{"question": "best payroll software for small businesses", "category": "payroll-software", "category_name": "payroll software", "audience": "small-businesses", "audience_name": "small businesses", "engine": "Claude (Anthropic) with web search", "model": "claude-opus-5", "asked_at": "2026-09-26T23:30:14Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/payroll-software-small-businesses-2026-09-26", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/payroll-software/small-businesses", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "Gusto", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "OnPay", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "QuickBooks", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "ADP RUN", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "Rippling", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "Airwallex", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://gusto.com/resources/guides/best-payroll-small-business", "domain": "gusto.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/best-payroll-services/", "domain": "forbes.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.patriotsoftware.com/payroll/best-payroll-software-for-small-businesses/", "domain": "patriotsoftware.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://payrollsoftwareguide.com/comparisons/", "domain": "payrollsoftwareguide.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://gusto.com/product/compare/gusto-vs-rippling", "domain": "gusto.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://www.airwallex.com/en-us/blog/best-payroll-software", "domain": "airwallex.com", "source_type": "vendor"}], "answer_text": "Here's what I'd actually recommend, roughly in the order I'd suggest looking at them:\n\n**1. Gusto - the default pick for most small businesses.** Full-service payroll with automatic federal/state/local tax filing, unlimited payroll runs, employee self-onboarding, and benefits built in. The interface is genuinely pleasant, which matters when you're the one running payroll at 11pm. Pricing is ~$50/mo + $6.50/employee on the base plan after a May 2026 increase, with Plus/Premium tiers adding HR tooling and tax-penalty protection. This is where I'd start unless you have a specific reason not to.\n\n**2. OnPay - best value if you just want payroll done right.** One flat plan at $49/mo + $6/person, no tier upgrades to unlock multi-state payroll or benefits admin. Nothing is paywalled behind a higher plan, which makes the bill predictable. It's lighter on HR features than Gusto, and accountants tend to like it. Pick this over Gusto if you want simplicity and a lower ceiling on cost.\n\n**3. QuickBooks Payroll - if you already use QuickBooks.** The integration is the whole argument: payroll entries land in your books without a sync layer to babysit. If you're not already on QuickBooks, it's no", "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"}}