Gusto
Best all‑rounder for early‑stage teams
Overview
Gusto simplifies payroll for startups with automated runs, contractor support, and cap-table-friendly reports. It includes equity taxation guides for founders, plus integrations with 180+ tools startups already use. With transparent pricing and benefits administration built in, Gusto is ideal for pre-seed to Series A startups that want a scalable, affordable payroll hub.
Key Features
Autopilot payroll with tax filing
Founder draws & equity taxation guidance
Contractor-only plan for lean teams
180+ integrations including QuickBooks and Xero
Built-in health, dental, vision, and 401(k) benefits
PTO and time tracking
Multi-state compliance included
Pros and Cons
Pros
Easy to use with transparent pricing
Scales well for small to midsize teams
Affordable contractor-only plan
Benefits marketplace supports recruiting
Cons
Performance management requires add-on
Limited global capabilities
Mobile app lacks admin 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)
Contractor‑only $35 + $6/contractor
Transform your payroll processes with Gusto, a platform that’s already the choice of over 500,000 businesses.
Rippling
Best all‑in‑one HR‑IT‑Finance automation
Overview
Rippling unifies payroll, HR, IT, and finance in one cloud platform. Startups can onboard employees in minutes, provision apps and devices, and run payroll globally in 160+ countries. With deep automation and 500+ integrations, Rippling is best for YC-style startups scaling fast across states or borders.
Key Features
Automated onboarding/offboarding
500+ app integrations
Global payroll & EOR in 160+ countries
Device and app provisioning for staff
Custom workflow builder
Benefits and compliance management
Expense and spend controls
Pros and Cons
Pros
All-in-one system across HR, IT, finance
Supports rapid global scaling
Automates compliance and provisioning
Deep integration marketplace
Cons
Costs increase with add-ons
Pricing only available via sales
May be complex for very early-stage startups
Core (Unity) $35 base + $8/ee; modular add‑ons.
QuickBooks
Best if you already use QBO
Overview
QuickBooks Payroll integrates directly with QuickBooks Online, making it a natural fit for startups already running finances in QBO. It automates tax filing, provides same-day direct deposit on Premium and Elite plans, and includes TSheets time tracking. With HR advisor add-ons and Guideline 401(k), it’s best for startups that want payroll embedded in their accounting workflow.
Key Features
Auto-tax and auto-filing
Same-day or next-day direct deposit
TSheets time tracking (Premium+)
HR advisor add-on for compliance questions
401(k) through Guideline
Mobile app for employees and admins
Integration with QuickBooks GL
Pros and Cons
Pros
Lacks equity support features
Global expansion requires third-party tools
HR features limited vs. Rippling or Gusto
Cons
Best for QuickBooks Online users
Flexible same-day direct deposit
Affordable entry plans
Solid accounting integration
Pricing
Core $45 + $6/employee
Premium $80 + $8/employee
Elite $125 + $10/employee
Square
Best for hybrid POS + payroll
Overview
Square Payroll is tailored for startups in retail, hospitality, or hybrid POS settings. It imports tips automatically, syncs with Square POS, and offers an affordable contractor-only plan. Instant payments to Cash App and built-in benefits options make it an attractive choice for early-stage teams with hourly or tipped employees.
Key Features
POS tip import and syncing
Timecards via Square Team App
Contractor-only plan for lean startups
Instant payments via Cash App
Benefits marketplace (health, dental, 401(k))
Automated tax filing
Multi-state payroll
Pros and Cons
Pros
Perfect for POS-driven businesses
Low-cost contractor plan
Cash App integration for instant pay
Easy to set up and run
Cons
Limited HR tools
U.S.-only (no global payroll)
Less flexible for SaaS or tech startups
Pricing
Employees: $35 + $6/employee
Contractors-only: $0 base + $6/contractor
Justworks
Best PEO model for lean teams
Overview
Justworks is a PEO that bundles payroll, HR, compliance, and benefits under one provider. Startups can outsource HR overnight and offer Fortune-style benefits early, helping attract talent. With 24/7 support via Slack and transparent pricing, Justworks is a smart option for small teams that want to skip building HR in-house.
Key Features
Payroll and 50-state filings
Access to Fortune-style benefits
HR consulting and compliance support
Commuter and wellness perks
24/7 Slack-based customer support
Employee onboarding tools
Time tracking and reporting
Pros and Cons
Pros
Outsourced HR model saves time
Benefits help compete for talent
24/7 support availability
Transparent per-employee pricing
Cons
PEO structure limits flexibility
Higher per-employee costs
Best for teams under 100 employees
Pricing
Basic $59/employee (1–49 employees)
Plus $99/employee (includes health benefits)
Remote
Best for global-first startups
Overview
Remote is designed for startups hiring internationally from day one. It offers EOR services in 170+ countries, contractor payments in multiple currencies, and equity/benefits administration. With transparent flat-fee pricing, Remote simplifies cross-border compliance and contracts, making it a top pick for YC-style startups scaling distributed teams quickly.
Key Features
EOR in 170+ countries
Global contractor management
Equity grants and stock option taxation
Benefits and local compliance support
IP protection and secure contracts
Integrations with HRIS/accounting
Flat per-worker pricing
Pros and Cons
Pros
Strong global reach and compliance
Transparent flat fees
Handles equity for international staff
Contractor and employee coverage
Cons
Expensive for small headcounts
Limited HR tools beyond payroll/EOR
Best for global-first, not U.S.-only startups
Pricing
$29/contractor/month
$599/employee/month (EOR)
Deel
Best for startups scaling remote teams fast
Overview
Deel provides payroll, EOR, and compliance in 100+ countries, with equity support and immigration assistance for startups hiring abroad. It supports instant payments in 200+ currencies and integrates with HR and finance stacks. Deel is a great option for startups needing to expand remote teams quickly without entity setup.
Key Features
EOR coverage in 100+ countries
Contractor management with tax compliance
Equity grants and global taxation
Visa and immigration support
Instant payments in 200+ currencies
HR and finance integrations
Onboarding dashboards
Pros and Cons
Pros
Fast setup for distributed teams
Equity and immigration support
Wide payment coverage
Strong compliance controls
Cons
Costs rise with headcount
Not as deep in HRIS tools
Less ideal for U.S.-only payroll
Pricing
From $49/contractor/month
Custom pricing for EOR employees
TriNet Zenefits
Best HR + payroll combo for growth-stage startups
Overview
TriNet Zenefits offers integrated payroll, HR, and benefits at transparent per-employee pricing. Startups can automate payroll, manage PTO, and add performance or recruiting tools as they grow. With a clean interface and compliance built in, Zenefits is ideal for growth-stage startups needing affordable HR + payroll without a PEO commitment.
Key Features
Full-service payroll with 50-state compliance
Benefits administration (health, 401(k), dental, vision)
PTO and time tracking
Performance and recruiting add-ons
Compliance and reporting
Mobile self-service for employees
Integrations with accounting/HR tools
Pros and Cons
Pros
Affordable per-employee pricing
Easy to use with modern design
Flexible add-ons for scaling teams
Bundled HR + payroll in one system
Cons
U.S.-only payroll
Limited integrations compared to Rippling
Support quality can vary
Pricing
Essentials $8/employee/month
Growth $16/employee/month
Zen $21/employee/month (plus base fee)
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 | Early-stage startups (pre-seed to Series A) needing simple, all-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR | ||
 | ~$8/user/mo + base fee 35-$40/month + add‑ons | (varies by product) | Fast-scaling startups that want unified HR, IT, and finance automation | |
 | $45–$125/mo + per employee | Not listed | Startups already using QuickBooks Online for accounting | |
 | $35/mo + $6/employee | Retail, hospitality, or POS-driven startups with hourly or tipped workers | ||
 | $59–$99/employee/mo | (on request) | Lean teams that want to outsource HR via a PEO and offer strong benefits early | |
 | $29/mo contractors; $599/mo EOR | (30 days) | (contractors) | Global-first startups hiring international contractors or employees |
 | $49/contractor/mo; $599 EOR | Startups scaling remote teams quickly with equity and immigration support | ||
 | Essentials $8/employee/month; Growth $16/employee/month; Zen $21/employee/month + base fee | Growth-stage startups needing affordable bundled HR + payroll without a PEO |
| Pricing | Free Trial | |
|---|---|---|
| Simple $49/mo + $6/user/mo; Plus $80/mo + $12/user/mo; Premium custom pricing | |
| ~$8/user/mo + base fee 35-$40/month + add‑ons | (varies by product) |
| $45–$125/mo + per employee | Not listed |
| $35/mo + $6/employee | |
| $59–$99/employee/mo | (on request) |
| $29/mo contractors; $599/mo EOR | (30 days) |
| $49/contractor/mo; $599 EOR | |
| Essentials $8/employee/month; Growth $16/employee/month; Zen $21/employee/month + base fee |
FAQ
Startups face payroll challenges like equity taxation and global contractor payments. Here are quick answers to common founder questions.
Which tools support SAFEs/RSUs?
Gusto and Rippling export equity tax reports, and Rippling integrates directly with Carta. Deel and Remote also support equity for international staff.
Need global EOR?
Rippling (160+), Remote (170+), Deel (100+), and Oyster (not listed here) all provide Employer of Record services so startups can hire abroad without entity setup.
What is the best payroll software for a small business?
For small startups, Gusto and QuickBooks Payroll are affordable and easy to use. Square Payroll is another simple option for contractor-heavy teams.
What is the easiest way to do payroll for a small business?
Platforms like Gusto and Square Payroll automate tax filings, direct deposits, and compliance, saving founders hours each month compared to manual calculations.
How much does ADP charge for small business payroll?
ADP’s RUN platform prices vary by features and headcount. Expect $150–$250/month for small teams. ADP is reliable but often more expensive than startup-focused tools.
Which software is mostly used for payroll?
ADP, Paychex, and QuickBooks dominate the small business market. Among startups, Gusto, Rippling, and Deel are increasingly popular for equity and global support.
Is there a free payroll software?
Yes, tools like Payroll4Free and Wave Payroll exist, but they lack compliance and equity features. Startups typically outgrow free software quickly.
How much does Paychex cost?
Paychex Flex starts around $39 base + $5/employee/month, but pricing varies with add-ons. For startups, Paychex can be pricier than leaner alternatives like Gusto or Zenefits.
