Our picks · 2027
Best payroll and HR software for small business
Payroll services that also handle onboarding, PTO, HR documents and HR advice, and what the HR part costs on top of payroll.
AWBy Austin Witherow · Updated Nov 12, 2026 · 7 min read · How we review
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Quick answer
- Best overall: Rippling, companies that want payroll, hr and it in one system (from $8/employee)
- #2: Gusto, growing teams that want room to add states and benefits (from $49/mo)
- #3: Justworks, small teams that want a peo for benefits and hr compliance (from $79/employee)
Compared
Payroll services compared (USD, checked Nov 12, 2026)| Payroll service | Best for | Starts at | Our score | Link |
|---|
| Rippling | Companies that want payroll, HR and IT in one system | $8/employee | 7.8 | Visit |
|---|
| Gusto | Growing teams that want room to add states and benefits | $49/mo | 8.9 | Visit |
|---|
| Justworks | Small teams that want a PEO for benefits and HR compliance | $79/employee | 7.3 | Visit |
|---|
| OnPay | Most small businesses | $49/mo | 9.1 | Visit |
|---|
Rippling
Companies that want payroll, HR and IT in one system7.8/10GoodRippling files federal, state and local payroll taxes and lets you run payroll as often as you need. Pricing starts at $8 per employee per month plus a monthly base fee it doesn't publish, and the total depends on the modules you add.
$8/employee per month + an unpublished base fee
Pros
- Federal, state and local tax filing
- Unlimited pay runs at no extra charge
- Payroll, HR and IT modules share one employee record
- 4.6/5 on Trustpilot from 2,797 reviews
Cons
- Base fee isn't published; you need a quote
- Cost rises with each module you add
- No free trial (6 months free only for eligible VC-backed startups)
- Pricing page lists no contract terms or support hours
Gusto
Growing teams that want room to add states and benefits8.9/10Very goodGusto files federal, state and local payroll taxes on every plan, month to month. Simple ($49 + $6 per person) covers one state; Plus ($80 + $12) adds multi-state payroll, next-day deposit and time tracking. Many extras are paid add-ons.
$49/mo + $6 per person (Simple)
Pros
- Federal, state and local tax filing on every plan
- Published prices for every plan and add-on
- Unlimited pay runs; month to month, cancel anytime
- Contractors billed only in months you pay them
Cons
- Simple covers one state; multi-state needs Plus at $80 + $12 per person
- Next-day deposit is a $15/mo + $3 per person add-on on Simple
- Priority phone and chat support costs extra below Premium
- Trustpilot score is 3.3/5
Justworks
Small teams that want a PEO for benefits and HR compliance7.3/10GoodJustworks is mainly a PEO: it becomes a co-employer of your staff and handles payroll taxes under its own tax ID, plus HR support and, on PEO Plus, health insurance. PEO Basic is $79 and PEO Plus $124 per employee per month. A payroll-only plan is $50/mo + $8 per employee.
$79/employee per month (PEO Basic); payroll-only $50/mo + $8
Pros
- Published per-employee PEO prices with no base fee
- On PEO, federal, state and local taxes filed under Justworks' own EIN
- 24/7 support and HR consulting on PEO plans
- W-2 and 1099 filings included on every plan
Cons
- PEO needs at least two W-2 employees and workers' comp approval
- Part-time employees cost the full $79 on PEO and can't get benefits
- Time tracking is $8 per person per month extra
- Trustpilot score is 2.2/5 from 40 reviews
OnPay
Most small businesses9.1/10ExcellentOnPay sells one payroll plan at $49/mo + $6 per worker that files federal, state and local taxes, includes every state and unlimited pay runs, and runs month to month. Direct deposit takes up to 4 days and HR features cost extra.
$49/mo + $6 per worker, one plan
Pros
- Federal, state and local tax filing on the only plan
- Multi-state payroll at no extra cost, with state tax registration
- Unlimited pay runs and no fee to cancel a pay run
- Phone, chat and email support for every customer
Cons
- Direct deposit takes up to 4 days, with no faster option listed
- Mailing W-2s or 1099s costs $10 per form
- Every worker in a pay run is billed, even if paid $0
- Terms let OnPay change fees without guaranteed notice
How we picked for payroll and HR
Most payroll plans include some HR basics, such as onboarding forms and PTO tracking. HR advice, compliance help and HR workflows usually cost extra. We priced that extra part for each pick, based on each provider's pricing pages and help docs, checked November 12, 2026.
Why each pick fits
Rippling
Rippling's payroll, HR and IT modules share one employee record (Rippling pricing). Payroll files federal, state and local taxes. Pricing starts at $8 per employee per month plus a monthly base fee Rippling doesn't publish, and each module you add raises the price. That makes Rippling the hardest pick to price without a quote. Rippling has 4.6/5 on Trustpilot from 2,797 reviews.
Gusto
Gusto's Simple plan ($49/mo + $6 per person) includes basic PTO. HR guidance and tools come with Premium at $180/mo + $22 per person, which also includes priority phone and chat support that costs $30/mo + $3 per person as an add-on on the lower plans (Gusto pricing). At 20 people, Premium is $620 a month against $169 on Simple, so the HR tier costs $451 more. Remote I-9 checks are $20 per submission, with E-Verify $5 more.
Justworks
Justworks puts onboarding, offboarding, basic timecards, PTO and a document center on every plan, including payroll-only at $50/mo + $8 per employee (Justworks pricing). HR consulting, employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) and 24/7 support come only with the PEO, at $79 per employee per month on PEO Basic. PEO Plus, at $124, adds health insurance administration. Dedicated HR consulting is a further $30 per employee per month.
OnPay
OnPay's $49/mo + $6 base plan already includes onboarding, e-signed I-9 and W-4 forms, offer letters, new-hire reporting and PTO accrual policies (OnPay pricing). The HR add-on, at $15/mo + $2 per worker, adds PTO approvals, onboarding workflows, an org chart and unlimited e-signature documents. Compliance Resources is $10/mo more, and Live HR Support, with licensed HR experts by phone, chat and email, is $65/mo. A bundle of payroll, HR, compliance and live HR support costs $120/mo + $7 per worker, down from $139 + $8 bought separately.
What the HR part costs on top of payroll
| Plan with HR |
5 people |
20 people |
50 people |
| Justworks Payroll (HR basics included) |
$90 |
$210 |
$450 |
| OnPay bundle with live HR support |
$155 |
$260 |
$470 |
| Gusto Premium |
$290 |
$620 |
$1,280 |
| Justworks PEO Basic |
$395 |
$1,580 |
$3,950 |
| Rippling |
$40 + base + modules |
$160 + base + modules |
$400 + base + modules |
OnPay's bundle adds $91 a month to its $169 payroll bill at 20 workers, and most of the bundle's added cost is a flat monthly fee. Gusto and Justworks PEO charge per person for HR, so the gap grows with headcount: at 50 people, Gusto Premium costs $931 a month more than Simple.
What to check
Check whether you need HR advice from a person or only HR software. OnPay sells live HR experts as a $65 add-on. Gusto bundles HR guidance into Premium. Justworks gives HR consulting only on the PEO.
Check what a PEO changes. Justworks PEO makes Justworks a co-employer and files federal, state and local taxes under its own EIN. It needs at least two W-2 employees and workers' comp approval, and part-time employees cost the full $79 per month on PEO Basic.
Common questions
What is the cheapest payroll and HR software?
Justworks Payroll at $50/mo + $8 per employee includes onboarding, PTO and a document center. For HR advice from licensed experts, OnPay's bundle at $120/mo + $7 per worker costs less than Gusto Premium or a PEO at every size in our table.
Does Gusto include HR?
Simple includes basic PTO. HR guidance and tools need Premium at $180/mo + $22 per person.
Is a PEO worth it for HR?
For 20 people, Justworks PEO Basic costs $1,580 a month against $210 on Justworks Payroll. The difference buys HR consulting, EPLI and 24/7 support. Health insurance administration needs PEO Plus at $124 per employee.