Best Payroll Software for Small Business (2026)
Payroll software automates wages, tax filings, benefits deductions, and contractor payments. We tested the top options on price, compliance coverage, and ease of use.
| Tool | Starts at |
|---|---|
| Gusto | $40/mo + $6/employee |
| Rippling | $8/employee/mo (modules priced separately) |
| Deel | $49/contractor/mo · EOR from $599/mo |
1.Gusto
$40/mo + $6/employee
Most loved all-in-one payroll for SMBs in the US.
Best for: 1–50 employees, multi-state, benefits + payroll in one place
Pros
- Auto tax filings in all 50 states
- Built-in benefits & 401(k)
- Contractor payments included
Cons
- US-only
- Time tracking is paid add-on on Simple plan
2.Rippling
$8/employee/mo (modules priced separately)
Payroll + HRIS + IT in one platform.
Best for: Growing teams that want HR, IT, and payroll unified
Pros
- Deep automation across HR + IT
- Global payroll available
- Powerful policy engine
Cons
- Pricing gets steep with add-ons
- Overkill for <10 employees
3.Deel
$49/contractor/mo · EOR from $599/mo
Best for global contractors and EOR.
Best for: Hiring across borders without entities
Pros
- 150+ countries
- Compliant contractor agreements
- Fast onboarding
Cons
- US payroll less mature than Gusto
- EOR cost adds up at scale