Best Payroll Software: October 2026 Review
Gusto, OnPay, Patriot Software, Rippling, ADP RUN and Deel ranked by published price and billing cliffs, with the real monthly bill at 10 employees. Prices re-checked 19 October 2026.
Last updated: 19 October 2026. Prices re-checked on each vendor's own pricing page on 19 October 2026. Gusto no longer lists a Contractor Only plan, OnPay's Live HR Support add-on fell to $65/mo, and Rippling now states a starting price of $8 per employee per month (Gusto, OnPay, Rippling).
The sticker price on payroll software is rarely the bill you keep. Gusto gates multi-state on Plus, Patriot Software adds $12/mo per extra state, Rippling stacks modules on a base fee, and Deel jumps from contractor seats to EOR.
This Best Firms ranking maps six tools operators actually buy for US and global pay runs, ranked by job fit, published price and the billing cliff that forces the next upgrade. It is not an invoicing bake-off or a glossary of tax forms.
Key Takeaways
- Rank by cliff, not by a best badge: multi-state tiers (Gusto), flat plans (OnPay), extra-state fees (Patriot), modules (Rippling), quotes (ADP RUN) and EOR jumps (Deel) are different products.
- Gusto Simple is $49/mo + $6/person for single-state payroll; multi-state needs Plus at $80/mo + $12/person (Gusto).
- OnPay stays one plan at $49/mo + $6/worker with multi-state included (OnPay).
- At 10 workers, Patriot Full Service lists $87/mo, the lowest full-service bill in this set (Patriot).
- Late payroll tax deposits cost 2% to 15% of the unpaid deposit in IRS penalties, so tax filing is the feature worth paying for (IRS).
What payroll software is (and what it is not)
"Payroll software" can mean a self-serve SMB tax filer, a modular HR/IT platform with payroll bolted on, or a global contractor and EOR stack. Mix those jobs and you buy the wrong cliff.
This ranking covers tools whose primary job is pay people correctly and file what the tax agencies expect. Full employee scheduling suites and pure invoicing tools sit elsewhere unless payroll is the published core.
The ranking: 6 payroll tools
Six tools, scored on job fit, published price on the vendor's own page, the billing cliff that forces the next tier, and real monthly cost at a 10-person team.
| Tool | Meter | Starting price (19 October 2026) | Best for | Main trap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gusto | Base + per person; plan gates multi-state | Simple $49+$6; Plus $80+$12; Premium $180+$22 | Transparent US SMB payroll | Multi-state requires Plus |
| OnPay | Single plan base + per worker | $49+$6; HR add-on $15+$2; Time Tracking $15+$4 | Multi-state without a tier climb | HR and time tools are add-ons |
| Patriot Software | Base + per worker paid | Basic $17+$4; Full Service $37+$5 | Budget full-service US payroll | Full Service +$12/mo per extra state; promo expires |
| Rippling | Per employee modules + monthly base fee | From $8 per employee per month plus a base fee (quote) | HR, IT and payroll on one record | Module stacking; no public payroll price |
| ADP RUN | Quote-only packages | Quote; 3 months free promo for new sign-ups | ADP brand and sales-led setup | No public list price |
| Deel | Per contractor / per employee | Contractors $49; US PEO $125; EOR $599 | Global contractors, PEO and EOR | Contractor to EOR is a 12x jump |
Sources: Gusto, OnPay, Patriot, Rippling, ADP, Deel, all checked 19 October 2026.
1. Gusto
About the tool
Gusto is the right buy when you want published US SMB prices and automated tax filing without a sales call. Simple covers single-state payroll, while Plus unlocks multi-state, next-day pay and time tracking. It is the wrong buy if you need IT device management in the same suite. S corp owners paying only themselves now get a separate Gusto Solo plan.
Main features
- Unlimited payroll runs on published plans
- Federal, state, and local tax filings and payments
- Employee self-service, onboarding, and basic PTO tools
- Multi-state payroll on Plus and above
- Benefits brokerage paths and optional HR add-ons
Pricing
From Gusto pricing (checked 19 October 2026):
- Simple: $49/mo + $6/mo per person; single-state payroll, unlimited runs, tax filings (Gusto).
- Plus: $80/mo + $12/mo per person; multi-state payroll, unlimited next-day pay, time tracking (Gusto).
- Premium: $180/mo + $22/mo per person; premium account support, HR guidance, Gusto Business Compliance (Gusto).
- Cliff: multi-state payroll requires Plus (Gusto).
- Add-ons: Next-Day pay $15/mo + $3/person on Simple; Priority Support $30/mo + $3/person; Time & Attendance Plus $6/person; Business Compliance $85/mo per state on an annual contract (Gusto).
- Contractors: US contractors bill at the plan's per-person rate, only in months you pay them (Gusto).
Pros
- Clear published ladder on the official pricing page
- Unlimited runs and tax filing included in the plan story
- Easy upgrade path when you cross into multi-state
Cons
- Simple cannot run multi-state payroll; Plus is the cliff
- Per-person fees compound as headcount grows
- Same-day ($90) and instant pay ($100) are per-payroll charges below Premium (Gusto)
2. OnPay
About the tool
OnPay fits operators who want one all-inclusive payroll plan and multi-state filing without climbing a Gusto-style tier. Payroll Essentials publishes a flat $49 base plus $6 per worker. It is the wrong buy if you need a full modular HR/IT platform. Best Firms sees it as the transparent flat-plan lane. HR features sit on an optional add-on rather than a forced plan upgrade.
Main features
- Full-service payroll for W-2 and 1099 workers
- Federal, state, and local tax filings; multi-state included
- Unlimited pay runs and schedules
- Hiring, onboarding, and benefits admin in the base plan story
- Optional HR module for PTO workflows, org charts, and document tools
Pricing
From OnPay pricing (checked 19 October 2026):
- Payroll Essentials: $49/mo base + $6 per worker per month (OnPay).
- Multi-state: included, with automatic state tax registrations (OnPay).
- HR add-on: $15 base + $2 per worker per month (OnPay).
- Time Tracking add-on: $15 base + $4 per worker per month (OnPay).
- Compliance Resources: $10/mo; Live HR Support: $65/mo (OnPay).
- Bundle: Payroll + Time Tracking + HR at $70 base + $10/worker, down from $79 + $12 (OnPay).
Pros
- One published plan instead of a multi-state tier climb
- Transparent calculator-style pricing page
- Free setup and data migration called out publicly
Cons
- Deeper HR workflows cost extra via add-ons
- Less of a modular IT/HR platform than Rippling
- Per-worker fee still scales linearly with headcount
3. Patriot Software
About the tool
Patriot Software is the right buy when list price matters and you want a low Full Service floor for US tax filing. Basic leaves tax deposits to you. Full Service files federal, state, and local. It is the wrong buy if you need global EOR coverage. Best Firms treats it as the budget full-service lane. The multi-state cliff is a hard dollar line: $12/mo per additional state on Full Service.
Main features
- Unlimited payrolls and free direct deposit paths on published plans
- Employee and contractor portals
- Full Service tax filings and deposits (federal, state, local)
- Optional Time & Attendance and HR software add-ons
- Accounting product available as a separate Patriot line
Pricing
From Patriot pricing (checked 19 October 2026):
- Basic Payroll: $17/mo + $4 per worker paid (Patriot).
- Full Service Payroll: $37/mo + $5 per worker paid (Patriot).
- Cliff: Full Service adds $12/mo for each additional state (Patriot).
- Time & Attendance and HR Software add-ons: $6/mo + $2 per employee each (Patriot).
- Example list bills: 10 workers cost $57/mo on Basic and $87/mo on Full Service; 25 workers cost $117 and $162 (Patriot).
- Promo: 30 days free, then 50% off for 3 months (budget the list price) (Patriot).
Pros
- Lowest published full-service entry among this set
- Extra-state fee is explicit ($12/mo)
- Per-worker fee only when you actually pay someone that month
Cons
- Basic still leaves tax filing work on your desk
- Multi-state Full Service costs stack $12 per extra state
- Intro 50% off is not the month-seven bill
4. Rippling
About the tool
Rippling fits teams that want payroll tied to HR, IT and spend on one employee record. Rippling says plans start at $8 per employee per month with a monthly base fee, and payroll is priced by custom quote. It is the wrong buy for a five-person shop that only needs tax filing.
Main features
- US payroll with multi-state filing paths
- HRIS / Unity employee record as the required base
- Optional IT, device, app management, and spend modules
- Benefits administration and time tools as add-on modules
- Global payroll / EOR options via the broader Rippling stack
Pricing
From Rippling pricing (checked 19 October 2026):
- Starting price: $8 per employee per month, plus a monthly base fee (Rippling).
- Payroll: custom quote based on headcount and modules (Rippling).
- Startups: eligible US VC-backed startups can get 6 months free (Rippling).
- Cliff: each added module raises the per-employee price (Rippling).
Pros
- Strong fit when HR, IT, and payroll must share one employee record
- Modular buy lets you add capabilities without swapping vendors
- Automation depth that pure payroll tools rarely match
Cons
- No clean self-serve price grid on the official pricing page
- Flat fee makes tiny teams expensive on a PEPM basis
- Module stacking can surprise finance after the demo
5. ADP RUN
About the tool
ADP RUN is the right buy when the ADP brand, sales-led onboarding and a four-package ladder matter more than a public price table. ADP publishes no RUN dollar prices and asks for company details before quoting. It is the wrong buy if you refuse opaque quotes.
Main features
- Full-service payroll and tax filing for small businesses
- Direct deposit and new-hire reporting paths
- Employee self-service portal
- Package tiers commonly marketed as Essential through HR Pro
- Optional timekeeping and HR tools via sales configuration
Pricing
From ADP RUN (checked 19 October 2026):
- Pricing: quote-only; no self-serve list price (ADP).
- Packages: Essential Payroll, Enhanced Payroll, Complete Payroll & HR+, HR Pro Payroll & HR (ADP).
- Promo: 3 months free for new small business payroll sign-ups (ADP).
- Cliff: time, HR and insurance add-ons are configured by sales (ADP).
Pros
- Household brand with deep payroll operations history
- Sales-assisted migration can reduce DIY risk for first-time buyers
- Package ladder covers basic payroll through broader HR needs
Cons
- No published self-serve price to model offline
- Setup and add-on fees are easy to miss in early calls
- Harder to compare apples-to-apples against Gusto or OnPay
6. Deel
About the tool
Deel fits global teams paying contractors, running payroll on their own entities, or hiring through EOR without local entities. Contractor seats are $49 and EOR employees $599 a month, while entity payroll is quoted after a demo. It is the wrong buy for a single-state US shop that only needs W-2 filing.
Main features
- Contractor management with multi-currency payments
- Global payroll for employees on your own entities
- Employer of Record hiring across a large country set
- US PEO path published alongside EOR on Deel pricing
- Compliance, onboarding, and consolidated reporting across products
Pricing
From Deel pricing (checked 19 October 2026):
- Hire contractors: $49 per contractor per month (Deel).
- Contractor of Record: $325 per contractor per month (Deel).
- US PEO: $125 per US PEO employee per month (Deel).
- EOR: $599 per EOR employee per month (Deel).
- Global payroll on your entities: quote via demo (Deel).
- Cliff: moving a $49 contractor onto $599 EOR is a 12x jump (Deel).
Pros
- Clear official tiles for contractors and EOR Standard
- One vendor path from contractor desk to entity payroll to EOR
- Strong fit for cross-border hiring programs
Cons
- EOR at $599 per employee is a different product class than SMB US payroll
- Entity payroll pricing needs a demo and quote
- Overkill if you only pay a handful of US W-2 employees in one state
How much does payroll software cost for 10 employees?
Most buyers search for one number: the monthly bill at their headcount. Here is the list price for 10 workers in one state, then in two states.
- Patriot Full Service: $87/mo in one state, $99/mo in two (Patriot).
- OnPay Payroll Essentials: $109/mo, the same in any number of states (OnPay).
- Gusto Simple: $109/mo, one state only; Gusto Plus for two states is $200/mo (Gusto).
- Rippling: from $80/mo in per-employee fees plus the base fee, before payroll modules (Rippling).
- Deel: $490/mo for 10 contractors, or $5,990/mo for 10 EOR employees (Deel).
- ADP RUN: quote only (ADP).
Software is the small line. Wages are set by the minimum wage by state, entity setup by LLC cost by state, and hiring by tech recruiter fees.
Penalties are the other reason to pay for full service. The IRS charges 2% of an unpaid deposit at 1 to 5 days late, 5% at 6 to 15 days and 10% after 15 days (IRS).
Best Firms' take
If you are mapping the vendor landscape by company size rather than software SKUs, read largest payroll companies in 2026. Operators hiring payroll ops or automation talent can start from the hire hub.
Hiring the ops or engineering seat that will own payroll automation?
FAQ
What is the best payroll software for small businesses in 2026?
Gusto Simple or OnPay fit most single-product US SMB needs with published prices. Choose Gusto if you want a clear Plus upgrade path. Choose OnPay if you want multi-state included in one $49+$6 plan.
Does Gusto Simple support multi-state payroll?
No. Multi-state payroll on Gusto requires Plus ($80/mo + $12/person) or Premium. Simple stays single-state at $49/mo + $6/person.
How much does OnPay cost?
OnPay Payroll Essentials is $49/mo + $6 per worker, with multi-state included. The optional HR add-on is $15 + $2/worker and Time Tracking is $15 + $4/worker (OnPay).
What is Patriot Software's multi-state fee?
On Patriot Full Service, the first state is included. Each additional state is $12/mo. Basic is $17+$4; Full Service is $37+$5 per worker paid.
Is Rippling cheaper than Gusto for a 10-person team?
Often not for payroll-only. Rippling starts at $8 per employee per month plus a base fee before payroll modules (Rippling), while Gusto Simple is $109/mo at 10 people. Get a written quote and compare.
Why is ADP RUN hard to price online?
ADP RUN is quote-only by design. ADP lists four packages and asks for company details before quoting (ADP), so get every line item in writing.
When should a company use Deel instead of Gusto?
Use Deel when you pay global contractors, need entity payroll across countries, or hire through EOR. Stay on Gusto/OnPay/Patriot when the job is domestic US W-2 payroll with transparent SMB pricing.
Should I budget the promo price or the list price?
Budget the list price. Patriot's 50% off lasts 3 months (Patriot) and ADP's free months end, so month four is where cash-flow models break if you planned on the promo.
What to do Monday
Count next quarter's headcount, states, and whether you need contractors, EOR, or IT provisioning in the same system. Pick the cliff those three facts actually hit.
Then price the renewal month, not the promo week. If you are also hiring the person who will own payroll ops, use the Best Firms hire guides and keep an eye on live roles on the AI jobs board.