Best Payroll Services for 2020

Chad Brooks, Writer
Updated: June 9, 2020

Update: We've updated this page to include details about Gusto's on-demand payroll offering. Scroll down the page to Gusto's card to learn more.

Payroll is arguably the largest expense for businesses, and running it can be a daunting task. The process can be time-consuming, and errors can result in both unhappy employees and fines. To ease the burden, many small businesses are turning to online payroll services. These services handle all of a business's payroll processing and related tax filings and payments.

With so many to choose from in 2020, finding the service that suits your needs can be tough, so we researched more than 70 of the top payroll companies to help you find the best fit for your business. Our recommendations are below, as well as a comprehensive list of other top payroll companies in case our picks don't work for you. If you are interested in learning more about payroll services, you can check out our guide to choosing a payroll service.

Our Best Picks

To help you find the right online payroll service, we analyzed and examined dozens of options. Here is a roundup of the payroll services we think are best for 2020.

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Best for Small Businesses Overall

QuickBooks Payroll

Base fee: $20 to $109 per month

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Best for Sole Proprietors or S-Corps

Gusto

Base fee: $39 to $149 per month

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Best for Very Small Businesses

OnPay

Base fee: $36 per month

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Best for Household Employers

SurePayroll

Base fee: $39.99 per month

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Editor's note: Looking for the right online payroll service for your business? Fill out the below questionnaire to have our vendor partners contact you about your needs.

Paychex - Online Payroll Services

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Summary

Paychex is a full-featured payroll service that manages payroll processing and tax obligations. The company offers a flexible payroll schedule, with weekly, biweekly, semimonthly and monthly options. Paychex can also manage all types of employees, including part-time W-2 workers, 1099 contractors and freelancers.

Paychex is a cloud-hosted system that's accessible online. You can also use the Paychex mobile application to manage your payroll on any iOS or Android device. Using Paychex is as easy as entering your payroll information (such as salaries, hours worked and pay rates) and submitting the payroll for processing. Paychex also offers employee self-service, which allows your workers to log in to the system and see their own paystubs and year-end tax documents.

Paychex offers multiple pricing plans that are suitable for businesses of various sizes and needs. Pricing for each plan is based on your specific needs. These plans include the Express tier, which offers payroll processing and tax services, new-hire reporting, direct deposit, prepaid debit cards, an employee financial wellness program, and 24/7 customer support. The next plan is the Flex Select tier, which adds a dedicated payroll specialist, labor compliance poster kits and paper check options. The Flex Pro tier expands upon Flex Select with wage garnishment payment services, onboarding tools and pre-employment background screening. Finally, the Flex Enterprise tier includes custom analytics, reports and HR administration features.

March 2020: Paychex recently unveiled on-demand services that allow employees access to money they have earned before their scheduled payday. Employees can have those funds automatically deposited into a bank account, onto a debit card or into a mobile wallet. This gives employees flexibility in terms of when they get paid should an unexpected expense arrive.

Read our full review of Paychex - Online Payroll Services

Intuit QuickBooks Payroll

Best for Small Businesses Overall

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Summary

Intuit Payroll provides small businesses with scalable payroll services that easily integrate with QuickBooks. The service collects and reports all payroll taxes and offers a variety of helpful tools. It is available in several plans with varying services and price points. Intuit also offers a wide variety of payroll plans. Of the companies we reviewed, Intuit provides some of the most flexible payroll plan options. It breaks its services down into Desktop Payroll, Direct-Service Payroll and Self-Service Payroll. There are a few plans to choose from within each of these categories, some of which include a QuickBooks subscription. This gives small business owners the opportunity to roll more services under one plan. By providing small businesses with a flexible payroll option, Intuit earned our pick for best payroll service for small business.

October 2019: Intuit QuickBooks Payroll recently adjusted its prices. Self-service payroll with QuickBooks now costs $60 per month, with the self-service payroll for QuickBooks Plus now costing $105 each month. Intuit now offers its full-service payroll with QuickBooks for $105 a month and its full-service payroll with QuickBooks Plus for $150 a month. Desktop payroll plans have not changed in price. We will consider this information as part of our full evaluation when we next update our payroll reviews.

February 2020: Intuit has unveiled three new QuickBooks payroll service plans: Core, Premium and Elite. The three plans include full payroll and payroll tax services, along with added human resources services. The added services are an employee workforce portal, health benefits from SimplyInsured, time tracking and an HR support center. Costs for the new service plans range from $22.50 to $62.50 per month, plus a per-employee cost between $4 and $10.

Read our full review of Intuit QuickBooks Payroll

Gusto Payroll Software

Best for Sole Proprietors or S-Corps

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Summary

Gusto handles all payroll and payroll tax responsibilities for both W-2 employees and outside 1099 freelancers and contractors. The cloud-based system is easy to use and offers a variety of valuable features, including direct deposit, an autopilot tool, new-hire reporting and detailed payroll reports. The company also provides helpful customer support and several human resource services. With Gusto, you can issue an unlimited number of payroll runs per month. You can also classify employees as full-time, part-time or freelancers/contractors. This flexibility makes Gusto ideal for small businesses that need to issue several payroll runs per month to various employee types. Gusto breaks its services down into three plans: Core, Complete and Concierge.

May 2020: For a limited time, Gusto has reduced the monthly base fee of its Core plan by nearly 50% to help support businesses that are trying to navigate the COVID-19 working environment. The Core plan now has a base fee of $19, down from its regular price of $39. There is also a $6 per month charge for each employee.

In addition, Gusto has unveiled a pricing plan specifically for contractors. The Contractor plan has no monthly base fee. You are charged $6 per contractor, per month. The plan includes unlimited contractor payments, contractor self-service options, and Form 1099 creation and filings.

June 2020: Gusto is offering employers the opportunity to provide employees with partial paychecks when needed. Gusto Cashout lets employees access money they have earned in between paydays to cover unexpected expenses that arise. There are a few eligibility requirements for employees: They must be employed for at least 30 days, receive a W-2, be over the age of 18 and must be paid by direct deposit. Funds are typically deposited the next day. There is no cost to either the employer or employee for this feature.

Read our full review of Gusto Payroll Software

OnPay

Best for Very Small Businesses

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Summary

OnPay's online payroll services allow small businesses to run an unlimited number of payrolls each month and pay employees by direct deposit or paper check. The online system is user-friendly and manages paid time off. OnPay customer service reps are available to help you every step of the way. This platform is ideal for very small businesses, as it emphasizes simplicity without sacrificing value. Business owners can enjoy an intuitive platform that breaks payroll down into a few easy steps. Adding employees, setting status, and running payroll is simple and straightforward. Time is a precious thing for the owner of a very small business. Running your own payroll would take you away from your business, and a large and complex payroll platform could be counterintuitive to what your business needs. OnPay meets very small business owners at the right level with a simple, easy-to-use solution.

Read our full review of OnPay

SurePayroll

Best for Household Employers

Summary

SurePayroll is ideal for all types of household employees, such as nannies, senior caregivers, yard workers, drivers and cooks. It handles all your payroll and tax responsibilities and guarantees it will be done right. Your base monthly fee covers unlimited payroll runs, and SurePayroll charges a small fee for each additional household worker. Even as a household payroll system, SurePayroll doesn't sacrifice features or value. It provides a 100 percent guarantee that your taxes will be filed and paid correctly on time. It also files quarterly 1040-ES forms on your behalf and gives you a signature-ready Schedule H to attach to your 1040 filing. This level of attention means you can enjoy running payroll without considering tax-based minutiae. This payroll system is ideal for nannies, elder caregivers, home care providers, private nurses, drivers, yard workers and cooks.

Read our full review of SurePayroll

Our Methodology

To determine the payroll services we think are best for small businesses and household employers in 2020, we spent dozens of hours researching the top online payroll companies. Here is an explanation of our selection process.

Locating the Best Services

To determine the best payroll services for businesses, we started with a pool of more than 70 online payroll service providers. Following preliminary research of other best-picks lists, we interviewed small business owners to discover new ones to add to our list.

Choosing the Best Services

After conducting some initial research into each, we settled on 21 payroll services to consider as best picks for our business categories: 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, Sage, SurePayroll and Wagepoint.

Researching Each Service

Next, we scrutinized each finalist. We reviewed their offerings, watched tutorials and how-to videos, read user comments, reviewed Better Business Bureau ratings and complaints, and tested out services when demos were available. After narrowing down the list to 10 contenders, we contacted each company posing as business owners to test their customer support and learn more about the service.

Analyzing Each Service

In all, we looked at cost, tax services, ease of use, customer service, integration options, incentives (free trials, free months, etc.), tax guarantees, mobile accessibility, payroll reports, employee self-service, extra services (employee retirement plans, workers' compensation, etc.), and Better Business Bureau ratings and complaints.

Best Household Employers

We followed a similar methodology to determine the best payroll service for household employers. In addition to SurePayroll and Intuit, which have plans tailored specifically to household employers, we considered five companies that specialize in payroll services for household employees: NannyChex, HomeWork Solutions, Savvy Nanny Payroll Services, GTM Payroll Services and HomePay by Breedlove.

What to Expect in 2020

The design of payroll services is one area to keep an eye on in 2020. Gary Anderson, director of sales at Criterion, told SelectHub that he expects payroll services will strive to create systems that manage other human resource services. As employers shop around for online payroll software, packaged deals will be their ideal choice. Comprehensive payroll software will be considered quality technology and more cost-effective, which will spark an upsurge in all-in-one software.

All-inclusive payroll systems also help keep data from being entered twice, saving you time. In the future, as competition increases and developing systems call for it, we expect existing payroll systems to phase in human capital management tools. This will lead to a decrease in payroll services that only offer one feature.

In addition, some businesses require a glut of form filing, and thanks to artificial intelligence and the advanced and evolving nature of quality online payroll services, we expect a decrease in violations. As employment laws change and businesses grow, the software is designed to adapt. Artificial intelligence increases automation and helps manage payroll compliance. Therefore, we foresee a decrease in fines and fewer concerns about the cost of compliance.

April 2020: A number of online payroll providers have launched online guides to help small businesses navigate the uncertain times they are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gusto, ADP, OnPay, and Intuit are among many payroll services that recently unveiled resource hubs on their websites to provide small businesses with the information on topics like the Paycheck Protection Program and the CARES Act.

Further, Paychex has partnered with PayActiv to provide its customers with a way to provide on-demand payroll. Employees can access their earned wages at any time instead of having to wait until their normal payday. PayActiv is offering businesses a $250 cash incentive for signing up for its on-demand payroll services.

Costs to Implement Payroll Services

Online payroll companies provide a valuable service to small businesses. They automatically calculate the correct amount your employees should be paid each pay period. They also make the appropriate deductions for things like healthcare benefits and Social Security.

In addition, online payroll services handle all of your company's payroll tax responsibilities. This includes withholding the proper amount of funds, filling out and filing the required paperwork, and making the necessary payment to each local, state and federal agency.

Processing payroll online is very convenient for small businesses. These are cloud-hosted services that provide access to your business's payroll from anywhere. You can log in from any web browser and check your payroll reports, input payroll and employee information, and complete payroll.

Many online payroll companies offer additional services to small businesses, including new-hire reporting, workers' compensation insurance, paid time off (PTO) management, HR services, time and attendance systems, and retirement savings plans.

When it comes to small business payroll, these online services typically have a monthly or per-payroll cost structure. With monthly plans, you pay a base fee and a per-employee fee. Base fees can range from $30 to $150 per month. Per-employee fees range from $2 to $15. With a monthly fee structure, you can run payroll as often as you like for one flat fee. If you have a semimonthly pay schedule, you will pay these fees twice a month. Online payroll services with a per-payroll fee structure can charge anywhere from $10 to $100 per pay run, plus per-employee costs of $2 to $15.

In addition, some payroll companies charge year-end tax service and initial setup fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is online payroll software?

Online payroll software and online payroll services are essentially the same thing. It is a bit of semantics. The payroll software is what you access online. It is cloud-based software from the online payroll service provider. The software is what you technically interface with to run the payroll and add new employees into the system. Most online payroll software is easy to use and allows you to process your payroll in minutes.

What other benefits does payroll software provide?

There are several big benefits to using comprehensive online payroll solutions. One major plus is its efficiency. You don't have to hire someone to handle all of your payroll needs, because pretty much anyone can use the software. In most cases, all you need to do when running payroll each pay period is to enter the hours each employee worked and any bonuses or commissions they earned. The software does the rest for you. It calculates the paychecks, withholds the proper deductions and automatically deposits the money in each employee's bank account.

Another benefit is that the payroll company takes care of the tax filings and payments for you. Most of them offer a tax guarantee. If they make a mistake when filing your taxes or in how much they pay, they will fix the problem and pay any fines you incur.

What type of payroll service is right for my small business?

When choosing an online payroll service for your small business, there are several factors to consider. First and foremost, you want to make sure it can handle all your payroll and payroll tax needs. Can you run payroll as often as you like? Will it make the deductions you need? Does it give your employees self-service access? Whatever payroll needs you have, you want to make sure the provider you choose meets them.

You also need a payroll solution that is easy to use. The online interface should be simple to understand, and it should allow you to run payroll in a matter of minutes.

Depending on your business's needs, you may benefit from a payroll company that offers additional services, such as time and attendance and HR solutions.

What is unique about comprehensive payroll companies?

Comprehensive payroll companies do much more than prepare your business's payroll. In addition to payroll processing, they handle all of your payroll tax needs, manage your employees' paid time off, report new hires to the proper agencies and offer workers' compensation insurance.

Many comprehensive payroll solutions offer additional services, such as HR management, benefits administration, time and attendance services, and 401(k) and college savings programs.

Why are payroll services important for small businesses?

Many small businesses don't have a dedicated HR team that knows all the ins and outs of payroll. They rely on payroll companies to manage those responsibilities for them. They depend on these services to ensure their employees are properly paid each month and that their payroll taxes are appropriately filed and paid.

Online payroll services give small businesses peace of mind that, with just a few clicks of a mouse every two weeks (or on their chosen schedule), their employees will get the money they are owed and that the proper payroll taxes are being withheld for payment when the time comes. Instead of you worrying about whether you filed the tax documents correctly and are paying the right amounts, online payroll services handle all of those tasks for you. They are so confident about this that most services offer an error-free guarantee.

Full List of Payroll Services

Here is a full list of payroll service providers and a summary of what each company claims to offer. This alphabetical list also includes our best picks, which are marked with badges.

Paychex - Online Payroll Services

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

https://www.paychex.com

Ace Payroll

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.

Advantage Payroll Services

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

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.

AmCheck

AmCheck offers three separate payroll plans. With each plan, AmCheck makes payroll deposits, files and reports all payroll taxes, and offers labor cost reporting. You can also build customized reports. The company's payroll solutions can be synced with almost every accounting software and time and attendance system.

Ascentis

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.

Big Fish Employer Services

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

GTM Payroll Services

GTM Payroll Services offers two different household employer payroll options. The two packages are the same, except that with the EasyPay package, you can pay your employees via direct deposit or printed check. With the other package, EasyTax, you write your own payroll checks each week. Services in both packages are electronic tax filings, the ability to track paid time off, a self-service portal for your employees and year-end tax services.

GetPayroll

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.

Harpers Payroll Services

Harpers Payroll Services is a full-service payroll provider that files taxes in all 50 states and offers direct deposit to any ACH-participating financial institution in the country. Services include paperless payroll, workers' compensation, automatic issuing of company checks, mandated tax payment to federal and state agencies, new-hire reporting, electronic wage reporting, and complete quarterly and annual tax filings.

Heartland Payroll

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

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

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

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.

Integrated Payroll Services (IPS)

Integrated Payroll Services is an independent and family-owned payroll company. Its services include online payroll, direct deposit, employee self-service, tax filings and workers' compensation. The company also develops customized reports to fit each client's needs.

JetPay

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

Jumpstart:HR

Jumpstart:HR is an all-in-one human resources partner for small businesses that provides up-to-date HR knowledge and strategies, as well as career development tools for both employers and job seekers. Its service packages are divided by company size and include HR consulting services for early-stage startups. Specific services include payroll administration, HR consulting, leadership development and background checks.

Kelly Payroll

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

MMC creates comprehensive, customized HR solutions 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.

Namely

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

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.

Newtek

Newtek's online payroll services manage every aspect of your payroll and benefits, including online pay stubs, payment management, 401(k) plan administration and workers' compensation. In addition, the company's team of tax specialists reviews individual payroll accounts and handles all tax payments and reporting needs on the state, local and federal levels. Employees can log in and view pay stubs from any internet-connected computer.

OperationsInc

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

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

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

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.

PaySmart

PaySmart offers online payroll services that allow businesses to access their payroll processing tools from anywhere they have an internet connection. Within the system, employers can enter payroll, add new employees and access reports. Employees can access the system via their computers or mobile devices to see pay stubs and other important documents. Paysmart also prepares and files clients' taxes and gives them the option of how their payments are made. In addition to its payroll services, Paysmart offers background checks and time and attendance services.

Paycom

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

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

Payficiency

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Pro iPay

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.

Savvy Nanny Payroll Services

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

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

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. In addition, Square offers employees and employers access to a full suite of benefits, including health insurance and retirement savings plans. This service is available in all 50 states.

TelePayroll

TelePayroll provides a range of business services for both small and large companies. The company's small business payroll services allow businesses to submit payroll information online or by email, phone or fax; lets employees receive paper checks or direct deposit; and gives employees self-service access to their pay stubs and W-2 forms. TelePayroll also collects and files taxes for any tax agency jurisdiction in the United States.

Wagepoint

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.

Workday

Workday offers a cloud-based human capital management system that includes payroll management, workforce planning, recruiting, time and attendance and talent management. With the payroll software, businesses can process payroll directly from their dashboard, instantly view accurate head count by pay group, and manage their workforce with real-time labor cost data.

YourSource Management Group

Founded in 1999, YourSource Management Group provides HR Management, Human Resources Outsourcing, ASO, and payroll services. Our proven solutions reduce the cost of employment and provide value added support for you and your employees. Our online payroll & HR technology maximize efficiency for clients & employees to access their information.

PrimePay

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.

Sage Payroll

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.

UltiPro

For midsize and large companies, a versatile human capital management is a must UltiPro's performance management module and associated software deliver effective tools for managing your most valuable asset: your employees.

BMAC HR Payroll

Based in Nigeria, ikOOba technologies offers BMAC (Business, Measurement, Assurance and Collaboration) HR Payroll. Features include employee management tools as well as deductions and earnings reports.

Wave

Wave offers integrated software and tools for small businesses, including payroll services. The payroll solution features payroll reminders and direct deposit, as well as check printing, year-end tax filings, and an employee self-service portal for pay stubs and W-2 forms.

Gusto Payroll Software

Gusto's month-to-month pricing plans and comprehensive features make it ideal for sole proprietors and S-corps that use contractors or freelancers.

https://gusto.com

Intuit QuickBooks Payroll

QuickBooks Payroll is our favorite payroll service for small businesses. Its three pricing plans allow your service package to grow along with your business.

https://businesscom.go2cloud.org

SurePayroll

SurePayroll provides great payroll features for individuals with a full-time nanny, caregiver, housekeeper or other home service provider, making it our best payroll pick for household employers.

https://www.surepayroll.com

APS

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.

BenefitMall

BenefitMall has payroll services for businesses of all sizes. The company's online service processes payroll, manages payroll taxes and offers access to payroll reports from anywhere with 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 a combination of payroll and human resources services.

FreeAgent - Online Payroll Services

FreeAgent offers a simple accounting solution specifically designed to help small businesses, including those that employ accountants or freelancers. Payroll is one component of the system, which also includes services like invoice and expense management for your business's accounting.

FreshBooks - Online Payroll Services

FreshBooks is our top pick for accounting software. It also integrates seamlessly with solutions for your payroll needs.

Fuse Workforce Management

Fuse Workforce Management unites payroll, time and attendance, and HR management 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. Tax data is built into the system to support multiple regional requirements and tax structures.

IOIPay

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 reports.

KashFlow Payroll

KashFlow Payroll is flexible, simple-to-use online payroll software that lets you handle complex needs for your small business, such as pensions, in addition to regular payroll.

Kashoo - Online Payroll Services

Kashoo's accounting software has excellent mobile access. It also integrates with solutions for your payroll needs and records your finalized payroll.

OnPay

We recommend OnPay as the best payroll service for very small businesses. The service handles all payroll tax responsibilities, plus it offers employers unlimited pay runs and multiple ways to pay employees.

https://payrollcenter.com

ADP

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 HR management, benefits administration, and time and attendance solutions from ADP.

https://www.adp.com

Editor's note: Looking for the right online payroll service for your business? Fill out the below questionnaire to have our vendor partners contact you about your needs.

Chad Brooks, Writer

Chad Brooks is a Chicago-based writer and editor who has spent more than 20 years in media. A 1998 journalism graduate of Indiana University, Chad began his career with Business News Daily in 2011 as a freelance writer. In 2014, he joined the staff full time as a senior writer. Before Business News Daily, Chad spent nearly a decade as a staff reporter for the Daily Herald in suburban Chicago, covering a wide array of topics including local and state government, crime, the legal system and education. Chad has also worked on the other side of the media industry, promoting small businesses throughout the United States for two years in a public relations role. His first book, How to Start a Home-Based App Development Business, was published in 2014.