The 5 Best Payroll Software for Small Business in 2023

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Picking the best payroll software for your business may be easier said than done. As a small business owner, you probably wear many hats: You might play the role of a manager, a regular employee, and you may even be in charge of marketing and the HR department. 

The last thing you want is to handle payroll on the side, right? After all, trying to remain compliant with the payroll laws across various states can lead to some serious headaches. 

Payroll software solutions are there to relieve those headaches. Here are some of the best ones.

Best HR & Payroll Software
  • 4.5
  • Gusto is one of the best HR & payroll software that simplifies the process of managing and paying employees. With Gusto, businesses can easily manage their payroll, taxes, and benefits in one place. The software automates the calculation of payroll taxes, tracks employee hours, and generates pay stubs. It also offers a range of benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and workers' compensation insurance. Gusto is designed to be user-friendly, with a simple interface that makes it easy for businesses to manage their payroll. With Gusto, businesses can save time and reduce the risk of errors, ensuring that their employees are paid accurately and on time.

Best Overall for Payroll + Accounting
  • 4.5
  • Quickbooks Payroll is a software program designed to help businesses manage their payroll processes efficiently. With this tool, businesses can easily calculate employee salaries, taxes, and other deductions, as well as generate paychecks and manage employee benefits. Quickbooks Payroll also provides detailed reports and analytics, allowing businesses to track their payroll expenses and make informed decisions about their finances. This software is user-friendly and can be customized to meet the specific needs of each business, making it an essential tool for any organization looking to streamline their payroll processes.

Powerful Automation
  • 4.5
  • Rippling is a comprehensive human resources management software that streamlines HR processes and automates administrative tasks. It offers a range of features including employee onboarding, payroll management, benefits administration, time and attendance tracking, performance management, and compliance management. With Rippling, businesses can easily manage their workforce, track employee data, and ensure compliance with labor laws and regulations. The software is user-friendly and customizable, allowing businesses to tailor it to their specific needs. Overall, Rippling is a powerful tool that simplifies HR management and helps businesses save time and resources.

Value for money
  • 4.0
  • OnPay is a cloud-based payroll and HR software that simplifies the process of managing employee payroll, benefits, and taxes. With OnPay, businesses can easily calculate and process payroll, generate pay stubs, and file taxes. The software also offers a range of HR tools, including time tracking, employee self-service, and compliance management. OnPay is designed to be user-friendly and affordable, making it an ideal solution for small and medium-sized businesses. The software is accessible from any device with an internet connection, allowing businesses to manage their payroll and HR tasks from anywhere. Overall, OnPay streamlines the payroll and HR process, saving businesses time and money while ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations.

Best for Startups
  • 4.0
  • Paychex is a comprehensive payroll and human resource management solution that helps businesses of all sizes streamline their payroll processes and manage their workforce more efficiently. With Paychex, businesses can easily calculate and process employee paychecks, manage employee benefits and taxes, and stay compliant with federal and state regulations. The platform also offers a range of HR tools, including time and attendance tracking, employee onboarding, and performance management. Paychex is designed to be user-friendly and customizable, allowing businesses to tailor the platform to their specific needs and preferences. Overall, Paychex is a powerful tool for startups looking to simplify their payroll and HR processes and improve their overall efficiency.

Best HR & Payroll Software
4.5

Gusto is one of the best HR & payroll software that simplifies the process of managing and paying employees. With Gusto, businesses can easily manage their payroll, taxes, and benefits in one place. The software automates the calculation of payroll taxes, tracks employee hours, and generates pay stubs. It also offers a range of benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and workers' compensation insurance. Gusto is designed to be user-friendly, with a simple interface that makes it easy for businesses to manage their payroll. With Gusto, businesses can save time and reduce the risk of errors, ensuring that their employees are paid accurately and on time.

Best Overall for Payroll + Accounting
4.5

Quickbooks Payroll is a software program designed to help businesses manage their payroll processes efficiently. With this tool, businesses can easily calculate employee salaries, taxes, and other deductions, as well as generate paychecks and manage employee benefits. Quickbooks Payroll also provides detailed reports and analytics, allowing businesses to track their payroll expenses and make informed decisions about their finances. This software is user-friendly and can be customized to meet the specific needs of each business, making it an essential tool for any organization looking to streamline their payroll processes.

Powerful Automation
4.5

Rippling is a comprehensive human resources management software that streamlines HR processes and automates administrative tasks. It offers a range of features including employee onboarding, payroll management, benefits administration, time and attendance tracking, performance management, and compliance management. With Rippling, businesses can easily manage their workforce, track employee data, and ensure compliance with labor laws and regulations. The software is user-friendly and customizable, allowing businesses to tailor it to their specific needs. Overall, Rippling is a powerful tool that simplifies HR management and helps businesses save time and resources.

Value for money
4.0

OnPay is a cloud-based payroll and HR software that simplifies the process of managing employee payroll, benefits, and taxes. With OnPay, businesses can easily calculate and process payroll, generate pay stubs, and file taxes. The software also offers a range of HR tools, including time tracking, employee self-service, and compliance management. OnPay is designed to be user-friendly and affordable, making it an ideal solution for small and medium-sized businesses. The software is accessible from any device with an internet connection, allowing businesses to manage their payroll and HR tasks from anywhere. Overall, OnPay streamlines the payroll and HR process, saving businesses time and money while ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations.

Best for Startups
4.0

Paychex is a comprehensive payroll and human resource management solution that helps businesses of all sizes streamline their payroll processes and manage their workforce more efficiently. With Paychex, businesses can easily calculate and process employee paychecks, manage employee benefits and taxes, and stay compliant with federal and state regulations. The platform also offers a range of HR tools, including time and attendance tracking, employee onboarding, and performance management. Paychex is designed to be user-friendly and customizable, allowing businesses to tailor the platform to their specific needs and preferences. Overall, Paychex is a powerful tool for startups looking to simplify their payroll and HR processes and improve their overall efficiency.

But still, you’ve got to pick the right software for your business. Otherwise, you might encounter some difficulties in the long run. More specifically, an inefficient solution may lose you time and money. 

First off, you’ve got to pick the software compliant with your business’s area. Moreover, if you’ve got employees both in US and Canada, your payroll solution must comply with both regions. 

Secondly, you’ve got to think about who is in charge of processing payroll. If you’ve got an employee or team that does that precisely, picking a cheaper, DIY solution may be enough for the job. Otherwise, you may need to opt for an outsourced payroll service, which will cost a little more money. 

Third, you’ll need to consider scalability. You’ll need to pick a software solution that grows with your business. This will avoid having to change your software every few years. Consequently, you’ll no longer need to worry about constantly re-learning new software solutions.

In other words, there’s a lot to look out for. To cut you some slack, we’ve come up with a list that covers some of the best payroll software solutions in the market. Here are the ones we are going to cover in more detail:

Keep reading to find out more about them!

Gusto: Best Payroll Software Overall 

gusto best payroll software for small business

Gusto is an all-in-one HR software solution that handles benefits administration, hiring, and onboarding alongside payrolls. Moreover, its flexible pricing plans ensure small businesses will pay only for the features they need. 

Learn more about Gusto Payroll here.

Features of Gusto

  • Unlimited payroll runs 
  • Automated tax payments and report filings 
  • Employee self-service portal 
  • Employee benefits administration 
  • International contractor payments 

Gusto can save you plenty of time in taxes, as it will automatically pay, file, and withhold taxes on local, state, and federal levels. Moreover, this platform allows you to schedule recurring payroll, ensuring you always pay employees on time. 

Another handy feature is Gusto’s self-service portal. Coupled with the Gusto Wallet app, employees can withdraw money early in case of emergencies or other unexpected events. The amount taken will automatically be deducted from the employees’ paycheques.  

Pros of Gusto

  • Time tracking and employee management tools 
  • Easy to use 
  • Excellent customer support 

Gusto caters to startups and small businesses. Its user interface is intuitive and doesn’t require much time to get used to. Furthermore, Gusto provides you with plenty of guides that will help you figure out how to use this platform for maximum effectiveness. 

Besides payroll, Gusto also offers various HR features. For instance, you can easily track employee working hours, store and update employee data, manage time-off requests, and more.

Pricing of Gusto

In terms of pricing, Gusto covers five plans: 

  • Core – $39/month + $6/month per employee
  • Complete – $39/month + $12/month per employee
  • Concierge – $149/month + $12/month per employee 
  • Select – upon request 
  • Contractor Only – $6/month per employee

You can also add extra features to your plan, like broker integration, R&D tax credits, or 401(k) retirement savings at an additional cost.

Learn more about Gusto Payroll here.

Rippling Payroll: Best Payroll Software for Scaling Businesses

rippling payroll software

Like Gusto, Rippling is more than a payroll solution. Besides Rippling Payroll, this platform also offers other comprehensive HR and IT management modules. Consequently, Rippling may be a good option for growing businesses looking for an all-in-one platform covering their needs.  

Learn more about Rippling Payroll here.

Features of Rippling Payroll

  • Payroll processing 
  • Payroll tax management 
  • Payroll analytics 
  • Global Payroll management 
  • Time tracking 

One stand-out feature of Rippling is its global payroll management. You can process wages for your international workers and send salaries in the appropriate currency. 

What’s more, payroll analytics help you identify potential mistakes by pulling information from multiple payrolls and allowing you to compare it to one another. 

Other notable features include HR-specific tools, like benefits administration or applicant tracking, and IT solutions that will automatically remove an employee’s access to business apps once the employee resigns.  

Pros of Rippling Payroll

  • Easy to use 
  • Highly flexible 
  • Extensive integration capabilities 

Rippling’s main advantage is its ease of use. There are plenty of setup guides available, and due to its automation capabilities, you can run payroll in a matter of minutes. 

The platform automatically synchronizes your HR data with payroll and automatically calculates salaries depending on factors such as deductions or hours worked. 

In terms of flexibility, you can pay only for the HR and IT features you need and extend the platform’s functionality as your business grows over time.

Pricing of Rippling Payroll

Pricing starts at $8/user/month. However, the pricing works on a quote basis. You’ll need to contact Rippling to receive a custom quote based on your business’s size and the features you’d like to use. 

Learn more about Rippling Payroll here.

QuickBooks: Best Payroll Software for Accounting

quickbooks payroll software

If you’re already using QuickBooks for accounting, QuickBooks Payroll is the ideal option. That’s because it integrates seamlessly with the accounting system with just one click. Moreover, the data from the accounting solution will automatically transfer to the payroll software. 

But QuickBooks is still a solid small business payroll software for companies that do not use its accounting solution. It provides all the necessary features to manage your payroll effectively.  

Learn more about QuickBooks Payroll here.

Features of QuickBooks

  • Unlimited payroll processing 
  • Automated tax payments and filings 
  • Time tracking 
  • Employee benefits 
  • Employee portal 

Overall, Quickbooks offers robust payroll management features. Like Gusto, this platform will also handle taxes to save you some time. Moreover, Quickbooks has partnered with SimplyInsured so that you can find plenty of suitable health insurance options for your budget. 

Also, its employee portal allows workers to check their PTO withholdings and balances, W-2s, and pay stubs quickly, apply for expense reimbursements, and more.  

Pros of QuickBooks

  • Great customer support 
  • Access to its mobile application 
  • Intuitive user interface

Generally speaking, Quickbooks Payroll is an easy platform to get into. The user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate. If you do encounter difficulties, though, Quickbooks offers a handful of how-to-guides and 24/7 chat support to help you fix any potential issues. 

Lastly, through its mobile app, you can run payroll while employees can clock in and out, verify their attendance, or switch between tasks. 

Pricing of QuickBooks

Quickbooks Payroll covers three pricing plans:

  • Core – $45/month + $4/employee/month
  • Premium – $75/month + $8/employee/month 
  • Elite – $125/month + $10/employee/month

There’s also a 50% discount available for the first three months. 

Learn more about QuickBooks Payroll here.

Paychex: Best Payroll Software for Startups  

paychex payroll software

Paychex is an HR and payroll software solution designed to accommodate businesses of all sizes. It also offers simplified versions of the software. For instance, Paychex Flex caters to startups or small companies with up to 19 employees. 

This version is straightforward and includes all the basic payroll features, making it an excellent option for startups. 

Features of Paychex

  • Employee self-service 
  • Payroll tax filing and payment 
  • Time tracking 
  • HR tools 
  • Knowledge center 

Besides payroll, Paychex Flex offers plenty of HR features, like storing company forms and policies, running background checks on candidates, and onboarding tools that allow new recruits to fill in the necessary documents online, etc. 

Paychex also offers compliance support to ensure that you’re up-to-date with the latest tax regulations and find tax credits you might be eligible for.  

Pros of Paychex

  • Flexible pricing 
  • Excellent customer support 
  • Various payment options 

Paychex will assign you a dedicated representative to ensure you implement the software properly. Moreover, you’ve got access to 24/7 support through live chat, and the website includes a wide variety of guides that will teach you how to make the most out of the platform. 

Also, besides direct deposits, Paychex allows you to pay your employees via paper checks and pay cards. 

Pricing of Paychex

In terms of pricing, the Paychex Flex Essentials package will set you back $39/month + $5/employee. You’ll have to request a personalized quote for other plans based on the features you need.

Learn more about Paychex here.

OnPay: Best Payroll Software for Affordability 

onpay payroll software

OnPay is a simple all-in-all HR solution designed with small businesses in mind. This platform stands out from the rest because of its single pricing plan, which gives you access to payroll, HR, and benefits management tools. 

This platform may be a good choice for small companies looking for a complete solution at an affordable price. 

Learn more about OnPay here.

Features of OnPay

  • Unlimited pay runs 
  • Various employee payment options 
  • Customizable reports 
  • Self-service portal 
  • Payroll tax management 

With its HR-specific features, OnPay helps you streamline your workflow by providing you with built-in W-4 or I-9 forms, offer letters, an e-signature tool, etc. OnPay also allows you to create and track onboarding tasks, like assigning a peer coach to your new hire, planning orientation training, etc.

Lastly, OnPay partnered with multiple health insurance companies, including United Healthcare, Cigna, and Humana, and provides licensed brokers to help you find and set up the right health insurance plan for your employees. 

This platform also covers 401(k) and workers’ compensation plans.  

Pros of OnPay

  • Mobile responsive platform 
  • Integration capabilities 
  • Easy to use 

In terms of ease of use, OnPay has an intuitive interface, making it easy for beginners to navigate throughout the platform and learn how to make the most out of it in no time. Furthermore, OnPay comes with data migration and system setup support, while its mobile responsive platform allows you to run payroll while you’re on the go. There are also plenty of how-to guides available. 

Pricing of OnPay

OnPay charges $36/month + $4/month/employee for its services, and you’ll have access to all of the features mentioned above. There’s also no setup fee, and you’ll get the first month for free.

Learn more about OnPay here.

Payroll Software: FAQs

What is Payroll Software? 

Payroll software is a system used to streamline payroll operations from beginning to end. It allows businesses to automate, organize, and manage employee payments, records, taxes, compensation, year-end bonuses, benefits, etc. 
Payroll software helps companies pay their employees the right amount at the right time, minimize errors, and generally improve productivity.

What is the best Payroll software for a small business? 

Gusto is the best solution overall. It’s effortless to use and covers all the features needed to conduct payroll operations effectively. Gusto is an all-in-one software solution, so this platform can also be handy for other activities, like benefits management, hiring, and onboarding new employees. 
Moreover, its flexible pricing plans allow you to get the optimal value for money, as you can purchase or remove extra add-ons whenever you need them. 

Conclusion: What Payroll Software is Right for My Business?

In short, it depends on the type of business you run, the features you need, whether you have prior experience with payroll software solutions, the regions the software supports, and ultimately, your budget. 

For instance, if you’re on a tighter budget, OnPay may be your best bet. It offers all of the necessary features for businesses to conduct their payroll operations, HR activities, and benefits administration at a fair price. 

On the other hand, if you’re seeking a more in-depth software system, Rippling may be a better option. It covers a broad set of advanced features, like global payroll management or talent management. You can also extend that platform’s functionality as your business expands. 

A quick recap: 

Further read:

5 Best HR Software for Human Resources Management in 2022

Best Accounting Software

More on Payroll

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