{"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": "2026-10-05T00:03:43Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/payroll-software-freelancers-2026-10-05", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/payroll-software/freelancers", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "Patriot", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "Gusto", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "Wave", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "Square", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "Lettuce", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "Deel", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "Wise", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://www.surepayroll.com/resources/article/how-to-pay-yourself-in-an-llc", "domain": "surepayroll.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.nerdwallet.com/business/learn/how-to-pay-yourself-as-an-llc", "domain": "nerdwallet.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://www.patriotsoftware.com/payroll/compare/patriot-software-vs-gusto/", "domain": "patriotsoftware.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://gusto.com/resources/guides/best-payroll-software-one-employee", "domain": "gusto.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://www.waveapps.com/payroll", "domain": "waveapps.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.beltstack.com/payroll/compare/square-payroll-vs-gusto", "domain": "beltstack.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"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/blog/best-global-payment-tools-for-contractors/", "domain": "deel.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://www.kemecon.com/blog/paying-freelancers-abroad-in-2026-a-practical-breakdown-of-wise-payoneer-and-deel", "domain": "kemecon.com", "source_type": "other"}], "answer_text": "## First, the honest answer: most freelancers don't need payroll software\n\nIf you're a sole proprietor or single-member LLC, **you can't put yourself on payroll.** You pay yourself with owner's draws - transfer money from the business account to your personal account. Nothing is withheld, no W-2, no filings. You handle taxes through quarterly estimated payments. Payroll software would just be a monthly fee for a job that doesn't exist. ([SurePayroll](https://www.surepayroll.com/resources/article/how-to-pay-yourself-in-an-llc), [NerdWallet](https://www.nerdwallet.com/business/learn/how-to-pay-yourself-as-an-llc))\n\nYou actually need payroll in three cases: you've elected **S-corp** taxation (now you must pay yourself a reasonable W-2 salary), you've **hired someone**, or you're **paying subcontractors** and want 1099s handled.\n\nHere's who I'd use, in order:\n\n**1. Patriot Software** - ~$37/mo + $5 per worker paid. My default pick for a solo S-corp owner. Full-service (files your federal/state payroll taxes), and critically, it only charges per worker *actually paid* that month - good if you run payroll quarterly rather than biweekly. Cheapest real full-service option. ([pricing compar", "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"}}