{"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": "2026-10-03T00:05:06Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/payroll-software-freelancers-2026-10-03", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/payroll-software/freelancers", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "Gusto", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "Patriot", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "Wave", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "Check", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "Collective", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "Lettuce", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "Deel", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "Gusto Solo", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://gusto.com/product/solutions/size/solo", "domain": "gusto.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://gusto.com/product/solutions/size/freelancer", "domain": "gusto.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://squareup.com/us/en/payroll/pricing", "domain": "squareup.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://squareup.com/us/en/payroll/contractors", "domain": "squareup.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.patriotsoftware.com/pricing/", "domain": "patriotsoftware.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://support.waveapps.com/hc/en-us/articles/36228345826068-Wave-s-full-access-payroll-subscription-pricing", "domain": "support.waveapps.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.collective.com/plans-and-pricing", "domain": "collective.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://lettuce.co/resources/best-payroll-software-for-solopreneurs-more-take-home-pay", "domain": "lettuce.co", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://www.deel.com/pricing/", "domain": "deel.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://www.patriotsoftware.com/blog/payroll/self-employed-payroll/", "domain": "patriotsoftware.com", "source_type": "other"}], "answer_text": "## First, the thing that decides the answer\n\n\"Payroll for freelancers\" is usually one of three different problems, and the right pick differs:\n\n- **You're a sole prop / single-member LLC paying yourself** → you don't need payroll at all. You take owner's draws and pay quarterly estimated taxes. Putting yourself on payroll here is just paying a monthly fee for nothing.\n- **You've elected S-corp status** → you're legally required to run a W-2 salary for yourself, so you do need real payroll.\n- **You subcontract work out to other freelancers** → you need contractor payments + 1099-NECs, which is much cheaper than full payroll.\n\nHere's who I'd actually name, in order.\n\n## 1. Gusto - the default pick\nThe one I'd recommend to most freelancers because it covers both of the cases that matter. Their **Solo** plan ($49/mo + $6 per recipient) is built for one-person businesses and S-corps, and includes a reasonable-salary calculator and guided S-corp election - that calculator is the genuinely valuable part, since setting your salary too low is the #1 way S-corp owners get into trouble with the IRS. If you only pay subcontractors, their **contractor-only** plan is $35/mo + $6 per contractor, ", "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"}}