The best payroll services of 2026: Expert tested

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Managing payroll means juggling tax calculations, compliance requirements, and employee expectations all at once. I've seen HR managers lose sleep over missed deadlines, incorrect deductions, and regulatory changes they didn't catch in time. And the stakes are high -- one mistake can damage employee trust and trigger costly penalties.

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That's why I spent months testing leading payroll services to find solutions that work for real businesses. Whether you're processing your first salary as a business or looking to upgrade from the spreadsheets you've been using for years, here are the best payroll platforms that can simplify payments to employees and vendors for any type of user.

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What is the best payroll service right now?

My top pick for 2026 is Gusto, especially if you're new to payroll software or running a small to medium-sized business. I love how Gusto makes complex payroll tasks feel simple. It automatically calculates taxes, handles direct deposits, and even pays your taxes to the IRS. The interface is so intuitive that even total beginners can run payroll confidently, while the mobile app gives employees easy access to their pay stubs and tax documents.

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When selecting the payroll services for this list, I evaluated each platform based on ease of use, automation capabilities, compliance features, integration options, and overall value for money. I also looked at whether the service can grow with your business and the quality of customer support it offers. As a B2B tech journalist who's spent years reviewing business software and consulting with startups, I understand what features actually matter in day-to-day operations versus what just looks good in marketing decks.

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The best payroll services of 2026

Gusto makes payroll feel approachable for people who've never run payroll before. I found the dashboard both clean and logical, with clear to-do items and reminders that guide you through each step. It even automatically manages tax payments to federal and local agencies -- a task that causes major headaches for payroll managers.

Also, Gusto handles the full employee life cycle with refreshing efficiency. Employees get their own login credentials to view pay and benefits information, which they can access even after leaving your company. The system supports both W-2 employees and 1099 contractors, with multistate payroll features that adjust to different tax requirements.

For payroll, Gusto's pricing structure starts at $49 per month plus $6 per employee for the Simple plan, jumping to $80 per month plus $12 per employee for the Plus plan that includes multistate support. Though this makes Gusto pricey, you're also getting automated tax filings; W-2 and 1099 preparation; and wage garnishment handling, without more costs. This platform also offers solid integrations with popular accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero.

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Rippling takes a very different approach from Gusto. It builds payroll on top of a unified employee data system that connects HR, IT, and finance functions. This eliminates the typical data silos that cause payroll errors in big organizations. For example, when someone updates their address in HR, it automatically syncs across payroll, benefits, and IT systems. The platform offers a unique 100% error-free guarantee, which reflects the company's confidence in its systems.

Rippling is very configurable, too. Based on your specific business needs, you can customize pay types, approval workflows, and reporting. During my testing, I found the pay run comparison feature particularly useful. It lets you review changes in gross pay, taxes, and deductions before approving payroll. The platform handles complex scenarios like retroactive pay calculations, multiple pay rates per employee, and unlimited off-cycle payroll runs at no extra cost.

Rippling's global payroll support sets it apart from traditional providers, letting you pay employees and contractors in multiple countries with local compliance handling. The platform integrates with more than 500 business applications, including major accounting systems like QuickBooks, Xero, and NetSuite. However, the massive feature set comes with lots of complexity. New users often need time to fully understand the system setup. What makes it worse is that the modular pricing structure isn't disclosed up front, which can lead to bad initial decisions about which features to get.

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Remote is dedicated to solving the many problems of paying international employees and contractors across different countries and currencies. It's great for companies that are expanding globally, especially if they don't have a physical office in every single country. It handles all the legal compliance, tax calculations, and local employment requirements through partnerships with regional third parties. The Remote service's roster covers more than 100 countries, where it acts as an employer of record, meaning it becomes the legal employer for your international workers on your behalf.

Despite the underlying complexity of international payroll, the Remote platfom's overall UX is very simple. A dashboard gives you a consolidated view of all upcoming pay runs across countries, with reminders for required actions and approvals. I like how employees can access their payslips through both web and mobile apps, with features like expense reimbursement that uses image recognition to automatically complete expense requests from receipt photos.

Remote's pricing model is very transparent compared with some competitors. The cost is $29 per employee per month for payroll services and $699 per month for full employer-of-record services. The platform integrates well with existing business tools and provides local payroll expertise through built-in live chat support. But since the service excels for international operations, US companies with no global presence might find it redundant.

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Run by ADP is one of the most reliable payroll solutions I've tested, especially for businesses that prioritize compliance and want minimal hands-on management. The platform automatically handles tax calculations, filings, and payments across all 50 states -- something that gives you real peace of mind when dealing with complex operations. I also liked how Run flags potential errors with AI-enabled detection, working as an additional fail-safe for accounting errors during busy periods.

Run's user experience is focused on simplicity, despite the solid back-end capabilities. With the Run & Done autopilot feature, the system handles recurring payroll without any intervention at all. Employees get their own mobile app access to view pay stubs, update personal information, and access tax documents, which reduces your administrative workload throughout the year.

Pricing starts at $79 per month plus $4 per employee for the Essential plan, though actual costs vary based on your specific needs and state requirements. The platform offers four tiers: Essential, Enhanced, Complete, and HR Pro -- with each level adding more-sophisticated tools and compliance features. Though this makes Run too expensive for basic payroll, the tax handling and compliance automation justify the cost for businesses that want to avoid mistakes.

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Paychex Flex can process payroll in just two clicks once everything is configured properly. It combines all the necessary data -- hours tracked, pay rates, state requirements, and deductions -- into a guided process that feels almost effortless. I found the dashboard customization element really useful. It let me arrange the grid layout and filters to match my specific workflow.

Paychex also offers advanced reporting tools to set it apart from simpler payroll solutions. It even provides industry benchmarking that lets you compare your company's performance against competitors'. You can compare labor costs, payroll trends and overtime patterns to reveal workforce trends that go beyond simple wage processing.

Paychex's flexibility extends to employee payment options too, supporting direct deposit, paper checks, and on-demand pay through its mobile app. The built-in Taxpay feature automatically calculates and files payroll taxes with agencies. In fact, the system can also handle complex scenarios like garnishment payments made directly to creditors. Though the interface feels somewhat dated compared with newer competitors, the underlying functionality is too powerful to ignore.

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Payroll platform	Starting cost	Customizable?	Integrations	Easy to use?
Gusto	$49/month + $6/employee	Limited	Supported (QuickBooks, Xero, Wave)	Yes
Rippling	Custom pricing	Highly customizable	Extensive (500+ apps)	Requires training
Remote	$29/employee/month	Moderate	Supported (major business tools)	Yes
Run Powered by ADP	$79/month + $4/employee	Limited	Supported (QuickBooks, Xero, Wave)	Yes
Paychex Flex	$39/month + $5/employee	Highly customizable	Supported (major accounting software)	Requires training

Choose this payroll service...	If you want or need...
Gusto	Simple, beginner-friendly payroll with automated tax filing and excellent user experience for small businesses
Rippling	A unified HR-IT platform that eliminates data silos and offers extensive customization for complex business needs
Remote	Global payroll capabilities and employer-of-record services for managing international teams across more than 100 countries
Run Powered by ADP	Rock-solid reliability with comprehensive 50-state compliance and minimal hands-on management requirements
Paychex Flex	Advanced reporting, industry benchmarking, and extensive customization options for businesses wanting detailed analytics

Payroll isn't just an HR issue. Stuck payments could literally put a stopper on your operations, sometimes with more disastrous consequences on top, like public scandals and legal troubles. Investing in a good payroll service can help you avoid a lot of headaches down the line. Here are a few things to look at before you make your choice:

Regional scalability: Choose a system that grows with your business, from new employees to global operations. You should be able to adapt to changing pay structures, different employee types, and evolving business needs without a complete system overhaul.
Integration features: Look for payroll software that connects with your existing accounting, HR, and time-tracking systems, to reduce manual data entry errors. The best platforms offer APIs and prebuilt integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, and major HRIS.
Compliance and tax management: Make sure the platform automatically updates tax calculations and filing requirements for federal, state, and local jurisdictions. It should also be able to handle multistate operations, garnishments, and industry-specific requirements.
Employee self-service: Pick a platform that offers built-in employee portals where staff can access pay stubs, update personal information, and manage tax documents independently. This reduces your administrative burden while creating more transparency around payments.
Security and data protection: Verify that the payroll provider implements advanced security measures like data encryption, multifactor authentication, and regular security audits to protect sensitive payroll information. Look for compliance with data protection regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation and the California Consumer Privacy Act, especially if you handle international employees.
Customer support quality: Analyze the support structure, including availability of dedicated account managers, response times, and contact methods. Payroll issues require immediate attention, so prompt support access can help you avoid disasters.

My evaluation process began with testing each platform's core functionality, from employee setup to actual payroll runs. I created test companies with different employee types, pay structures, and compliance requirements to see how well each system handled these scenarios. Then I looked at user experience, automation features, and error handling in less-than-traditional situations.

I also analyzed each service's pricing, integration ecosystem, and customer support responsiveness, often by interacting with its sales and support teams. I also made sure to include platforms that appeal to a range of businesses, from Gusto's beginner-friendly approach to Remote's global employer-of-record capabilities.

Most include automated wage calculations; tax withholding and filing; direct deposit processing; and employee self-service portals for accessing pay stubs. Many of them also handle W-2 and 1099 generation; compliance; and integration with popular accounting software.

Payroll frequency depends on state laws, union agreements, and your business preferences. But the most common schedules are weekly, biweekly, and semimonthly. I recommend checking your regional compliance requirements first and then choosing a frequency that works for your cash flow and the expectations of your employees.

Reputable payroll providers implement advanced encryption standards like 256-bit AES, multifactor authentication, and regular security audits to protect sensitive information. Most also maintain dedicated backup servers with automated hourly, weekly, and monthly backups. You also get HTTPS protocols for secure data transmission.

Yes, quality payroll platforms automatically adjust tax calculations and compliance requirements for different states where you have employees. The software stays updated on varying state regulations and handles the complex multistate filing requirements without manual intervention.

Most established payroll providers offer multiple support channels, including phone, email, live chat, and dedicated account managers, depending on your plan level. Look for providers that offer same-day response times or 24/7 availability, since payroll issues often require immediate attention to avoid compliance problems.