers’ comp insurance, healthcare and retirement benefits, and HR partners to aid with compliance are some of the features of the full-service payroll program from Square. Through the square team management integration, you can conduct payroll from your phone, as well as sync employee hours, adjust permissions, and review sales. Square has no long-term contracts; You can cancel or halt billing at any moment.

"You don’t need five different systems to run a business. With Square, it’s all in one which makes it easy—and it’s affordable!"

by Heli Prilliman

It provides three solutions for your small business, each with a different price range and geared to meet different needs. Its Core Plan, which costs $39 per month plus $6 per employee, isn’t the cheapest we found, but it’s still affordable and comes with everything you need to run payroll. Gusto’s three subscriptions include unlimited payroll runs, direct payment, tax filings, W-2s and 1099s, and much more. Gusto offers health insurance in most states, which you can use to design a benefits package for your employees.

"..It has steadily improved over the years, adding new functionality recently in areas like user permissions, state payroll tax registration, global contractor payments, and HR support tools. ..."

by PC Mag

When you need free help transferring payroll agencies, including the migration of prior period payroll data, OnPay may be a good choice to explore. OnPay has a single plan with the price that may be found on their website. The monthly fee is $36 plus $4 per person, with the first month free. Because you’re only billed for the people you actually pay during the month, OnPay may be a good fit for your business if you’re paying contractors or part-time employees. Before performing payroll, you choose the workers you wish to pay and then enter their hours or earnings.

"User-friendly, excellent customer support, super easy on a small budget and I am 100% comfortable in leaving everything in their capable hands. Simply click a button on payday and it's done."

by Tina S.

Paychex Flex has a number of plans for expanding companies. You can begin with a lower-tier plan and upgrade to a more expensive and robust one as needed. Paychex Flex Essentials is the most basic option, with a monthly base price of $39 plus $5 per employee. Quote-based pricing is offered for Paychex Flex Select, Paychex Flex Pro, and Paychex Flex Enterprise, which offer more sophisticated capabilities. You get more services with the Select and Pro options, such as a dedicated payroll consultant to assist you with tax or payroll concerns

"... There are three basic tiers of payroll service, created to serve a single self-employed person, small and medium-sized businesses, and companies with more than one thousand employees.."

by US News

ADP is a well-known payroll service that also offers a number of HR services if needed. SMBs and enterprises can benefit from their expertise. ADP is unquestionably one of the most well-known payroll companies that will support your small business. They’ve been processing payroll since it was done by hand 70 years ago. Their product can now serve the world’s most powerful corporations. In addition to PEOs and payroll management, ADP is a complete HRIS.

"..ADP is one of the best-known payroll providers out there, and it offers a wide variety of plans to try and meet your needs. It could be a great option if you see your business growing quickly...."

by US News

Zenefits has a payroll solution that can integrate with other HR operations like time tracking, new employee onboarding, and benefit deductions automatically. The Essentials plan, which costs $8 per month per employee, is the cheapest of the three. The Growth plan costs $14 per employee per month, while the Zen plan costs $21 per employee per month. Unlimited payroll runs, including contractor payments, direct deposit, federal and state tax filing, lifetime account access for employees, automatic state notification of new hires, prorated payments for new employees, and payroll, tax, and general ledger reporting are just a few of the many features of the payroll software.

"... It incorporates all of the elements of its previous version, including the HR app directory and partner integrations. By adding features such as Plan Building and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Zenefits has strengthened an already impressive platform..."

by PC Mag

Connecteam does everything, and then some, whether you need to track your employees’ time easily to guarantee they clock in without needing to check in on them or offer clear timesheets for payroll. Connecteam’s seamless interface with Quickbooks Online payroll software makes it simple to ensure that payroll runs smoothly and accurately. Simply lock your timesheets and export them with a single click. They’re incorporated into your QBO program in a matter of seconds, and you can handle your payroll with ease.

"We are very satisfied with the app, as well as the service! Thank you for helping us work through the initial transition and we appreciate your team's attention to detail. Our staff have adapted to using the app with incredible ease and we are looking forward to using this as a tool moving forward."

by Sarah L.