How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
What is the best ADP payroll alternative in 2026?
OnPay is the best ADP payroll alternative for small businesses in 2026, because its $49 per month plus $6 per worker plan includes multi-state payroll with no tier decisions. Patriot is the cheapest full-service option, at $37 per month plus $5 per worker.
ADP is the largest US payroll provider, but buyers often want published pricing, self-serve signup, or a simpler bill. The tools below cover those reasons to switch, from the cheapest full-service payroll to all-in-one HR platforms. Every price comes from the vendor's own pricing page, checked on 11 November 2026.
Key points before the detailed list:
- OnPay leads for most small businesses, with one flat price and multi-state payroll.
- Patriot is the cheapest full-service payroll: $37 per month plus $5 per worker.
- Paychex Flex is the closest like-for-like ADP alternative.
- Rippling and Paycor suit companies that want payroll plus HR and analytics in one system.
How should a team choose an ADP payroll alternative?
Start with how many states you pay people in. A single-state team can pick Patriot or Square Payroll and pay under $40 a month in base fees. A multi-state team should shortlist OnPay, which includes multi-state payroll in its one plan, or Gusto Plus at $80 a month. A team that wants a dedicated specialist rather than a self-serve app should look at Paychex Flex.
Then check what sits underneath the headline price. QuickBooks Payroll only works on top of a QuickBooks Online subscription, Rippling payroll cannot be bought without its core HRIS, and Paycor charges setup fees of $59 to $199 when not waived. Gusto, OnPay, and Patriot all file federal, state, and local taxes on their full-service plans, but Paychex charges extra for W-2s and 1099s on Essentials. Shortlist two options, run one real pay cycle through each, and compare the total first-year cost before you commit.
What does an ADP payroll alternative cost for a 10-person team?
A 10-person team pays very different amounts across this list; Patriot Full Service costs $87 per month for 10 workers, Square Payroll costs $95 per month for 10 people, Paychex Flex Essentials costs $89 per month for 10 employees plus extra for year-end forms, and OnPay and Gusto Simple each cost $109 per month for 10 workers; QuickBooks Workforce Payroll plus Simple Start costs $153 per month for 10 employees at list price, before the promo; Paycor Basic costs $149 per month for 10 employees, and Rippling starts near $120 per month before modules are quoted.
| Tool |
Best for |
Starting price (checked 11 Nov 2026) |
Free plan |
| Gusto |
Small single-state teams that want simple full-service payroll with benefits |
$49 per month plus $6 per person (Simple) |
No free plan |
| Rippling |
Growing companies that want payroll, HR, IT, and finance in one system |
$8 per employee per month plus base fee (core platform); payroll module quoted |
No free plan; 6 months free for eligible VC-backed startups |
| Paychex Flex |
Owners who want a dedicated payroll specialist and full-service tax filing |
$39 per month plus $5 per employee (Flex Essentials) |
No free plan or trial |
| OnPay |
Owners who want one simple flat price with multi-state payroll included |
$49 per month plus $6 per worker (single plan) |
No free plan; first month free |
| Patriot Software |
Tight budgets and very small teams that want the cheapest full-service payroll |
$37 per month plus $5 per worker paid (Full Service) |
No free plan; 30 days free |
| Square Payroll |
Businesses already running Square POS with hourly or tipped staff |
$35 per month plus $6 per person paid (full-service) |
No free plan or trial |
| QuickBooks Payroll |
Businesses already running QuickBooks Online for accounting |
$88 per month plus $6.50 per employee (Workforce Payroll plus Simple Start bundle) |
No free plan; 30-day free trial unverified |
| Paycor |
Growing US companies under 50 employees that want payroll plus HR and analytics |
$99 per month plus $5 per employee (Basic) |
No free plan or trial; 1 month free payroll offer |
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Gusto | Small single-state teams that want simple full-service payroll with benefits | $49 per month plus $6 per person on Simple; Plus $80 plus $12; Premium $180 plus $22 (checked 11 Nov 2026) | No free plan; no free trial advertised on the pricing page; free account setup only |
 Rippling | Growing companies that want payroll, HR, IT, and finance in one system | $8 per employee per month plus a monthly base fee (core platform); US payroll $8 per employee per month billed annually; all other modules are custom quote (checked 11 Nov 2026) | No free plan; eligible US VC-backed startups get free access for 6 months (vendor pricing FAQ, verified 11 Nov 2026) |
 Paychex Flex | Hands-on owners who want a dedicated payroll specialist and full-service tax filing | Flex Essentials $39 per month plus $5 per employee (verified 11 Nov 2026); Flex Select, Flex Pro, and Flex Enterprise are quote only | No free plan and no free trial; the vendor page states no cost or obligation until the first payroll |
 OnPay | Owners who want one simple flat price with multi-state payroll included | $49 per month plus $6 per worker on the single Payroll Essentials plan (verified Nov 2026); HR add-on about $15 plus $2 per worker | No free plan; first month free |
 Patriot Software | Tight budgets and very small teams that want the cheapest full-service payroll | Basic Payroll $17 per month plus $4 per worker paid; Full Service Payroll $37 per month plus $5 per worker paid (verified 11 Nov 2026); current promo is 50 percent off for 3 months after 30 days free | No free plan; 30 days free, then 50 percent off for 3 months on software plans |
 Square Payroll | Businesses already running Square POS with hourly or tipped staff | Full-service payroll $35 per month plus $6 per person paid; contractor-only payroll $6 per person paid with no base fee (verified 11 Nov 2026) | No free plan; no free trial listed on the pricing page |
 QuickBooks Payroll | Businesses already running QuickBooks Online for accounting | Workforce Payroll plus Simple Start bundle $88 per month plus $6.50 per employee at regular list price (50 percent off for the first 3 months, shown as $44 on the live page 11 Nov 2026); Essentials bundle $125 plus $6.50; Premium bundle $203 plus $10 | No free plan; a 30-day free trial is offered as an alternative to the 50 percent off promo, per third-party sources Nov 2026; this was not confirmed in the vendor page text read, so treat the trial as unverified |
 Paycor | Growing US companies under 50 employees that want payroll plus HR | Basic $99 per month plus $5 per employee; Essential $149 plus $6; Complete $199 plus $7; HCM $199 plus $12 (checked 11 Nov 2026); above 50 employees, quote only; the vendor page shows Essential at $149 plus $7 in one promo module, so confirm the rate on the order form | No free plan and no free trial; current offer is 1 month of free payroll, 50 percent off for 6 months, and waived setup fees |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The 8 best ADP payroll alternatives
The eight tools below cover the main ways to replace ADP in 2026. Use the table above to shortlist, then test your top two with a real pay cycle.
#1Gusto
Best for: Small single-state teams that want simple full-service payroll with benefits4.6/5 on
G2 (13,355 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit gusto.com
Starting price$49 per month plus $6 per person on Simple; Plus $80 plus $12; Premium $180 plus $22 (checked 11 Nov 2026)
Free planNo free plan; no free trial advertised on the pricing page; free account setup only
Gusto is the most popular ADP alternative for small employers because it combines payroll, tax filing, and benefits in one self-serve product with published prices and no sales call. Simple covers single-state payroll, unlimited runs, direct deposit, and W-2s and 1099s, while Plus adds multi-state payroll, time tracking, and next-day pay. Premium adds same-day and instant pay plus a named support advisor.
What we like- Unlimited payroll runs with automatic federal, state, and local tax filing on every plan
- Built-in benefits brokerage with no markup
- Employee self-service app and Payroll on AutoPilot included
Watch out for- Multi-state payroll requires the Plus plan, which doubles the per-person fee to $12
- The Contractor Only plan closed to new signups on 1 Oct 2026, so contractor-only businesses now pay the full Simple rate
#2Rippling
Best for: Growing companies that want payroll, HR, IT, and finance in one system4.8/5 on
G2 (13,464 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit rippling.com
Starting price$8 per employee per month plus a monthly base fee (core platform); US payroll $8 per employee per month billed annually; all other modules are custom quote (checked 11 Nov 2026)
Free planNo free plan; eligible US VC-backed startups get free access for 6 months (vendor pricing FAQ, verified 11 Nov 2026)
Rippling is the strongest ADP alternative for companies that want to replace several separate HR, IT, and finance tools with one platform. Payroll runs on the same employee data as onboarding, device management, and benefits, so changes flow through automatically instead of being re-keyed. The trade is pricing transparency. Only the $8 per employee starting price is published, every module is quoted, and buyer-reported all-in costs run well above the headline rate.
What we like- One employee record drives payroll, HR, IT provisioning, and spend, which removes duplicate data entry
- Strong automation and hundreds of integrations
- Global payroll and EOR available in the same platform
Watch out for- The $8 starting price buys only the core platform, not payroll, so the real bill is much higher once modules are added
- Payroll cannot be bought without the core HRIS
- Budgeting requires a sales quote
#3Paychex Flex
Best for: Hands-on owners who want a dedicated payroll specialist and full-service tax filing4.1/5 on
G2 (1,748 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit paychex.com
Starting priceFlex Essentials $39 per month plus $5 per employee (verified 11 Nov 2026); Flex Select, Flex Pro, and Flex Enterprise are quote only
Free planNo free plan and no free trial; the vendor page states no cost or obligation until the first payroll
Paychex Flex is the closest like-for-like ADP alternative because it is a large full-service provider with a similar model, including a dedicated specialist and optional HR, benefits, and PEO services. Essentials is aimed at businesses under 20 employees and covers unlimited payrolls, direct deposit, employee self-service, and tax filing. It suits owners who want a human expert to call rather than a self-serve app.
What we like- Payroll tax administration is included, with federal, state, and identified local taxes calculated, paid, and filed
- A dedicated payroll specialist is assigned rather than a rotating support queue
- Unlimited payroll runs, direct deposit, new-hire reporting, and a five-star mobile app are included
Watch out for- W-2s and 1099s cost extra on Essentials, and tax administration carries additional fees
- Every tier above Essentials is quote only, so the real monthly cost is not visible before a sales conversation
- Setup and add-on fees are not published
#4OnPay
Best for: Owners who want one simple flat price with multi-state payroll included4.8/5 on
G2 (407 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit onpay.com
Starting price$49 per month plus $6 per worker on the single Payroll Essentials plan (verified Nov 2026); HR add-on about $15 plus $2 per worker
Free planNo free plan; first month free
OnPay is the simplest ADP alternative to price because it has one plan and one rate. At $49 plus $6 per worker it matches Gusto Simple on price but includes multi-state payroll. It covers unlimited runs, direct deposit, garnishments, multiple pay rates, and year-end forms at the same rate for W-2 and 1099 workers. The trade is scope: there is no global payroll, and HR, time tracking, and benefits are add-ons.
What we like- One plan covers unlimited pay runs, multi-state payroll, federal, state, and local tax filing, W-2s and 1099s, with the same $6 rate for employees and 1099 contractors
- No implementation fee and free migration from a current provider
- Month to month with no contract
Watch out for- US only, with no international payroll option
- HR features such as PTO and org charts are a paid add-on rather than bundled
- A BBB complaint and a Trustpilot review describe an unresolved payroll tax remittance issue, so confirm tax filing reliability
#5Patriot Software
Best for: Tight budgets and very small teams that want the cheapest full-service payroll4.8/5 on
G2 (630 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit patriotsoftware.com
Starting priceBasic Payroll $17 per month plus $4 per worker paid; Full Service Payroll $37 per month plus $5 per worker paid (verified 11 Nov 2026); current promo is 50 percent off for 3 months after 30 days free
Free planNo free plan; 30 days free, then 50 percent off for 3 months on software plans
Patriot Software is the lowest-cost ADP alternative in this list for small employers. Full Service at $37 plus $5 per worker files and deposits federal, state, and local payroll taxes and prepares W-2s at no extra fee. Basic at $17 plus $4 only calculates taxes, so most owners should budget for Full Service from the start. It suits businesses under about 20 employees with straightforward payroll.
What we like- Full Service is the cheapest verified plan that files taxes, at $87 a month for 10 workers
- Includes federal, state, and local tax filings and deposits plus year-end forms with a tax filing reliability guarantee
- Month to month with no contracts or setup fees and free US-based support
Watch out for- Each additional state costs $12 per month on Full Service
- Reporting is basic compared with pricier tools
- Standard direct deposit takes four days, with faster deposit only for qualifying customers
#6Square Payroll
Best for: Businesses already running Square POS with hourly or tipped staff4.2/5 on
G2 (31 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit squareup.com
Starting priceFull-service payroll $35 per month plus $6 per person paid; contractor-only payroll $6 per person paid with no base fee (verified 11 Nov 2026)
Free planNo free plan; no free trial listed on the pricing page
Square Payroll is the natural ADP alternative for retailers, restaurants, and service businesses already on Square. Shifts clocked in the Square Team App become timecards, tips pool and split inside the system, and pay runs inherit the lot. Pricing is $35 plus $6 per person for employees, and a contractor-only option charges $6 per contractor with no base fee. Paper W-2 and 1099 copies cost $3 per form per year.
What we like- Timecards, tips, and scheduling flow from Square POS and the Square Team App straight into payroll, including tip pooling and overtime calculations
- Per-person fee is charged only in months a person is actually paid
- Includes multistate payroll, auto payroll, off-cycle payments, and next-day direct deposit
Watch out for- It is a weak fit outside the Square ecosystem, since its main advantage is the POS integration
- Workers comp, health insurance, 401(k), and compliance alerts are unpriced add-ons
- Payroll specialist support is limited to Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT
#7QuickBooks Payroll
Best for: Businesses already running QuickBooks Online for accounting4.4/5 on
G2 (496 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit quickbooks.intuit.com
Starting priceWorkforce Payroll plus Simple Start bundle $88 per month plus $6.50 per employee at regular list price (50 percent off for the first 3 months, shown as $44 on the live page 11 Nov 2026); Essentials bundle $125 plus $6.50; Premium bundle $203 plus $10
Free planNo free plan; a 30-day free trial is offered as an alternative to the 50 percent off promo, per third-party sources Nov 2026; this was not confirmed in the vendor page text read, so treat the trial as unverified
QuickBooks Payroll, now sold as QuickBooks Workforce Payroll, is the best ADP alternative for businesses whose books already live in QuickBooks Online. Payroll, accounting, benefits, and time tracking share one login, and payroll entries post automatically. The entry bundle pairs payroll with Simple Start accounting at $88 plus $6.50 per employee. The catch is lock-in: it only works on top of a QuickBooks subscription, and the headline price on the page is a three-month promo.
What we like- Payroll runs inside QuickBooks Online, so pay data posts to the books with no separate export or reconciliation
- Includes auto payroll, next-day direct deposit, 1099 e-filing, and employee portal
- Top tier adds tax penalty protection up to $25,000 per year
Watch out for- Payroll is not sold standalone and requires an active QuickBooks Online subscription underneath it
- The promo price sits next to the regular price and is easy to mistake for the ongoing cost
- Standalone payroll-only prices reported by third parties ($50 plus $7 per employee) do not cleanly reconcile with the bundled prices on the live page
#8Paycor
Best for: Growing US companies under 50 employees that want payroll plus HR4.0/5 on
G2 (2,018 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit paycor.com
Starting priceBasic $99 per month plus $5 per employee; Essential $149 plus $6; Complete $199 plus $7; HCM $199 plus $12 (checked 11 Nov 2026); above 50 employees, quote only; the vendor page shows Essential at $149 plus $7 in one promo module, so confirm the rate on the order form
Free planNo free plan and no free trial; current offer is 1 month of free payroll, 50 percent off for 6 months, and waived setup fees
Paycor is a full HCM platform and the most feature-rich ADP alternative here for companies that want payroll, HR, recruiting, and analytics in one system. Its small-business bundles run from $99 plus $5 per employee for Basic payroll and tax filing up to $199 plus $12 for the full HCM plan. Paycor has been a standalone business unit of Paychex since the acquisition completed on 14 April 2025.
What we like- Publishes small-business prices, unlike ADP and Paychex
- Bundles payroll with onboarding, E-Verify, HR support, analytics, and OnDemand Pay
- Serves more than 30,000 businesses and supports over 2 million people across all 50 states, per the vendor page
Watch out for- No published price once a business passes 50 employees
- Setup fees of $59 to $199 apply when not waived
- The 50 percent off promo ends after 6 months, so budget for the full rate
- The pricing page shows conflicting bundle rates, so the quote is what counts
Frequently asked questions
Is OnPay better than Gusto as an ADP alternative?
OnPay is better for a team that pays people in more than one state, because its single $49 plus $6 plan includes multi-state payroll, while Gusto only adds it on its $80 Plus tier. Gusto is better for benefits administration and a larger integration ecosystem. Both cost $109 a month for a 10-person single-state team, so the choice comes down to multi-state coverage versus benefits depth.
What is the cheapest ADP payroll alternative?
Patriot Full Service at $37 per month plus $5 per worker paid is the cheapest full-service payroll here, at $87 a month for 10 workers. Square Payroll at $35 plus $6 is close at $95 a month for 10 people, and Paychex Flex Essentials at $39 plus $5 is $89 a month for 10 employees before year-end form fees. Patriot Basic at $17 plus $4 is cheaper, but it only calculates taxes.
Can I switch from ADP to a cheaper provider without losing payroll history?
Yes, most providers here offer free migration, including OnPay and Gusto, which handles prior wage data during setup. Ask the new provider to confirm it will import year-to-date pay, tax filings, and employee records before your first run. Run one parallel pay cycle if your state allows it, and keep ADP access until the first quarter-end filing is confirmed.
Does ADP publish its payroll prices?
No, ADP publishes no list prices, and every plan is custom quoted through a sales conversation. That is the main reason buyers look for alternatives: Gusto, OnPay, Patriot, and Paycor all publish small-business prices, so you can budget before talking to sales. Paychex Flex publishes its Essentials price, but its higher tiers are quote only, and Rippling publishes only its $8 per employee starting price.
Which ADP alternative is best for a company with 50 or more employees?
Rippling and Paycor are the best picks above 50 employees, because both combine payroll with HR, analytics, and onboarding in one system. Paycor publishes prices up to 50 employees and quotes above that, while Rippling quotes every module. Paychex Flex is the best pick for a company that wants a large provider with a dedicated specialist. Gusto, OnPay, and Patriot are built for smaller teams and get expensive past 50 employees.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://gusto.com/product/pricing
- https://www.rippling.com/pricing
- https://www.paychex.com/payroll/paychex-flex-essentials
- https://onpay.com/pricing
- https://www.patriotsoftware.com/pricing/
- https://squareup.com/us/en/payroll/pricing
- https://quickbooks.intuit.com/payroll/pricing/
- https://www.paycor.com/plans-pricing/small-business/
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.