Payroll Category leader
Gusto
Payroll, benefits and HR for small businesses
Key features
- Automatic payroll tax filing
- Direct deposit
- Multi-state payroll
- Contractor payments
- International payroll
Our picks · 6 tools reviewed
Best Payroll software for 2026
Software that calculates pay, withholds taxes, pays employees and files payroll tax. Below: the names buyers expect to see, the newer tools gaining ground, and how their key features and prices compare. How we pick; nobody pays for a place here.
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $49/mo + $6/mo per person | $49/mo + $6/mo per worker | Contact sales | Contact sales | $35/person/mo + $89/mo platform fee | $29/org/mo + $5/employee/mo (annual billing) |
| Best for | Small businesses of 2 to 100 employees that want self-serve payroll with benefits added later | Small businesses and franchises of 5 to 100 employees that want phone support and multi-state payroll in one plan | — | Businesses under 50 employees that want a large payroll provider with phone support and add-on HR | Venture-backed startups of 5 to 200 people hiring across multiple states that want automated tax registration | Small businesses under 50 employees already using Zoho Books or Zoho People |
| Team size | 1–500 people | 2–500 people | 1–500+ people | 1–50 people | 2–500 people | 1–50 people |
| Automatic payroll tax filing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Direct deposit | Yes | Not listed | Yes | Not listed | Not listed | Yes |
| Multi-state payroll | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not listed | Yes | Yes |
| Contractor payments | Yes | Not listed | Yes | Not listed | Yes | Not listed |
| Off-cycle payroll | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Yes |
| International payroll | Yes | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Yes | Not listed |
| Visit | Visit | Visit | Visit | Visit | Visit | Visit |
Category leaders
The best-known payroll tools: the ones most buyers shortlist.
Payroll Category leader
OnPay
Payroll, HR, benefits and time tracking with US-based support
Key features
- Automatic payroll tax filing
- Multi-state payroll
Payroll Category leader
Paychex Flex
Payroll with automated tax filing, from solo owners to large employers
Key features
- Automatic payroll tax filing
- Direct deposit
- Multi-state payroll
- Contractor payments
Payroll Category leader
RUN Powered by ADP
ADP's payroll, tax and HR package for businesses of 1 to 49
Key features
- Automatic payroll tax filing
Rising picks
Newer tools with real traction and a clear difference from the leaders.
Payroll Rising
Warp
AI-run payroll, compliance and benefits for fast-growing teams
Key features
- Automatic payroll tax filing
- Multi-state payroll
- Contractor payments
- International payroll
Payroll Rising
Zoho Payroll
Payroll with tax filing for US small businesses, tied to Zoho apps
Key features
- Automatic payroll tax filing
- Direct deposit
- Multi-state payroll
- Off-cycle payroll