# What Claude (Anthropic) with web search answered for payroll software (small businesses) on 2026-09-10

## In short

On 2026-09-10, Claude (Anthropic) with web search was asked "best payroll software for small businesses". It named 10 brands, in this order: Gusto, OnPay, QuickBooks, ADP, ADP RUN, Square.

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Question | best payroll software for small businesses |
| Asked on | 2026-09-10 |
| Engine | Claude (Anthropic) with web search |
| Model | claude-opus-5 |
| Brands named | 10 |
| Sources cited | 14 |
| Audience | small businesses |
| Coverage | Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included. |
| Last verified | 2026-09-10 |

Page: https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/payroll-software-small-businesses-2026-09-10
Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included.

## The answer, as recorded

Asked on 2026-09-10 through Claude (Anthropic) with web search (model claude-opus-5).

> For most US small businesses I'd pick **Gusto** first, then **OnPay** or **QuickBooks Payroll** depending on your setup. The full list, in the order I'd suggest them:
> 
> 1. **Gusto.** It's the easiest to use, it files payroll taxes for you, and it includes enough HR tools (onboarding, benefits) that you probably won't need a separate HR system while you're small. The Simple plan costs **$49/month + $6 per employee**, up from $40/month in March 2026. Some reviewers call support slow, and that plan only covers one state.
> 2. **OnPay.** It does about what Gusto does for the same **$49/month + $6 per worker**, but you get one plan with **no extra fees per state**. That makes it the better deal if you have staff in more than one state.
> 3. **QuickBooks Payroll.** Choose it if you already do your books in QuickBooks. It connects directly to your accounting. You'd switch only if you later need stronger HR tools.
> 4. **ADP RUN.** Better once you're past about 25 employees or if your payroll is complicated (several states, unions, heavy compliance). Expect a more corporate feel, less clear pricing, and more upselling than with Gusto or OnPay.
> 5. **Patriot Software.** The cheapest full-service op

## Brands named, in the order the engine gave

| Position | Brand | How it was named |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gusto | mentioned |
| 2 | OnPay | mentioned |
| 3 | QuickBooks | mentioned |
| 4 | ADP | mentioned |
| 5 | ADP RUN | mentioned |
| 6 | Square | mentioned |
| 7 | Rippling | mentioned |
| 8 | Deel | mentioned |
| 9 | Zoho | mentioned |
| 10 | Patriot Payroll | mentioned |

## Sources the engine cited

- https://www.joinhomebase.com/blog/payroll-software-for-small-business (other)
- https://www.airwallex.com/en-us/blog/best-payroll-software (other)
- https://www.techradar.com/uk/in/best/best-payroll-software (review)
- https://www.equalpaytoday.org/best-payroll-software-small-businesses/ (other)
- https://ambersbookkeeping.com/learning-center/adp-vs-gusto-vs-quickbooks-payroll/ (other)
- https://www.selecthub.com/payroll-software/gusto-vs-rippling/ (other)
- https://ustechautomations.com/resources/blog/rippling-vs-gusto-vs-adp-for-accounting-clients-2026 (other)
- https://onpay.com/insights/best-small-business-payroll-software-picks/ (vendor)
- https://whichpayroll.com/pricing/gusto (other)
- https://www.spotsaas.com/blog/gusto-pricing (other)
- https://www.patriotsoftware.com/pricing/ (other)
- https://elearningindustry.com/patriot-payroll-pricing (other)
- https://www.business.org/finance/accounting/square-payroll-review/ (other)
- https://www.capterra.com/p/170266/Square-Payroll/ (review)

The question page: https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/payroll-software/small-businesses

Answer Watch records what one AI answer engine said on one date, nothing more. Each page names the engine and the model, carries the date the question was asked, and lists the brands that appeared in the answer in the order the engine gave them, with the sources it cited. It is a measurement, not a ranking, not a recommendation and not a claim about the world. Brands that did not appear in an answer are not named on any public page. Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included.