Payroll Software Pricing Comparison (2026)

Payroll software pricing is hard to compare because providers use different models. Some publish a base fee plus per-employee fee. Some quote custom pricing. Others separate payroll, HR, time tracking, benefits, contractors, PEO, or global payroll into separate products.

This guide compares the main payroll pricing models so small businesses can understand what a platform may actually cost before requesting demos or quotes.

Pricing changes often, so use this as a practical comparison framework and confirm current rates directly with each provider before buying.

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Quick Answer

Lowest published starting price: Patriot Payroll.

Best transparent-price payroll options for many small businesses: Gusto and OnPay.

Best low-cost restaurant/POS payroll option: Square Payroll if you already use Square POS.

Most quote-based SMB options: ADP Run, Paychex Flex, Rippling, Paylocity, Paycom, UKG, and Dayforce.

Most expensive category: PEO and global employment tools, especially EOR products.

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Published Payroll Pricing Comparison

Provider	Published Starting Price	Pricing Style	Best Fit
Patriot Payroll	$17/mo + $4/employee Basic · $37/mo + $5/employee Full Service	Transparent	Lowest-cost simple payroll
Square Payroll	$35/mo + $6/person W-2 · $6/person contractor-only	Transparent	Square POS restaurants and retail
Homebase Payroll	$39/mo + $6/employee payroll add-on	Transparent	Hourly teams using Homebase scheduling
Gusto	$49/mo + $6/person	Transparent	Small businesses wanting payroll plus HR basics
OnPay	$49/mo + $6/employee	Transparent	Industry-aware payroll with simple pricing
Justworks Payroll	From $50/mo + $8/employee	Transparent	Small flexible teams and contractors
QuickBooks Payroll	From $44/mo promo ($88 list) + $6.50/employee	Published, promo-sensitive	QuickBooks-first businesses
Deel	$49/mo contractor · $325/mo Contractor of Record · $599/mo EOR	Transparent by product	International contractors and global teams
ADP Run	Custom quote	Quote-based	Compliance-heavy small businesses
Paychex Flex	Custom quote	Quote-based	Service-led payroll support
Rippling	Quote-dependent modules	Quote-based	Growing teams needing HR/IT/admin automation

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What Payroll Software Costs at 10 Employees

Approximate monthly cost for commonly compared transparent-price providers:

Provider	10 Employees
Patriot Basic	$57/mo
Patriot Full Service	$87/mo
Square Payroll	$95/mo
Homebase Payroll	$99/mo
Gusto	$109/mo
OnPay	$109/mo
Justworks Payroll	$130/mo
QuickBooks Payroll Core	$109/mo promo ($153 list)

These figures exclude add-ons, benefits, workers' comp, time tracking upgrades, HR consulting, multi-state setup fees, and any promotional expiration.

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What Payroll Software Costs at 25 Employees

Provider	25 Employees
Patriot Basic	$117/mo
Patriot Full Service	$162/mo
Square Payroll	$185/mo
Homebase Payroll	$189/mo
Gusto	$199/mo
OnPay	$199/mo
Justworks Payroll	$250/mo
QuickBooks Payroll Core	$206.50/mo promo ($250.50 list)

At 25 employees, quote-based providers like ADP Run, Paychex, and Rippling can still make sense if they solve a more expensive operational problem, such as compliance, multi-state payroll, certified payroll, or HR automation.

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Transparent Pricing vs Quote-Based Pricing

Transparent pricing is easier to compare. It is usually better when:

• the business has simple payroll
• the team is under 50 employees
• payroll complexity is low
• budget predictability matters
• the buyer wants to avoid sales calls

Quote-based pricing can still be worth it when:

• payroll errors create compliance risk
• the business has multi-state complexity
• certified payroll or prevailing wage matters
• HR support and implementation help are important
• the provider includes service depth that a cheaper tool does not

For example, ADP Run may cost more than OnPay for a construction company, but ADP can still be the better value if certified payroll and job costing reduce manual compliance risk.

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Hidden Payroll Costs to Watch For

When comparing payroll software pricing, ask about:

• state tax registration and setup costs
• year-end W-2 or 1099 filing fees
• extra pay schedules or off-cycle payrolls
• time tracking add-ons
• HR advisory add-ons
• benefits administration fees
• workers' comp integrations
• contractor payment fees
• implementation or migration fees
• renewal pricing after the first contract term

The lowest advertised price is not always the lowest total cost.

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Pricing by Buyer Type

Buyer Type	Best Starting Point
Lowest possible payroll cost	Patriot Payroll
Small business wanting polished HR basics	Gusto
Industry-specific SMB payroll	OnPay
Square POS restaurant or retailer	Square Payroll
QuickBooks-first business	QuickBooks Payroll
Contractor-only business	Patriot, Square Payroll, Deel, or ADP Run 1099 Bundle depending on geography
Construction company with compliance needs	ADP Run or OnPay
Business considering PEO	Justworks PEO, Rippling PEO, ADP TotalSource, Paychex PEO, or TriNet

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Bottom Line

If you want the lowest published price, start with Patriot. If you want a strong transparent-price default, compare Gusto and OnPay. If your payroll is tied to a specific workflow, Square, Homebase, or QuickBooks Payroll may be the better fit. If compliance, support, or HR complexity matters more than headline price, compare quote-based providers carefully.

Related pages:

• Best payroll software for small business
• Gusto vs OnPay
• Gusto vs Patriot Payroll
• ADP Run vs Paychex Flex
• Best payroll software for construction companies

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