{"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": "2026-10-21T00:40:48Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/payroll-software-small-businesses-2026-10-21", "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": "G2", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "QuickBooks", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "QuickBooks Online", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "Square", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "Square Payroll", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "Square POS", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "Homebase", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 11, "brand": "ADP", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 12, "brand": "ADP RUN", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 13, "brand": "Paychex", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 14, "brand": "Paychex Flex", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 15, "brand": "Skip Rippling", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 16, "brand": "Rippling", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://gusto.com/product/compare/features/best-payroll-small-business", "domain": "gusto.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://peoplemanagingpeople.com/tools/gusto-vs-adp-run/", "domain": "peoplemanagingpeople.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://gusto.com/resources/guides/switch-payroll-providers/onpay-pricing", "domain": "gusto.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://costbench.com/software/payroll/onpay/", "domain": "costbench.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.patriotsoftware.com/payroll/best-payroll-software-for-small-businesses/", "domain": "patriotsoftware.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.patriotsoftware.com/payroll/compare/patriot-software-vs-rippling/", "domain": "patriotsoftware.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.joinhomebase.com/blog/best-payroll-software", "domain": "joinhomebase.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/small-business/paychex-payroll-review", "domain": "nerdwallet.com", "source_type": "review"}], "answer_text": "# Best payroll software for small businesses\n\nHere's what I'd actually recommend, in order:\n\n**1. Gusto - best default pick for most small businesses.** Full-service payroll with automatic federal/state/local tax filing, built-in benefits brokerage, contractor payments, and onboarding. Transparent published pricing: Simple at $49/mo + $6/employee, Plus at $80/mo + $12, Premium at $180/mo + $22. The interface is genuinely friendly for an owner who isn't an HR person, and you can model your cost before signing up. If you have fewer than ~50 employees and no unusual requirements, start here.\n\n**2. OnPay - best value if you want one flat, capable plan.** $49/mo + $6 per worker, and that single plan includes multi-state payroll, all tax filings, benefits administration, onboarding, and support - no tier-climbing to unlock basics. HR add-ons are optional ($15/mo + $2/worker). Especially strong for businesses with employees in several states, or sectors with quirks like restaurants, farms, and nonprofits.\n\n**3. Patriot Software - cheapest credible option.** Full Service at $37/mo + $5 per worker, or Basic Payroll (you file your own taxes) at $17/mo + $4. Free US-based phone/chat/email sup", "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"}}