Gusto
Best All-in-One Payroll & HR Platform for Growing Teams
Overview
Gusto is the best all-in-one payroll and HR platform for growing teams that need simplicity, scalability, and compliance in one place. Designed with small to midsize businesses in mind, Gusto streamlines payroll, benefits, hiring, and compliance without requiring multiple tools. Its user-friendly interface, transparent pricing, and automation features allow businesses to save time while managing the entire employee lifecycle—from onboarding to offboarding—with ease.
Key Features
Automated payroll with tax filing in all 50 states
Employee self-service portal for pay stubs and tax forms
Benefits administration, including health, dental, vision, and 401(k) plans
Integrated time tracking and PTO management
Hiring and onboarding tools with offer letters and e-signatures
Built-in compliance support (I-9s, W-2s, ACA, and more)
Hundreds of app integrations
Contractor-only payroll option with 1099 filings
Employee financial wellness tools (early wage access, savings)
Dedicated support and HR resources
Pros and Cons
Pros
Easy-to-use, intuitive interface
Transparent, scalable pricing
Strong compliance support
Flexible integrations
All-in-one platform reduces vendor sprawl
Cons
Limited international payroll support
Phone support only on higher tiers
Higher cost than bare-bones payroll tools
Pricing
Simple: $49/mo + $6/person/mo
Plus: $80/mo + $12/person/mo (adds time tracking, advanced HR)
Premium: $180/mo + $22/person/mo (includes HR expert support)
Free until you run your first payroll
Transform your payroll processes with Gusto, a platform that’s already the choice of over 500,000 businesses.
ADP RUN
Best for Scaling and Modular Flexibility
Overview
ADP RUN is built for businesses expecting payroll complexity as they grow. It offers full-service payroll, compliance, and benefits, plus modular add-ons for HR and time tracking. Backed by ADP’s trusted brand, RUN adapts as your needs expand. It’s a strong fit for growing teams that want flexibility, multistate payroll, and reliable compliance tools in one platform.
Key Features
Full payroll processing with tax filing
Time & attendance tools
HR add-ons: onboarding, compliance alerts, handbooks
Benefits administration
Mobile app and employee self-service
Integrations marketplace
Hiring and applicant tracking
Reporting and analytics
Pros and Cons
Pros
Strong compliance and support
Modular system for flexibility
Trusted brand in payroll
Scalable for multistate needs
Cons
Pricing is less transparent
Can be more expensive than competitors
Complexity can overwhelm small teams
Add-ons may require migration
Pricing
Starts around $79/month + $4 per employee
Additional modules may increase cost
Custom quotes required
Rippling
Best for Unified HR + IT Automation
Overview
Rippling combines payroll, HR, and IT in one unified system. It automates onboarding, app provisioning, device management, and global payroll, making it a standout for tech-driven businesses. Growing teams benefit from flexible modules and deep automation that scale with their workforce. Rippling is best for companies that want HR and IT workflows handled together in a single platform.
Key Features
Payroll with U.S. and global support
Unified workforce directory
Onboarding and offboarding automation
Device and software management
Role-based permissions
Benefits and 401(k) management
Global payroll and EOR options
Analytics and reporting
Pros and Cons
Pros
Combines HR and IT management
Highly automated workflows
Scales easily with modules
Flexible add-on system
Cons
Steeper learning curve
Costs can escalate quickly
Global payroll requires add-ons
Less transparent pricing
Pricing
Starts at $8 per employee per month
Modules priced separately
Custom quotes required
QuickBooks Payroll
Best for Accounting Integration
Overview
QuickBooks Payroll is a natural choice for teams already managing finances in QuickBooks. It syncs accounting and payroll seamlessly, handling tax filings, benefits, and direct deposit in one system. With employee self-service and mobile tools included, it’s especially appealing for growing teams seeking efficiency and fewer integration headaches while staying inside the familiar Intuit ecosystem.
Key Features
Full-service payroll with tax filings
Auto payroll for salaried staff
Employee self-service portal
Time tracking and PTO management
Benefits and workers’ comp
Mobile app
Direct QuickBooks integration
End-of-year tax forms
Pros and Cons
Pros
Seamless QuickBooks integration
Transparent pricing
Easy for small teams
Good HR features at mid-tier
Cons
Limited advanced HR features
Migration can be challenging
Multi-state payroll less robust
Cost increases with growth
Pricing
Core: ~$88/mo + $6.50 per employee
Premium: ~$88/mo + $10 per employee
Higher tiers add HR and same-day deposits
Overview
OnPay delivers full-service payroll with one flat-rate plan that includes taxes, benefits, and HR tools—no hidden fees or tier upgrades. Designed for growing teams, it supports unlimited payroll runs, multi-state compliance, and contractor management. Its clean interface and transparent pricing make OnPay a strong option for businesses that value predictability while keeping costs straightforward.
Key Features
Unlimited pay runs
Full tax filings and payments
Multi-state payroll support
W-2 and 1099 support
Benefits and insurance integration
Hiring and onboarding tools
PTO tracking
Compliance reporting
Pros and Cons
Pros
Transparent flat pricing
All-inclusive features
Clean, simple interface
Responsive support
Cons
Limited enterprise features
Smaller brand recognition
Less scalable for large enterprises
Fees for certain add-ons (e.g., mailing forms)
$49/month + $6 per employee
All features included
Paychex
Best for Robust Payroll + HR Support
Overview
Paychex provides a wide range of payroll and HR services designed to scale with your team. It combines tax filing, benefits, compliance, and risk management tools with decades of expertise. For growing businesses, Paychex offers flexibility to add recruiting, time tracking, and analytics. It’s a reliable choice for teams that want payroll integrated with robust HR support.
Key Features
Payroll with tax filing
HR compliance tools
Benefits and retirement options
Time & attendance tracking
Employee self-service
Recruiting and onboarding
Reporting and analytics
Risk management support
Pros and Cons
Pros
Wide range of HR and payroll services
Strong reputation and reliability
Scales easily as you grow
Good customer support
Cons
Less transparent pricing
Costs escalate with add-ons
May be overkill for small teams
Service quality may vary by region
Pricing
Starts at $39/month + $5 per employee
Higher tiers require quotes
Paycom
Best for HR-Focused Mid-Market Teams
Overview
Paycom is tailored for mid-sized businesses that want payroll tied closely to HR. It includes applicant tracking, performance management, learning tools, and analytics in addition to payroll and tax filing. For growing teams, Paycom makes HR strategic by unifying the employee lifecycle in one system, though its depth and costs may be better suited for mid-market organizations.
Key Features
Payroll and tax management
Applicant tracking system
Onboarding workflows
Performance management
Learning management tools
Time and attendance
Employee mobile app
Analytics and reporting
Pros and Cons
Pros
Strong HR and talent management tools
Unified modules tied to payroll
Automation across HR functions
Scalable for mid-sized teams
Cons
Opaque pricing
Higher per-employee costs
May be complex for smaller businesses
Implementation takes time
Pricing
$25–$36 per employee per month (estimates)
Custom quotes required
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 | Growing teams that want an all-in-one payroll, HR, benefits, and compliance platform | ||
 | Custom pricing | (select plans) | Teams scaling across states that want modular payroll and HR flexibility | |
 | ~$8/user/mo + base fee 35-$40/month + add‑ons | (varies by product) | Fast-growing teams that want unified payroll, HR, and IT automation | |
 | $45–$125/mo + per employee | Not listed | Businesses already using QuickBooks that want tightly integrated accounting and payroll | |
 | $39/mo + $5/employee; higher tiers are custom-priced. | Businesses needing robust payroll with expandable HR and compliance support | ||
 | Custom pricing | Mid-market teams that want payroll tightly integrated with advanced HR and talent management tools |
| Pricing | Free Trial | |
|---|---|---|
| Simple $49/mo + $6/user/mo; Plus $80/mo + $12/user/mo; Premium custom pricing | |
| Custom pricing | (select plans) |
| ~$8/user/mo + base fee 35-$40/month + add‑ons | (varies by product) |
| $45–$125/mo + per employee | Not listed |
| $39/mo + $5/employee; higher tiers are custom-priced. | |
| Custom pricing |
FAQ
What is the best payroll system to use?
The best payroll system depends on your size and needs. Gusto is often rated best for small to midsize teams, while ADP and Paychex serve larger organizations.
How much does ADP payroll cost per month?
ADP RUN typically starts at $79 per month plus $4 per employee, though final pricing depends on add-ons and team size.
What’s the best way to do payroll for a small business?
Using a payroll software that handles tax filing, compliance, and direct deposit automatically is the best approach. Gusto, OnPay, and QuickBooks Payroll are popular options.
Who is better than ADP?
For smaller teams, Gusto may be a better choice because of its ease of use and transparent pricing. For global teams, Rippling or Deel may be stronger alternatives.
How much does Paychex cost per month?
Paychex Flex Essentials typically starts at $39 per month plus $5 per employee, with higher costs for expanded HR or benefits tools.
Is there a free payroll software?
Yes—there are free payroll tools, but they often lack automation and compliance support. Paid platforms like Gusto or OnPay are more reliable for growing businesses.
