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List of the Best Payroll Software in 2026

Rajat Gupta
Researched and Edited by Rajat Gupta
Rajat Gupta

Researched and Edited by Rajat Gupta

Last updated: August 27, 2026 · How we review

Payroll Software overview

Spotsaas tracks 51 products in Payroll Software, ranked by SpotScore — a blend of feature coverage, verified review ratings, and value. 27 let you start on a free trial, and 14 keep a free plan you can stay on. Most buyers here are HR managers at mid-sized technology or SaaS companies managing integrated payroll and benefits.

51
products listed
27
offer a free trial
14
have a free plan
48
priced per subscription
65
quote on request

Editor's Summary · Payroll Software

Paycom holds a 9.8/10 SpotScore and earns 4.51/5 from 1,295 reviews, putting it at the top on both dimensions. OnPay achieves the highest user rating in the category at 4.95/5 from 447 reviews — a strong signal for small business owners who want accuracy without complexity. Gusto lands at 4.36/5 from 947 users and includes a free trial, which makes it the go-to starting point for companies migrating off manual payroll.

Payroll software automates wage calculations, tax filings, and direct deposit runs for employee and contractor payments. HR managers and finance leads at companies with 10 to 500 employees are the typical buyers, especially during periods of rapid headcount growth.

Quick picks for Payroll Software

  • Best overallPaycom
  • Best for small businessesOnPay
  • Best for growing startupsGusto
  • Best free optiongreytHR

Who gets the most from Payroll Software

  • 1HR managers at mid-sized technology or SaaS companies managing integrated payroll and benefits
  • 2Payroll specialists in healthcare or manufacturing firms handling complex tax compliance and real-time payroll data
  • 3Small business owners or payroll administrators in retail or restaurants seeking simple, intuitive payroll processing with tax filing
How to choose Payroll Software

If you need comprehensive payroll plus benefits and compliance in one platform, filter by Enterprise deployment and sort by rating; for small businesses prioritizing ease and quick setup, filter by Free Trial or Freemium options and sort by user sentiment.

Showing 21-40 out of 51

8.7

SpotScore

Fingercheck - Payroll Software

Fingercheck

Effortless payroll management with a swipe.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

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What is Fingercheck?

The FingerCheck payroll software does everything the other payroll programs do but with a finger swipe. Timesheets, employee punch times and attendance reports are just a few of the functions offered by FingerCheck payroll software. Attempting to enter information while on the move works ...

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Free TrialTry Free →·

Starts from $23/Month

8.7

SpotScore

Heartland Payroll - Payroll Software

Heartland Payroll

Efficient payroll management made easy.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market

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What is Heartland Payroll?

Heartland Payroll is a payroll management software for small and medium sized companies. It handles all your payroll processing requirements such as bi-weekly, monthly or yearly paychecks, cost accounting and tracking of leave balances. The system has complete comprehensive accounting module ...

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Heartland Payroll offers custom pricing plan

8.1

SpotScore

CheckWriters - Payroll Software

CheckWriters

Effortlessly streamline your payroll process.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

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What is CheckWriters?

CheckWriters is a payroll and HR platform for small and mid-sized businesses that want managed payroll processing paired with dedicated account support. It handles tax filings, employee onboarding, timekeeping, and compliance updates, with users consistently noting the responsiveness of their ...

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CheckWriters offers custom pricing plan

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9.4

SpotScore

Remote.com - Payroll Software

Remote.com

Effortlessly manage your remote workforce.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

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What is Remote.com?

Remote.com is a remote work management platform that simplifies global payroll, compliance, and workforce administration for businesses of all sizes. It seamlessly integrates with HR systems, centralizing payroll data for security and accuracy. The platform enables effortless onboarding with ...

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Starts from $29/employee/month when monthly

8.6

SpotScore

PrimePay - Payroll Software

PrimePay

Streamline your payroll with ease.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

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What is PrimePay?

PrimePay is payroll software that offers a full payroll for small and mid-sized businesses. It is designed to be simple and easy to use, while maintaining the requirements needed for a company's payroll. Both new companies just starting on Payroll and companies already on Payroll will benefit ...

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PrimePay offers custom pricing plan

9.8

SpotScore

Paycom - Payroll Software

Paycom

Automate decisions so you can focus on the extraordinary

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

HIPAA
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What is Paycom?

Paycom helps organizations manage HR and payroll through built-in decisioning logic and full-solution automation. By automating routine decisions and workflows, Paycom helps reduce manual work, streamline processes and improve consistency across HR and payroll. Its single database consolidates ...

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Paycom offers custom pricing plan

What buyers evaluate in Payroll Software
Scope of payroll automation including tax filings and compliance with federal/state regulations
Integration capabilities with accounting and HR software for seamless data flow
Support for industry-specific payroll complexities such as global employment compliance or sector-specific tax rules

7.3

SpotScore

Remote - Payroll Software

Remote

Transforming payroll management for global businesses.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

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What is Remote?

Remote, the leading payroll software, revolutionizes payment management with its comprehensive platform. With Remote, you can effortlessly handle global contractor payments, employer of record services, and payroll for international entities. Its state-of-the-art technology simplifies payroll ...

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Remote offers custom pricing plan

7.3

SpotScore

Remofirst - Payroll Software

Remofirst

Effortlessly hire, manage, and grow your remote team.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

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watch-demo

Watch Demo

What is Remofirst?

Remofirst is a comprehensive platform designed to simplify the process of hiring, onboarding, and managing remote teams across the globe. With its all-in-one software, businesses can efficiently onboard new employees while ensuring compliance with international labor laws. The platform offers ...

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Free TrialTry Free →·

Starts from $25/person/month, also offers free forever plan

Guideline - New SaaS Software

Guideline

Secure your financial future with Guideline.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

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What is Guideline?

Guideline offers an easy and affordable 401(k) solution for small business owners, allowing them to build a solid financial future. Our platform simplifies plan administration, recordkeeping, compliance testing, investment management and more. By investing in Guideline, small businesses and ...

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Starts from $49/Month

9.5

SpotScore

Zenefits - Payroll Software

Zenefits

Streamline payroll and stay compliant with ease.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market

Start Free Trial

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What is Zenefits?

Zenefits is an all-in-one HR, payroll, and benefits administration platform for growing companies that want to consolidate onboarding, time-off tracking, payroll processing, and compliance management in a single system. It eliminates the common pattern of using separate tools for HR records, ...

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Free TrialTry Free →·

Zenefits offers custom pricing plan

9.2

SpotScore

Paychex Flex - Payroll Software

Paychex Flex

Streamline your payroll with ease.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

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What is Paychex Flex?

Paychex Flex is a cloud-based payroll software for mid- to large-sized employers, delivering the tools you need to run your business and support your people. This payroll system provides everything you need in just one simple package. It includes: W-2 and 1099 printing, Payroll processing, ...

Read more about Paychex Flex

Paychex Flex offers custom pricing plan

9.1

SpotScore

Hibob HRIS - HR Software

Hibob HRIS

Unleash your team's potential with Hibob HRIS.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

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What is Hibob HRIS?

Hibob HRIS is a modern human resource information system designed to enhance employee engagement and streamline HR operations. It empowers HR teams to go beyond administrative tasks by making data-driven, personalized decisions that foster workforce growth and satisfaction. The platform ...

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Hibob HRIS offers custom pricing plan

8.7

SpotScore

Papaya Global - Payroll Software

Papaya Global

Global payroll made simple.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

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What is Papaya Global?

Papaya Global is a cloud-based payroll management software designed for multinational businesses. It offers a variety of essential features such as data security, cost breakdown analysis, records management, and benefits administration. This integrative platform allows businesses to streamline ...

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Starts from $20/User/Month

7.7

SpotScore

247HRM

247HRM

Streamline your HR processes with 247HRM.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

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What is 247HRM?

Experience the ultimate solution for managing all your HR and payroll tasks seamlessly with 247HRM. Our innovative platform offers a comprehensive suite of HR software tools to streamline your human resource management processes effortlessly. From handling payroll and taxes to conducting ...

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247HRM offers custom pricing plan

9.7

SpotScore

Homebase - Employee Scheduling Software

Homebase

Streamline team collaboration with Homebase.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

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What is Homebase?

Homebase is a comprehensive time-tracking software developed by experienced people managers to enhance team collaboration and efficiency. It simplifies employee time tracking, scheduling, and payroll management, reducing administrative workload. The platform allows users to generate insightful ...

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Free TrialTry Free →·

Starts from $0/ location / month when monthly, also offers free forever plan

8.8

SpotScore

Collective logo

Collective

All-in-one back-office platform for self-employed professionals and solopreneurs

Best for: SMB teams

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4.4

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What is Collective?

Collective is an all-in-one back-office platform for self-employed professionals and solopreneurs, combining S-corp formation, bookkeeping, payroll, tax preparation, and financial planning into a single annual subscription. It automates the administrative complexity of running a business as a ...

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Starts from $299paid when /month (billed annually)

7.4

SpotScore

Paymate - Payroll Software

Paymate

Streamline your HR and payroll needs effortlessly.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

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What is Paymate?

Paymate, the cost-effective HR and Payroll Solutions provider, has been helping out businesses, small and large, for years. Our simple and reliable software honed through years of expertise in the North American market provides comprehensive solutions across all industries. Count on us for ...

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Paymate offers custom pricing plan

9.2

SpotScore

QuickBooks Payroll - Payroll Software

QuickBooks Payroll

Streamline your payroll process with ease.

Best for: SMB teams

Start Free Trial

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What is QuickBooks Payroll?

QuickBooks Payroll makes it easy to stay on top of your HR needs. It’s payroll software that gives you the power to handle all the payroll processing you need, from modeling an employee’s paycheck to tracking deductions and taxes. Whether you need a few employees or thousands, QuickBooks ...

Read more about QuickBooks Payroll
Free TrialTry Free →·

Starts from $49/Month

9.7

SpotScore

Gusto - Payroll Software

Gusto

Modern HR for Growing Businesses

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market

HIPAA
Start Free Trial

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watch-demo

Watch Demo

What is Gusto?

Gusto is a comprehensive HR platform designed to help businesses of all sizes thrive. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling rapidly, Gusto provides the tools and guidance you need to grow and nurture your team. Trusted by over 300,000 businesses across the U.S., Gusto combines payroll, ...

Read more about Gusto
Free TrialTry Free →·

Starts from $49/user/month when monthly

8.3

SpotScore

Greenshades - Payroll Software

Greenshades

Efficiently manage payroll and taxes with Greenshades.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

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Watch Demo

What is Greenshades?

Greenshades delivers purpose-built payroll, HR, and tax compliance software for organizations where workforce complexity is the norm — not the exception. Built for mid-market and enterprise businesses across staffing, healthcare, construction, and transportation, the Greenshades platform brings ...

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Greenshades offers custom pricing plan

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Frequently Asked Questions About Payroll Software

Stuck on something? We're here to help with all the questions and answers in one place.

The most important Payroll Software features to evaluate are Expense Tracking, Multi-Currency, Tax Management, Attendance Tracking, Check Printing, Direct Deposit. Most buyers prioritize ease of use, reporting, and integration capabilities when choosing a solution. Look for tools that cover your core workflow before comparing advanced features.

Payroll Software pricing varies widely — from free plans to enterprise contracts. 15 products on Spotsaas offer a free plan or trial, including Gusto, Zenefits, OnPay. Paid plans typically start around $10–$50/month per user. Check individual product pages for current pricing.

The top rated Payroll Software based on verified user reviews and SpotScore are Square Payroll, Deel, Paybooks. These tools consistently score highest on ease of use, feature depth, and customer support quality. Ratings are updated monthly based on real buyer feedback.

To choose the right Payroll Software, start by listing your must-have features — commonly Expense Tracking, Multi-Currency, Tax Management, Attendance Tracking, Check Printing, Direct Deposit. Then filter by team size, budget, and integrations you already use. Compare at least 3 options and use free trials to test before committing. Spotsaas lets you compare side-by-side in minutes.

Yes — 15 Payroll Software on Spotsaas offer a free plan or free trial. Popular free options include Gusto, Zenefits, OnPay. Free plans typically cover core features for small teams; paid upgrades unlock advanced reporting, integrations, and support.

The best Payroll Software for small businesses are affordable, quick to set up, and scale without complexity. Top picks for small teams are Paycom, Gusto, Zenefits. Look for tools with per-user pricing, no long-term contracts, and strong onboarding support to minimize ramp-up time.

Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].