{"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": "2026-10-23T01:24:53Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/payroll-software-freelancers-2026-10-23", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/payroll-software/freelancers", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "Wave", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "QuickBooks", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "QuickBooks Solopreneur", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "Patriot Full Service", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "OnPay", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "Gusto", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "Gusto Simple", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "SurePayroll", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "Square Payroll", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "Deel", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 11, "brand": "Remote", "label": "compared"}, {"position": 12, "brand": "Wise", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 13, "brand": "Gusto Contractor", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/sole-proprietorships", "domain": "irs.gov", "source_type": "reference"}, {"url": "https://www.irs.gov/publications/p334", "domain": "irs.gov", "source_type": "reference"}, {"url": "https://www.patriotsoftware.com/payroll/compare/patriot-software-vs-gusto/", "domain": "patriotsoftware.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://onpay.com/payroll/", "domain": "onpay.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://onpay.com/insights/s-corp-payroll-guide/", "domain": "onpay.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://support.gusto.com/article/106621945100000/change-your-gusto-plan-or-view-pricing", "domain": "support.gusto.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://www.surepayroll.com/resources/article/s-corp-payroll-one-employee-yourself", "domain": "surepayroll.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://squareup.com/us/en/payroll/contractors", "domain": "squareup.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://squareup.com/us/en/payroll/pricing", "domain": "squareup.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.deel.com/pricing/", "domain": "deel.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://dupple.com/learn/deel-vs-remote", "domain": "dupple.com", "source_type": "other"}], "answer_text": "## First, the fork that decides the answer\n\n\"Payroll software for freelancers\" means three different things, and most listicles blur them. Picking right saves you $400-600/year.\n\n**If you're a sole proprietor or single-member LLC with no employees: you do not need payroll software at all.** The IRS treats you as not an employee of your own business - you can't put yourself on payroll, you take owner's draws, and you report on Schedule C plus Schedule SE (15.3% self-employment tax on net earnings over $400). Buying payroll here is pure waste. What you actually need is bookkeeping and quarterly estimated taxes: **Wave** (free accounting tier) or **QuickBooks Solopreneur** is the right purchase. ([IRS: Sole proprietorships](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/sole-proprietorships), [IRS Pub 334](https://www.irs.gov/publications/p334))\n\n## If you're an S-corp and must pay yourself a reasonable salary\n\nThis is genuine one-employee payroll, and it's the most common reason a freelancer legitimately needs this software.\n\n1. **Patriot Full Service - $37/mo + $5 per worker paid.** Cheapest credible full-service option; includes federal, state and local filings and d", "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"}}