Best Payroll Software 2026
Payroll software to automate pay runs, tax filings, direct deposits, and compliance for businesses of every size.
29 products reviewed and compared
Payroll software automates the process of paying employees accurately and on time. These platforms handle wage calculations, federal and state tax withholding, direct deposit, W-2 and 1099 generation, benefits deductions, and compliance reporting. Most modern payroll tools also integrate with time tracking, HR systems, and accounting software to eliminate double data entry.
Quick Comparison: Top Payroll Software
| Product | Best For | Starting Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADP Run | Businesses in multiple states needing bulletproof tax compliance | $59/mo | 7.8/10 |
| Gusto | Small businesses and startups (1-100 employees) | $40/mo | 4.6/10 |
| Deel | Companies hiring employees across 10+ countries without local entities | $29/mo | 8.5/10 |
| Workday | Large enterprises (1,000+ employees) | Contact Sales | 4.3/10 |
| Rippling | Tech companies with IT management needs | $8/mo | 4.7/10 |
All Payroll Software
ADP Run
7.8
(5600 reviews)Small business payroll from ADP, the world's largest payroll provider. Automatic tax filing and compliance built on decades of expertise.
From $59/mo
Gusto
4.6
(5247 reviews)Payroll and HR platform for small businesses with benefits, compliance, and hiring tools.
From $40/mo
Deel
8.5
(14406 reviews)Global payroll and HR platform for hiring, managing, and paying international employees and contractors in 150+ countries.
From $29/mo
Workday
4.3
(1523 reviews)Enterprise cloud platform for HR, finance, and planning with AI-powered insights.
Contact Sales
Rippling
4.7
(1892 reviews)Modern HR platform combining employee management, IT, and finance in one system.
From $8/mo
Oracle HCM Cloud
4.6
(1606 reviews)Enterprise HCM platform with AI-driven talent management, global payroll, and unified HR for large organizations.
Contact Sales
Paychex Flex
7.5
(4100 reviews)Scalable payroll and HR platform from Paychex, serving businesses from 1 employee to 1,000+. Strong compliance and retirement services.
From $39/mo
Xero
8.5
(4800 reviews)Cloud accounting platform with beautiful design, unlimited users, and strong multi-currency support.
From $15/mo
BambooHR
4.5
(2847 reviews)HR software for small and medium businesses with hiring, onboarding, and employee management.
From $6/mo
ADP Workforce Now
4.1
(3892 reviews)Comprehensive HR suite for mid-size businesses with payroll, benefits, talent, and compliance.
Contact Sales
Paychex
4.0
(2891 reviews)Payroll and HR services for businesses of all sizes with local support options.
Contact Sales
UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group)
3.9
(3412 reviews)Enterprise HCM platform from the merger of Ultimate Software and Kronos, covering HR, payroll, and workforce management.
Contact Sales
Paylocity
4.3
(1847 reviews)Cloud HR and payroll platform for mid-market companies with modern employee experience.
Contact Sales
Wave
8.0
(5600 reviews)Free accounting software for small businesses with invoicing, receipts, and financial reporting.
Free
Paycom
8.1
(2800 reviews)Enterprise-grade payroll and HCM platform with employee-driven data entry. Beti technology lets employees manage their own payroll.
Contact Sales
Justworks
8.5
(1284 reviews)PEO platform that bundles payroll, benefits, compliance, and HR tools for small and mid-sized businesses.
From $59/mo
Personio
7.8
(2156 reviews)European HR platform for SMBs handling payroll, recruiting, time tracking, and people management in one system.
From $3/mo
TriNet
7.2
(1856 reviews)Full-service PEO for SMBs offering payroll, benefits, compliance, risk management, and HR consulting.
From $125/mo
Remote.com
4.1
(892 reviews)Global employment platform that lets you hire and pay employees worldwide without setting up local entities.
From $29/mo
OnPay
8.3
(1400 reviews)Straightforward payroll and HR for small businesses. One plan at $40/month + $6/person with no feature gating or upsells.
From $40/mo
Sage 50
7.5
(3500 reviews)Desktop-first accounting for SMBs in manufacturing, distribution, and construction with deep inventory tools.
From $50/mo
Zenefits
3.9
(1423 reviews)HR platform for small businesses with payroll, benefits, and compliance built-in.
From $8/mo
Papaya Global
7.8
(187 reviews)Global payroll and payments platform that processes payroll in 160+ countries with built-in compliance.
From $12/mo
iSolved
7.5
(943 reviews)HCM platform for SMBs sold through a network of local partners who handle implementation and support.
From $5/mo
Factorial
4.0
(1283 reviews)European HR platform for SMBs covering time tracking, payroll, documents, and performance reviews.
From $5/mo
Holded
7.8
(3200 reviews)Spanish cloud ERP combining accounting, invoicing, CRM, projects, and HR in one platform built for Spain and Latin America.
From $10/mo
Patriot Payroll
7.6
(980 reviews)Budget-friendly payroll software starting at $17/month. Basic and full-service options for very small businesses under 20 employees.
From $17/mo
Namely
3.4
(1287 reviews)Mid-market HR platform for companies with 50-1,000 employees covering HR, payroll, benefits, and talent.
From $12/mo
SurePayroll
7.2
(720 reviews)Simple online payroll from Paychex for small businesses under 10 employees. AutoPilot runs payroll automatically every cycle.
From $19.99/mo
How to Choose the Right Payroll Software
Payroll software automates the process of paying employees accurately and on time. These platforms handle wage calculations, federal and state tax withholding, direct deposit, W-2 and 1099 generation, benefits deductions, and compliance reporting. Most modern payroll tools also integrate with time tracking, HR systems, and accounting software to eliminate double data entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
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