Quick Answer
Last verified:

Paychex pricing varies by team size and features, ranging from $39 to $149 per month in 2026. Your actual cost depends on the tier you choose, contract length, and negotiated discounts.

Use the interactive pricing calculator to estimate your exact cost based on team size and requirements.

  • Free tier: No free tier available
  • Billing: Monthly and annual (save 15-20%)
  • Hidden costs: Add ~35% for implementation, support, and training
Last verified: January 2026 | Sources: 5 pricing pages and reviews
4 alternatives

Top Paychex Alternatives

1

Gusto

Easy Migration
$49-202/month + per employee
Best for: Small businesses under 100 employees wanting modern, simple payroll
vs Paychex:

Gusto offers better UX, transparent pricing, and superior customer support, but lacks Paychex's local reps and PEO services

View Gusto Pricing →
2

ADP Workforce Now

Medium Effort
$10-25/user/month
Best for: Larger enterprises needing comprehensive payroll and HR
vs Paychex:

ADP has a more modern platform and stronger enterprise features, but similar pricing and traditional service model to Paychex

View ADP Workforce Now Pricing →
3

Rippling

Medium Effort
$8-35/user/month
Best for: Growing companies that need HR, payroll, and IT management together
vs Paychex:

Rippling is more affordable with modern software and includes IT management, but lacks Paychex's traditional support model and PEO services

View Rippling Pricing →
4

Paylocity

Medium Effort
$20-40/user/month
Best for: Mid-market companies (50-5,000 employees) wanting modern HR platform
vs Paychex:

Paylocity offers better UX and employee engagement tools at competitive pricing, but Paychex has broader PEO offerings and local service

View Paylocity Pricing →

When to Stay with Paychex

Stay with Paychex if you value having a dedicated local payroll specialist you can call, need their PEO services for outsourced HR support, or have complex multi-state payroll that benefits from their decades of expertise

  • You've invested heavily in customizations and integrations
  • Your team is highly trained and productive on Paychex
  • You need features that alternatives don't offer
  • Migration costs would exceed multi-year savings

Price Comparison

Product Price Range Migration
Current Paychex $39-$149/month -
Gusto $49-202/month + per employee Easy
ADP Workforce Now $10-25/user/month Medium
Rippling $8-35/user/month Medium
Paylocity $20-40/user/month Medium

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What are the best Paychex alternatives?

The top Paychex alternatives include Gusto, ADP Workforce Now, Rippling, Paylocity. Each offers different strengths: Gusto is small businesses under 100 employees wanting modern, simple payroll, while ADP Workforce Now is larger enterprises needing comprehensive payroll and hr.

02 Is it hard to switch from Paychex to an alternative?

Migration difficulty varies by alternative. Among Paychex alternatives, Gusto offer easy migration paths with import tools. More complex migrations may require data cleanup and workflow reconfiguration.

03 How much can I save by switching from Paychex?

Depending on the alternative you choose, you could save anywhere from 20% to 70% on per-user costs. Paychex's typical price of $79/month is on the higher end of the market. Factor in migration costs and productivity dip during transition.

04 Should I stay with Paychex or switch?

Stay with Paychex if you value having a dedicated local payroll specialist you can call, need their PEO services for outsourced HR support, or have complex multi-state payroll that benefits from their decades of expertise However, if your needs have evolved or you're not using Paychex's advanced features, exploring alternatives could save you money and complexity.

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