Gusto
Easy, automated payroll with tax filings; Simple $49/mo + $6/person (single state).
- From $49/mo
- +$6/person
- Auto tax filing
Business
The best payroll software for small business
Best payroll software for small business: Gusto. Why it wins: Easy, automated payroll with tax filings; Simple $49/mo + $6/person (single state). Also see best value: OnPay; best for QuickBooks users: QuickBooks Payroll.
For most small businesses Gusto is the best payroll service: easy setup, automatic tax filings and good employee self-service, from $49 a month plus $6 per person on the Simple plan (single state). OnPay costs the same base and per-worker price but includes multi-state payroll. If your books are already in QuickBooks, QuickBooks Payroll (now sold under the QuickBooks Workforce name) keeps everything in one place.
Based on IRS · Gusto pricing · OnPay pricing +1 more
Which one should you buy?
OnPay
One plan at $49/mo + $6/worker, with multi-state payroll included.
- $49/mo
- +$6/worker
- Multi-state included
QuickBooks Payroll
Payroll that lives inside QuickBooks Online, so books and pay stay in sync.
- QuickBooks native
- Auto taxes
- Same-day options
Prices are official list prices as of October 2026 and can change. We don’t use affiliate links on this site. How we choose.
The short answer: Gusto for most; OnPay if you pay people in more than one state; QuickBooks Payroll if you already use QuickBooks Online. Estimate your cost with our calculator.
How do the top payroll software compare?
Swipe the table sideways to see all three →
| Spec | Best overallGusto | Best valueOnPay | Best for QuickBooks usersQuickBooks Payroll |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base fee | $49/mo (Simple) | $49/mo | See Intuit pricing |
| Per person | $6/person | $6/worker | Per employee |
| Multi-state | Plus plan ($80 + $12/person) | Included | Varies by plan |
| Tax filing | Federal, state, local filings | Federal, state, local filings | Federal and state filings |
| Best for | Most small businesses | Multi-state teams | QuickBooks Online users |
| Plans | See plans | See plans | See plans |
Why pick Gusto?
Gusto is the most approachable payroll service for a first employee: guided setup, automatic payroll tax filings, and a clean employee portal for pay stubs and W-2s.
The Simple plan covers one state. Paying people in multiple states requires Plus at $80 a month plus $12 per person (October 2026).
Great if you
- Hire your first employees
- Want a clean employee portal
- Are in one state
Skip it if you
- Have employees in multiple states on a tight budget
Key specs
- Simple
- $49/month + $6/person, single state
- Plus
- $80/month + $12/person
- Includes
- Automated filings, W-2s and 1099s
- Contractors
- Supported
GustoPrices are list prices on each official site as of October 2026; taxes, promotions and renewals vary. These are not affiliate links.
See plans on the official site Why pick OnPay?
OnPay keeps pricing simple: one plan with the features most small businesses need, including multi-state payroll that costs extra elsewhere.
Its interface is plainer than Gusto’s, but for multi-state teams the savings are real.
Great if you
- Pay people in several states
- Want one simple plan
Skip it if you
- Want the most polished app
Key specs
- Price
- $49/month + $6/worker
- Multi-state
- Included
- Includes
- Automated filings, W-2s and 1099s
OnPayPrices are list prices on each official site as of October 2026; taxes, promotions and renewals vary. These are not affiliate links.
See plans on the official site Why pick QuickBooks Payroll?
If your accounting already runs in QuickBooks Online, Intuit’s payroll avoids syncing between two systems.
Pricing varies by plan and promotion; compare the full monthly cost against Gusto or OnPay with your headcount.
Great if you
- Already use QuickBooks Online
- Want one vendor
Skip it if you
- Don’t use QuickBooks
Key specs
- Integration
- Built into QuickBooks Online
- Pricing
- See Intuit’s current plans
- Includes
- Automated payroll taxes
QuickBooks PayrollPrices are list prices on each official site as of October 2026; taxes, promotions and renewals vary. These are not affiliate links.
See plans on the official site What should you look for in payroll software?
Total monthly cost
Base fee plus per-person fee times headcount, including contractors.
States
Multi-state payroll is included in some plans and costs extra in others.
Tax filings
Make sure the service files and pays federal, state and local payroll taxes for you.
Benefits
Check health insurance, retirement and workers’ comp integrations.
GustoPrices are list prices on each official site as of October 2026; taxes, promotions and renewals vary. These are not affiliate links.
See plans on the official site Compare your real monthly cost by headcount with the payroll cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions about payroll software
Do I need payroll software for one employee?
It’s strongly recommended: payroll taxes and filings are easy to get wrong. The IRS explains employer responsibilities.
Do contractors count toward the per-person fee?
Usually yes, if you pay them through the service. Check each plan.
Gusto or OnPay?
Gusto for the smoothest experience in one state; OnPay for multi-state value.
Can I switch payroll providers mid-year?
Yes, but it’s easiest at a quarter start; your new provider will need year-to-date data.
Are there setup fees?
Many providers advertise no setup fees; confirm before signing.
How did we pick these payroll software?
We compared base fees, per-person costs, multi-state support and tax filing features from each provider’s official pricing pages, and IRS employer tax guidance.
We have not hands-on tested these products; we compare published specifications, independent measurements and manufacturer documentation, and we update this page when models change. Read the full methodology.
What sources did we use?
- IRS: employment taxes for small businesses (accessed October 23, 2026)
- Gusto pricing (accessed October 23, 2026)
- OnPay pricing (accessed October 23, 2026)
- QuickBooks Workforce (payroll) (accessed October 23, 2026)