Gusto
Best all-in-one Paychex alternative for payroll & HR
Overview
Gusto is a modern, all-in-one platform for payroll, benefits, and HR. Unlike Paychex, which requires multiple add-ons and clunky modules, Gusto includes robust functionality—like tax filing, onboarding, and compliance—in a clean, easy-to-use interface. It supports unlimited payroll runs, integrates with 300+ apps, and automates everything from hiring to last-day offboarding. For U.S.-based teams, it’s a simpler, more transparent solution at a competitive price—ideal for small businesses that want flexibility without hidden fees.
Key Features
Integrated payroll, time tracking, HR, and benefits in one platform
Automated tax filing and compliance in all 50 states
Unlimited payroll runs, multiple schedules, and pay types
Direct deposit (2-day/next-day), checks, or Gusto debit cards
Built-in onboarding, e-signatures, and document storage
Lifetime employee access to pay history and forms
Benefits administration (in 38 states + D.C.)
Support for international contractors in 120+ countries
Hundreds of integrations with accounting, HR, and time tools
AI-powered reporting and workforce insights
Pros and Cons
Pros
Intuitive, user-friendly experience
Transparent pricing with no surprise fees
All-in-one solution with strong automation
Excellent customer support
Global contractor support
Cons
Multi-state payroll only in Plus and Premium
Benefits limited to 38 states
Time tracking not in Simple plan
Mobile app lacks full admin features
Pricing
Gusto starts at $49/mo + $6/person/mo for the Simple plan.
The Plus plan adds time tracking and multi-state payroll at $80/mo + $12/person/mo.
Premium pricing starts at $180/mo + $22/person/mo.
All plans include unlimited payroll runs.
Free until you run your first payroll.
No free version.
Transform your payroll processes with Gusto, a platform that’s already the choice of over 500,000 businesses.
OnPay
Best value Paychex alternative for small business
Overview
OnPay delivers full-service payroll, tax filing, HR tools, and benefits administration at one flat price—no confusing tiers or hidden add-ons. It supports multi-state payroll, offers unlimited runs, and includes onboarding workflows and document management. Compared to Paychex, OnPay offers more value out of the box, especially for small businesses with straightforward needs and no plans to scale rapidly.
Key Features
Flat-fee payroll with all features included
Multi-state payroll, multiple pay rates and schedules
Federal, state, and local tax filings
Self-service employee portal with lifetime access
Direct deposit (2- or 4-day), check, or debit card
Integrated onboarding workflows and HR document storage
Built-in compliance and new hire reporting
Basic PTO management and reporting tools
Pros and Cons
Pros
Transparent, all-in pricing
Easy setup and intuitive dashboard
Includes HR and benefits tools
W-2/1099 filings included
Cons
No native time tracking or workforce reports
Limited software integrations
No support for international contractors
No email or chat support
Pricing
$40/month + $6/person includes payroll, HR, and benefits tools.
Optional fees apply for printed W-2s/1099s.
One-month free trial.
No free plan.
QuickBooks
Best Paychex alternative for bookkeepers
Overview
QuickBooks Payroll is a natural fit for small businesses already using QuickBooks for accounting. It offers a familiar, streamlined experience with features like automated tax filing, direct deposit, and integrated benefits. While its pricing is higher than some competitors, bundling payroll and accounting can simplify workflows. But if you’re not already using QuickBooks, it’s a less compelling option—its payroll tool doesn’t integrate with other accounting software.
Key Features
Automated federal and state tax filing (local taxes in higher tiers)
Next-day or same-day direct deposit included
Self-service employee portal
Health and retirement benefits in all plans
Automated payroll for salaried employees
Time tracking and HR support center (Premium and Elite plans)
QuickBooks accounting integration
Year-end forms and tax penalty protection included
Mobile access and onboarding tools
Pros and Cons
Pros
Seamless integration with QuickBooks accounting
Year-end filing and tax penalty guarantee
Benefits in all plans
Next-day deposit at entry tier
Cons
Higher cost compared to similar platforms
No support for multi-state payroll in base plan
Local tax filing only in Premium/Elite
No integration with non-QuickBooks platforms
Pricing
Starts at $45/month + $6/employee for Core plan.
Premium ($80 + $8/employee) adds time tracking.
Elite ($125 + $10/employee) includes HR advisor and penalty protection.
Payroll + accounting bundles start at $75/month.
Offers 30-day free trial or 50% off for 3 months.
No free version.
Remote
Best Paychex alternative for global payroll
Overview
Remote makes international hiring simple. Unlike Paychex, which relies on third-party partnerships, Remote owns its global infrastructure, enabling streamlined support in 200+ countries. Whether you’re hiring contractors or full-time employees, Remote manages payroll, compliance, benefits, and onboarding in a single platform. For small businesses with global ambitions, it’s an intuitive, compliant alternative to the patchwork solutions offered by traditional providers.
Key Features
Global payroll and EOR in 80+ countries
Contractor payments in 200+ countries
No currency conversion fees (100+ currencies)
Localized contracts, benefits, and tax compliance
One-click or autopay contractor invoicing
Contractor misclassification risk tool
Onboarding and employee self-service
Country-specific compliance guides included
Pros and Cons
Pros
Unified platform for contractors and employees
Owned entities (not outsourced)
Excellent global compliance tools
Simple, scalable onboarding
Cons
No support for Payoneer or PayPal
Email-only customer support
Global payroll pricing not disclosed
Time tracking not included
Pricing
Contractors: $29/month per person.
EOR: $599/month per employee (annual), $699/month (monthly).
Global payroll with your own entity requires a custom quote.
Free 30-day trial (no charges until first payment).
No free plan.
Justworks
Best PEO alternative to Paychex
Overview
Justworks is a full-service PEO that handles payroll, HR, benefits, and compliance under a co-employment model. Unlike Paychex, which mixes software and service tiers, Justworks offers straightforward pricing and modern tools. Small businesses get access to enterprise-level benefits, risk mitigation, and 24/7 support—without building an HR team in-house. It’s ideal for founders who want to offload admin and stay focused on growth.
Key Features
Full-service PEO with co-employment protections
Payroll, tax filings, and compliance included
New hire support in all 50 states
Global EOR and contractor support
Medical, dental, vision, fertility, and wellness benefits
PTO tracking and expense management
Self-service onboarding
Flexible admin permissions and mobile app
Pros and Cons
Pros
Simplifies HR, payroll, and compliance
24/7 multichannel customer support
Transparent, per-employee pricing
Offers unique benefit options
Cons
Fewer HR tools than larger PEOs
Benefits and time tracking cost extra
Pricing doubles with traditional benefits
Less customizable than standalone platforms
Pricing
Basic: $59/employee/month (drops to $49 after 50 employees).
Plus: $99/employee/month (or $89 after 50 employees) with full benefits access.
14-day free trial available.
No free plan.
Paycor
Best Paychex alternative for midsize businesses
Overview
Paycor is a human capital management (HCM) platform built for companies with 100+ employees. Compared to Paychex, Paycor offers stronger automation, advanced analytics, and deeper workforce management tools—including scheduling, recruiting, and performance tracking. While setup fees and pricing may be too steep for smaller teams, mid-sized businesses looking for an all-in-one solution with room to grow will find Paycor a powerful alternative.
Key Features
Integrated HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance
Unlimited payroll runs and automated tax filing
AI-powered applicant tracking system
Automated scheduling with labor forecasting
Career management and succession planning tools
Pulse surveys, performance reviews, and LMS
Employee self-service and mobile app
Industry-specific compliance and tax credit solutions
Pros and Cons
Pros
“On Demand Payroll” for flexible employee pay
Strong analytics and workforce planning tools
Excellent mobile experience
Tailored solutions for various industries
Cons
No transparent pricing; setup fees apply
Local tax filing not always included
Not priced for small businesses
Limited third-party integrations
Pricing
Custom quotes only.
User-reported prices range from $99–$199/month plus $5–$14 per employee.
Add-ons for benefits and time tracking.
Free demo available.
No free trial or free version.
Square Payroll
Best Paychex alternative for POS integration
Overview
Square Payroll is tailor-made for restaurants, retailers, and service businesses already using Square POS. Employee hours and sales data sync automatically, and built-in tools make tip management, shift scheduling, and payroll seamless. Unlike Paychex, which requires more setup and add-ons, Square offers an affordable, easy-to-use payroll platform for small teams running on Square’s ecosystem.
Key Features
Full-service payroll with multi-state support
Automated tax filings and compliance
Direct deposit, checks, or Square Cash App
Tip pooling and instant payments
Employee self-service and mobile access
Built-in time tracking and scheduling tools
Shift swapping and PTO tracking
Free Square Shifts for teams ≤5
Pros and Cons
Pros
Seamless POS and payroll integration
Transparent, flat-rate pricing
Time and scheduling tools included
Easy-to-use, modern interface
Cons
Limited HR and reporting features
4-day direct deposit standard
No free trial or free version
Support may be slower than competitors
Pricing
$35/month + $6 per employee.
Square Shifts is free for up to 5 users; starts at $4/user after that.
Includes unlimited payroll, tax filings, and time tracking.
No free trial.
ADP Run
Best Paychex alternative for tech-forward teams
Overview
ADP Run is ADP’s solution for businesses with under 50 employees. While it’s more expensive than most small-business payroll tools, it offers unmatched scalability, a huge HR document library, and over 700 integrations. Like Paychex, ADP charges extra for many features—but if you’re growing fast and need robust infrastructure to support that growth, ADP Run may be worth the investment.
Key Features
Payroll, taxes, and compliance in all 50 states
700+ software integrations
Next-day direct deposit
HR document library and job description tools
Applicant tracking and onboarding (higher tiers)
Learning Management System (HR Pro tier)
Mobile app with employee self-service
Workforce Now upgrade path for 50+ employees
Pros and Cons
Pros
Scalable platform for growing teams
Huge ecosystem of HR tools
Applicant tracking and LMS available
Well-known, trusted brand
Cons
Complex, opaque pricing
Contractor payments require add-on
Clunky user experience
Must upgrade tiers for key features
Pricing
Four tiers: Essential, Enhanced, Complete, and HR Pro. Pricing is no longer published. Forbes reports entry-level starts at $59/month + $4/employee, but actual pricing varies widely. Select products include
Three-month free trial. No free plan.
Compare All
| Pricing | Free Trial | Free Plan | Best Use Case | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Simple $49/mo + $6/user/mo; Plus $80/mo + $12/user/mo; Premium custom pricing | Small businesses that want an all-in-one Paychex replacement for payroll, HR, and benefits | ||
 | $49/mo + $6/employee | (1 month) | Cost-conscious SMBs that want simple, full-service payroll with no tiers or add-ons | |
 | $45–$125/mo + per employee | Not listed | Businesses already using QuickBooks that want accounting + payroll in one system | |
 | $29/mo contractors; $599/mo EOR | (30 days) | (contractors) | Companies paying international contractors or hiring employees globally |
 | $59–$99/employee/mo | (on request) | SMBs that want a PEO to fully outsource payroll, benefits, and compliance | |
 | Custom pricing | (demo-based) | Midsize businesses that want Paychex-style HR with stronger automation and analytics | |
 | $35/mo + $6/employee | Restaurants and retailers using Square POS for payroll, tips, and scheduling | ||
 | Custom pricing | (select plans) | Growing teams that want a scalable payroll platform with an upgrade path to enterprise HR |
| Pricing | Free Trial | |
|---|---|---|
| Simple $49/mo + $6/user/mo; Plus $80/mo + $12/user/mo; Premium custom pricing | |
| $49/mo + $6/employee | (1 month) |
| $45–$125/mo + per employee | Not listed |
| $29/mo contractors; $599/mo EOR | (30 days) |
| $59–$99/employee/mo | (on request) |
| Custom pricing | (demo-based) |
| $35/mo + $6/employee | |
| Custom pricing | (select plans) |
FAQ
Who is Paychex’s biggest competitor?
Gusto is often considered Paychex’s top competitor, especially among small businesses. It offers transparent pricing, built-in HR tools, and strong customer support—features Paychex reserves for higher tiers. ADP and Paycor are also strong alternatives, depending on company size and industry.
Is ADP or Paychex better?
ADP is better for larger or rapidly growing businesses, while Paychex may suit smaller teams seeking dedicated service. Both offer robust payroll tools, but ADP scales more efficiently across employee counts. That said, both can be costly and complex for very small businesses.
What is the difference between Paychex and Paychex Flex?
Paychex is the company, and Paychex Flex is its cloud-based platform for payroll and HR services. Flex includes features like employee self-service, benefits administration, and time tracking—but what’s included depends on your pricing tier, which isn’t always clearly outlined.
What is the best payroll service for small businesses?
Gusto is one of the best payroll services for small businesses thanks to its all-in-one features, ease of use, and affordable pricing. OnPay and Square Payroll are also strong options depending on your needs—like flat-rate pricing or POS integration.
What does Paychex cost per month?
Paychex doesn’t publish pricing, but user reports suggest it starts around $79/month plus $4–$8 per employee. Add-ons like time tracking, benefits, and onboarding can significantly raise the total cost. Businesses often switch to competitors due to unclear pricing and rising monthly fees.
