Complete Guide to Payroll Software for Small Teams
Running payroll manually is one of the biggest liabilities for small businesses. This guide covers top payroll software platforms with pricing and a setup checklist.
Complete Guide to Payroll Software for Small Teams
Manual payroll is a liability. One miscalculation or missed deadline can result in IRS penalties and employee dissatisfaction. This guide covers the top payroll solutions for teams under 50.
Top Payroll Platforms
1. Gusto - Best Overall
$40/mo + $6/employee. Unlimited payroll runs, automatic tax filings, W-2/1099 prep, onboarding, benefits administration.
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2. ADP Run - Best for Compliance
Custom pricing (~$59-$99/mo + $4-$8/employee). 50-state compliance library, live HR experts, workers comp integration.
3. QuickBooks Payroll - Best for QB Users
$45/mo + $6/employee. Seamless integration with QuickBooks accounting. Automatic journal entries.
4. Rippling - Best for Tech Teams
$8/user/mo + modules. Payroll + HR + IT device management. Auto-provisions laptops, Slack, Google Workspace on hire.
5. Patriot Payroll - Best Budget Option
$17/mo + $4/employee (Basic) or $37/mo + $4/employee (Full Service).
Cost Comparison (10 employees)
| Platform | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Patriot | $77 |
| Gusto | $100 |
| QuickBooks | $105 |
| ADP | ~$130 |
| Rippling | ~$140 |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Misclassifying workers as contractors
- Missing deposit deadlines
- Not tracking minimum wage changes
- Forgetting year-end filings (W-2s due Jan 31)
- Incorrect overtime calculations
For most small businesses, Gusto offers the best combination of ease, features, and value.
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