Payroll services automate wage calculations, tax filings, and compliance tasks for employees and contractors, which saves time and reduces errors for business owners. They take the weight off your shoulders.
For this ranking, we reviewed 57 providers to identify the best payroll services for small businesses in 2025, focusing on cost, automation, compliance, integrations, and ease of use.
Best Payroll Services for Small Businesses
Based on our research, here’s the ranking of the top 10 payroll services for small businesses in 2025:
- Rise – Best overall for small businesses
- Square Payroll – Best for businesses using Square POS
- Paychex Flex – Best for scalable HR and payroll integration
- OnPay – Best for transparent pricing
- QuickBooks Payroll – Best for QuickBooks users
- ADP RUN – Best for businesses planning to grow
- Rippling – Best for all-in-one workforce management
- Wave Payroll – Best for affordability
- BrightPay – Best for UK and Irish businesses
- Gusto – Best for payroll with integrated HR and benefits
Compare Top Payroll Services in 2025
The table below summarizes the key details of the top payroll services for small businesses in 2025. It highlights pricing, trial availability, and the area where each service performs best.
Take a closer look before we move on to the detailed reviews of each.
Payroll Service | Price (Monthly) | Free Trial | Best For |
Rise | From $50/contractor or 3% volume; $299/contractor (AOR); $399/employee (EOR) | No (demo available) | Best overall |
Square Payroll | $35 base + $6 per worker; contractor-only $6 each | Yes | Businesses using Square POS |
Paychex Flex | $39–$95 base + $3–$5 per worker; PEO ~$140/employee | No (demos only) | Scalable HR and payroll |
OnPay | $49 base + $6 per worker | Yes (30 days) | Transparent pricing |
QuickBooks Payroll | $50–$134 base + $6.50–$12 per worker | Yes (30 days) | QuickBooks users |
ADP RUN | ~$79 base + $4 per worker (quotes vary) | Yes (90 days) | Businesses planning to grow |
Rippling | $8–$12 per user + $8 payroll add-on; global payroll from $599/employee | No (demo only) | All-in-one workforce management |
Wave Payroll | $20–$40 base + $6 per active worker | Yes (30 days) | Affordability |
BrightPay | £69–£259/year (SMBs); £299–£629/year (bureaus) | Yes (60 days) | UK and Irish businesses |
Gusto | $49–$135 base + $6–$16.50 per worker; contractor plan $35 + $6 each | Yes (1–3 months) | Payroll with integrated HR and benefits |
Review of Top 10 Payroll Services for Small Businesses
1. Rise
Rise is a leading global payroll and payrolling platform built to automate employment, payroll processing, taxes, and compliance. It acts as the legal employer of record (EOR) in over 190 countries, managing both W2 employees and 1099 contractors. The platform supports payouts in 90+ currencies and more than 100 cryptocurrencies, making it one of the best payroll services on the market. With deep integrations into QuickBooks, Xero, and HR platforms, Rise combines automation with compliance tools, GDPR-level data security, and real-time tax updates.
Price: Contractor payroll from $50/month or 3% of payment volume; Agent of Record from $299/contractor/month; Employer of Record from $399/employee/month
Free trial: No, but live demo available
Notable Features:
- Global payroll coverage in 190+ countries
- Support for 100+ cryptocurrencies (USDT, USDC, and more)
- Employer of record compliance and onboarding support
- Automated tax calculations, filings, and W2/1099 reporting
- Flexible pay cycles: weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, project-based, or instant
- Deep integration with QuickBooks, Xero, and HR systems
- GDPR-level data protection, audit trails, and fraud prevention
- Real-time compliance updates and automated forms
- Benefits administration and customizable employment contracts
- Dedicated onboarding and white-glove enterprise support
Best for: Scaling startups with global teams
2. Square Payroll
Square Payroll is a cloud-based payroll service developed by Square, Inc. and designed primarily for small businesses. It supports both employees and contractors, with automated tax calculations, integrated time tracking, and direct deposit functionality. The system connects natively with Square Point of Sale, making it suitable for retailers, restaurants, and service-based businesses managing hourly staff. Employers can access payroll through mobile or desktop, while employees and contractors manage onboarding, payment details, and tax documents via self-service apps.
Price: $35/month base + $6/month per employee or contractor; contractor-only plan $6/month per contractor with no base fee
Free trial: Yes
Notable Features:
- Automated tax calculations, filings, and payments (federal and state)
- Unlimited payroll runs, off-cycle payments, and multistate compliance
- Integration with Square POS, QuickBooks, team management, and benefits platforms
- PTO tracking, timecard sync, and mobile payroll access
- Multiple payment options: direct deposit, paper checks, Cash App
- Built-in benefits management and workers’ compensation add-ons
- Enhanced tax document handling, dashboard customization, and report builder
- Integration with Square Checking for loan and payment management
Best for: Small businesses using Square POS
3. Paychex Flex
Paychex Flex is a cloud-based payroll and human resources platform developed by Paychex, Inc. It provides payroll automation, benefits administration, and compliance management for businesses of various sizes. The platform offers multiple plan tiers — Essentials, Pro, and Enterprise — along with professional employer organization (PEO) services. Paychex Flex integrates with accounting and HR systems and includes options for time tracking, performance management, and AI-assisted recruiting.
Price: Essentials: $39/month base + $5/month per employee; Pro: $47/month base + $3/month per employee; Enterprise: $95/month base + $3/month per employee; PEO services custom (commonly ~$140/employee/month)
Free trial: No (product demos and walkthroughs available; occasional promotional trials reported)
Notable Features:
- Multiple pay options: direct deposit, payroll card, and paper checks
- Real-time payments and same-day ACH availability
- Employee and contractor onboarding with e-signature and self-service portals
- Benefits administration including health, dental, vision, 401(k), and perks marketplace
- ACA, federal, and state compliance tools with extensive HR resources
- Time and attendance tracking, scheduling, and PTO management
- AI-enhanced recruiting, employee feedback, and learning management
- Automated generation of W-2 and 1099 forms
Best for: Businesses requiring scalable payroll with HR and compliance add-ons
4. OnPay
OnPay is a full-service payroll and HR platform developed for small and midsize businesses, nonprofits, and farms. It supports both W-2 employees and 1099 contractors within a single system and provides unlimited payroll runs at no additional cost. The platform automates federal, state, and local tax filings and payments while offering PTO tracking, onboarding tools, and benefits administration. All features are included in one pricing tier, with integrations available for QuickBooks, Xero, and several HR or time-tracking tools.
Price: $49/month base fee + $6/month per employee or contractor
Free trial: Yes (30 days)
Notable Features:
- Unlimited payroll runs, off-cycle payroll, and bonus payments at no extra cost
- Automated payroll tax calculations, filings, and payments (federal, state, local)
- Dashboard for W-2 employees and 1099 contractors
- PTO tracking, self-service employee and contractor portals
- Integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, and HR/time-tracking platforms
- Free setup and migration with error-free tax guarantee
- Benefits administration for health, dental, vision, and retirement
- Dedicated customer support included in pricing
Best for: Small businesses seeking transparent, single-tier payroll and HR
5. QuickBooks Payroll
QuickBooks Payroll is a payroll service developed by Intuit and integrated with the QuickBooks accounting platform. It is designed for small and midsize businesses that want combined bookkeeping, payroll, and compliance functions in one system. The service provides multiple tiers (Core, Premium, and Elite) offering automated payroll runs, direct deposit, tax calculations, compliance reporting, and employee benefits management. It supports both QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop, with options for expert setup, white-glove migration, and expanded HR services at higher tiers.
Price: Core: $50/month base + $6.50/month per employee; Premium: $88/month base + $10/month per employee; Elite: $134/month base + $12/month per employee
Free trial: Yes (30 days)
Notable Features:
- Automated payroll runs, tax calculations, and compliance filings (federal, state, local)
- Tax penalty protection included in higher tiers
- Unlimited payroll runs with multi-state compliance and custom pay schedules
- Employee self-service portals and mobile payroll management
- Automated 1099 e-filing, ACA, and labor law compliance tracking
- Seamless QuickBooks accounting integration with real-time syncing
- Built-in benefits administration including health, dental, vision, and retirement plans
- HR advisory services and expert setup support for higher tiers
- Payroll add-on available for both QuickBooks Online and Desktop
Best for: Businesses using QuickBooks for accounting that want integrated payroll
6. ADP RUN
ADP RUN is a payroll and HR software platform developed by Automatic Data Processing, Inc. and designed for small businesses. It provides payroll processing, automated tax filings, compliance support, and employee self-service, with four subscription tiers ranging from basic payroll to comprehensive HR and legal services. Employers can access payroll and HR functions through web and mobile applications, while employees use portals for pay stubs, onboarding, and tax forms.
Price: Estimated $79/month base + $4/employee for the Essential plan; other tiers require custom quotes; add-ons and location may affect total pricing
Free trial: Yes (90 days; promotional offers may extend up to 6 free months)
Notable Features:
- Payroll processing with automated tax filing and direct deposit
- Four plan levels: Essential, Enhanced, Complete, HR Pro
- Compliance support with proactive alerts and reporting
- Employee and contractor self-service portals for pay, onboarding, and tax forms
- Add-ons for time tracking, benefits (health, 401(k)), and HR services
- Garnishment handling and state unemployment insurance (SUI) management
- Year-end tax forms (W-2, 1099) and customizable payroll reports
- Integration with ZipRecruiter, onboarding tools, and compensation planning
Best for: Planning workforce growth with scalable payroll and compliance needs
7. Rippling
Rippling is a workforce management platform developed for small to midsize businesses, combining payroll, HR, IT, and finance tools in a modular system. Its payroll solution supports U.S. and international employees and contractors in over 100 countries, with automated tax filings, multi-currency support, and compliance management. The platform also integrates with over 500 third-party applications and extends beyond payroll into device management, app provisioning, and expense control.
Price: Core platform: $8–$12 per user/month; U.S. payroll module: +$8 per user/month; Workforce management: +$5–$7 per user/month; IT management: +$6–$9 per user/month; Global payroll (EOR): from $599/employee/month; PEO: from $75/employee/month
Free trial: No (custom demos and walk-throughs available)
Notable Features:
- Automated payroll with error-free guarantee and unlimited pay runs
- U.S. and global payroll for employees and contractors in 100+ countries
- Multi-currency support with advanced local tax compliance
- Employee self-service portals for pay, onboarding, and benefits
- Automated tax filings, W-2 and 1099 forms, and garnishment handling
- Custom payroll workflows for approvals, retro pay, and pay rules
- Integrations with 500+ third-party apps, including QuickBooks and Xero
- Comprehensive HRIS with onboarding, PTO, scheduling, and benefits
Best for: Startups and fast-scaling businesses requiring integrated payroll and HR with global reach
8. Wave Payroll
Wave Payroll is a payroll platform developed by Wave Financial and designed for small businesses, microbusinesses, and sole proprietors. It integrates directly with Wave’s free accounting software and provides payroll processing for both employees and contractors. The system automates tax calculations, filings, and direct deposits in supported states, while offering a self-service option for other regions. Employers can manage payroll, compliance, and reporting in one dashboard, with support for unlimited payroll runs and secure access for owners and staff.
Price: $40/month base + $6/month per active employee/contractor in tax service states; $20/month base + $6/month per active employee/contractor in self-service states
Free trial: Yes (30 days)
Notable Features:
- Unlimited payroll runs for employees and contractors
- Full-service payroll with tax calculation, filings, and direct deposit in supported states
- Self-service payroll in other states with automated calculations and reporting
- Year-end forms: W-2, W-3, 1099, T4, ROE generation (U.S. and Canada)
- Employee self-service portals for pay stubs, tax forms, and updates
- Direct integration with Wave Accounting for unified bookkeeping and payroll
- Web and mobile access with quick setup and onboarding tools
Best for: Small businesses already using Wave Accounting
9. BrightPay
BrightPay is a payroll software platform developed for small and medium-sized businesses, with strong adoption in the UK and Ireland. It delivers real-time payroll processing with automatic updates for tax codes and legislation, ensuring compliance with HMRC and Irish Revenue requirements. The system supports batch payroll runs, multi-user access, and bureau functionality for accountants managing multiple clients. What’s more, employers can integrate payroll with accounting systems such as Xero, Sage, and QuickBooks, while employees access payslips, leave requests, and updates through a self-service portal.
Price: Annual subscription based on employee count — Micro (1–3 employees): £69/year; Small (up to 25 employees): £119/year; Medium (up to 100 employees): £189/year; Large: £259/year; Bureau: £299–£629/year
Free trial: Yes (60 days with full functionality; free licence for single-employee companies in Ireland)
Notable Features:
- Multi-user access and batch payroll for multiple employers/pay runs
- Full HMRC and Irish Revenue compliance (RTI, auto-enrolment, year-end reporting)
- Employee self-service portal for payslips, leave requests, and personal updates
- Pensions integration with major providers (Nest, The People’s Pension, Scottish Widows)
- Direct payments to employees and HMRC from within the platform
- Customizable reporting, journal posting automation, and complete audit trails
- GDPR-compliant data handling with role-based permissions
Best for: UK and Irish businesses requiring compliant payroll with batch and multi-user functionality
10. Gusto
Gusto is a cloud-based payroll and HR platform developed for small and mid-sized businesses. It automates payroll runs, tax calculations, and compliance across federal, state, and local levels while supporting benefits, onboarding, and time tracking in one system. The platform integrates with accounting and HR software and provides multi-state payroll along with global contractor support. Employees and contractors can access pay stubs, benefits, and HR documents through a self-service dashboard, while employers use reporting and compliance tools to manage workforce operations.
Price: Simple: $49/month base + $6/month per person; Plus: $80/month base + $12/month per person; Premium: $135/month base + $16.50/month per person; Contractor Only: $35/month base + $6/month per contractor
Free trial: Yes (1–3 months, depending on promotion)
Notable Features:
- Unlimited payroll runs with automated tax filings and year-end forms (W-2, 1099)
- Multi-state payroll with next-day direct deposit
- Payments for employees in all 50 states and contractors globally
- Health, dental, vision, and 401(k) benefits administration
- PTO management, onboarding, and performance review tools
- Employee financial wellness features and self-service dashboards
- Advanced reporting and customizable admin permissions
- Integration with major accounting, HR, and time-tracking software
Best for: Automated payroll with integrated HR and benefits
Our Evaluation Process
For this ranking, we evaluated 57 payroll services to find the best options for small businesses in 2025. Our analysis focused on accuracy, transparency, and practical value for business owners.
- Reviewed pricing models, hidden fees, and contract terms
- Compared payroll automation, tax filing, and compliance tools
- Assessed integrations with accounting and HR platforms
- Examined global and multi-state payroll capabilities
- Tested ease of use across mobile and desktop interfaces
- Considered support options, demos, and customer service quality
Conclusion
Choosing the best payroll service for small businesses depends on budget, compliance needs, and the mix of employees and contractors. Some platforms focus on affordability and ease of use, while others provide advanced HR and global payroll features.
Based on our research, Rise stands out as the best overall option, yet each service on this list offers clear strengths for different business models.
Evaluate pricing, integrations, and compliance tools to select the platform that fits your team today and supports growth tomorrow.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a payroll service?
A payroll service is software that automates wage calculation, tax withholding, and compliance reporting for employees and contractors. It manages recurring pay runs, direct deposits, and end-of-year forms such as W-2s and 1099s. Many platforms also include HR functions like onboarding, PTO tracking, and benefits management.
2. How much do payroll services cost?
Most providers charge a base monthly fee plus a per-employee or contractor rate. Standard pricing ranges from $30–$80 per month as a base and $5–$15 per employee. Additional modules such as benefits administration or international payroll often require higher-tier plans or custom quotes.
3. Do payroll services handle taxes automatically?
Yes, full-service platforms calculate, file, and pay federal, state, and local payroll taxes automatically. They generate year-end tax forms and often provide compliance alerts. Some services include error-free guarantees to cover penalties resulting from calculation or filing mistakes.
4. Can payroll services manage both employees and contractors?
Most modern systems support W-2 employees and 1099 contractors in a single dashboard. This allows employers to run payroll, track payments, and file tax documents for different worker types without separate processes. Flexible scheduling options cover weekly, bi-weekly, or project-based payments.
5. What features should I look for in payroll services?
Essential features include automated payroll runs, tax filing, direct deposit, and year-end form generation. Businesses benefit from integrations with accounting platforms, self-service portals for employees, and compliance tools for multi-state payroll. Advanced platforms may also offer global payments, benefits administration, and HR management.
6. Which payroll service is best for small businesses?
Based on the data, Rise is considered the best payroll service for small businesses. It combines global payroll coverage in 190+ countries, cryptocurrency support, full automation of compliance tasks, and seamless integration with accounting platforms.
7. Do payroll services offer free trials or demos?
Most leading platforms provide either a free trial or a live demo. Trials typically last 30 days and include access to core features, while demos allow prospective users to explore dashboards and workflows before purchase. This helps business owners assess usability and feature fit without upfront commitment.
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