Sorted by starting price

8 Cheapest Payroll Software for Small Business of 2026

By the Rankozo research desk · Updated November 6, 2026

Among the 10 tools in our best payroll software for small business ranking, Rippling has the lowest verified paid starting price at $8 per employee per month, plus base fee. Prices below are quoted from each vendor's US pricing page.

1. 01

   Rippling

   Growing companies that want payroll tied to device management, apps and HR in one system.

   From $8 per employee per month plus an undisclosed monthly base fee; custom quote required

   Full entry, No. 8 overall

   Starts at

   $8

   Score 7.9

2. 02

   SurePayroll

   Very small teams in one state that want the lowest base fee, or owners who file payroll taxes themselves.

   Full Service $29 per month plus $7 per employee; No Tax Filing $20 plus $4; multi-state $9.99 per month; year-end forms $50 plus $5 per form

   Full entry, No. 5 overall

   Starts at

   $29

   Score 8.2

3. 03

   Square Payroll

   Square sellers and hourly teams that want low base fees and timecards imported from the POS.

   Full-service $35 per month plus $6 per person paid; contractor-only $6 per person paid with no base fee

   Full entry, No. 3 overall

   Starts at

   $35

   Score 8.5

4. 04

   Wave Payroll

   Sole owners and micro businesses already using Wave for invoicing and bookkeeping.

   $40 per month base fee plus $6 per active employee and $6 per contractor paid; 30-day free trial

   Full entry, No. 7 overall

   Starts at

   $40

   Score 8.0

5. 05

   Gusto

   Single-state small businesses that expect to add benefits, time tracking or more states later.

   Simple $49 per month plus $6 per person (one state); Plus $80 plus $12; Premium $180 plus $22

   Full entry, No. 1 overall

   Starts at

   $49

   Score 8.7

6. 06

   OnPay

   Small employers that want tax filing, multi-state payroll and year-end forms in one published price.

   $49 per month base fee plus $6 per worker; multi-state payroll, local taxes and year-end filings included

   Full entry, No. 2 overall

   Starts at

   $49

   Score 8.7

7. 07

   QuickBooks Payroll

   QuickBooks Online users who want payroll taxes filed and 1099s e-filed inside the same account.

   Workforce Payroll $50 per month plus $7 per employee (50% off base for 3 months); Premium $88 plus $13; Elite $134 plus $17

   Full entry, No. 4 overall

   Starts at

   $50

   Score 8.2

8. 08

   Roll by ADP

   Owners who want to run payroll from a phone in minutes and need workers in more than one state.

   $59 per month plus $7 per employee; three months free for new customers

   Full entry, No. 6 overall

   Starts at

   $59

   Score 8.1

Scores and prices come from our Best Payroll Software for Small Business ranking, which uses one method for every tool. Questions or corrections: editorial@rankozo.com