Business
Run payroll and keep the books without overpaying: base fees, per-person costs and plan limits compared.
Every pick at a glance
| Guide | Best overall | Budget / value | Premium / alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payroll software | Gusto | OnPay | QuickBooks Payroll |
| Accounting software | QuickBooks Online | Wave | Xero |
Guides
Best overall: Gusto
The best payroll software for small business
Base fee plus per-person cost decides it. Gusto for most; OnPay for multi-state value.
Best overall: QuickBooks Online
The best accounting software for small business
QuickBooks for most, Wave for free, Xero for teams that need many users.
Free tool
Payroll cost calculator
Compare Gusto and OnPay monthly costs by headcount.