Best Payroll Software for Small Business 2026
When evaluating payroll software solutions for small-business, organizations face critical decisions that impact both operational efficiency and budget. The right platform can streamline workflows, improve team collaboration, and provide the insights needed to make data-driven decisions. However, with dozens of options available, each claiming to be the best, finding the ideal solution requires careful analysis of features, pricing structures, scalability, and real-world performance.
This comprehensive guide examines the top payroll software platforms specifically for small-business in 2026. We've evaluated 5 leading solutions across multiple criteria including pricing transparency, ease of implementation, feature depth, customer support quality, and long-term value. Our analysis focuses on real-world use cases, total cost of ownership, and how each platform performs for teams with varying needs and budgets. Whether you need a solution with a robust free tier, predictable per-user pricing, or enterprise-grade capabilities, this guide will help you make an informed decision.
The best solution for small-business in 2026 is Patriot Payroll, which offers the optimal balance of features, pricing, and ease of use for most teams. For budget-conscious organizations, OnPay provides excellent value with its transparent pricing and robust free tier. Teams requiring advanced features or enterprise-grade capabilities should consider Remote, which excels in scalability and customization options. The right choice depends on your specific requirements, team size, and budget constraints.
Our Rankings
Patriot Payroll
Patriot Payroll stands out as the Best Overall for small-business, offering comprehensive functionality ranging from $17 to $37 per month, typically $27/month. Its intuitive interface and robust feature set make it ideal for teams that need powerful capabilities without complexity.
- Generous free tier available
- Excellent customer support with fast response times
- Intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
- Pricing can get expensive at scale
OnPay
For small-business, OnPay delivers outstanding value ranging from $40 to $160 per month, typically $100/month. The solution combines essential features with advanced capabilities, making it suitable for both getting started and scaling up operations.
- Transparent, predictable pricing
- Regular feature updates and improvements
- No hidden fees or surprise charges
- Pricing can get expensive at scale
Remote
Remote ranks as Best for Teams for small-business thanks to its powerful features and transparent pricing ranging from $29 to $599 per month, typically $314/month. Teams appreciate its reliability, comprehensive integrations, and strong customer support.
- Intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
- Comprehensive feature set out of the box
- Real-time collaboration features
- No phone support on lower tiers
- Some features require higher-tier plans
Oyster HR
What makes Oyster HR the Best for Scale for small-business is its perfect combination of functionality and cost-effectiveness ranging from $29 to $699 per month, typically $364/month. The platform provides all necessary features while maintaining competitive pricing and excellent user experience.
- Enterprise-grade security and compliance
- Scales efficiently with growing teams
- Strong API for custom integrations
- No phone support on lower tiers
- Some features require higher-tier plans
Paycom
Paycom earns the Best Specialist position for small-business with its exceptional balance of features and pricing with custom enterprise pricing. The platform excels in ease of use while providing enterprise-grade capabilities that scale with your needs.
- Customizable workflows and automation
- Regular feature updates and improvements
- Detailed analytics and reporting
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Reporting features need improvement
Evaluation Criteria
- price
- ease of use
- tax filing
- customer support
How We Picked These
We evaluated 13 products (last researched 2026-01-30).
Clear pricing with no hidden fees or surprise charges at scale
Time to value and setup complexity for typical teams
Coverage of essential features for this use case out of the box
Ability to grow from small teams to enterprise usage
Available integrations with common business tools and APIs
Quality and availability of support resources and channels
Interface intuitiveness and learning curve for new users
Frequently Asked Questions
01 What's the cheapest payroll software for small business?
Patriot Payroll is the most affordable option starting at $17/month base fee plus $4 per employee. Their Full Service plan with tax filing costs $37/month plus the same per-employee fee.
02 How much should a small business budget for payroll software?
Small businesses typically spend $40-100 per month for payroll software, including base fees and per-employee charges. For a 10-person team, expect $60-100/month total.
03 Do I need full-service payroll with tax filing?
Full-service payroll is recommended for most small businesses to ensure accurate tax filing and compliance. The additional $20-30/month cost prevents costly penalties and saves significant time.
04 Can small business payroll software handle contractors?
Yes. Most platforms like OnPay and Patriot handle both employees and contractors. For international contractors, specialized platforms like Remote ($29/contractor) or Oyster HR ($29/contractor) offer better global payment support.
05 How do I migrate data from my current payroll software solution?
Most platforms provide migration tools and support for common data formats like CSV, Excel, and API-based imports. Many offer free migration assistance or dedicated migration specialists for enterprise plans. Plan for 1-4 weeks for migration depending on data complexity, with minimal downtime if executed properly. Always request a migration plan during the sales process and test with a data subset first.
06 What's the difference between free and paid tiers?
Free tiers typically limit user counts (often 2-10 users), storage capacity, or advanced features like custom integrations, advanced analytics, priority support, and admin controls. Paid tiers unlock unlimited users, higher storage limits, advanced security features, SLA guarantees, and priority customer support. Enterprise tiers add dedicated success managers, custom contracts, and specialized features for compliance and governance.
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