Our picks · 2027
Cheapest payroll services that still file your taxes
The lowest regular monthly prices for full-service payroll, with what each plan leaves for you to file yourself.
AWBy Austin Witherow · Updated Nov 12, 2026 · 6 min read · How we review
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Quick answer
- Best overall: Patriot Payroll, the lowest price for full-service payroll (from $37/mo)
- #2: Square Payroll, square sellers and contractor-only payroll (from $35/mo)
- #3: OnPay, most small businesses (from $49/mo)
Compared
Payroll services compared (USD, checked Nov 12, 2026)| Payroll service | Best for | Starts at | Our score | Link |
|---|
| Patriot Payroll | The lowest price for full-service payroll | $37/mo | 8.7 | Visit |
|---|
| Square Payroll | Square sellers and contractor-only payroll | $35/mo | 8.4 | Visit |
|---|
| OnPay | Most small businesses | $49/mo | 9.1 | Visit |
|---|
| Gusto | Growing teams that want room to add states and benefits | $49/mo | 8.9 | Visit |
|---|
Patriot Payroll
The lowest price for full-service payroll8.7/10Very goodPatriot Full Service is $37/mo + $5 per worker at its regular price and files federal, state and most local taxes, with W-2s and 1099s included. The cheaper Basic plan does not file taxes. Advertised prices are a 3-month 50% promo.
$37/mo + $5 per worker (Full Service, regular price)
Pros
- Lowest regular full-service price per worker we found
- Year-end forms (940, 941, W-2, W-3) and 1099 e-filing included on Full Service
- 30-day free trial
- 4.7/5 on Trustpilot from 3,459 reviews
Cons
- Advertised price is 50% off for 3 months; then it doubles
- Each extra state is $12/mo
- Basic Payroll calculates taxes but doesn't file or pay them
- Covers 'most' local taxes; excluded localities aren't listed
Square Payroll
Square sellers and contractor-only payroll8.4/10Very goodSquare Payroll is $35/mo + $6 per person paid, files federal and state taxes in all 50 states and DC, and has a $6-per-contractor plan with no base fee. Some local taxes in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York are left for you to file.
$35/mo + $6 per person paid
Pros
- $35/mo base, the lowest of the payroll plans we compare
- Contractor-only plan: $6 per contractor paid, no base fee
- Federal and state filing in every state; month to month
- Timecards flow in from Square POS
Cons
- Some local taxes are calculated but left for you to file
- Can't pay one employee across several tax jurisdictions
- Mailed paper W-2s and 1099s cost $3 each
- No free trial listed
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
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
How we ranked by price
We ranked full-service plans, meaning plans that file and pay your payroll taxes, by their regular monthly price after any promo ends. Prices come from each provider's pricing pages and help docs, checked November 12, 2026, for one state and employees only.
| Plan |
Regular price |
5 workers |
20 workers |
50 workers |
| Patriot Full Service |
$37/mo + $5 |
$62 |
$137 |
$287 |
| Square Payroll |
$35/mo + $6 |
$65 |
$155 |
$335 |
| OnPay |
$49/mo + $6 |
$79 |
$169 |
$349 |
| Gusto Simple |
$49/mo + $6 |
$79 |
$169 |
$349 |
| Patriot Basic (files no taxes) |
$17/mo + $4 |
$37 |
$97 |
$217 |
Why each pick fits
Patriot Payroll
Patriot Full Service is the cheapest once you pay three or more people: $62 a month for 5, $137 for 20. It files and deposits federal, state and most local taxes, and includes Form 940, 941, W-2 and W-3 filings and free 1099 e-filing (Patriot pricing). The price you see first is a promo. After a 30-day free trial, you pay $18.50/mo + $2.50 per worker for 3 months, then the regular $37 + $5.
Square Payroll
Square has the lowest base fee at $35 a month, which makes it $1 cheaper than Patriot for a single employee ($41 against $42). The two tie at two workers, and from three up Patriot's lower per-worker fee wins. Square lists no free trial or promo price, so $35 + $6 is what you pay from the first month. Its plan includes payroll in every state (Square pricing), so a second state costs nothing extra. Patriot charges $12/mo for each extra state.
OnPay
OnPay costs $14 more than Square each month at any size, and in return it files local taxes and includes every state with automatic state tax registration (OnPay pricing). The first month is free; after that the price stays at $49 + $6.
Gusto
Gusto Simple matches OnPay at $49/mo + $6 per person and files federal, state and local taxes (Gusto pricing). It covers one state only. A second state means Plus at $80/mo + $12, which is $320 a month for 20 people.
What the cheap plans won't file
Patriot Basic, at $17/mo + $4, calculates taxes but does not file or deposit them. Patriot says 84% of its customers choose Basic, so read the plan name before you compare. On Basic, 1099 e-filing also costs $20 for up to 5 forms, then $2 each, capped at $80.
Patriot Full Service covers "most" local taxes and doesn't list the localities it skips. It also doesn't handle Form 943 (agricultural), garnishments or child support (Patriot full service).
Square files local taxes only in supported jurisdictions. In Ohio, municipal taxes outside RITA, CCA and the City of Columbus are calculated but left for you to file and pay. In Pennsylvania, you file any local tax Square doesn't support.
Common questions
What is the cheapest payroll service that files taxes?
Patriot Full Service at $37/mo + $5 per worker, regular price. For one employee, Square at $41 a month is $1 cheaper.
How much does Patriot Payroll cost after the promo?
Full Service goes from $18.50/mo + $2.50 per worker to $37/mo + $5 after 3 months. Basic goes from $8.50 + $2 to $17 + $4.
Is the cheapest payroll plan full service?
Not always. Patriot Basic is the lowest price on our list at $37 a month for 5 workers, but it doesn't file or pay payroll taxes. Patriot Full Service, $62 for 5, does.