See what payroll really costs. Then get quotes.
Payroll runs $44 to $350 a month depending on who you pick. Set your headcount, see every major provider's price, then let them compete for your business.
How this works
1. Tell us about your team
Headcount, pay frequency, state and what you need (benefits, time tracking, HR). Takes about a minute.
2. We match you to providers
You see which of ADP, Paychex, Gusto, OnPay, QuickBooks and Rippling fit, with their list price for your exact headcount.
3. They compete for you
Matching providers get your request and come back with real quotes. You pick. We're paid a referral fee by the provider, never by you.
Published payroll prices, side by side
Entry-tier list prices for the six providers that serve most US small businesses. Three publish full pricing; three quote.
| Provider (entry plan) | Base / mo | Per employee | 1 emp. | 5 emp. | 10 emp. | 25 emp. | 50 emp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADP — Essential (quote; est.) | $79 | $5 | $84* | $104* | $129* | $204* | $329* |
| Paychex — Flex Essentials (higher tiers quoted) | $39 | $5 | $44 | $64 | $89 | $164 | $289 |
| Gusto — Simple | $49 | $6 | $55 | $79 | $109 | $199 | $349 |
| OnPay — Payroll Essentials | $49 | $6 | $55 | $79 | $109 | $199 | $349 |
| QuickBooks Payroll — Workforce Payroll (Core) | $50 | $7 | $57 | $85 | $120 | $225 | $400 |
| Rippling — Platform (required) (higher tiers quoted) | $40 | $8 | $48 | $80 | $120 | $240 | $440 |
* Estimate for quote-only providers based on publicly reported quotes; ADP bills per pay run so a weekly payroll costs more. Prices are list prices before promotions.
Which provider fits which business
ADP
Businesses that expect to grow past 50 employees, need benefits and retirement plans from one vendor, or want the most recognized brand when talking to lenders and accountants.
Paychex
Owners who want a named human to call, businesses considering a PEO later, and anyone bundling payroll with workers' comp or retirement.
Gusto
Teams under 50 who want to run payroll themselves in a few clicks and get benefits, 401(k) and HR tools without a sales call.
OnPay
Small businesses, farms, nonprofits and restaurants that want the lowest all-in price with no surprise fees, and free white-glove setup.
QuickBooks Payroll
Businesses already on QuickBooks Online who want payroll to post to the ledger automatically.
Rippling
Fast-growing companies (roughly 20 to 1,000 employees) that want payroll, benefits, device management and expenses in one system, including global hires.
Features at a glance
| Feature | ADP | Paychex | Gusto | OnPay | QuickBooks Payroll | Rippling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal & state tax filing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited payroll runs | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-state payroll | Yes | Yes | Plus+ | Yes | add-on | Yes |
| 1099 contractors | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Health benefits | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HR tools | Yes | Yes | Yes | add-on | Premium+ | Yes |
| Time tracking | add-on | add-on | Plus+ | add-on | Premium+ | add-on |
| Same-day deposit | add-on | add-on | No | No | Premium+ | Yes |
| PEO option | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Get quotes from the providers that fit your business
Tell us your headcount once. Matching providers send real quotes, usually within a business day. You compare and choose.
- Free, no obligation
- About a minute
- Up to 4 providers, you pick which
- Prices verified November 2026
Popular comparisons
- ADP vs Paychex
- ADP vs Gusto
- ADP vs OnPay
- ADP vs QuickBooks Payroll
- ADP vs Rippling
- Paychex vs Gusto
- Paychex vs OnPay
- Paychex vs QuickBooks Payroll
- Paychex vs Rippling
- Gusto vs OnPay
- Gusto vs QuickBooks Payroll
- Gusto vs Rippling
- OnPay vs QuickBooks Payroll
- OnPay vs Rippling
- QuickBooks Payroll vs Rippling
Payroll by industry
- Payroll for Restaurants
- Payroll for Construction
- Payroll for Retail
- Payroll for Medical & Dental Practices
- Payroll for Nonprofits
- Payroll for Churches & Ministries
- Payroll for Salons & Spas
- Payroll for Trucking & Logistics
- Payroll for Law Firms
- Payroll for Startups
- Payroll for Cleaning & Landscaping
- Payroll for Franchises
Guides
- How Much Does Payroll Cost for a Small Business in 2026?
- How to Switch Payroll Providers Without Missing a Paycheck
- ADP Payroll Pricing Explained (and How to Get a Lower Quote)
- Paychex Pricing Explained: Flex Essentials, Select, Pro and Enterprise
- PEO vs. Payroll Service: Which Does Your Business Need?
Frequently asked questions
How much does payroll cost for a small business?
As of November 2026, small-business payroll services cost $39 to $180 per month in base fees plus $5 to $22 per employee per month. A 10-employee team pays about $109 per month at Gusto or OnPay, $120 at QuickBooks Payroll, and roughly $89 to $130 (before add-ons) on quote-based estimates from Paychex and ADP.
Which payroll company is cheapest?
OnPay and Gusto Simple both list at $49 per month plus $6 per person. OnPay includes multi-state payroll at that price, so it is the cheapest for businesses with employees in more than one state. Paychex Flex Essentials lists at $39 plus $5, the lowest published entry price, but adds quarterly and year-end fees.
Is it free to get quotes here?
Yes. You pay nothing. Providers pay us a referral fee when you request a quote through our form. That fee does not change the price you are quoted.
How many providers will contact me?
At most four, matched to your headcount, state and needs. You can stop contact from any of them at any time.
Do you recommend ADP or Paychex?
Both are strong for businesses that want a full-service provider with benefits, retirement and HR. Paychex is often cheaper for small teams because it bills monthly instead of per pay run; ADP has the larger product catalog and bigger first-year promotions. Get 12-month written quotes from both.