Best Payroll Software Updated December 2024

Join the millions that have trusted BuyersGuide.org's expert reviews and data-driven recommendations. Our curated list of payroll software includes options for businesses of all sizes.

Best Payroll Software
2024 Buyer's GuideUpdated December 2024

9.8

1

9.8

3 Months Free
  • Features: Payroll, employee benefits, HR services, time & attendance, and business insurance
  • Integrations: Quickbooks, Xero, Sage, and more accounting software integrations
  • Support: 24/7 US-based customer support
  • Ideal For: Small and medium-sized businesses, remote businesses
  • Free Trial: No trial, free quote offered

9.8

1

9.8

3 Months Free
  • Features: Payroll, employee benefits, HR services, time & attendance, and business insurance
  • Integrations: Quickbooks, Xero, Sage, and more accounting software integrations
  • Support: 24/7 US-based customer support
  • Ideal For: Small and medium-sized businesses, remote businesses
  • Free Trial: No trial, free quote offered

9.1

2

9.1

3 Months Free Payroll with Sign-Up
  • Features: HR, Payroll, benefits, compliance and more
  • Integrations: Quickbooks, Xero, Workday, Wave, and more
  • Support: By phone or online knowledge base
  • Ideal For: Small and mid-size businesses
  • Free Trial: 3 months free payroll with sign-up

9.1

2

9.1

3 Months Free Payroll with Sign-Up
  • Features: HR, Payroll, benefits, compliance and more
  • Integrations: Quickbooks, Xero, Workday, Wave, and more
  • Support: By phone or online knowledge base
  • Ideal For: Small and mid-size businesses
  • Free Trial: 3 months free payroll with sign-up

8.9

3

8.9

  • Features: Payroll, employee benefits, hiring & onboarding, HR experts, time tools, Gusto Wallet
  • Integrations: Multiple accounting, time tracking, benefits, and other app integrations
  • Support: Dedicated customer success managers for select account types
  • Ideal For: Small and medium-sized businesses, contractors
  • Free Trial: Free account setup

8.9

3

8.9

  • Features: Payroll, employee benefits, hiring & onboarding, HR experts, time tools, Gusto Wallet
  • Integrations: Multiple accounting, time tracking, benefits, and other app integrations
  • Support: Dedicated customer success managers for select account types
  • Ideal For: Small and medium-sized businesses, contractors
  • Free Trial: Free account setup

8.6

4

8.6

  • Features: Unlimited monthly pay runs, automated tax payments & filings, free W-2 & 1099 processing & more
  • Integrations: QuickBooks Online, Desktop & Time, Xero, Deputy, When I Work & more
  • Support: Expert support via phone or email
  • Ideal For: 500+ employee companies, restaurants, non-profits, churches
  • Free Trial: 30-day free trial

8.6

4

8.6

  • Features: Unlimited monthly pay runs, automated tax payments & filings, free W-2 & 1099 processing & more
  • Integrations: QuickBooks Online, Desktop & Time, Xero, Deputy, When I Work & more
  • Support: Expert support via phone or email
  • Ideal For: 500+ employee companies, restaurants, non-profits, churches
  • Free Trial: 30-day free trial

8.3

5

8.3

50% Off Quickbooks First 3 Months
  • Features: Direct deposit, time tracking, 1099 e-file, HR support, tax penalty protection & more
  • Integrations: Amazon Business, PayPal, Square, Shopify & more
  • Support: 24/7 expert callback support
  • Ideal For: Small to mid-size businesses
  • Free Trial: 30-day free trial

8.3

5

8.3

50% Off Quickbooks First 3 Months
  • Features: Direct deposit, time tracking, 1099 e-file, HR support, tax penalty protection & more
  • Integrations: Amazon Business, PayPal, Square, Shopify & more
  • Support: 24/7 expert callback support
  • Ideal For: Small to mid-size businesses
  • Free Trial: 30-day free trial

8.2

6

8.2

  • Features: Free 2-day direct deposit, unlimited payrolls, HR integration
  • Integrations: Next Insurance, Plaid, QuickBooks Desktop, Quickbooks Online, Quickbooks Time, Patriot Time and Attendance, Patriot Accounting, Patriot HR
  • Support: US-based support (with free setup available)
  • Ideal For: Contractors, small businesses
  • Free Trial: 30-day free trial

8.2

6

8.2

  • Features: Free 2-day direct deposit, unlimited payrolls, HR integration
  • Integrations: Next Insurance, Plaid, QuickBooks Desktop, Quickbooks Online, Quickbooks Time, Patriot Time and Attendance, Patriot Accounting, Patriot HR
  • Support: US-based support (with free setup available)
  • Ideal For: Contractors, small businesses
  • Free Trial: 30-day free trial

7.9

7

7.9

14% Off An Annual Subscription
  • Features: Payroll, benefits, compliance, taxes, stock options, relocation and more for international employees and contractors
  • Integrations: Google Workspace, Greenhouse, HiBob, Easop, BambooHR, SecureAuth, AngelList, and more
  • Support: Personalized global support with live chat assistance
  • Ideal For: Businesses of any size that hire internationally
  • Free Trial: Get a free quote or get started for as low as $29

7.9

7

7.9

14% Off An Annual Subscription
  • Features: Payroll, benefits, compliance, taxes, stock options, relocation and more for international employees and contractors
  • Integrations: Google Workspace, Greenhouse, HiBob, Easop, BambooHR, SecureAuth, AngelList, and more
  • Support: Personalized global support with live chat assistance
  • Ideal For: Businesses of any size that hire internationally
  • Free Trial: Get a free quote or get started for as low as $29

7.8

8

7.8

  • Features: Hire International Contractors & Employees, Global Compliance & Contracts, Global Payroll in 120+ Currencies, Automated Invoicing, and more
  • Integrations: NetSuite, Quickbooks, Xero, Expensify, Workday, BambooHR, Hibob, Greenhouse, Lever, Ashby, Workable, Slack, and more
  • Support: Instant 24/7 in-app support, plus a dedicated account manager for every team
  • Ideal For: Small to mid-size businesses
  • Free Trial: Start for free, cancel anytime

7.8

8

7.8

  • Features: Hire International Contractors & Employees, Global Compliance & Contracts, Global Payroll in 120+ Currencies, Automated Invoicing, and more
  • Integrations: NetSuite, Quickbooks, Xero, Expensify, Workday, BambooHR, Hibob, Greenhouse, Lever, Ashby, Workable, Slack, and more
  • Support: Instant 24/7 in-app support, plus a dedicated account manager for every team
  • Ideal For: Small to mid-size businesses
  • Free Trial: Start for free, cancel anytime

7.7

9

7.7

  • Features: Recruiting, HR, talent, time, payroll, analytics
  • Integrations: Pay solutions, background screening, advanced scheduling, benefits, point of sale, compliance, rewards & recognition
  • Support: Omni-channel support including live chat, phone, online case management, and knowledge base
  • Ideal For: Small and medium-sized businesses
  • Free Trial: 14-day free trial

7.7

9

7.7

  • Features: Recruiting, HR, talent, time, payroll, analytics
  • Integrations: Pay solutions, background screening, advanced scheduling, benefits, point of sale, compliance, rewards & recognition
  • Support: Omni-channel support including live chat, phone, online case management, and knowledge base
  • Ideal For: Small and medium-sized businesses
  • Free Trial: 14-day free trial

7.6

10

7.6

  • Features: Recruiting and onboarding, talent management, automated payroll
  • Integrations: Sage accounting, banking software, and more
  • Support: 12/4 phone, chat, email, online knowledge base support
  • Ideal For: Small and medium sized businesses
  • Free Trial: 1 month free trial

7.6

10

7.6

  • Features: Recruiting and onboarding, talent management, automated payroll
  • Integrations: Sage accounting, banking software, and more
  • Support: 12/4 phone, chat, email, online knowledge base support
  • Ideal For: Small and medium sized businesses
  • Free Trial: 1 month free trial

Our Top Choice

9.8

1

9.8

3 Months Free
  • Features: Payroll, employee benefits, HR services, time & attendance, and business insurance
  • Integrations: Quickbooks, Xero, Sage, and more accounting software integrations
  • Support: 24/7 US-based customer support
  • Ideal For: Small and medium-sized businesses, remote businesses
  • Free Trial: No trial, free quote offered

9.8

1

9.8

3 Months Free
  • Features: Payroll, employee benefits, HR services, time & attendance, and business insurance
  • Integrations: Quickbooks, Xero, Sage, and more accounting software integrations
  • Support: 24/7 US-based customer support
  • Ideal For: Small and medium-sized businesses, remote businesses
  • Free Trial: No trial, free quote offered

Compare Features

Integrations
Best Overall
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Deal
3 Months Free 3 Months Free Payroll with Sign-Up 50% Off Quickbooks First 3 Months 14% Off An Annual Subscription
Deal 3 Months Free 3 Months Free Payroll with Sign-Up 50% Off Quickbooks First 3 Months 14% Off An Annual Subscription
Features
Payroll, employee benefits, HR services, time & attendance, and business insurance HR, Payroll, benefits, compliance and more Payroll, employee benefits, hiring & onboarding, HR experts, time tools, Gusto Wallet Unlimited monthly pay runs, automated tax payments & filings, free W-2 & 1099 processing & more Direct deposit, time tracking, 1099 e-file, HR support, tax penalty protection & more Free 2-day direct deposit, unlimited payrolls, HR integration Payroll, benefits, compliance, taxes, stock options, relocation and more for international employees and contractors Hire International Contractors & Employees, Global Compliance & Contracts, Global Payroll in 120+ Currencies, Automated Invoicing, and more Recruiting, HR, talent, time, payroll, analytics Recruiting and onboarding, talent management, automated payroll
Features
Payroll, employee benefits, HR services, time & attendance, and business insurance HR, Payroll, benefits, compliance and more Payroll, employee benefits, hiring & onboarding, HR experts, time tools, Gusto Wallet Unlimited monthly pay runs, automated tax payments & filings, free W-2 & 1099 processing & more Direct deposit, time tracking, 1099 e-file, HR support, tax penalty protection & more Free 2-day direct deposit, unlimited payrolls, HR integration Payroll, benefits, compliance, taxes, stock options, relocation and more for international employees and contractors Hire International Contractors & Employees, Global Compliance & Contracts, Global Payroll in 120+ Currencies, Automated Invoicing, and more Recruiting, HR, talent, time, payroll, analytics Recruiting and onboarding, talent management, automated payroll
Integrations
Quickbooks, Xero, Sage, and more accounting software integrations Quickbooks, Xero, Workday, Wave, and more Multiple accounting, time tracking, benefits, and other app integrations QuickBooks Online, Desktop & Time, Xero, Deputy, When I Work & more Amazon Business, PayPal, Square, Shopify & more Next Insurance, Plaid, QuickBooks Desktop, Quickbooks Online, Quickbooks Time, Patriot Time and Attendance, Patriot Accounting, Patriot HR Google Workspace, Greenhouse, HiBob, Easop, BambooHR, SecureAuth, AngelList, and more NetSuite, Quickbooks, Xero, Expensify, Workday, BambooHR, Hibob, Greenhouse, Lever, Ashby, Workable, Slack, and more Pay solutions, background screening, advanced scheduling, benefits, point of sale, compliance, rewards & recognition Sage accounting, banking software, and more
Integrations
Quickbooks, Xero, Sage, and more accounting software integrations Quickbooks, Xero, Workday, Wave, and more Multiple accounting, time tracking, benefits, and other app integrations QuickBooks Online, Desktop & Time, Xero, Deputy, When I Work & more Amazon Business, PayPal, Square, Shopify & more Next Insurance, Plaid, QuickBooks Desktop, Quickbooks Online, Quickbooks Time, Patriot Time and Attendance, Patriot Accounting, Patriot HR Google Workspace, Greenhouse, HiBob, Easop, BambooHR, SecureAuth, AngelList, and more NetSuite, Quickbooks, Xero, Expensify, Workday, BambooHR, Hibob, Greenhouse, Lever, Ashby, Workable, Slack, and more Pay solutions, background screening, advanced scheduling, benefits, point of sale, compliance, rewards & recognition Sage accounting, banking software, and more
Support
24/7 US-based customer support By phone or online knowledge base Dedicated customer success managers for select account types Expert support via phone or email 24/7 expert callback support US-based support (with free setup available) Personalized global support with live chat assistance Instant 24/7 in-app support, plus a dedicated account manager for every team Omni-channel support including live chat, phone, online case management, and knowledge base 12/4 phone, chat, email, online knowledge base support
Support
24/7 US-based customer support By phone or online knowledge base Dedicated customer success managers for select account types Expert support via phone or email 24/7 expert callback support US-based support (with free setup available) Personalized global support with live chat assistance Instant 24/7 in-app support, plus a dedicated account manager for every team Omni-channel support including live chat, phone, online case management, and knowledge base 12/4 phone, chat, email, online knowledge base support
Ideal For
Small and medium-sized businesses, remote businesses Small and mid-size businesses Small and medium-sized businesses, contractors 500+ employee companies, restaurants, non-profits, churches Small to mid-size businesses Contractors, small businesses Businesses of any size that hire internationally Small to mid-size businesses Small and medium-sized businesses Small and medium sized businesses
Ideal For
Small and medium-sized businesses, remote businesses Small and mid-size businesses Small and medium-sized businesses, contractors 500+ employee companies, restaurants, non-profits, churches Small to mid-size businesses Contractors, small businesses Businesses of any size that hire internationally Small to mid-size businesses Small and medium-sized businesses Small and medium sized businesses
Free Trial
No trial, free quote offered 3 months free payroll with sign-up Free account setup 30-day free trial 30-day free trial 30-day free trial Get a free quote or get started for as low as $29 Start for free, cancel anytime 14-day free trial 1 month free trial
Free Trial
No trial, free quote offered 3 months free payroll with sign-up Free account setup 30-day free trial 30-day free trial 30-day free trial Get a free quote or get started for as low as $29 Start for free, cancel anytime 14-day free trial 1 month free trial

Payroll Software Buyer's Guide

Payroll software automates the process of paying employee salaries and enables companies to customize paychecks and manage tax information with great ease and efficiency.



Overview

When shopping for a payroll software plan, it’s important to know what to look for so you can easily compare products. Here are some considerations to keep in mind:

  • What is payroll software?

    Payroll software is a cloud-based or on-premises solution that is designed to manage and automate employee payments. Payroll software also tracks all payment records and maintains compliance with tax laws and other financial regulations.
  • Is payroll software worth it?

    Payroll software ensures that all employee payments are processed and dispensed in a timely and seamless manner. It is a worthy investment for all organizations, big or small, as it saves you time and money in the long run.
  • What are the important features of payroll software?

    A few important features of payroll software include automatic calculation of deductions, processing direct paycheck deposits, and creating tax forms. Some may also offer self-service capabilities and the option of generating customized audit reports.
  • What makes the best payroll software?

    The most sought-after payroll software generally offers a simple setup and top-notch customer support. They also generate accurate deposits, tax filing, and payroll reports and offer excellent integration options.



Payroll Software FAQ

So how do you choose a payroll software plan that’s right for you? These are the questions consumers are asking when shopping for a payroll software plan.

How do you install payroll software?

To install payroll software you can simply visit your chosen payroll software website and click on the ‘Download Now’ icon. Once it is downloaded onto your computer, you can start the setup process. You will have to choose your software package and fill in your contact details, license and registration information, along with payment information. You will then have to forward these details to the payroll software company that will send you a registration code. You can enter this code to finish setup and start using the payroll software.

What organizations can use payroll software?

Payroll software can be used by any organization - big or small. Some payroll software is suitable for small to medium-sized businesses while others are designed for 500+ employee companies, restaurants, and non-profit organizations. You can also find payroll software ideal for remote businesses, contractors, or entrepreneurs.

If you have locations outside of the US can you still use payroll software?

There is country-specific payroll software that can be used outside of the US. Some companies also engage third-party vendors to provide payroll services in countries outside the US, that may not have domestic versions.





Final Thoughts

Investing in payroll software ensures seamless processing of employee salaries and management of tax information while reducing errors and saving you considerable time and money.