Real estate teams manage a mix of administrative staff, agents, and contractors, making payroll more complex than in many other industries. The right payroll software needs to handle frequent commission payments, multi-state tax rules, and a combination of W-2 and 1099 workers without adding extra administrative work. This guide breaks down the best payroll tools for real estate brokerages of all sizes, highlighting key features, pricing, and considerations to help you choose a system that supports accurate payouts and smooth operations.
Gusto
Best all-in-one payroll platform for real estate teams
Gusto is the best all-in-one payroll and HR platform for real estate brokerages and property management teams that need fast, compliant payroll across W-2 employees and 1099 contractors. Its automated tax filing, intuitive interface, and unlimited payroll runs make it ideal for managing hybrid teams of agents, coordinators, and office staff. With strong integrations and clear pricing, Gusto simplifies payroll without adding administrative overhead.
Key Features
Full-service payroll with automatic federal, state, and local tax filings
Unlimited payroll runs, including off-cycle and commission/bonus runs
Built-in support for mixed W-2 and 1099 contractor teams
Multi-state payroll for brokerages operating across several regions
New-hire reporting and digital onboarding
Time-tracking, PTO, and workforce management tools
Integrated benefits, workers' comp, and 401(k) options
Contractor-only plan for agent-heavy teams
Strong accounting integrations (QuickBooks, Xero, etc.)
Employee self-service portal for pay stubs, forms, and updates
Pros and Cons
Pros
Excellent for teams with both contractors and employees
Easy onboarding for growing brokerages
Unlimited payroll runs support commission-heavy pay structures
User-friendly interface for admins and staff
Reliable tax and compliance support across states
Cons
Costs increase with add-ons and per-person fees
Not built for complex commission-split automation
Payroll-adjacent features (e.g., scheduling) aren't as advanced as specialized tools
Pricing
Simple: $49/month + $6/person/month
Plus: $80/month + $12/person/month
Free trial: Yes — free until first payroll
Free plan: No
Transform your payroll processes with Gusto, a platform that's already the choice of over 500,000 businesses.
OnPay
Best for brokerages that need simple, affordable payroll
OnPay is an affordable, full-service payroll platform suitable for real estate brokerages that need straightforward payroll for both W-2 employees and 1099 contractors. It offers automated tax filing, multi-state support, and unlimited payroll runs, making it a practical option for small and midsize teams. Its streamlined interface and predictable pricing help reduce administrative work for brokers and office managers handling payroll in-house.
Key Features
Full-service payroll with automatic federal, state, and local tax filing
Contractor support for easy 1099 onboarding and payments
Multi-state payroll at no extra cost
Unlimited monthly payroll runs
PTO tracking and basic HR tools
Digital document storage and employee files
Integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, and other accounting systems
Customizable pay rates and roles
Mobile-friendly employee self-service access
Configurable PTO accrual and leave policies
Pros and Cons
Pros
Predictable, low-cost monthly pricing
Strong support for W-2 and 1099 contractor payments
Unlimited payroll runs at no extra charge
No additional fees for multi-state payroll
Simple interface ideal for small admin teams
Cons
HR tools are more limited than full-service platforms
Benefits availability varies depending on state
Reporting tools are less robust than mid-market systems
Not built for advanced commission-split logic
Fewer integrations than larger HCM tools
Pricing
$40 per month + $6 per person per month
(Flat pricing; one plan.)
SurePayroll
Best for small real estate teams needing hands-off payroll
SurePayroll is a simple, automated payroll service designed for small real estate offices that want a mostly hands-off payroll experience. It offers automatic payroll runs, tax filing, and contractor support, making it useful for brokerages with a small number of staff or administrative employees. Its parent company, Paychex, provides additional compliance resources, giving small teams access to reliable payroll processing without managing complex settings.
Key Features
Full-service payroll with automatic tax filings
Automatic payroll scheduling for recurring pay periods
W-2 and 1099 contractor payments
Multi-state payroll support
Mobile payroll and employee self-service
PTO management and basic HR tools
New-hire reporting and compliance alerts
Integrations with major accounting software
Same-day and next-day direct deposit options (select plans)
Workers' comp integration and benefits administration
Pros and Cons
Pros
Automatic payroll runs reduce manual oversight
Useful contractor support for small mixed teams
Backed by Paychex compliance infrastructure
Straightforward interface suited to small offices
Same-day/next-day direct deposit available on select plans
Cons
Add-ons can raise the total monthly cost
Limited HR depth compared to more comprehensive platforms
Not ideal for complex commission structures or large agent rosters
Fewer reporting and analytics features
Pricing varies noticeably between Self-Service and Full-Service plans
Pricing
Pricing varies by plan:
Self-Service Payroll: Lower base cost; users file their own taxes
Full-Service Payroll: Includes tax filing for federal, state, and local jurisdictions
Exact pricing depends on business size and location.
ADP
Best for growing brokerages that need scalable payroll and HR
ADP is a well-established payroll and HR platform built to support businesses as they scale. For real estate brokerages expanding into multiple offices or states, ADP offers comprehensive payroll, tax filing, benefits administration, and compliance tools. Its wide range of plans from small business packages to enterprise solutions makes it suitable for teams that expect to grow or need more advanced features over time.
Key Features
Full-service payroll with automated tax filing
Multi-state payroll and compliance tools
W-2 and 1099 contractor payments
Employee onboarding and document management
Benefits administration and workers' comp integration
Time and attendance tools
HR advisory resources (depending on plan)
Mobile app for payroll and employee access
Comprehensive reporting and analytics
Integrations with accounting and HR systems
Pros and Cons
Pros
Highly scalable for multi-office or fast-growing brokerages
Extensive HR and compliance features
Strong reporting and analytics for payroll and operations
Broad set of integrations with accounting and HR tools
Multiple plan levels to match different stages of brokerage growth
Cons
Pricing is less transparent and typically requires quoting
Features vary significantly depending on the package
Can feel overly complex for small real estate teams
Higher cost than streamlined SMB payroll solutions
Setup and onboarding may require more time and guidance
Pricing
ADP pricing is customized. Cost varies by:
Number of employees
Payroll frequency
Add-ons such as time tracking, HR tools, and benefits
Brokerages typically must request a quote to receive exact pricing.
Paychex
Best for brokerages that need flexible HR and payroll bundles
Paychex is a flexible payroll and HR platform suitable for real estate brokerages that want customizable service bundles. It offers full-service payroll, benefits administration, time tracking, and optional HR support, making it adaptable for offices with varying administrative needs. With a mix of self-service tools and hands-on support, Paychex works well for midsize brokerages or firms that anticipate hiring more staff over time.
Key Features
Full-service payroll with automated tax filing
W-2 and 1099 contractor payments
Multi-state payroll support
Employee onboarding and digital document storage
Time and attendance tools
Benefits administration and retirement plan options
Compliance alerts and new-hire reporting
Optional HR consulting and support
Mobile app for payroll and employee access
Integrations with major accounting platforms
Pros and Cons
Pros
Highly customizable service bundles
Strong HR and compliance features for growing brokerages
Scales well as staffing increases
Good mix of self-service tools and advisory support
Useful for firms that need flexible administrative resources
Cons
Pricing varies widely based on configuration
Smaller teams may not use higher-tier HR tools
Can be more expensive than lightweight payroll platforms
Some features require add-ons or higher service levels
Interface is less modern than newer cloud platforms
Pricing
Paychex offers multiple service levels and customized plans.
Typical factors influencing pricing include:
Payroll frequency
Number of employees and/or contractors
HR services and add-ons such as time tracking or benefits
Exact pricing requires a quote.
Patriot Software
Best budget payroll option for small real estate offices
Patriot Software is a cost-effective payroll platform designed for small businesses that want simple payroll at a low monthly price. For small real estate brokerages or solo brokers with a few administrative employees, Patriot provides an easy-to-use system with basic payroll features, optional tax filing, and integrated accounting. It's best suited for teams with straightforward payroll needs and minimal HR requirements.
Key Features
Payroll processing with optional full-service tax filing
W-2 and 1099 contractor payments
Multi-state payroll availability
Direct deposit and printable checks
Employee self-service portal
Basic time-tracking add-on
PTO accrual and leave tracking
Built-in accounting software (optional)
Customizable deductions and contributions
Simple setup and guided payroll workflows
Pros and Cons
Pros
Very low-cost payroll option for small brokerages
Option to choose between self-service or full-service tax filing
Simple, clean interface ideal for beginners
Optional accounting tools add value for small offices
Good fit for teams with simple, predictable payroll needs
Cons
Limited HR features compared to larger systems
Add-ons (time tracking, multi-state payroll) may increase total cost
Not built for complex commission structures
Less suitable for mid-sized or growing brokerages
Fewer integrations than premium payroll platforms
Pricing
Two primary payroll options:
Basic Payroll: Lower-cost plan; business handles tax filings
Full-Service Payroll: Includes federal, state, and local tax filing
Additional fees apply for:
Time tracking
Accounting tools
Multi-state payroll (for some plans)
Xero
Best for brokerages that want integrated accounting and payroll
Xero is an accounting-first platform that offers payroll features through integrations, making it a good fit for real estate brokerages that prioritize financial reporting and bookkeeping. While Xero's native payroll capabilities vary by region, its ecosystem of add-ons allows brokerages to manage payroll, expenses, and commissions alongside accounting. It's best suited for offices that want a unified financial view without adopting a full HR suite.
Key Features
Accounting-first platform with payroll integrations
W-2 and 1099 contractor support via payroll partners
Bank reconciliation and expense management
Real-time financial dashboards and reporting
Integrations with Gusto, OnPay, and other payroll providers
Mobile app for invoicing and receipt capture
Role-based access controls
Integration with real estate CRMs and financial apps
Inventory, bill pay, and vendor management tools
Multi-currency and multi-entity accounting features (higher tiers)
Pros and Cons
Pros
Strong accounting and financial reporting capabilities
Flexible payroll support through integrated partners
Clean, modern interface for finance-focused teams
Excellent for firms using multiple financial apps
Works well for brokerages that need unified bookkeeping + payroll workflows
Cons
Native payroll availability varies by state/location
Requires third-party payroll partners for full functionality
Not ideal for teams needing built-in HR features
Commission payments require add-ons or external tools
More accounting-centric than payroll-centric
Pricing
Xero offers tiered pricing based on accounting features, with payroll available through integrated partners.
Typical pricing factors include:
Number of invoices and transactions
Add-ons such as expenses or bill pay
Third-party payroll provider costs
Exact pricing depends on plan selection and integrations.
FAQ
What is the best software for real estate accounting?
Real estate accounting needs vary, but many brokerages rely on tools like QuickBooks, Xero, or industry-specific platforms such as BrokerSumo or AppFolio. The best choice depends on the size of the brokerage, how commissions are tracked, and whether property management or team-based reporting is required.
Is QuickBooks good for real estate agents?
QuickBooks is widely used by real estate agents because it handles income tracking, expenses, mileage, and basic commission payouts. While it isn't built specifically for real estate, it integrates with many industry tools and works well for agents who primarily need general bookkeeping and tax-ready financial organization.
What is the 80/20 rule for realtors?
In real estate, the 80/20 rule refers to the idea that roughly 20% of agents generate 80% of the transactions. It describes the distribution of production across a typical brokerage and is used to understand team performance, commission structures, and where administrative or payroll support may be most valuable.
How much does a real estate agent make on a $500,000 house?
Earnings depend on the commission rate and how the brokerage splits commissions. If the total commission is 5% and split evenly between buyer and seller agents, each side earns $12,500. Additional splits often 70/30 or 80/20 determine the agent's final payout after the brokerage takes its portion.