{"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": "2026-10-08T21:31:29Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/payroll-software-small-businesses-2026-10-08", "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": "Patriot", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "QuickBooks", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "QuickBooks Online", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "Square", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "Square Payroll", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "Square POS", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "ADP RUN", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "Homebase", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 11, "brand": "Shortcut", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 12, "brand": "Patriot Payroll", "label": "compared"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://www.joinhomebase.com/blog/best-payroll-software", "domain": "joinhomebase.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.patriotsoftware.com/payroll/best-payroll-software-for-small-businesses/", "domain": "patriotsoftware.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://gusto.com/product/compare/features/best-payroll-small-business", "domain": "gusto.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://costbench.com/compare/onpay-vs-patriot-payroll/", "domain": "costbench.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://costbench.com/best/payroll-for-small-business/", "domain": "costbench.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.techradar.com/uk/in/best/best-payroll-software", "domain": "techradar.com", "source_type": "review"}], "answer_text": "Here's what I'd actually recommend, roughly in the order I'd suggest looking at them:\n\n**1. Gusto** - My default recommendation for most small businesses. Full-service payroll (files and pays federal, state, and local taxes automatically), unlimited pay runs, contractor payments, and it handles benefits/health insurance administration if you ever need that. The interface is genuinely pleasant, which matters when you're running payroll yourself at 11pm. Simple plan is ~$49/mo + $6/employee; Plus is $80 + $12. The main knock: the useful HR features live in the pricier tiers.\n\n**2. OnPay** - The best value if you want clean full-service payroll without the upsell ladder. One plan, one price (~$49/mo + $6/worker), and everything is included - multi-state filing, benefits brokerage, HR tools. No \"upgrade to unlock\" games. It's also unusually good at niche payrolls: farms (Form 943), churches/clergy, restaurants with tip credits. Less polished-feeling than Gusto, but more honest pricing.\n\n**3. Patriot Software** - The budget pick, and it's not a compromise pick. Basic Payroll is ~$17/mo + $4/employee (you handle tax filing), Full Service is ~$37/mo + $5/employee. If you have fewer than 1", "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"}}