{"question": "best payroll software for freelancers", "category": "payroll-software", "category_name": "payroll software", "audience": "freelancers", "audience_name": "freelancers", "engine": "Claude (Anthropic) with web search", "model": "claude-opus-5", "asked_at": "2026-09-07T23:48:42Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/payroll-software-freelancers-2026-09-07", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/payroll-software/freelancers", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "Collective", "label": "compared"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "Square", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "Gusto", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "Deel", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "Airwallex", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "Patriot", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "OnPay", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "Wave", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "ADP", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "Paychex", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://www.selfemployed.com/payroll-options-for-self-employed-business-owners/", "domain": "selfemployed.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.collective.com/blog/money-management/payroll-solutions-for-solopreneurs-a-comparison-guide", "domain": "collective.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://gusto.com/resources/guides/switch-payroll-providers/square-pricing", "domain": "gusto.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://gustopricing.com/contractor-plan", "domain": "gustopricing.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://gusto.com/product/pricing", "domain": "gusto.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://www.airwallex.com/en-us/blog/best-payroll-software", "domain": "airwallex.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://elearningindustry.com/patriot-payroll-pricing", "domain": "elearningindustry.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://cheapestpayrollservice.com/cheapest-patriot-plan", "domain": "cheapestpayrollservice.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://onpay.com/payroll/software/industries/s-corp-payroll/", "domain": "onpay.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://research.com/software/reviews/wave-payroll", "domain": "research.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.adp.com/what-we-offer/payroll/payroll-for-one-employee.aspx", "domain": "adp.com", "source_type": "vendor"}], "answer_text": "## First, the honest caveat\n\nIf you're a sole proprietor or single-member LLC, **you probably don't need payroll software at all.** You pay yourself with an owner's draw - just move money from the business account to your personal one - and cover taxes with quarterly estimateds. Payroll actually becomes necessary in two cases: you've elected **S-corp** taxation (the IRS then requires you to pay yourself a \"reasonable salary\" through real payroll), or you're **paying subcontractors** and want the 1099s handled for you. ([selfemployed.com](https://www.selfemployed.com/payroll-options-for-self-employed-business-owners/), [Collective](https://www.collective.com/blog/money-management/payroll-solutions-for-solopreneurs-a-comparison-guide))\n\nHere's what I'd actually pick, for each case.\n\n## If you're paying subcontractors (1099s)\n\n**1. Square Payroll** - the cheapest real option: $0 base, $6 per contractor per month for contractor-only businesses. No monthly subscription at all in months you don't pay anyone. If cost is the deciding factor and you just need 1099-NECs filed, this is the answer. ([Gusto's Square pricing guide](https://gusto.com/resources/guides/switch-payroll-providers/squa", "answer_truncated": true, "measurement": "One answer from one engine on one date. Not a ranking and not a claim about the world; brands the engine did not name are not recorded.", "limitation": "Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included.", "alerts": {"name": "Answer Watch Pro", "price_usd": 79, "period": "month", "gets": "daily change alerts for up to 5 brands in what one AI answer engine says, history, CSV export. Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included", "url": "https://bikoosh.com/answers"}}