{"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": "2026-10-01T00:16:06Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/payroll-software-small-businesses-2026-10-01", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/payroll-software/small-businesses", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "Gusto", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "OnPay", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "Square", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "Square POS", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "QuickBooks", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "QuickBooks Online", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "Rippling", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "Paychex Flex", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "Paychex Flex / ADP", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "Paychex Flex / ADP Run", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 11, "brand": "ADP", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 12, "brand": "ADP RUN", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 13, "brand": "Run", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 14, "brand": "Patriot Payroll", "label": "compared"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://fitsmallbusiness.com/best-payroll-software-reviews/", "domain": "fitsmallbusiness.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://gusto.com/resources/guides/best-payroll-small-business", "domain": "gusto.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://onpay.com/insights/best-small-business-payroll-software-picks/", "domain": "onpay.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://www.business.org/finance/accounting/patriot-vs-gusto-payroll/", "domain": "business.org", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.selectsoftwarereviews.com/buyer-guide/small-business-payroll-software", "domain": "selectsoftwarereviews.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/small-business/paychex-payroll-review", "domain": "nerdwallet.com", "source_type": "review"}], "answer_text": "Here's who I'd actually point you to, roughly in order:\n\n**1. Gusto** - My default recommendation for most small businesses. Full-service payroll (it files and pays your federal/state/local taxes automatically), plus benefits administration, onboarding, and basic HR in one place. The interface is the friendliest in the category, which matters a lot when you're the one running payroll at 11pm. $49/mo + $6/employee on the Simple plan. One real catch: Simple is **single-state only** - if you have remote employees in other states you're pushed to Plus at $80 + $12/employee.\n\n**2. OnPay** - Same $49 + $6 price as Gusto, but multi-state payroll is included at no extra charge, and there's only one plan, so there's no feature-gating games. Best pick if you have employees scattered across states or you just want flat, predictable pricing. Slightly less polished UI than Gusto, and the HR extras are thinner.\n\n**3. Patriot Software** - The value play. Basic Payroll is $17/mo + $4/worker; Full Service (where they handle tax filing) is $37 + $5. If you're a 2-10 person shop and don't need benefits administration, this is the cheapest credible full-service option. Extra states cost $12/mo each.\n\n", "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"}}