{"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": "2026-10-23T01:23:38Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/payroll-software-small-businesses-2026-10-23", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/payroll-software/small-businesses", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "Gusto", "label": "compared"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "ADP", "label": "compared"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "Patriot", "label": "compared"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "SurePayroll", "label": "compared"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "OnPay", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "QuickBooks", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "Homebase", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "G2", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "Trustpilot", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "Square", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 11, "brand": "Square Payroll", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 12, "brand": "Square POS", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 13, "brand": "Justworks", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 14, "brand": "Rippling", "label": "compared"}, {"position": 15, "brand": "ADP RUN", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 16, "brand": "Paychex", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://peoplemanagingpeople.com/tools/gusto-vs-adp-run/", "domain": "peoplemanagingpeople.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.nerdwallet.com/business/software/best/payroll", "domain": "nerdwallet.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://onpay.com/payroll/best-payroll-services/adp-vs-gusto/", "domain": "onpay.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"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://www.capterra.com/compare/116050-170266/Patriot-Payroll-vs-Square-Payroll", "domain": "capterra.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://joinhomebase.com/blog/payroll-software-for-small-business", "domain": "joinhomebase.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www-j.rippling.com/blog/rippling-vs-justworks-hr-payroll-peo-comparison", "domain": "www-j.rippling.com", "source_type": "vendor"}], "answer_text": "Here's how I'd rank them for a typical small business, with the caveat that a fair bit of the comparison content out there is vendor marketing (Gusto's page on ADP, Patriot's page on SurePayroll, etc.), so treat competitors' numbers as directional and confirm on the provider's own pricing page.\n\n**1. Gusto - the default pick for most small businesses.** Simple tier runs about $49/mo + $6/employee, with Plus at ~$80 + $12 and Premium at ~$180 + $22. It's the best all-around balance of clean interface, automatic multi-state tax filing, built-in benefits brokerage, contractor payments, and ~650 integrations. If you have a mix of salaried and hourly staff and want benefits in the same place as payroll, start here. ([Gusto pricing comparison](https://peoplemanagingpeople.com/tools/gusto-vs-adp-run/), [NerdWallet](https://www.nerdwallet.com/business/software/best/payroll))\n\n**2. OnPay - best value, especially multi-state.** One flat plan at roughly $49/mo + $6/worker that includes multi-state payroll, unlimited pay runs, benefits, and full tax filings with no tier gating or module upsells. You don't get pushed up a pricing ladder to unlock basics, which is the main frustration with Gusto", "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"}}