Choosing a Payroll Software Tool for Your Startup
Running a startup usually involves building your product, building your brand, supporting your team, and trying to keep everything on track. All in all, managing payroll can be time-consuming and stressful. Even small mistakes can cause compliance issues, unhappy employees or extra work. That’s why choosing the right payroll software for startups is one of the smartest decisions you can make. A good payroll solution does exactly that: it helps you automate repetitive tasks, stay compliant with local laws, manage employee information and make sure everyone gets paid accurately and on time. It also gives you confidence, knowing that you manage all payroll processes while focusing on growing your business.
With so many tools available, it’s hard to know where to start. The key is to choose software that meets your current business needs but can also adapt as your team grows. Factors such as ease of use, pricing, customer support, integration, and compliance features are all important in making the best choice. In this article, we explore the 10 best payroll software tools for startups to help you understand what each option has to offer and choose the one that best meets your needs.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Using a Payroll Service for Your Startup
- Saves you valuable time so you can focus on growing your business.
- Reduces errors by automating accounting, taxes and payments.
- Helps you keep up with changing laws and regulations.
- Ensures that employees are paid accurately and on time.
- Offers easy access to reports for budgeting and planning.
- Simplifies tax filing and year-end paperwork.
- Boosts security by keeping sensitive payroll data safe.
- Scales with your startup as your team grows.
- Gives you peace of mind knowing experts handle the complexities.
10 Best Payroll Providers for Startups
1. Gusto
Best for
Small to mid-sized US startups looking for a simple and user-friendly payroll and HR solution.
Occupation
- Super user friendly setup.
- Full service payroll service (including tax filing).
- Integration of good benefits.
- Strong onboarding tools.
- Good support for contractors and employees.
cons
- Costs can increase when you add employees or advanced HR features.
- Some advanced features are reserved for advanced levels.
Notable Features
- Unlimited pay runs.
- Automated Federal/State Tax Filing.
- Employee Self Service.
- Benefits (health, 401(k)) integration.
- Time to track time.
- Starter templates for startups.
Pricing
- Simple Plan: $49 per month, and $6 per person per month.
- Plus Plan: $80 per month, and $12 per person per month.
- Premium plan: $180 per month plus $22 per person.
Check Gusto plans for latest offers and any startup promotions.
2. Rippling
Best for
Startups that want to integrate payroll, HRIS, device, and app management with it.
Occupation
- Highly modular (HR, benefits, device management).
- Strong automation across HR, payroll, and beyond.
- Scalable
cons
- More complex and expensive than niche payroll tools.
- Pricing is often custom, so you’ll need a quote.
- Steeper learning curve if you just want base salary.
Notable Features
- Unified employee data across payroll, benefits, and apps.
- Automated on-boarding and off-boarding.
- Global Payroll and Contractor Features
- Lots of integrations.
Pricing
Usually, custom prices are provided. However, Rippling offers modular pricing and a platform approach, so please contact their sales team for startup pricing.
3. Run ADP-powered
Best for
Startup for reliable tax compliance and optional HR support provider.
Occupation
- Payroll and tax expertise.
- Lots of packable package options for very small to medium-sized businesses.
- Strong compliance support.
- Payroll Tax Filing.
cons
- The interface and pricing can feel more corporate.
- There is less transparency in online pricing for some packages.
- This can be overkill for very small teams that want simple tools.
Notable Features
- Tiered packages (base salary for complete HR bundle).
- Payroll Tax Filing.
- Experienced support
- Integration (time, benefits, accounting)
Pricing
ADP offers small business packages at different levels. While some starting prices for small payroll packages are publicly available, many plans require you to request a quote. ADP often shows a lower starting price in its marketing materials, but these numbers are just examples.
4. Paychecks
Best for
Startups that need payroll services, with support for benefits and retirement plans.
Occupation
- Complete payroll processing.
- Tax administration.
- Benefits and retirement integration.
- Scalable
- Strong customer service.
cons
- Pricing is often customized and can be more expensive than rival brands.
- Some small startups may find that the offering includes more than they really need.
Notable Features
- Automated payroll and tax filing.
- Integrated benefits and 401(k) options.
- Workforce Management Tools.
- Compliance Resources
Pricing
Paychecks usually provides custom pricing. For entry-level packages in public reviews you can see “Getting Started” for a base number of “$39/month plus fees per employee.” However, it is better to get a personalized price.
5. QuickBooks Payroll
Best for
Startups who already use QuickBooks accounting and want easy bookkeeping and payroll integration.
Occupation
- Seamless QuickBooks integration.
- Automatic tax filing.
- Multiple Payroll Tiers (Core/Premium/Elite) to suit growing teams.
- Orientation for Accountants.
cons
- If you’re not using QuickBooks, you won’t benefit from the same features.
- Some advanced payroll and HR functions are only available in higher plans.
Notable Features
- Direct integration with QuickBooks Online.
- Tax deposits and filings.
- Next day direct deposit options on some plans.
- Additional HR and support add-ons.
Pricing
- Payroll Cover and Simple Start: Every month. 26.40, and $6.50 per employee per month.
- Payroll cover and accessories: Every month. 37.50, and 50 6.50 per month.
- Payroll Premium and Plus: Every month. 60.90, plus $10 per month.
Check QuickBooks’ Payroll Pricing page for specific costs and current promotions, as these prices are subject to change.
6. Square Payroll
Best for
Small retail, cafe, or restaurant startups that already use Square for payments, or businesses with employees who receive tips.
Occupation
- Easy pricing.
- Great for teams with both traditional employees (W-2) and independent contractors (1099).
- Built-in tip tracking and time card features that work with Square POS.
- A cheaper option for contractor-only payroll.
cons
- It doesn’t have as many features as the larger HR platforms.
- Not the best choice if you need complex HR processes or international payroll.
Notable Features
- There is only one contractor plan.
- Payroll for both employees and contractors.
- Tip tracking.
- Integration with Square POS and Square Team.
- Direct deposit
- Tax filing for teams in the US.
Pricing
- Full Service Payroll: $35 per month, plus $6 per person.
- Contractor Payroll Only: $6 per person per month.
Check Square’s official pricing page for the latest information.
7. On Pay
Best for
Startups looking for clear and affordable pricing with basic payroll and HR features.
Occupation
- Easy to understand pricing.
- Unlimited payroll runs.
- Includes payroll tax filing.
- Strong customer support.
- Simple setup.
- Friendly to small teams.
cons
- Less advanced HR features for larger companies than full HCM platforms.
Notable Features
- Unlimited payroll runs.
- Handling of W-2/1099 forms.
- Year-end filings.
- Support for multi-state payroll.
- Direct support for onboarding and migration.
Pricing
There’s only one plan, with a $49 monthly base fee and an additional $6 per person per month. Check the OnPay pricing page for the latest details.
8. Deal
Best for
Startups that hire global contractors and international employees and cross-border operations require compliance payroll and employer of record (EOR) services.
Occupation
- Strong international salary.
- Easy payment for contractors.
- Rental options without the need for local agencies.
- Multi-currency payments.
- Support for local compliance
cons
- Using international services and EOR options can increase costs.
- Pricing varies by country and service type.
- Dell isn’t just a simple tool for local payroll.
Notable Features
- Global Contractor Payroll.
- EOR services that comply with local employer obligations.
- Contractor management.
- Resources for local agreements and compliance.
Pricing
- Deal Ever: 9 599 per employee per month.
- DEL Contractor Management: $49 per contractor per month.
- DEL Contractor of Record: 5 325 per contractor per month.
- Dell PEO: $95 per employee per month.
- Dell US Payroll: Custom Quit.
- Dell Global Payroll: $29 per employee per month.
Check Dell’s pricing pages for country-specific details.
9. Remote
Best for
Startups that hire internationally and need global payroll or EOR services with clear pricing.
Occupation
- Clear options for contractor payroll.
- Full global salary and EOR.
- Administers local taxes and benefits.
- Helpful for startups growing across borders.
cons
- EOR and full global employment can be expensive for very small teams.
- Additional features and country-specific specifications may increase total costs.
Notable Features
- Contractor management.
- Global Salary.
- EOR services
- HRIS and integration.
- Local compliance handling.
Pricing
- Employer record: 9699 per employee per month.
- Payroll: $29 per employee per month.
- Contractor Management: $29 per contractor per month.
- Contractor Management Plus: $99 per contractor per month.
- Contractor of Record: 5 325 per contractor per month.
- Professional Employer Organization: From $99 per employee per month.
- Equity: From $39 per year.
For startups, pricing varies, so please check Remote’s pricing page.
10. Zeniths
Best for
Startups looking for an HR platform that includes payroll as an optional feature. This is a good choice if you want HR, benefits, and payroll in one place.
Occupation
- Competitive pricing for every employee using the HR platform.
- Integrated benefits management.
- Time and attendance tracking.
- Optional Payroll Add-ons.
cons
- Payroll is an add-on to the base HR plan, so the total cost depends on which modules you choose.
- Some startups may prefer a dedicated payroll service rather than any HR solution.
Notable Features
- On board
- Management of time.
- Employee records
- Tools for Benefits and ACA Compliance
- Optional payroll and tax filing modules.
- Different plan levels.
Pricing
Zenefits typically provides per-employee monthly pricing for HR plans, with payroll and benefits as additional options. Visit the Zenefits site or request a demo to get exact pricing and minimum requirements for each module.
Quick tips
- If you use QuickBooks for accounting, QuickBooks can simplify payroll bookkeeping.
- If you plan to hire people internationally, choose Dell, Remote, or Repling for global payroll and EOR support.
- For simple and low-cost contractor payroll, Square and similar services can be a good option.
- If you want a user-friendly startup experience with robust leverage options, Gusto and OnPay are recommended.
The result
Choosing the right payroll provider can make a huge difference in how smoothly your startup runs. Each option comes with its own strengths, whether you want something simple and budget-friendly or a full platform that scales as you grow. The key is knowing what your team needs today and what you will need in a few months. To simplify the decision-making process, see our payroll software directory and filter solutions to suit your specific needs. No matter which provider you choose, having reliable payroll helps your startup succeed.
