Best Online Payroll Services

by Chad BrooksLast Modified: October 17, 2018

Business.com / Accounting

Intro

Best Picks

Pricing

Reviews

FAQs

Features

Methodology

Community Picks & Surveys

Common Payroll Questions & Answers

Guides & Whitepapers (Downloads)

Map

Services

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The Best Online Payroll Services for 2018

Online payroll companies offer an easy solution for all of your business's payroll and payroll tax needs. However, with so many services to choose from, finding the one that's best for your company can be difficult. There are a lot of factors to consider, but the best payroll companies offer all the services and tools you need, fit your budget, and provide a high level of customer support. To help you narrow down your options, we've researched and assessed the top payroll service providers on the market.

We recommend Intuit as the best payroll software for small businesses, Gusto as the best payroll service provider for sole proprietors or S corporations, OnPay as the best payroll service for very small businesses, ADP as the most popular payroll company, and Paychex as the best payroll service for larger businesses. You can read more about each, and the types of organizations we think they are best for, below. If none of our recommendations work for you, scroll down to see more reviews and a list of other online payroll services.

Best Picks

Sole Proprietors or S. Corps.

Larger Businesses

Popular

Small Business

Very Small Businesses

Best Online Payroll for Sole Proprietors or S. Corporations

Gusto Payroll Software

Gusto is our top choice for S corporations and sole proprietors because it serves both regular employees and contractors/freelancers, and it allows you to run an unlimited number of payrolls each month. Costs start at $36 per month, plus $6 per employee or contractor.

To run payroll with Gusto, employers can log in to the system from anywhere online, enter the employee hours plus any PTO and bonuses or commissions earned, and click the "submit payroll" button. Employees are then paid via direct deposit or printed check.

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Best Online Payroll for Larger Businesses

Paychex - Online Payroll Services

Paychex is an excellent online payroll service for larger organizations. It offers most of the features businesses look for in a payroll solution and a wide array of additional services.

With Paychex, businesses can enter and submit payroll information online, and pay their employees by direct deposit, check or pay card. If you choose paper checks, Paychex can print and mail them to you, or you can print them yourself.

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Most Popular Online Payroll Service

ADP

ADP is the most popular payroll service among Business.com readers, and it has a strong reputation as a payroll industry leader. It is used by businesses across a wide range of industries and holds a 12 percent share of the entire payroll industry marketplace, according to IBISWorld.

This company offers specified payroll platforms for small, midsize and large businesses. Its Run platform is designed for businesses with fewer than 50 employees, while its Workforce Now platform is for businesses with 50 to 999 employees. Organizations with more than 1,000 employees have various options, including the Enterprise platform.

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Best Online Payroll Service for Small Businesses

Intuit

Intuit Payroll provides businesses of all sizes with payroll and related tax services. This cloud-hosted service requires no software to install or maintain. Employers log in to the system to process payroll, review and pay payroll taxes, and view detailed labor reports, while employees can view their paystubs, pay history and PTO accruals.

The Intuit service is available in three different plans, which cost $29 to $109 per month, plus $2 to $4 per employee. The Basic plan only includes payroll processing, while the Enhanced plan includes payroll processing and payroll tax calculations.

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Best Online Payroll for Very Small Businesses

OnPay

OnPay is our top choice for very small businesses because it handles all payroll and payroll tax needs, has an easy-to-use online platform, and is affordably priced. The service costs $36 per month, plus $4 for each employee. There are no long-term contacts, and the first month of service is free.

With this system, businesses can run an unlimited number of payrolls each month and pay both W-2 and 1099 workers by direct deposit or printed checks. Direct deposit payments are made two days after each pay run. Checks can be printed from any standard printer without any special software.

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Editor's note: Looking for information on payroll systems? Use the questionnaire below, and our vendor partners will contact you with the information you need:

Running payroll online has become the norm for many businesses, rather than outsourcing the task like companies used to do. Today’s best payroll software provides all of the tools businesses of any size need to run payroll.

The software processes payroll and handles all a company's payroll tax responsibilities. In addition, it can report new hires, provide workers' compensation insurance and manage paid time off (PTO).

Today's payroll software for small businesses is all hosted in the cloud. Online payroll systems are accessible online, from anywhere. You can run your small business payroll from the office, from your home, or anywhere else you might be. In addition, many of today's payroll providers offer mobile access, via either mobile app or mobile-friendly website. With these mobile options, you can complete your payroll, view payroll reports and enter in employee information, all from your smartphone or tablet.

All of the best payroll software includes employee self-service. With this feature, employees can log in to the system to review their paystubs, check their time-off balances and access their year-end tax forms.

Online Payroll Pricing

While the costs of payroll services differ by company, each provider uses a similar cost structure. There is typically a base fee and a per-employee charge. Our best picks charge base fees of $29 to $150 and per-employee fees of $2 to $12.

How often you are charged varies by provider. Some charge monthly, while others charge each time you run payroll. The providers that have monthly charges allow unlimited payroll runs each month. Among our best picks, Intuit, OnPay and Gusto all have monthly fees, while ADP and Paychex have a per-payroll cost structure.

While some providers offer just one package that includes all their services, others offer several plans at various price points with different levels of service. For example, the cheapest plan may include payroll processing only, with the most expensive plan including all payroll tax filing and payment responsibilities.

Besides the monthly or per-pay-run costs, some providers charge for services such as setting up the system and completing year-end tax filings.

Here is a breakdown of the costs of each of our best picks:

Intuit: Costs range from $29 to $109 per month, plus $2 to $4 per employee.
QuickBooks Payroll: This combines QuickBooks accounting software with Intuit payroll. Costs for this combination of services range from $59 to $159 per month, plus $2 per employee.
OnPay: Costs are $36 per month, plus $4 per employee.
Gusto: Costs range from $39 to $149 per month, plus $6 to $12 per employee.
ADP: Costs are customized for each business. We were quoted costs of about $120 per payroll for 25 employees.
Paychex: Costs are customized for each business. Paychex would not provide any specific pricing information to us.

When trying to figure out the true cost of payroll services for your small business, you need to factor in any taxes or other fees that the payroll provider may charge. Be sure to inquire about that when discussing pricing.

Before signing up with a payroll service provider, ask the company these questions to get the best deal possible:

Does it offer a discount for agreeing to a long-term contract?
Does it offer discounts for businesses with a large number of employees (if you're a larger company)?
Would it be willing to match the price of one of its cheaper competitors?

It is critical that you review all the contract details before signing anything. Make sure the contract includes everything you have agreed to and doesn't have any built-in price increases after an extended time.

Also inquire about the process for canceling service. Find out if there are any costs associated with that and how much notice you need to give.

Frequently Asked Payroll Questions

Q: What should we look for while deciding the best payroll software for our organization?

A: There are various factors to consider when choosing a payroll service provider. The most important factor is whether it can serve your company's needs. Does it make it easy to manage your entire employee roster? Can you run payroll as often as you like? Does it handle all of your payroll tax needs? Does it offer a tax guarantee? Does it provide the added services you want, such as workers' compensation insurance and PTO management? These are all things you need to know about a service before committing to it.

Other factors you want to consider are whether it fits in your budget, how easy the online payroll software is to use and the level of customer support.

Q: What are the benefits of the best payroll software?

A: There are many benefits to using online payroll services. First off, it makes the process of running payroll simple. These services handle all of your payroll processing and payroll tax responsibilities. All you, as the business owner, are responsible for each pay period is entering the number of hours each employee worked and any commissions or bonuses they earned. You should be able to run your payroll in just a few minutes.

Once you submit, the payroll software does all of the work for you. It calculates the correct amount for each paycheck and deposits that money directly into your employee's bank account. If they don't use direct deposit, it will let you know when you can print out a paper check for them. The software also automatically calculates the proper payroll tax withholdings and, when the time comes, files the required paperwork and makes the necessary payments on your behalf.

Payroll software also offers employee self-service. Instead of employees asking someone else all of their payroll questions, they can log in to the system to get the answers they are looking for on their own. This also saves time for those who would be answering their questions to work on something else.

Q: What criteria did you use to compare payroll software solutions?

A: We looked at a variety of factors when deciding our best online payroll selections. Among the various things we considered for each service were the cost, how easy it is to use, what tax services it offers, the integration options, whether there are any incentives like free trials or discounts, if self-service is available, how complete the tax services are, extra services (such as HR, time-off management and retirement savings plans), the customer support, and Better Business Bureau ratings and complaints.

Q: What are the top payroll software solutions for payroll service providers and accountants?

A: After careful research and consideration, our top payroll service selections are Intuit, OnPay, Gusto, ADP and Paychex. Other highly rated services include SurePayroll, Sage, APS, BenefitMall, IOIPay, MyPayrollHR, Fuse Workforce Management, PrimePay and PayUSA. To learn more about each service, check out our reviews above.

Online Payroll Features

Online payroll software encompasses a lot of services. These are some of the most valuable features and services these programs offer.

Payroll Processing

The primary purpose of these services is to process payroll. This is how your employees are paid. Based on the wage rates you enter and the hours each employee worked, the system automatically calculates how much they should be paid. It takes deductions for each employee into account, such as medical benefits and Social Security.

Payroll Tax

One big plus of using an online payroll service is that it handles all of your business's payroll tax responsibilities. Based on each paycheck, the software can withhold the required employee taxes. The service then fills out and files the quarterly payroll tax reports and makes the tax payments to the appropriate local, state and federal agencies.

At the end of the year, the software generates the W-2 and 1099 tax forms for each worker. Many payroll companies offer an error-free guarantee. This means that if it makes an error on your taxes, your payroll provider will correct the mistake and pay any fines or interest it incurred.

New-Hire Reporting

Each time you hire a new employee, you are required to report that information to the state. Online payroll services can complete those forms for your business and send them to the proper state agencies. Information on the forms includes the employee's name, address and Social Security number, as well as the employer's name, address and Federal Employer Identification Number.

Pay Options

Payroll companies offer multiple ways to pay your employees. The most convenient option is direct deposit. With this method, an employee provides their bank account information, and the payroll software automatically deposits the paycheck into their account on payday.

Another option is paper checks. Some payroll providers offer check stuffing services. They will print the checks, stuff them in envelopes, and then deliver the envelopes to your office to be given directly to employees.

A third option that some payroll services now offer is prepaid debit cards. The money from each paycheck is automatically deposited to each debit card. The employees using the cards then have instant access to the funds.

Employee Types

With online payroll software, you can pay all types of employees. The software can process pay for full- and part-time W-2 employees as well as 1099 contractors, including consultants and freelancers. The software treats both types of employees the same in terms of payment and reporting. All employees are stored in the software; oftentimes, both types of employees can log in to the system to access their records.

Reporting

Online payroll software can provide businesses with a wide range of payroll reports. These reports can give you better insight into your company and employees. The types of payroll reports that some services offer include payroll registers, contribution reports and payroll tax reports.

Integrations

A lot of online payroll software includes integrations with programs many businesses already use. These include accounting software, time and attendance systems, and human resources software. These integrations allow the two programs to seamlessly connect – data is automatically shared and transferred between the two. This saves you the time of entering the same information in multiple places.

Employee Self-Service

Each employee has their own login to access the software. The employee portal allows them to review their digital paystubs, access their year-end tax forms and check their time-off balances.

Mobile Access

Some payroll services provide mobile access to their software. Some have mobile-friendly websites, while others have a dedicated mobile app for iOS and Android devices, allowing you and your employees to access all the same features wherever you are.

PTO Management

Many payroll services include some level of management for your employees' paid time off. This may mean simply tracking PTO accruals, or it may also offer the ability for employees to request and managers to approve or deny time off.

HR Features

Some payroll companies include human resources services in their platform. These can include employee onboarding services and tools to create employee handbooks or job templates. Some payroll services even offer on-demand HR consultations.

Customer Service

Online payroll companies offer a variety of customer support options. With some, you have a dedicated support representative assigned to your company. This is your go-to person for any issue that requires a call. Other payroll services just have a general support number that you call for help. Most companies offer customer support Monday through Friday, though a few do have support available over the weekend. In addition to the in-person support you can receive, most online payroll services have extensive resources on their websites such as how-to-guides, FAQs and videos.

Added Services

In addition to the core payroll functions, many payroll companies offer a litany of other services that you can tack on to your plan. These include workers' compensation insurance, benefits administrations, retirement plans, college savings plans, and time and attendance systems.

Payroll Service Review Methodology

To determine the best payroll services for businesses, we started with a pool that included each service on the comprehensive list below. After some preliminary research of other best-pick lists, we interviewed small business owners to discover new ones to add to our list. Overall, we conducted our initial research on more than 70 payroll services.

We settled on 22 payroll services to consider as best picks: ADP, AmCheck, APS, BenefitMall, Big Fish Payroll Services, Fuse Workforce Management, GetPayroll, Gusto, Intuit, IOIPay, MyPayrollHR, OnPay, Patriot Software, PayUSA, Paychex, Paycor, Paylocity, Payroll On A Budget, PrimePay, Sage, SurePayroll and Wagepoint.

Next, we conducted a more in-depth review of each service. We studied their websites and offerings, watched tutorials and how-to videos, read user reviews, looked at Better Business Bureau ratings and complaints, and tested out services when demos were available. After narrowing down the list to 14 contenders, we contacted each company posing as business owners to evaluate their customer service.

We analyzed each service based on the following factors:

Cost
Tax services
Ease of use
Customer service
Integration options
Tax guarantees
Mobile accessibility
Payroll reports
Employee self-service
Extra services (employee retirement plans, workers' compensation, etc.)
Ratings and complaints

A growing number of businesses find value in outsourcing their payroll. Today's payroll services handle several critical, time-consuming tasks, including processing payroll and calculating, filing, and paying payroll taxes.

Outsourcing payroll not only helps prevent errors, but also frees up employee resources. A recent report on the payroll industry by IBISWorld shows that there are more than 300,000 payroll and bookkeeping businesses in the United States that employ more than 900,000 people.

Overall, payroll and bookkeeping businesses generated $79 billion in revenue in 2017, up 5.6 percent over the previous five years.

"The industry has experienced steady growth over the five years to 2018 as clients increasingly subcontracted back-office administrative activities to take advantage of strengthening economic conditions, enabling them to focus efforts on core business functions," the report's authors wrote. "By outsourcing payroll and bookkeeping, small businesses can save time and money, freeing up resources for higher-priority pursuits."

BDC Expert Community & Business Survey Picks

We asked our Business.com community members to tell us what payroll services they use.

Becky, that pot of money that you are referring to should come from the net after-tax profits of the company. This is the amount that is left after the direct and overhead expenses. Before any funds are distributed to the owners/shareholders you should determine the amount of funding that you will need to grow your business in the future. This relates to additional working capital or investment in assets. In order to determine how much you need to reinvest in the company, you need to develop an...

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Downloadable Guides

Common Payroll Pitfalls - Whitepaper

The Top 10 Common Payroll Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

DOWNLOAD

Even small payroll mistakes can lead to big headaches—such as regulatory fines, penalties, and damaged employee relationships. But by following some simple best practices, you can easily avoid common slip-ups regarding compliance rules and regulations, taxable fringe benefits, year-end preparation, and much more!

Solving Payroll Problems

The New Employee Management System

Download the Whitepaper

For a more robust employee management system through your payroll services providers, you may choose to add benefits management, 401(k) management, or other enhancements to the basic payroll processing service. Here are some common HR obstacles and ways in which payroll services can mitigate these challenges.

Payroll Processing:

Proper Calculation of Employee Pay Helps Minimize Wage and Hour Compliance and Litigation Risks

Download Now

With wage and hour litigation on the rise, payroll accuracy should be a top priority for employers. Our review of court data shows that of all state and federal court employment law class actions filed in the United States, 90 percent are wage and hour class or collective actions. This increase in wage and hour litigation stems from Department of Labor initiatives that seek to inform employees of their rights under FLSA and the growing number of lawyers specializing in Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) cases. Why should employers be concerned? The potential damages in these cases are alarming: in 2010 the average settlement in the top 10 reported wage and hour class and collective actions was $34 million.

Sage Payroll Services - Whitepaper

Sage Payroll Services

DOWNLOAD

Your hands are full. Put payroll in ours.

Map

Gusto Payroll Software

500 Third St

San Francisco, CA

Ace Payroll

1860 Walt Whitman Road

Melville, NY

ADP

One ADP Blvd.

Roseland, NJ

Alliance Payroll Services

9110 Forest Crossing

The Woodlands, TX

APS

3010 Knight St.

Shreveport, LA

Ascentis

11995 Singletree Lane

Eden Prarie, MN

Client Solutions Group

264 E Main St

Fredonia, NY

Coastal Human Resources Group

P.O. Box 161104

Mobile, AL

Comprehensive Payroll Company

26075 Woodward Ave.

Huntington Woods, MI

DM Payroll Services

305 W Big Beaver Rd

Troy, MI

GetPayroll

816 Office Park Cir.

Lewisville, TX

HighFlyer HR

7800 Office Park Blvd

Baton Rouge, LA

Intuit

2700 Coast Avenue

Mountain View, CA

IOIPay

1710 Leer Drive

Elkhart, IN

MyPayrollHR

855 Route 146

Clifton Park, NY

OnPay

1230 Peachtree Street NE

Atlanta, GA

Paychex - Online Payroll Services

911 Panorama Trail S.

Rochester, NY

PayUSA

680 American Avenue

King of Prussia, PA

PrimePay

1487 Dunwoody Drive

West Chester, PA

Sage Payroll

271 17th St. Northwest

Atlanta, GA

SurePayroll

2350 Ravine Way

Glenview, IL

QuickBooks

5601 Headquarters Drive

Plano, TX

Coastal Human Resource Group

PO Box 161104

Mobile, AL

Services

List of 62Best Online Payroll Services

Gusto Payroll Software

https://gusto.com

Gusto is a full-service, cloud-based payroll provider. Features of the service include automatic tax calculations, payment, and filing; new employee reporting; direct deposit; contractor payments; payroll reports; and employee lifetime accounts. The system integrates with accounting software, time and attendance solutions, and human resources systems.

Ace Payroll

http://acepayroll.com

Ace Payroll offers online payroll services that allow employers to choose how their payroll is processed and delivered. Payroll entry can be done via the web, phone or fax, and delivery can be done by mail, courier or print back. The system offers multiple layers of security protection and automatically keeps track of all salary and wage adjustments.

ADP

https://www.adp.com

ADP provides customized payroll solutions for businesses of all sizes. It offers multiple options for paying your employees, including electronic pay cards. With this system, you can integrate payroll functions with human resources management, benefits administration, and time and attendance solutions from ADP.

Advantage Payroll Services

http://www.advantagepayroll.com

Advantage Payroll Services offers a wide variety of payroll-processing technology, including proprietary software, online payroll management and a centralized data network. In addition to payroll input via PC, phone or fax, the company's Instant Payroll product allows businesses to manage their payroll online. The company offers direct deposit and tax filing services at no additional charge.

Alliance Payroll Services

http://www.alliancepayroll.com

Alliance Payroll Services' proprietary online software, AllPay, delivers paperless applicant tracking, onboarding, work opportunity tax credits, employee self-service, human resource management, benefit enrollment and payroll processing in a single database.

APS

https://www.apspayroll.com

APS is a cloud-based service that provides online services for payroll, core human resources, time and attendance, and Affordable Care Act reporting and compliance needs – all in a single platform. The company's mobile service delivers instant payroll, HR, and time and attendance information to employees and managers on any mobile device.

Ascentis

https://www.ascentis.com

Ascentis Payroll is an online payroll system that allows employers to process payroll in real time. It supports instant payroll processing, which allows employers to evaluate their payroll before creating checks rather than correcting errors after processing. Businesses can run payroll anytime, anywhere, and as many times as they need. All data is secured with AES 256-bit encryption, and Ascentis' security infrastructure includes Network Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems and firewalls to prevent and protect all security threats. Ascentis assigns each business its own dedicated support representative.

BenefitMall

https://www.benefitmall.com

BenefitMall has payroll services for businesses of all sizes. The company's online payroll service processes payroll, manages payroll taxes and offers payroll reports from anywhere there is an internet connection. BenefitMall gives you the option of paying employees through direct deposit or by printing your own checks. Employees have online access to their payroll information. The company also offers PayFocus Online + Basic HR, which provides small businesses with a combination of payroll and human resources services.

Big Fish Employer Services

https://bigfishemployerservices.com

Big Fish Employer Services provides an online payroll service that manages every aspect of outsourced payroll, including calculating tax obligations, producing checks and preparing management reports. The company's payroll service allows direct deposit and employee self-service. Big Fish also offers time and attendance and human resources solutions.

CBIZ Flex-Pay Payroll Services

http://www.flex-pay.com

CBIZ Flex-Pay Payroll Services provides checks or direct deposit to employees in all 50 states. With this service, you can call in, fax or email your payroll each period, or you can submit it online. Flex-Pay submits federal tax, federal unemployment tax, state tax and local tax withholdings information and files quarterly reports. The company also offers time and attendance and HR solutions.

Care.com HomePay

http://www.myhomepay.com

Care.com HomePay by Breedlove offers total payroll and tax-filing management. The system calculates the precise withholdings each pay period and summarizes it in a preview email right before payday. You have the option to pay your household employees either with your own checks or via direct deposit. The company keeps track of both your employees' tax withholdings and your accrued employer taxes. Prior to each federal and state tax deadline, the service files all required returns on your behalf with the appropriate tax agencies. HomePay also takes care of all your year-end tax obligations.

Checkmate Payroll

https://www.checkmatepayroll.com

Checkmate Payroll provides payroll services and files taxes in accordance with state and local requirements in more than 40 states. The company's system allows businesses to check their payroll information on the go and compare it against the last payroll period to ensure that figures are correct prior to processing. Services include direct deposit, payroll alerts, automated reciprocity tax withholding and year-end tax form processing.

Client Solutions Group

http://www.client-solutions-group.com

Client Solutions Group's online management system provides the ability to collect and store data that's needed for hourly and salaried payrolls. With the system, businesses can create and review payrolls from any location that has an internet connection, process and preview payroll in real time, and provide employees with secure online access to paychecks and W-2 and 1099 forms.

Coastal Human Resources Group

http://www.coastal-hr.com

The Coastal Human Resource Group (CHRG) online payroll service allows you to submit all payroll information via the web. Payments can be made by direct deposit or paper checks that are printed by CHRG and delivered in time for your designated payday. The service handles all payroll tax responsibilities. The company also offers human resources, employee benefits, compliance screening, workers' compensation insurance, PEO, and time and attendance services.

Comprehensive Payroll Company

https://www.cpayrollco.com

Comprehensive Payroll Company provides a cloud-based workforce management solution for small to mid-sized business and franchise owners. They offer a range of customizable services, including payroll processing and tax filings. Other services include programs for time and attendance, onboard and recruiting, human resources, benefit enrollment, ACA compliance, WOTC processing, 401(k) administration and workers' compensation. Comprehensive Payroll Company customizes its services for each business's exact needs.

DM Payroll Services

https://www.dmpayroll.com

DM Payroll Services serves businesses of all sizes. The company's payroll solution features employee self-service, paperless payroll, payroll processing and garnishments, tax filing services, remote check printing, check calculation, and funding notification. DM Payroll Services also offers HR and time and attendance solutions.

Deluxe Payroll

https://www.deluxe.com

Deluxe Payroll is a full-service finance, payroll, HR and compliance solutions provider. The company's online payroll service, MyPayCenter, allows businesses to enter payroll information in as little as three steps. With MyPayCenter, employees can view their pay stubs online anytime from any location. The system also allows employers to run and print standard reports, including payroll summaries, prior employee pay stubs and customized reports.

Diamond Payroll

http://www.diamondpayrollservices.com

Diamond Payroll prepares payroll checks, direct deposits or pay cards for employees; prepares check registers; prepares and submits federal and state payroll taxes; prepares and submits year-end W-2s and W-3 tax forms; and tracks employee vacation hours.

Emplloy

https://emplloy.com

Emplloy gives businesses full control over payroll services. Features include unlimited payroll runs, digital pay stubs and more. The company tries to provide a flexible solution that best fits the needs of each individual client.

Fuse Workforce Management

https://www.fuseworkforce.com

Fuse Workforce Management unites time and attendance management, HR management, and payroll into one system. The payroll module puts you in complete control of your payroll and has a versatile pay-rules engine that makes it easy to determine pay for regular or overtime hours and supports any number of scenarios, such as shift differentials, order of importance and location. In addition, tax data is built into the system to support multiple regional requirements and tax structures.

GetPayroll

http://www.getpayroll.com

GetPayroll is an online payroll service that manages all payroll and payroll tax responsibilities for businesses of all sizes. The service offers direct deposit, customized reporting, year-end W-2 and 1099 forms, and a lifetime employee portal that allows workers to log in after they have left the company to access their information. GetPayroll features a flat-rate pricing structure that doesn't include per-employee fees. It also offers Simon, a complete paperless payroll system that runs on mobile devices and is designed for microbusinesses with fewer than 10 employees.

Heartland Payroll

https://www.heartlandpaymentsystems.com

Heartland provides employee payroll services to businesses of all sizes. The company offers payroll processing anytime with instant online access to all payroll data and employee information. Plus, it uses the latest encryption technology to ensure that all business and employee data stays safe.

HighFlyer HR

http://www.highflyerhr.com

HighFlyer's HR includes features such as real-time payroll preview, automated tax filing and no-fee direct deposit. These features, as well as a simplistic interface, give the solution value to consumers.

HomeWork Solutions

https://www.homeworksolutions.com

HomeWork Solutions specializes in providing household employers and their tax preparers real solutions for nanny tax compliance. The service is designed for household employers with nannies, caregivers for seniors, housekeepers, maids and other household workers. HomeWork Solutions offers two payroll plans: one that pays employees and files taxes for you, and another that files your taxes but requires you to write your own checks each week. The company also offers background-check services.

Honkamp Krueger & Co PC

https://www.honkamp.com

Honkamp Krueger & Co PC is a CPA and business consulting firm. Among the services offered are payroll services via the iSolved platform. iSolved is a cloud-based complete payroll solution that is one database and one easy point-of-entry system for payroll processing, human resouces and benefits, and time and attendance.

Intuit

https://payroll.intuit.com

Intuit offers three separate payroll plans for small businesses. The first plan only includes payroll processing, while the second includes some tax services. With the third, full-service package, Intuit sets up, runs and files your payroll and taxes for you. Intuit also offers packages that combine payroll services with its QuickBooks Online accounting software.

IOIPay

http://www.ioipay.com

IOIPay is a cloud-based platform that serves employers of any size. Services include payroll processing, employee self-service, tax credit services, payroll tax filing and payroll reports.

JetPay

https://www.jetpay.com

JetPay is a payment services provider with solutions for credit card processing, payroll processing and prepaid cards. Its payroll services offer customized payroll and tax-filing solutions. The company also offers comprehensive business services, including human resource management, time and attendance, 401(k) plan administration, and benefits tracking and sign-up

Kelly Payroll

http://kellyway.com

Kelly Payroll, a subsidiary of Kelly & Associates Financial Services, integrates online payroll services with beneﬁts information. Through a single point of entry, employers and their employees have access to payroll and benefits information whenever they need it. Kelly's benefits-integration technology automatically updates payroll deductions to coincide with any changes or modifications in the benefits administration system.

MMC HR

https://mmchr.com

MMC creates comprehensive, customized HR solution packages for its clients, covering payroll, taxes, risk management, legal compliance and more. The company's payroll service includes regular payroll processing, wage and hours compliance, payroll tax filing, and PTO management.

MyPayrollHR

http://www.mypayrollhr.com

MyPayrollHR's online payroll service allows you to customize your payroll setup with payment types, deductions, pay schedules and timesheets. If you already use accounting software like QuickBooks, you can export your payroll data from MyPayrollHR to your existing accounting setup.

Namely

https://www.namely.com

Namely is a full-service payroll provider. Its payroll-processing system fully integrates with your HR and benefits information. Namely's payroll services include 24/7 personalized support, automated tax filings, automatic generation of W-2 and 1099 forms, and access to a variety of payroll reports. Namely also offers HR, benefits and talent-management services.

NannyChex

https://www.nannychex.com

NannyChex specializes in payroll and tax services for household employers. The company's service extends to all types of household employees, including nannies, elder care workers, housekeepers, gardeners and personal chefs. In addition to handling all of your payroll needs, NannyChex takes care of the quarterly and year-end taxes and forms you are required to file as a household employer. When working with NannyChex, you have one point of contact who is familiar with you and your account.

OnPay

https://payrollcenter.com

OnPay is an online payroll service designed to give employers the ability to create paychecks or access payroll reports 24/7. With the system, employers can calculate, review and create payroll checks. In addition, payroll taxes are calculated automatically each pay run. Payments are then processed by OnPay and paid to the responsible tax agencies.

OperationsInc

https://www.operationsinc.com

OperationsInc is a consulting service that gives small and midsize businesses flexible options for their outsourced HR departments. Smaller companies can choose an hourly pay-per-use structure, while larger organizations can pay for services on a monthly per-employee basis. OperationsInc's payroll services are designed to serve companies that have an interim emergency need as well as those that need a dedicated resource for day-to-day payroll administration. The company's payroll professionals are able to handle all levels of payroll services, from entering payroll information all the way through to resolving tax issues.

Optimum Employer Solutions

https://optimumhr.net

Optimum Employer Solutions offers a web-based payroll system that includes payroll tax filing, direct deposit, garnishment processing, PTO tracking, W-2 preparation, and mailing and payroll reports. There is also a web portal for employees to access pay stubs, W-2s, PTO balances and other personal information.

Patriot Software

https://www.patriotsoftware.com

Patriot Software offers payroll solutions specifically for small businesses. The company's Basic Payroll option allows you to take care of your own payroll tax deposits and filings, while its full-service option handles all federal, state and local payroll taxes on your behalf. With the system, businesses can run payroll 24/7 from any location that has an internet connection. Patriot Software also offers time and attendance and HR solutions.

PayNorthwest

https://www.paynorthwest.com

PayNorthwest offers its payroll customers a flexible, easy-to-use tool to manage and process payroll. It has accrual, tax and reporting engines that make your payroll accurate and complete.

Paycom

https://www.paycom.com

Paycom's online payroll processing gives employers the ability to access their payroll systems at any time to make changes, run payroll and generate reports. Paycom handles all payroll tax responsibilities and features audit trails and custom logins to protect sensitive employee information. It also offers talent acquisition and management, time and labor management, and HR management services

Paycor

https://www.paycor.com

Paycor's online payroll platform allows you to get a quick view of total payroll costs before it is run; set up notifications to alert you to anything out of the ordinary, such as pay-related changes or an employee without pay; and offer direct deposit. In addition, the company's mobile app allows employees to view their pay stubs and request time off. Paycor also offers time and attendance, human resources, and benefits solutions

Paychex - Online Payroll Services

https://www.paychex.com

Paychex offers payroll services for businesses of all sizes, including a special system for small businesses, Paychex Flex. The cloud-based Paychex Flex features payroll tax services, employee self-service, mobile access and 24/7 support. Paychex also offers human resources, employee benefits, 401(k) plan administration and insurance services.

Payficiency

https://www.payficiency.com

Payficiency's online payroll service features automatic payroll runs for businesses that have the same payments each pay period. The system includes direct deposit, emailed pay stubs, wage garnishments, voluntary deductions and new-hire reporting. Payficiency also automatically pays and files all federal and state taxes for employers. Employees can access the system to review their pay records, benefits information and important HR documents.

Paylocity

https://www.paylocity.com

Paylocity's cloud-based service, Web Pay, supports online payroll and human resources needs. Web Pay features a paycheck calculator, quick data entry, online reporting, direct deposit, rate histories, dependent tracking and a company directory. The system also integrates with most retirement plans, general ledgers, and time and attendance applications.

Payright Payroll

https://www.payrightpayroll.com

Payright Payroll offers tailored payroll solutions for businesses of all sizes. Services include basic payroll processing and integrated solutions that incorporate payroll processing, human resources, time and attendance, and employee benefits. Payroll information can be entered via Payright's Evolution software or by phone, fax or email. The company also handles all payroll tax responsibilities.

Payroll Systems

https://payroll-us.com

Payroll Systems’ paperless payroll allows unlimited payrolls, unlimited deductions and unlimited direct deposits. Payroll Systems also calculates, deposits and files payroll taxes for each client. With this system, employees can log in on their own to view and download their pay stubs and W-2 forms, access company documents, and update their contact information. Payroll Systems also offers time and attendance and benefits administration services, as well as 401(k) reporting and transmissions and general ledger exports.

Payroll4Construction.com

https://www.payroll4construction.com

Payroll4Construction.com is a full-service payroll provider just for the construction industry. The service allows employers to run payroll via an online account or have their crews submit timecards from a mobile app. Payroll4Construction handles all of the payroll calculations and pays employees by check or direct deposit. It also takes care of all federal, state and local tax deposits and W-2s. The system integrates with QuickBooks.

Payroll4Free.com

http://www.payroll4free.com

Payroll4Free.com offers full-featured payroll services with professional support for free. Employers can access their data online from anywhere they have access to an internet connection. With this system, employees can be paid via printed check or direct deposit. Payroll4Free.com completes all payroll tax filings and deposits on each business's behalf for a monthly fee of $10. There is no charge for those who prefer to make their own deposits and mail or electronically file the completed forms on their own.

PayUSA

http://www.payusa.com

PayUSA offers tailored payroll solutions for businesses of all sizes. Its services include payroll processing, payroll reports, direct deposit, tax filing, new-hire reporting, check signing, and W-2, W-3 and 1099 printing.

Precision Payroll of America

https://www.precisionpayroll.com

Precision Payroll of America offers businesses the ability to build custom payroll processes that best suit their needs. The company handles all payroll and tax administration responsibilities. Precision Payroll also offers human resources, time and attendance, and administrative services.

Premier Payroll Services

https://www.premiernow.com

Premier Payroll Services is part of a national network of payroll providers that use software developed and maintained by Pay Choice. Services include payroll checks, direct deposit, quarterly tax returns, electronic reports, check signing and stuffing, new-hire reporting, and vacation and sick time accruals. In addition, the company files W-2, W-3 and 1099 forms on your behalf.

PrimePay

https://primepay.com

PrimePay offers two types of payroll services: online and hands-off. The online payroll service is a web-based system that allows you to run payroll in three steps. With this option, federal, state and local taxes are done for you and W-2s are automatically processed and filed. With the hands-off system, PrimePay runs every aspect of your payroll for you. In addition to its payroll services, the company offers time and attendance solutions, human resources and compliance services, insurance and benefits administration, and credit card processing.

Pro iPay

http://www.prodataontheweb.com

Pro iPay from ProData is a single-platform, fully hosted, web-based, real-time solution. It integrates HR and time and labor data into the payroll process, streamlines review and approval processes, and eliminates the need for manual imports of third-party data. Pro iPay's fully scalable infrastructure can be customized to a company’s specifications, from small clients to large corporations with multiple locations and departments.

Sage Payroll

https://www.sage.com

Sage is a provider of business management software and services to small and midsize businesses. The company's payroll offerings include Sage Essentials, for businesses with fewer than 10 employees, and Sage Payroll Full Service. Sage Payroll Essentials provides unlimited processing, tax filing and direct deposit for a flat monthly fee, while Sage Payroll Full Service outsources your work to Sage's payroll professionals.

Savvy Nanny Payroll Services

https://savvynannypayrollservices.com

Savvy Nanny Payroll Services files and pays your employer taxes, creates pay stubs for your employees and offers direct deposit. The service sends email reminders about paydays and payment deadlines. In addition, it integrates with QuickBooks. The service is currently only available in 26 states.

SimpleX Payroll

http://www.simplexpayroll.com

SimpleX Payroll is an all-in-one payroll and time and attendance solution. The online system completes payroll, offers direct deposit and printed checks, and handles all federal, state and local tax requirements. Employees can view their pay stubs online. The system integrates with a variety of accounting programs, including QuickBooks, FreshBooks and Sage, and offers a range of custom reports.

Square Payroll

https://squareup.com

Square Payroll is designed specifically for businesses with hourly employees. With this system, hourly employees can clock in and out from the register, and their hours automatically import into the system. They can also set up direct deposit and access their pay stubs online. Square Payroll handles all state and federal payroll tax responsibilities, including all the necessary withholdings, payments and filings. Currently, the system is only available in Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas.

SurePayroll

https://www.surepayroll.com

SurePayroll is a payroll company that offers payroll tax services, accounting services and 401(k) plan administration for small businesses. The company also has specialized payroll plans for household employers who employ a nanny, senior caregiver or landscaper. The system calculates your employees' wages, pays your employees, and helps you comply with payroll tax rules and regulations.

UltiPro

https://www.ultimatesoftware.com

Ultimate Software's UltiPro system allows businesses to manage all payroll-related activities from one page, configure their own payroll models, access pay information from any device, and tap into analytics and reporting. The software also integrates with a variety of other business systems. UltiPro delivers all U.S. federal, state, local, and Canadian federal and provincial or territorial tax updates automatically every quarter as part of the core solution. The software's tax management system helps you handle tax compliance and computations, including multi-state taxing rules and reciprocity, as well as taxation wage accumulation and withholding requirements.

Wagepoint

https://wagepoint.com

Wagepoint is a simple and fast online payroll solution for small businesses across North America. It can handle direct deposits, government reporting, and all year-end reporting for either salaried or hourly employees and contractors.

Xero Payroll

https://www.xero.com

Xero offers payroll services alongside its accounting software. With Xero payroll services, businesses can track working hours and approve time off, pay employees instantly with direct deposit or printed checks, and have all payroll tax filings calculated and made for them. The system also provides employees with self-serve access to view their pay slips, submit timesheets and request time off.

QuickBooks

http://quickbooks.intuit.com

QuickBooks offers one of the best solutions for accounting software. Read our review to learn more.

Coastal Human Resource Group

http://www.coastal-hr.com

Coastal Human Resource Group is a PEO that offers online payroll software and services to handle paying your employees and your taxes.

Best Online Payroll Services

by Chad BrooksLast Modified: October 17, 2018

The Best Online Payroll Services for 2018

Best Picks

Best Online Payroll for Sole Proprietors or S. Corporations

Best Online Payroll for Larger Businesses

Most Popular Online Payroll Service

Best Online Payroll Service for Small Businesses

Best Online Payroll for Very Small Businesses

Online Payroll Pricing

Reviews

Gusto Payroll Software Review

Paychex - Online Payroll Services Review

ADP Review

Intuit Review

Sage Payroll Review

OnPay Review

APS Review

BenefitMall PayFocus Review

IOIPay Review

MyPayrollHR Review

PayUSA Review

Fuse Workforce Management Review

PrimePay Review 2018 | Online Payroll Service Reviews

SurePayroll Review

Frequently Asked Payroll Questions

Online Payroll Features

Payroll Processing

Payroll Tax

New-Hire Reporting

Pay Options

Employee Types

Reporting

Integrations

Employee Self-Service

Mobile Access

PTO Management

HR Features

Customer Service

Added Services

Payroll Service Review Methodology

BDC Expert Community & Business Survey Picks

Common Payroll Questions & Answers

At what point do I need to offer benefits and think about using a payroll service?

Outsourcing payroll: Who do you prefer, a privately owned local payroll company or one of the big guys, and why?

Should I pay overtime for salaried employees?

How should I pay myself?

Should I get accounting and payroll software?

If we are 3 owners, what percentage should we pay ourselves after operations expenses?

Downloadable Guides

The Top 10 Common Payroll Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

The New Employee Management System

Proper Calculation of Employee Pay Helps Minimize Wage and Hour Compliance and Litigation Risks

Sage Payroll Services

Map

Services

List of 62Best Online Payroll Services

Gusto Payroll Software

https://gusto.com

Ace Payroll

http://acepayroll.com

ADP

https://www.adp.com

Advantage Payroll Services

http://www.advantagepayroll.com

Alliance Payroll Services

http://www.alliancepayroll.com

APS

https://www.apspayroll.com

Ascentis

https://www.ascentis.com

BenefitMall

https://www.benefitmall.com

Big Fish Employer Services

https://bigfishemployerservices.com

CBIZ Flex-Pay Payroll Services

http://www.flex-pay.com

Care.com HomePay

http://www.myhomepay.com

Checkmate Payroll