Best Payroll Software 2026: Top 10 for Small Business
Payroll mistakes are costly—both financially and legally. The right payroll software automates calculations, handles taxes, and ensures compliance.
Here are the best payroll solutions for small businesses in 2026.
Quick Comparison
| Software | Starting Price | Best For | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gusto | $40/mo + $6/person | SMBs | ✅ |
| Paychex | Custom | Growing | ✅ Demo |
| ADP | Custom | Enterprise | ✅ Demo |
| OnPay | $40/mo + $6/person | Simple | ✅ 30 days |
| Wave | Free | Very small | N/A |
1. Gusto — Best Overall
Price: $40/mo + $6/employee
Gusto combines easy payroll with solid HR features.
Features
- ✅ Full-service payroll
- ✅ Tax filing (federal, state, local)
- ✅ Direct deposit
- ✅ Benefits administration
- ✅ Time tracking
- ✅ Hiring & onboarding
Pricing
| Plan | Base/Mo | Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| Simple | $40 | $6 |
| Plus | $80 | $12 |
| Premium | Custom | Custom |
Best For: Small businesses wanting easy, modern payroll.
👉 Related: Best HR Software
2. OnPay — Best Value
Price: $40/mo + $6/employee
OnPay offers one plan with all features included.
Features
- ✅ All-inclusive pricing
- ✅ Tax filing
- ✅ HR tools included
- ✅ No hidden fees
- ✅ Direct deposit
Best For: Businesses wanting simple, transparent pricing.
3. Paychex — Best for Growing
Price: Custom (quote required)
Paychex scales from small business to enterprise.
Features
- ✅ Payroll + HR
- ✅ Time & attendance
- ✅ Benefits
- ✅ Compliance support
- ✅ Dedicated support
Best For: Growing businesses needing robust support.
4. ADP — Best Enterprise
Price: Custom (quote required)
ADP is the enterprise payroll standard.
Features
- ✅ Full HR suite
- ✅ Global payroll
- ✅ Benefits administration
- ✅ Compliance
- ✅ Analytics
Best For: Large organizations with complex needs.
5. Wave Payroll — Best Free Option
Price: Free (tax states) / $20/mo (full service)
Wave offers free payroll in some states.
Features
- ✅ Free in self-service states
- ✅ Direct deposit
- ✅ Employee portal
- ✅ Integrates with Wave accounting
Best For: Very small businesses in supported states.
Feature Comparison
Core Features
| Feature | Gusto | OnPay | Paychex | ADP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct deposit | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tax filing | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 1099 contractors | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Multi-state | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Benefits | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Time Tracking
| Feature | Gusto | OnPay | Paychex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Geofencing | Plus plan | ❌ | ✅ |
| Overtime calc | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Our Recommendations
| Need | Choose |
|---|---|
| Best overall | Gusto |
| Best value | OnPay |
| Growing business | Paychex |
| Enterprise | ADP |
| Free option | Wave |
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Last updated: January 2026