--- title: "7 Best Payroll Software Picks for Small Business | Capterra" description: "I reviewed 1,755 Capterra reviews to find the best payroll software for small business in 2026. From time tracking to full-service, here is what the data shows." source_url: "https://www.capterra.com/resources/payroll-software-for-small-businesses/" page_type: "article" language: "en" publication_date: "2026-07-24" --- Accounting BasicsFinance & Accounting # My 7 Best Payroll Software Picks for Small Business in 2026, Based on 1,755 Capterra Reviews Written by: Emilie Audubert Emilie AudubertAuthor Content Analyst Experience Emilie Audubert is a content analyst with more than ten years of experience spanning software buying decisions, market shifts, and... [See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/emilie-audubert/) Published July 24, 2026 | Updated on October 29, 2026 18 min read Table of Contents - [Patriot Software: Best for the most affordable full-service](#1-patriot-software-best-for-the-most-affordable-full-service-payroll) - [Payworks: Best for dedicated, one-on-one payroll support](#2-payworks-best-for-dedicated-one-on-one-payroll-support) - [RUN Powered by ADP: Best for payroll and HR compliance from](#3-run-powered-by-adp-best-for-payroll-and-hr-compliance-from-a-trusted-name) - [OnTheClock: Best for time tracking](#4-ontheclock-best-for-time-tracking-and-payroll-in-one-system) - [QuickBooks Payroll: Best for businesses that keep payroll](#5-quickbooks-payroll-best-for-businesses-that-keep-payroll-and-finances-centralized) - [Gusto: Best for full-service payroll and benefits for](#6-gusto-best-for-full-service-payroll-and-benefits-for-growing-small-businesses) - [Homebase: Best for hourly and shift-based teams that want](#7-homebase-best-for-hourly-and-shift-based-teams-that-want-scheduling-and-payroll-together) **TL;DR:** _In this article, I share my picks for the 7_ [_best payroll software_](https://www.capterra.com/payroll-software/) _for small businesses, evaluated on ease of payroll processing, tax filing and compliance handling, value for money, and customer support based on 1,755 verified small business reviews on Capterra over the last two years._ When small business owners explain why they chose, or left, a payroll tool, they rarely talk about the payroll run itself. In the reviews I read, the conversation is about cost, support you can actually reach, and whether the tool connects to the rest of the business. Capterra’s 2026 LMS and HR Software Trends Survey\* backs this up: 84% of HR leaders already use payroll software, but 33% of those who switched in the past year did so to improve system integrations. This is why I’ve identified 7 of the best payroll software picks for small business, 4 from Capterra's 25-product Shortlist for payroll software, and 3 more that earned their place on SMB-specific review strength alone, based on 1,755 verified Capterra reviews from companies with 2 to 200 employees. I’ve looked at where each product stands out and the type of business it’s best suited to. The tools I’ve chosen are listed in ranking order based on their overall score from small business reviewers on Capterra over the last two years, with ties broken by review count. ## The best payroll software for small business at a glance on Capterra | Product | Best for | Overall rating over last two years | \# reviews in last two years | Starting price | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Patriot Software](https://www.capterra.com/p/116050/Patriot-Software/) | Most affordable full-service payroll | 4.85/5 | 203 | $17/month + $4/employee | | [Payworks](https://www.capterra.com/p/235453/Payworks/) | Dedicated, one-on-one payroll support | 4.79/5 | 110 | Contact vendor | | [RUN Powered by ADP](https://www.capterra.com/p/185859/RUN/) | Payroll and HR compliance from a trusted name | 4.71/5 | 727 | Contact vendor | | [OnTheClock](https://www.capterra.com/p/130009/OnTheClock-com/) | Time tracking and payroll in one system | 4.63/5 | 264 | Time clock from $4/user/month + $5 base/month; payroll add-on $6/employee/month + $40 base fee/month | | [QuickBooks Payroll](https://www.capterra.com/p/174981/QuickBooks/) | Businesses already using QuickBooks for accounting | 4.58/5 | 107 | $45/month + $6.50/employee | | [Gusto](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/) | Full-service payroll and benefits for growing small businesses | 4.54/5 | 232 | $49/month + $6/user | | [Homebase](https://www.capterra.com/p/153076/Homebase/) | Hourly and shift-based teams that want scheduling and payroll together | 4.49/5 | 112 | Free scheduling and time clock (up to 10 employees); Paid plan from $30/month + payroll at $49/month base fee + $6/month per employee paid | _Ratings and review counts reflect verified payroll software reviews from small businesses with 2 to 200 employees on Capterra over the last two years, as of October 27th, 2026. Pricing noted per product is indicative and should be confirmed on each vendor's site._ ## How I chose this list I built this list from Capterra's Shortlist for payroll software, dated January 5, 2026, which started with 25 products holding 36,503 reviews between them. Four of my 7 picks, Patriot Software, RUN Powered by ADP, QuickBooks Payroll, and Gusto, come directly from that Shortlist. The other 3, OnTheClock, Homebase, and Payworks, aren't on the core Shortlist but earned their place on SMB-specific review strength and genuine payroll relevance. To qualify, a product had to: Hold a minimum overall rating of 4.0 and carry at least 20 reviews from companies with 2 to 200 employees, based on reviews from the last two years. Be a genuine payroll platform, or deliver payroll as a core, substantial capability rather than an incidental feature. I deliberately excluded accounting and HR suites where payroll is a secondary feature, even when they cleared the rating bar. Fall within Capterra's payroll software category definition: core payroll processing, tax filing and compliance handling, and direct deposit or payment distribution. I then ranked the qualifying tools by overall rating, breaking ties by review volume. Reviews were assessed on four dimensions: ease of payroll processing, tax filing and compliance handling, value for money, and customer support. ## 1\. Patriot Software: Best for the most affordable full-service payroll This Patriot Software screen shows the payroll approval step, with hourly employee totals and gross and net pay before processing (Source: [Capterra](https://www.capterra.com/p/116050/Patriot-Software/)) [Patriot Software](https://www.capterra.com/p/116050/Patriot-Software/) is a payroll platform built for small businesses running payroll without a dedicated payroll team, with Basic and Full Service tiers that let owners choose how much tax work to hand off. Many of its reviews tell a similar story: a business owner who switched from a pricier payroll provider specifically to reduce costs. That switch doesn’t come at the expense of service: Patriot’s support rating (4.96) and value rating (4.85) are both among the highest on this list, and support itself is the second most cited theme, raised by 32% of reviewers. Ease of use rounds out the picture, named by 57%. #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Device Compatibilty **Key features** - **Full-service payroll with automated tax filing:** The Full Service plan handles all federal, state, and local payroll tax deposits and filings, including quarterly 941s and year-end W-2s. - **Basic and Full Service plan options:** Basic Payroll lets you manage your own tax filings; Full Service adds complete tax handling for owners who want payroll fully off their plate. - **2-day direct deposit:** Available on the Full Service plan for trusted accounts after an initial 4-day period. - **Employee self-service portal:** Employees access their own pay stubs and W-2s online. - **QuickBooks integration:** Connects natively to QuickBooks Online and Desktop, posting payroll entries to accounting automatically. **What users like about Patriot Software:** Reviewers describe a platform that delivers on the fundamentals without overcomplicating the product. - Ease of use is the top theme, cited by 57% of reviewers. - Support comes up next, mentioned by 32%. - Value and affordability are called out separately by 10% and 8%. **What users dislike about Patriot Software:** Complaints are thin and center on reporting depth, not the core product. - Reporting limitations are the most common concern, raised by 11% of reviewers. - Missing features and integration gaps are each cited by a smaller share, 4% and 2%. - No mobile app is mentioned by a few reviewers managing payroll away from the office. **What a verified reviewer says:** "I like that Patriot takes care of all of the Federal and State filings for me. This saves me a lot of time and worry about getting things filed correctly and on time. It was really nice not having to purchase W-2's at year end." Patricia, Accountant, Accounting _**Bottom line:**_ _Patriot Software scores 4.85 out of five. Ease of use and support are its strongest, most consistently cited themes. It is best for owner-operators and bookkeepers handling payroll for the first time without a dedicated payroll team, and less suited to businesses needing mobile access or advanced reporting._ ## 2\. Payworks: Best for dedicated, one-on-one payroll support This Payworks home screen shows payroll run countdown, pending time-off requests, and year-end resources alongside product updates. (Source: [Capterra](https://www.capterra.com/p/235453/Payworks/)) [Payworks](https://www.capterra.com/p/235453/Payworks/) is a Canadian payroll processor built around CRA and provincial tax compliance, support, and self-service, not a US-focused platform with Canada bolted on. Every client is assigned a dedicated service representative who knows their account, rather than being routed through a rotating support queue. Reviewers bear that out: support and customer service together are cited by 16% and 11% of reviewers. Payworks also posts the highest value rating on this list, 4.86, and ease of use rounds out the themes at 44%. #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Device Compatibilty **Key features** - **Automatic CRA and Revenu Québec remittances:** Payroll processing calculates and files government remittances without a manual submission step. - **Dedicated service representative:** Clients are assigned a named point of contact, rather than a rotating support queue. - **Employee self-service:** Employees access pay stubs, time off requests, and tax documents directly. - **Time and absence management:** Modules sit alongside core payroll in the same platform. **What users like about Payworks:** Reviewers describe a platform built around a named point of contact, not a self-serve tool. - Ease of use is the top theme, cited by 44% of reviewers. - Support comes up next, mentioned by 16%. - Customer service specifically is called out separately by 11%. **What users dislike about Payworks:** Complaints are thin and center on reporting depth. - Reporting limitations are the most common concern, raised by 10% of reviewers. - A learning curve is mentioned by 3%, and interface feedback by a similar share. **What a verified reviewer says:** "Payworks is created with all steps in mind, leaving peace of mind that everything is flowing easily from the payroll clerk to the employee. Integrations such as ROE processing, CRA payments, T4 filing, Warnings, and a stellar service department makes payroll a great tool box." Lisa Petrovic, President, Accounting _**Bottom line:**_ _Payworks scores 4.79 out of five, with the highest value rating on this list. It is best for Canadian businesses that want dedicated payroll compliance and a named support representative, and less suited to teams that need deep reporting customization._ ## 3\. RUN Powered by ADP: Best for payroll and HR compliance from a trusted name This RUN Powered by ADP home screen shows the upcoming payroll run, top things to do, last payroll summary, and report shortcuts. (Source: [Capterra](https://www.capterra.com/p/185859/RUN/)) [RUN Powered by ADP](https://www.capterra.com/p/185859/RUN/) centers on a dashboard that shows upcoming payroll, pending to-dos, and reports all in one view, matching what reviewers describe most. It’s a full-service payroll platform built around automated tax filing, AI-powered error detection, and HR tools like onboarding and handbook builders on higher-tier plans, positioning it as a fuller solution than a standalone payroll tool. That tracks with what reviewers describe: a platform that stays accurate without them having to track tax deadlines themselves. Support is the second most cited theme, raised by 28% of reviewers, and it also holds the largest review base on this list by a wide margin, 727 reviews, with ease of use leading the overall feedback at 55%. #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Device Compatibilty **Key features** - **Automated payroll with tax filing:** Handles federal, state, and local tax calculations, deposits, and quarterly filings automatically. Year-end W-2 and 1099 preparation is included across all plans. - **AI-powered Payroll Inspector:** Flags payroll anomalies before submission, catching errors such as duplicate payments, unusual deductions, or missing hours before they become a problem. - **HR tools included:** Employee onboarding, handbook builder, job description templates, and access to HR advisors are available on higher-tier plans, making it a fuller solution than a standalone payroll tool. - **Mobile payroll:** The full payroll run can be completed from a mobile device, which several reviewers specifically mention as a reason they stayed with the platform. - **Direct deposit with multiple speed options:** Standard, two-day, and same-day direct deposit are available depending on plan, with automated payday notifications to employees. **What users like about RUN Powered by ADP:** Reviewers describe a dashboard that surfaces what needs attention before they have to look for it. - Ease of use is the top theme, cited by 55% of reviewers. - Support comes up next, mentioned by 28%. - Tax handling is called out separately by 10%. **What users dislike about RUN Powered by ADP:** Complaints center on cost and support responsiveness, not the core product. - Cost concerns are the most common, raised by 7% of reviewers. - Support response times are mentioned by 8%. - Pricing transparency, since ADP doesn't publish rates, is cited by 3%. **What a verified reviewer says:** "I love using RUN from ADP. It takes the guesswork out of completing payroll. It makes life easy for me by automatically calculating taxes, ensuring tax compliance, easy access to reports, and the readily available access for employee's portal online." Michelle T., HR Manager, Design _**Bottom line:**_ _RUN Powered by ADP scores 4.71 out of five, with the largest review base on this list. It is best for businesses that want payroll and HR compliance handled by a trusted, established provider, and less suited to teams that need published, predictable pricing upfront._ ## 4\. OnTheClock: Best for time tracking and payroll in one system This OnTheClock screen shows a combined PTO request spanning three days, with hours entered per day and a running total before submission. (Source: [Capterra](https://www.capterra.com/p/130009/OnTheClock-com/)) [OnTheClock](https://www.capterra.com/p/130009/OnTheClock-com/) is a time tracking tool built to feed directly into payroll, letting employees clock in and request PTO in the same app, with both flowing straight into the numbers a manager needs to run payroll. The numbers back that up: clocking in and out is called out separately by 21% of reviewers, the clearest sign of where OnTheClock’s real value sits. Ease of use tops the feedback overall at 66%, and payroll itself is mentioned by 6%, consistent with its role here as a time tracking tool that feeds payroll rather than a payroll platform in its own right. #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Device Compatibilty **Key features** - **Time clock with GPS:** Employees clock in and out from any device, with location logging at each punch. Managers get a real-time view of who is clocked in and where, with late arrival alerts. - **PTO and leave tracking:** Employees request time off directly in the platform. Approved leave feeds into timesheets automatically, removing the manual adjustment before each pay run. - **Payroll-ready reporting:** Timesheets export in formats compatible with QuickBooks Online, Gusto, ADP, Paychex, and Sage Payroll, reducing re-entry between time tracking and payroll processing. - **Job and project time tracking:** Employees log time against specific jobs or departments, useful for businesses that need to allocate labor costs by project or client. - **Transparent per-user pricing:** $4 per user per month plus a $5 base fee, with no feature tiers. The full feature set is available at every price point, making total cost straightforward to calculate before committing. **What users like about OnTheClock:** Reviewers describe a platform that handles time tracking and PTO requests in the same place. - Ease of use is the top theme, cited by 66% of reviewers. - Clocking in and out is mentioned separately by 21%. - Payroll integration is called out by 6%. **What users dislike about OnTheClock:** Complaints are modest and spread across a few smaller issues. - Glitches are the most common concern, raised by 8% of reviewers. - Slowness is mentioned by 6%. - Interface and reporting feedback are each cited by a smaller share, 3% and 4%. **What a verified reviewer says:** "It is easy to use and makes payroll a breeze to do now. It calculates time and you can even set it to calculate overtime. You can put time off request in on the app which helps keep track of PTO." Sandra D., City Secretary, Government Administration _**Bottom line:**_ _OnTheClock scores 4.63 out of five. It is best for small businesses that want time tracking and PTO requests feeding directly into payroll without a separate system, and less suited to teams needing a dedicated payroll platform on its own._ ## 5\. QuickBooks Payroll: Best for businesses that keep payroll and finances centralized This QuickBooks Payroll screen shows upcoming federal and state tax due dates alongside quarterly and annual tax forms ready to file. (Source: [Capterra](https://www.capterra.com/p/174981/QuickBooks/)) [QuickBooks Payroll](https://www.capterra.com/p/174981/QuickBooks/) is built for small businesses already running their books on QuickBooks, posting payroll entries straight to the general ledger with no manual transfer step. It also pulls employee hours directly from QuickBooks Time into payroll, and routes pay stubs, W-2s, and personal details through a self-service Workforce portal, keeping most of the admin work inside the same ecosystem. Reviewers confirm that’s the real draw: QuickBooks integration is the theme that sets this apart, cited by 42%, and tax handling specifically, exactly what’s shown above, follows at 27%. Ease of use rounds out the top themes at 58%, though support is the clearest weak point, the most cited complaint at 21%, and QuickBooks Payroll’s lowest support rating (4.28) on this list. #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Device Compatibilty **Key features** - **QuickBooks integration:** Payroll entries post directly to the QuickBooks Online general ledger with no manual export or import step, keeping bookkeeping and payroll in sync in real time. - **Automated tax filing:** Handles federal and state payroll tax calculations, deposits, and year-end filings including W-2s and 1099s automatically on Core, Premium, and Elite plans. - **Employee self-service via Workforce:** Employees access their own pay stubs, W-2s, and personal information through the QuickBooks Workforce portal, reducing routine admin requests. - **Time tracking import:** Integrates with QuickBooks Time to pull employee hours directly into payroll, removing manual timesheet entry before each pay run. - **Same-day and next-day direct deposit:** Available on higher-tier plans, allowing more flexibility around payroll timing compared to the four-day default on the Core plan. **What users like about QuickBooks Payroll:** Reviewers describe payroll and accounting tracked in the same system rather than two separate tools. - Ease of use is the top theme, cited by 58% of reviewers. - QuickBooks integration comes up next, mentioned by 42%. - Tax handling is called out separately by 27%. **What users dislike about QuickBooks Payroll:** Complaints center on support, the clearest weak point for this product. - Support is the most cited concern, raised by 21% of reviewers. - Cost is mentioned by 13%. - Pricing increases over time are cited by 3%. **What a verified reviewer says:** "Very easy to set up and I love that they make the taxes auto to be paid. Able to create new employees with simplicity." Kris Clark, Executive Administrative Assistant, Mental Health Care _**Bottom line:**_ _QuickBooks Payroll scores 4.58 out of five, but carries the lowest support rating on this list. It is best for businesses already on QuickBooks that want payroll and tax filings tracked in the same system, and less suited to teams that prioritize responsive support._ ## 6\. Gusto: Best for full-service payroll and benefits for growing small businesses This Gusto screen shows a payroll run in progress, with hours worked, additional earnings, and gross pay broken out per employee before confirmation. (Source: [Capterra](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/)) [Gusto](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/) is described by reviewers as a single system handling payroll, benefits, onboarding, and contractor payments together, rather than several disconnected tools. That breadth extends to how pay itself is calculated: hours, overtime, commission, and reimbursements all roll into one gross pay figure per employee. Reviewers back up that range of coverage with specific themes: benefits administration is cited by 13% and onboarding by 10%, alongside ease of use leading the overall feedback at 52%. Support is the clearest weak point, the most cited complaint at 11%, and Gusto’s own support rating (4.35) is the lowest on this list after QuickBooks Payroll. #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Device Compatibilty **Key features** - **Automated payroll with full tax filing:** Handles federal, state, and local tax calculations, deposits, and filings automatically, including year-end W-2s and 1099s for contractors. - **Benefits administration:** Manages health insurance, dental, vision, 401(k), and workers’ comp in the same platform as payroll. - **Employee self-service portal:** Employees access pay stubs, tax documents, and time-off requests from a dedicated app. - **Contractor payments:** Pays 1099 contractors alongside W-2 employees in the same payroll run. **What users like about Gusto** Reviewers describe a platform that covers payroll, benefits, and HR without needing separate tools for each. - Ease of use is the top theme, cited by 52% of reviewers. - Benefits administration comes up next, mentioned by 13%. - Onboarding is called out separately by 10%. **What users dislike about Gusto** Complaints center on support and benefits specifically, not core payroll. - Support is the most cited concern, raised by 11% of reviewers. - Benefits administration issues are mentioned by 6%. - Cost is cited by 4%. **What a verified Capterra reviewer says** “Easy to use, multiple different employees can use (w2, or 1099). Easy to request reimbursements and upload receipts. Time clock and adding hours is simple and great reporting.” Ashley M., HR, Wholesale **Bottom line:** _Gusto scores 4.54 out of five. It is best for small, growing businesses that want payroll, benefits, and basic HR in one platform, and less suited to businesses that prioritize fast support response times over feature breadth._ ## 7\. Homebase: Best for hourly and shift-based teams that want scheduling and payroll together This Homebase screen shows an upcoming payroll run synced from timesheets, with payday, deadline, and payroll actions all visible together. (Source: [Capterra](https://www.capterra.com/p/153076/Homebase/)) [Homebase](https://www.capterra.com/p/153076/Homebase/) pairs scheduling with payroll in a single platform, aimed at hourly and shift-based teams rather than payroll alone. The free plan covers scheduling and time tracking for up to 10 employees at one location, with payroll sold as a separate add-on. Scheduling ties with ease of use for the top spot among reviewer themes, each cited by 46%, a genuine tie rather than one edging out the other. Support is where the product falls short: it’s the most cited complaint at 7%, and Homebase’s support rating (4.18) is the lowest on this list. #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Device Compatibilty **Key features** - **Free plan for up to 10 employees:** Scheduling, time clock, timesheets, and basic team messaging at no cost for a single location. - **GPS-enabled time clock:** Employees clock in and out from their phones with location verification. - **Shift scheduling and swap management:** Drag-and-drop schedule builder with employee availability requests and shift swaps. - **Team messaging:** Built-in chat and announcements for communicating schedule changes. **What users like about Homebase** Reviewers describe choosing Homebase specifically for scheduling and payroll together, not payroll alone. - Scheduling is the top theme, cited by 46% of reviewers. - Ease of use ties with it, also 46%. - Team communication and messaging are called out separately by 11% and 7%. **What users dislike about Homebase** Complaints center on feature limits and support, not the core scheduling and payroll functions. - Feature limitations are the most cited concern, raised by 14% of reviewers. - Support is mentioned by 7%. - Limited functionality more broadly is cited by 4%. **What a verified Capterra reviewer says** “Integrating time cards/hours with payroll. Best customer service for anyone who provides scheduling and payroll.” Tom H., President, Hospitality _**Bottom line:**_ _Homebase scores 4.49 out of five, the lowest overall rating on this list. It is best for hourly and shift-based teams that want scheduling and payroll in one place, with a free starting plan, and less suited to businesses prioritizing dedicated payroll depth over scheduling._ ## How to choose the right payroll software for small business Picking the right platform here has less to do with overall rating and more to do with matching the tool to how your business actually runs payroll day to day. **Does your business need a dedicated payroll platform, or does payroll fit inside a broader tool you already use?** Patriot Software, RUN Powered by ADP, QuickBooks Payroll, and Gusto come directly from Capterra's payroll Shortlist. OnTheClock and Homebase are time tracking and scheduling tools first, with payroll feeding in or sold as an add-on, worth knowing if payroll depth matters more to you than the tool it's bundled with. **How much does ease of use actually vary across these picks?** More than you'd expect. OnTheClock leads at 66% of reviewers citing it, while QuickBooks Payroll sits at 58% and Gusto at 52%, each shaped by a different kind of simplicity: OnTheClock's single clock-in-to-payroll loop, QuickBooks Payroll's single ecosystem, Gusto's breadth handled without a dedicated HR background. **Which platforms tie payroll to a system you might already use?** QuickBooks Payroll connects directly to QuickBooks accounting. OnTheClock exports to QuickBooks, Gusto, ADP, Paychex, and Sage Payroll. Homebase syncs timesheets straight into its own payroll run. If you're already on one of these, that connection is worth weighing before switching platforms entirely. **Does your team need scheduling and time tracking built in, or payroll on its own?** Homebase and OnTheClock both built their reputation on the scheduling and time-tracking side, with payroll layered on top. Patriot Software, RUN Powered by ADP, QuickBooks Payroll, and Gusto are payroll-first, with time tracking as more of a secondary feature. **Where does support fall short, and does that match what you need?** Support is the most cited complaint for three of the seven picks: Gusto (11%), QuickBooks Payroll (21%, the lowest support rating on this list), and RUN Powered by ADP (8%, despite its large review base). Patriot Software and Payworks both post the highest support ratings here, worth considering if responsive support matters more to you than feature breadth. ## Frequently asked questions What is payroll software for small businesses? Payroll software for small businesses automates the process of calculating employee wages, withholding taxes, processing direct deposits, and filing payroll tax returns. For small businesses, the main value is removing the risk of manual calculation errors and missed tax deadlines, which carry penalties regardless of company size. Most tools on this list handle federal, state, and local tax filings automatically on their full-service plans. What is the best payroll software for small businesses? The best payroll software depends on what your business actually needs. Patriot Software is the strongest option if affordability and simplicity are the priority. Payworks suits businesses that need dedicated Canadian payroll compliance. RUN Powered by ADP fits businesses that want payroll and HR compliance in one place. Gusto works well for teams that also need benefits administration. If you're already in the QuickBooks ecosystem, QuickBooks Payroll removes the need to transfer data between systems. Is there free payroll software for small businesses? Homebase comes closest: its free plan covers scheduling and time tracking for up to 10 employees at one location, though payroll itself is a paid add-on. For most small businesses, a paid full-service plan is worth the cost for the tax filing support alone. What is the easiest payroll software for a small business? OnTheClock scores highest, cited by 66% of reviewers, followed by Patriot Software at 57%. OnTheClock is the simplest option specifically for time tracking and payroll combined, while Patriot Software is the simplest dedicated payroll platform on its own. How much does payroll software cost for a small business? Most payroll software follows a base fee plus a per-employee monthly charge. Prices in this list range from $17 per month plus $4 per employee (Patriot Software) at the lower end, to $49 per month plus $6 per person (Gusto) at the higher end. RUN Powered by ADP and Payworks don't publish pricing publicly. Costs increase as you add employees or upgrade to full-service plans. Does payroll software for small businesses integrate with accounting software? Most tools in this list connect to major accounting platforms, with payroll entries posting automatically to avoid duplicate data entry. If integration is a priority, verify your specific accounting tool is supported before committing. It is worth checking: 33% of those who switched payroll tools in the past year did so specifically to improve integrations. ## Capterra's 2026 Software Buying Trends Report ### Download our 2026 Software Buying Trends Report to see how successful software adopters avoid disappointment and how your business can, too. * * * Looking for Payroll software? Check out Capterra's list of the [best Payroll software](https://www.capterra.com/payroll-software/) solutions. ### Was this article helpful? * * * ## About the Author [### Emilie Audubert](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/emilie-audubert/) Emilie Audubert is a Content Analyst at Capterra with over 10 years of experience in software research and content strategy. Her coverage spans Human Resources, payroll, performance management, knowledge base, association management, field service management, manufacturing, and AI software. She combines user reviews, buyer insights, and market research to create data-driven content that helps businesses make informed software decisions. ### RELATED READING - [Gusto vs. ADP Workforce Now: Which Payroll Software Fits Your Business?](https://www.capterra.com/resources/gusto-vs-adp-workforce-now/) - [My 5 Best Free Time Tracking Software Picks in 2026, Based on 4,015 Capterra Reviews](https://www.capterra.com/resources/best-free-time-tracking-software-reviews-analysis/) - [My 7 Best Time Tracking Software Picks for Ease of Use in 2026, Based on 8,855 Capterra Reviews](https://www.capterra.com/resources/best-time-tracking-software-reviews-analysis/) - [9 Best Applicant Tracking Systems for Small Business (2026)](https://www.capterra.com/resources/best-applicant-tracking-system/) - [Compensation Management Software Pricing in 2026: What Are Buyers Actually Paying?](https://www.capterra.com/resources/compensation-management-software-pricing-models/) - [My 5 Best Free Applicant Tracking System Picks in 2026, Based on 5,544 Capterra Reviews](https://www.capterra.com/resources/free-applicant-tracking-system-reviews-analysis/) - [Human Services Case Management Software: My 5 Picks From 900+ Verified Capterra Reviews](https://www.capterra.com/resources/human-services-case-management-software-reviews/) - [Employee Scheduling Software Pricing in 2026: What Are Buyers Actually Paying?](https://www.capterra.com/resources/employee-scheduling-software-pricing-models/) - [Best Employee Scheduling Software in 2026: My Picks Based on My Analysis of 2,678 Capterra Reviews](https://www.capterra.com/resources/best-employee-scheduling-software-reviews-analysis/) Reviews were assessed from October 2024 to October 2026. All ratings and review counts reflect data as of the time of publication. Pricing was verified against official vendor pricing pages in October 2026. To be included in this list, each product had to: 1. Be included on [Capterra’s Shortlist for payroll software](https://www.capterra.com/payroll-software/shortlist/), or deliver payroll as a genuine, substantial capability where it wasn’t 2. Have a minimum of 20 verified Capterra reviews from small business reviewers (2 to 200 employees) in the last two years 3. Have an overall rating of 4.0 or above based on reviews in the last two years 4. Be a payroll-first platform, or a time tracking and scheduling tool where payroll is a core, documented feature, not an accounting or HR suite where payroll is secondary To build this list: - I analyzed the 25 products on Capterra’s Shortlist for payroll software, narrowing the list to the 7 products here. Four of the 7, Patriot Software, RUN Powered by ADP, QuickBooks Payroll, and Gusto, come directly from that Shortlist. The other 3, OnTheClock, Homebase, and Payworks, aren’t on the core Shortlist but met the same rating and review thresholds on genuine payroll relevance. - I then analyzed the 1,755 verified reviews across those 7 products for recurring patterns. - The list is written for small businesses, and every review count, rating, and theme reflects reviewers from 2 to 200 employees. - Reviews were assessed on four dimensions: ease of payroll processing, tax filing and compliance handling, value for money, and customer support. - Pricing was verified against vendor websites as of October 2026. Based on 1,755 verified reviews across 7 products on Capterra. Review data covers October 2024 to October 2026. \*Survey data cited in this article is from Capterra’s 2026 LMS & HR Software Trends survey, conducted in February 2026 among 1,000 U.S.-based HR decision-makers at companies with more than one employee. Respondents were confirmed to be at least partially responsible for HR software purchase decisions within their organization. **Editorial independence:** Products are selected and ranked based on an objective methodology. While some vendors may pay Capterra when they receive web traffic or leads, this does not influence our selection or analysis.