Best Payroll Software 2026
HR Software solutions help teams streamline workflows and improve productivity. Choosing the right platform for payroll requires balancing features, ease of use, and total cost of ownership.
This guide evaluates the top options based on real-world pricing, user feedback, and feature depth to help you make an informed decision. We've analyzed pricing models, hidden costs, and value propositions to surface the best choices for different team sizes and budgets.
The best payroll software in 2026 is Gusto for small to mid-size businesses with its excellent user experience and all-in-one platform. Rippling excels for tech companies with global teams, while ADP serves large enterprises with complex needs.
Our Rankings
Gusto
Best for small to mid-size businesses with great UX This platform offers competitive pricing and a comprehensive feature set that scales with your needs. Implementation is straightforward and support is responsive.
- AI-powered search and insights
- Reliable platform with regular updates
- Responsive customer support
- May require training for advanced features
Rippling
Best for tech companies with global teams This platform offers competitive pricing and a comprehensive feature set that scales with your needs. Implementation is straightforward and support is responsive.
- AI-powered search and insights
- Reliable platform with regular updates
- Responsive customer support
- May lack some advanced features of competitors
ADP
Best for large enterprises with complex payroll This platform offers competitive pricing and a comprehensive feature set that scales with your needs. Implementation is straightforward and support is responsive.
- AI-powered search and insights
- Reliable platform with regular updates
- Responsive customer support
- May lack some advanced features of competitors
- Steeper learning curve for full feature adoption
ADP Workforce Now
Reliable platform with strong core features and competitive pricing. Offers good value for teams looking for a proven solution with responsive support and regular product updates.
- Intuitive user interface
- Strong customer support
- Competitive pricing model
- Fewer integrations than market leaders
BambooHR
Reliable platform with strong core features and competitive pricing. Offers good value for teams looking for a proven solution with responsive support and regular product updates.
- Intuitive user interface
- Strong customer support
- Competitive pricing model
- Fewer integrations than market leaders
Evaluation Criteria
- price
- features
- ease of use
- tax filing
How We Picked These
We evaluated 11 products (last researched 2026-01-30).
Total cost including hidden fees, implementation, and support
Depth and breadth of core functionality for this use case
Learning curve, setup time, and user experience
API access, native integrations, and ecosystem
Documentation, training resources, and customer service responsiveness
Frequently Asked Questions
01 How much does payroll software cost?
Payroll software costs $35-180 base fee plus $4-22 per employee per month in 2026. Gusto is $49 + $6/person (Simple). Rippling is $8/user. ADP pricing is custom for enterprise.
02 What's included in payroll software?
Payroll software handles wage calculations, tax withholding and filing, direct deposit, W-2/1099 generation, and compliance. Premium tiers add benefits administration and HR features.
03 Can small businesses do payroll themselves?
Yes, but payroll software ($50-150/mo) saves time and reduces compliance risk. Manual payroll risks tax penalties and requires deep knowledge of regulations.
04 How long does hr software implementation take?
Implementation time ranges from 1 day for simple cloud platforms to 3-6 months for enterprise solutions requiring data migration, custom workflows, and extensive training.
05 Can I switch hr software platforms later?
Yes, but data migration can be complex and time-consuming. Most platforms offer CSV export and some provide migration assistance or APIs. Plan for 2-4 weeks of transition time and test thoroughly before switching.
06 What hidden costs should I watch for?
Common hidden costs include setup/onboarding fees, data migration services, training and professional services, premium support plans, additional users beyond base tier, API access, storage overages, and feature add-ons.