15 Best Small Business Payroll Software of 2023 (Free Guide)

For small business owners, payroll is a critical yet labor-intensive and time-consuming activity. If you’re wondering which software can help simplify the process of calculating wages and employer tax dues, we are here to show you the best solutions on the market.

In this blog post, we will explore 15 different payroll systems designed for small businesses and identify their pros and cons to help you make an informed decision about which one fits your needs.

What is Payroll Software?

Payroll software is an automated system that assists companies with managing the entirety of their payroll process, from collecting employee hours worked, to calculating wages and deductions, to finally disbursing payments.

This type of software makes handling an entire payroll much simpler since it helps to eliminate time-consuming paperwork and manual calculations, which in turn can help businesses save time and money.

This type of software is designed to be compliant with legal regulations, it helps organizations ensure they are meeting all necessary obligations. Payroll software offers a straightforward way for businesses to accurately manage employee wages and deductions without needing to allocate significant resources and personnel hours.

Benefits of Payroll Software

• Payroll software is an incredibly useful tool for businesses looking to make their payroll operations more efficient and organized.
• This type of system automates the task of keeping track of employee hours, wages, deductions, and other important payroll matters.
• It also allows business owners to easily generate reports on any aspect of their payroll without having to manually add up data.
• Many systems are also able to accurately calculate taxes and generate compliant reports.
• Using a payroll system streamlines the process of tracking employee payments and provides accurate results in an efficient manner.

15 Best Small Business Payroll Software

Below here are the 15 best small business basic payroll software

Rippling

Rippling is small business payroll software designed to make payroll processing simple and painless. With its user-friendly dashboard, businesses can track and manage their employee’s hours, payment info, benefits, and tax deductions in one convenient place. All your employees’ information is securely stored in one centralized system, allowing you to quickly review data and process payroll on time.

The automated withholding tax calculations help ensure that your organization complies with all federal and state payroll regulations. There are no hidden charges or fees you can process an unlimited number of payrolls for free. Rippling provides a secure, easy-to-use platform that simplifies the process of managing employee income and payments.

Gusto

Businesses that are ready to take the next step into providing their employees with modern payroll services should look no further than Gusto small business payroll software. Gusto can also help employers create a benefits package for their workers and keep track of employee PTO (paid time off).

By streamlining the payroll process, businesses will be able to focus on what matters: growing their companies instead of worrying about financially related operations. There’s no doubt that Gusto is an invaluable resource when it comes to keeping finances organized and staying compliant with tax regulations.

Payroll has features like automated tax filings, real-time employee tracking, customizable paychecks and reports and unlimited customer support from a dedicated team

ADP Payroll

ADP Payroll Small Business Payroll Software is an ideal solution for business owners who want to streamline the tedious process of managing their employees’ wages. With easy set-up and onboarding, business owners can quickly get their payroll managed accurately with minimal effort on their part.

The software provides all the tools necessary to calculate taxes, pay employees in multiple currencies, and customize overtime rules; all while being cloud-based, allowing owners to access it anywhere at any time.

With an array of customization options and full support from experts at ADP, Small Business Payroll Software offers a comprehensive solution that any small business owner would be wise to consider when setting up or overhauling their payroll system.

OnPay

OnPay is an all-in-one payroll software that helps small businesses manage their payroll, compliance, and HR needs. OnPay is simple to use and offers great value for its price. It has all the features you need to run your payroll, including direct deposit, tax filing, and employee self-service. OnPay is also one of the only payroll software that offers a free trial and it is one of best free payroll software.

Patriot

Patriot Software’s Small Business Payroll Software is a handy tool for small business owners to keep track of employee payroll. This software makes it easy to calculate payroll for multiple employees and provides detailed reports and graphs to help you stay organized and compliant with tax laws.

With our user-friendly interface, you can enter employee information, hours worked, and deductions. Then, our software will calculate the correct amount to withhold from each paycheck. You can even print or e-file your federal and state taxes directly from the software. Patriot’s payroll software makes it easy to get started and simple to use.

SurePayroll

SurePayroll is small business payroll software designed to simplify the payroll process for employers and employees. It provides tools for calculating payroll taxes, making payments, tracking time off and other benefits, gifting bonuses, and filing reports.

Employers can easily set up direct deposits for their employees in no time, from their own computer or mobile device. Employees can access their accounts to view pay statements, check their payment history and review benefit information so they’re always informed about their financial well-being.

This powerful solution offers features like streamlined onboarding processes, and secure access control to ensure data safety and compliance with local regulations. With SurePayroll at your fingertips, you’ll have everything you need to efficiently manage your payroll on your own.

Intuit Enhanced Payroll Software

Intuit Enhanced Payroll Software is designed to provide an efficient payroll solution for small business owners. This intuitive software has been built with the needs of small business owners in mind, ensuring a streamlined payroll process that saves time and money.

It offers a range of features such as an employee portal, support for multiple pay rates, automatic payments and reports, seamless integrations, and numerous other benefits. With its simple user interface, it allows small businesses to easily manage payroll tasks while providing robust features that support even the most complex payroll requirements.

Intuit Enhanced Payroll Software Small Business Payroll Software comes with unlimited customer support available anytime so that you can get help when you need it the most.

Sage Payroll Essentials Plus

Sage Payroll Essentials Plus Small Business Payroll Software is the perfect choice for small businesses in need of an effective payroll solution. This comprehensive and all-in-one payroll software simplifies tracking and managing employee pay, including time off, benefits, taxes and direct deposits.

The user-friendly interface makes it easy to understand the various functions of the software, and it integrates effortlessly with a company’s existing accounting tools. It provides customer support for both the employer and employee so questions or issues can quickly be addressed.

Whether you are looking for one streamlined process to enable easy tax filing or are in need of a complex payroll system with more customization options, this cutting-edge software will meet all your payroll needs.

Square Payroll

Square Payroll is a comprehensive small business payroll software solution that enables entrepreneurs and businesses to quickly and accurately manage all employee-related financial data. This cloud-based platform not only streamlines the entire payroll process but also incorporates tax filing and regulatory compliance features, making it easy to navigate the complexities of payroll employee management.

Square Payroll offers competitively priced plans tailored to the size of your business while allowing you to grant access to third parties such as accountants. With attractive and cost-effective options for managing employee wages, Square Payroll offers a secure way for employers to stay on top of their financial obligations.

QuickBooks Payroll

Small businesses now have access to comprehensive payroll services with QuickBooks Payroll. This cloud-based software allows for remote access to important payroll functions. Business owners can easily manage their payroll from anywhere, at any time and with multiple user access.

Directional guidance is also provided throughout the process and employees are given their own login so that their personal information can securely be managed when it comes to pay stubs, W2s, and direct deposits.

With QuickBooks Payroll, small businesses can now simplify not only payroll but other related tasks like payroll tax filing and employee self-service functions all in one place.

Xero

Xero small business payroll software is fast becoming the go-to platform for growing businesses looking to manage their payroll. This reliable, secure, and feature-rich solution offers its users industry-leading technology for managing their payroll in an organized, productive way.

Xero automatically calculates the taxes that employees owe and even prepares pay slips in a few simple clicks making it the perfect choice for new or small businesses that need help with handling payroll work quickly and accurately. With Xero’s user-friendly system, processing payments to employees has never been easier!

Wave

Wave small business payroll software is a great resource for businesses looking to streamline and simplify their payroll processes. This secure cloud-based platform allows employers to efficiently manage employee payroll information, employee deductions, pay periods, and more all in one place.

With features like automated tax filing and direct deposit capabilities, Wave makes the burdensome task of payroll an efficient, hassle-free process. Wave ensures compliance with national and state regulations to guarantee that businesses are always up to date with the latest tax laws.

Employers can easily access support from knowledgeable agents whenever needed. With cutting-edge functionality and unrivaled customer service, Wave provides businesses with the tools they need to achieve success in their payroll processes.

Zenefits

Zenefits’ small business payroll software is a perfect choice for startups and businesses alike. It offers competitors’ rates, user-friendly navigation, and payroll data security. It is incredibly easy to set up. Zenefits provides three levels of service: base, advanced and elite allowing customers to find the payroll plan that best suits their needs.

They offer in-depth customer support as part of their package so you’re never without assistance when it comes to your payroll woes. Whether you’re starting from scratch or switching from another payroll provider, give Zenefits small business payroll software a try today!

ADP Workforce Now

ADP Workforce Now small business payroll software is the perfect solution for any organization looking to better manage its payroll and personnel information. This comprehensive program offers a secure, cloud-based platform that simplifies data accuracy, streamlines compliance tasks, and automates time-consuming everyday processes.

Its user-friendly interface allows payroll administrators to quickly input data and generate reports with ease, ultimately freeing up valuable time from their busy schedules. Furthermore, an array of integrated solutions enables employers to customize the system based on each company’s unique needs.

From accruing vacation hours to tracking employee performance ratings, ADP Workforce Now provides the tools needed for effective HR processes with maximum efficiency.

Justworks

Justworks, one of the most popular payroll software for small businesses, provides unbeatable ease and convenience. It simplifies and automates the employee payroll process so you can save time, avoid administrative headaches and worry less about the hassle of filing your taxes. With it, employers are able to stay compliant with all the mandated tax laws while generating reports quickly without any extra effort.

Justworks pays employees on their designated payday and takes care of direct deposits as well as paper checks if needed. While offering unbeatable power, convenience and flexibility, this software ensures that each employer gets an expected grade service every time.

FAQ’s

What is payroll software?

Payroll software is an automated system that assists companies with managing the entirety of their payroll process, from collecting employee hours worked, to calculating wages and deductions, to finally disbursing payments.

What are the benefits of using payroll software?

The benefits of using payroll software are that it automates the task of keeping track of employee hours, wages, deductions, and other important payroll matters. It also allows business owners to easily generate reports on any aspect of their payroll without having to manually add up data. Using a payroll system streamlines the process of tracking employee payments and provides accurate results in an efficient manner.

What is the best small business payroll software?

The best small business payroll software includes Rippling, Gusto, Intuit QuickBooks Payroll, ADP RUN, Xero Accounting Software, Wage point Payroll Software, Patriot Software Payroll Core, Justworks Platform, and Zenefits. Some of this software offer features such as automated tax filings, real-time employee tracking, customizable paychecks and reports, and unlimited customer support from a dedicated team. It is important to research the various payroll software solutions available in order to find the best one for your business needs.

Conclusion

Payroll software is a great tool for small businesses that need to manage their payroll processes efficiently and accurately. It helps to automate the task of collecting employee hours, calculating wages and deductions, and disbursing payments. The best payroll software offers features like automated tax filings, real-time employee tracking, customizable paychecks and reports, and unlimited customer support. Researching and comparing different payroll software solutions is the best way to find one that meets your business needs. By doing so, you can save time and money while ensuring that you remain compliant with all relevant tax regulations.