How We Match You With the Right Payroll Software
Our quiz evaluates six leading HR and payroll platforms across 20 scoring dimensions. Your answers about primary use case, workforce location, company size, priorities, and experience level are weighted to produce a personalized ranking. Workforce location carries heavy weight because the right platform differs dramatically between US-only teams, multi-state employers, and international operations. We test each platform regularly across pricing transparency, ease of use, compliance coverage, support quality, and the experience created for both employers and employees. Scores are updated quarterly to reflect pricing changes and new feature releases.
The 6 Platforms in Our Quiz
Gusto is the small business payroll standard. Its interface guides first-time employers through payroll setup, tax registration, and benefits enrollment. Pricing is transparent at $40/month + $6/person, with health insurance, 401(k), and workers' comp available through Gusto's brokerage. Best for small US businesses (1-100 employees) who want approachable, all-in-one payroll and HR.
Rippling unifies HR, IT, and Finance into one platform. Onboard an employee and automatically set up payroll, ship a laptop, and provision software accounts. Global payroll handles international employees in 150+ countries. At $8/person base plus module pricing, total cost varies based on what you enable. Best for tech companies and modern mid-market businesses that want one system for people operations.
ADP processes paychecks for 1 in 6 US workers with 75+ years of payroll expertise. Multi-state, multi-jurisdiction, union, and complex compliance scenarios are its strengths. The RUN platform serves small businesses; Workforce Now serves mid-market. Custom pricing requires a sales conversation. Best for mid-to-large businesses with complex payroll needs and compliance requirements.
Paychex scales from 1 employee to mid-market with assigned payroll specialists on higher-tier plans. The human support model provides a named person who knows your business and handles your questions. Workers' comp pay-as-you-go and retirement plan administration are well-integrated. Custom pricing starts around $39/month. Best for businesses that value dedicated human support.
OnPay is the back-to-basics alternative to Gusto. Same transparent pricing ($40 + $6/person), one plan with everything included, and a 1-month free trial to run actual payroll before committing. No upsells, no tier confusion, no add-on fees. Best for small US businesses that want simple, honest payroll without complexity.
Deel is the global hiring standard for remote-first teams. Contractor management starts at $49/month per contractor; Employer of Record starts at $599/month for full-time employees in countries where you do not have a legal entity. Free HR software for up to 200 employees replaces a separate HRIS during early growth. Ranked #1 on G2 for EOR and Global Employment. Best for remote-first companies hiring internationally and businesses managing global contractor networks.
Payroll Software Pricing Comparison 2026
| Tool | Starting Price | Free Trial | Best For | Key Strength |
|---|
| Gusto | $40 + $6/person | No | Small US businesses | Transparent pricing |
| Rippling | $8/person + modules | No | Tech companies | Unified HR+IT+Finance |
| ADP | Custom (~$39+) | 3 months (RUN) | Mid-market+ | Compliance expertise |
| Paychex | Custom (~$39+) | No | Scalable + support | Dedicated specialists |
| OnPay | $40 + $6/person | 1 month free | Simple US payroll | No upsells |
| Deel | $49/contractor · $599/EOR | Free HR up to 200 | Global teams | 150+ countries |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best payroll software for small businesses?
Gusto for the friendliest all-in-one experience. OnPay for the same $40 + $6/person price with simpler structure and a 1-month free trial. Paychex if you want an assigned human specialist. Deel if your team is global or contractor-heavy.
How much does payroll software cost?
Gusto and OnPay: $40/month + $6/person. Rippling: $8/person base plus per-module pricing. Deel: $49/contractor or $599/EOR employee per month. ADP and Paychex: custom pricing, typically $39-79/month base plus per employee. A 10-person US company typically pays $100-160/month.
Gusto vs Rippling: which is better?
Gusto for small US businesses that want straightforward payroll. Rippling for tech-forward teams that want HR, IT, and finance unified on one platform. Gusto is simpler and cheaper for small teams; Rippling scales better as you add tools and complexity.
Which payroll software is best for global teams?
Deel for contractor management and Employer of Record in 150+ countries, starting at $49/contractor/month or $599/employee/month for EOR. Rippling for global payroll when you want it unified with the rest of your HR stack. US-only platforms like Gusto, OnPay, ADP, and Paychex are not built for international hiring.
Do I need separate software for contractors?
Not necessarily. Gusto, Rippling, and OnPay handle US 1099 contractors alongside W-2 payroll. For global contractors, Deel is purpose-built at $49/month per contractor with Contractor of Record protection against misclassification. If most of your workforce is international contractors, Deel is the right specialist.
Best By Use Case
Head-to-Head Comparisons