Established in 2019, Remote Payroll emerges as a global-focused option for payroll, tax, human resources (HR), and compliance needs. While many payroll platforms excel in managing payroll and taxes for domestic businesses, navigating international payroll and tax compliance can be challenging. Remote Payroll steps in to fill this gap by offering simple invoicing and payment processing capabilities in over 170 countries, simplifying the process of employing global talent, and ensuring compliance with local regulations. What Patriot lacks (such as benefits, HR management, and a customizable dashboard), it makes up for usability and affordability. For accountants managing one or more small business clients with basic payroll, Patriot offers just enough features and integrations to fulfill that need. Full-service payroll, benefits administration, HR support, numerous software integrations, and solid customer support make Gusto Pro a top choice among accountants who are looking for a free payroll software option.

We also look carefully at features such as employee and client portals, user onboarding services, PTO management, benefits administration, multistate compliance, and more. In our opinion, Gusto offers the best small-business payroll features for your buck. Starting at $49 a month plus $6 per person paid, Gusto calculates and files your payroll taxes. It also submits your end-of-year tax paperwork at no additional cost, which HR-first providers like ADP and Paychex don’t. Gusto also has more versatile employee benefits than most payroll providers, and its online payroll service is popular enough to sync with most accounting software options. QuickBooks Payroll offers automated tax calculation, filing, and payment services for both state and federal taxes.

QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisors gain access to Mailchimp email marketing tools, marketing templates and other promotions and discounts. They also have free access to QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Payroll and QuickBooks Time, as well as expedited support in the U.S. and access to a range of accountant-related third-party apps. We also weighed our own expert opinion when deciding which payroll features and HR software factors to prioritize.

(Its full-service payroll program starts at $35 a month for one employee.) UZIO offers similar payroll pricing for its full-service plan, and Wave Payroll’s $26 payroll service isn’t bad either. All of ADP’s payroll plans include direct deposit, automatic payroll tax filing, and W-2 submissions. Even the cheapest plan, Core Payroll, includes HR perks like employee onboarding, health care compliance forms, and a regular HR checkup. And if you want more than the HR basics to support your growing team, ADP’s more expensive plans include employee background checks, ZipRecruiter assistance, and dedicated HR assistance.

If your business is based in the US and you want to pay employees in Canada and Indonesia, Rippling should be one of your top picks. Because Rippling the only payroll system on our list that offers international payroll processing. Deputy specializes in scheduling and payroll and accounting software time tracking, making it an excellent choice for businesses with shift-based workforces such as retail, hospitality, or healthcare. Its mobile-friendly design ensures employees and managers stay connected on the go.

Can I find all-in-one HR and payroll solutions?

Upon signing in to Gusto Pro, a list of action items alerts you to recent changes in your clients’ workforce, such as new hires or dismissals. The dashboard also prompts you to check in with specific clients who may be affected by recent regulatory changes or money-saving opportunities. One of Gusto Pro’s handy tools is its People Analytics option that identifies trends in employee retention, payroll costs and compensation adjustments.

Seamless payroll and benefits integration helps HR teams automate two of the most complex and time-sensitive aspects of employee management. Whether built-in or connected via third-party systems, these integrations support real-time data syncing for hours worked, deductions, taxes, direct deposits, and benefits enrollments. This reduces the potential for human error, improves employee satisfaction with timely and accurate pay, and ensures ongoing compliance with local and federal tax laws. Some systems even provide self-service options for employees to manage benefits, review pay stubs, or make changes during open enrollment periods.

How To Choose the Best Payroll Service for Small Businesses

Please note that star ratings are reviewed frequently and are subject to change. That starting base price looks high, but the cheapest plan’s per-employee fee is just $5 per payee per month. Thanks to that lower fee, Intuit QuickBooks Payroll actually has one of the lowest payroll starting prices on our list, as long as you have more than one employee. Enter some basic information about your business’s payroll needs and expectations, and we’ll pair you with quotes from payroll services we think will work for you.

Best for Integrated Payroll and Accounting Software

Given the range of complaints with mixed or terrible reviews, Paycor slides down our ratings. It does have helpful integrations and plan solutions for small and large companies. Established in 2016, Rippling emerges as a fresh contender in the payroll processing market.

This feature refers to the ability to file federal, state, and local tax forms using the software. The Forbes Advisor Small Business team is committed to providing unbiased rankings and information with full editorial independence. We use product data, strategic methodologies and expert insights to inform all of our content to guide you in making the best decisions for your business journey. Accountants understand the value of being well organized, perhaps better than many user interface designers.

It can pay employees in different currencies and translate its interface into 20 different languages. Overall, UKG is a trusted payroll solution for growing brands that need advanced software for their HR teams. The Basic plan costs $19.99 with $4 extra per employee whereas the Core plan costs $29.99 with $5 per employee.

Modern software with an intuitive UI, mobility, and an easy-to-use dashboard that allows you to access client data quickly are additional things to keep in mind when choosing your payroll software. With self-service online payroll software starting at $19.99 a month and full-service software starting at $29.99 a month, SurePayroll is one of the most affordable payroll systems in our top 10. Its extended customer service hours on weekdays and Saturdays are perfect if you want (nearly) round-the-clock assistance for payroll problems, which can cause major issues for your employees if they aren’t resolved ASAP. We evaluated key features like time tracking, tax compliance, and integration with tools like QuickBooks, whether you manage hourly employees, contractors, or multi-location operations. QuickBooks Payroll is the best payroll service if you’re already using QuickBooks Online as your business software, as it integrates seamlessly into the program.

• Nothing can damage a client relationship faster than recurring payroll errors, which is why accountants pride themselves on offering error-free payroll runs.
• If you’re looking to save money, Patriot Software’s $17 self-service plan might be the best payroll solution for you.
• Wave’s free Starter plan teams with the company’s free Invoice Generator to create professional invoices that are delivered to you by email for sending to clients (you have to agree to receive communications from Wave).
• Consolidate accounting, billing, and payroll with your FreshBooks account for a 360° view of your financial health.

Company Incorporation Services

• Gusto tops our list for its excellent all-around performance as a small business payroll service.
• Ramco’s payroll software includes built-in timesheets plus accounting and time-tracking integrations but lacks some standard features, such as payroll reports and flexible payment schedules.
• If you’re a business owner with employees, familiarizing yourself with payroll and its requirements is essential.
• It lets employees access part of their earnings before payday, with no added cost to employers.
• As an accountant, you can sign up for Paychex’s partner program, which allows you to access and manage client data easily through a single dashboard, even clients with more complex payroll and HR needs.

However, for local tax filings, you may need to print and manually upload the required forms to the respective local tax authorities, unless you opt to pay for QuickBooks’ assistance in filing these taxes. Among its notable features, QuickBooks Payroll provides a centralized dashboard where you can access essential payroll data, bank information, upcoming payroll run dates, and more. Our pick as the most affordable payroll service for small business is Square Payroll, which packs plenty of high-end features into its single plan priced at $35 a month plus $6 per employee a month. These include unlimited payroll runs, multistate payroll, payroll automation and next-day direct deposit. Another affordable option is Wave Payroll, which costs $40 a month plus $6 per person a month and integrates seamlessly with the company’s free and low-cost accounting software.

Using Excel, Google Sheets, or a free payroll program is undoubtedly the cheapest way to process payroll. For more guidance, read our in-depth article on how to find the right payroll management solution. If you want to learn more about payroll processes, our Ultimate Payroll Guide can get you started. Get more in-depth guidance by reading our article on how to find payroll software that meets your needs. If you’re not sure how to start searching for a new payroll provider, we can help!

How long does it take to set up an employee management system with Knack?

So, if you’re looking for reliability, you might want to check one of our higher-rated companies instead. However, a few of them require you to contact their customer support to get a quote. The Contractor plan starts at $49 per month, and the Deel HR package is included free. However, the Global Payroll and Immigration plans require contact with Deel’s customer service to get further details.

SMALL BUSINESS ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS

While IRIS offers a generous selection of plans, it doesn’t support multi-state payroll processing as it’s designed for U.K. Payroll software presents a valuable opportunity for accountants and their clients. The right payroll solution can be a major revenue generator for an accounting practice and a productivity booster for the businesses they serve. With so many varying needs and dozens of payroll options, finding the perfect product for your accounting business can be daunting.