Why not just run payroll myself?

You can, but payroll-tax rules are intricate and mistakes carry real penalties. A payroll service automates the calculations and filings, guarantees accuracy, and frees up hours each pay period — usually well worth the modest per-employee fee.

How much do payroll services cost?

A common structure is a base fee of roughly $40 a month plus $6 to $12 per employee per month. Additional states, benefits administration, and year-end forms can add to that, so price it at your real headcount.

Can payroll services handle contractors?

Yes. Most support paying 1099 contractors and generate the year-end tax forms, though some charge a separate per-contractor fee. If your workforce is mostly contractors, compare providers on that specific pricing.

Why not just run payroll myself?

You can, but payroll-tax rules are intricate and mistakes carry real penalties. A payroll service automates the calculations and filings, guarantees accuracy, and frees up hours each pay period — usually well worth the modest per-employee fee.

How much do payroll services cost?

A common structure is a base fee of roughly $40 a month plus $6 to $12 per employee per month. Additional states, benefits administration, and year-end forms can add to that, so price it at your real headcount.

Can payroll services handle contractors?

Yes. Most support paying 1099 contractors and generate the year-end tax forms, though some charge a separate per-contractor fee. If your workforce is mostly contractors, compare providers on that specific pricing.

HR, Payroll & Recruiting

Best Payroll & HR Platforms

Pay your team and the taxes correctly — automatic filings are the whole point.

8 providers compared

Also Worth a Look

Other payroll & hr platformswe track but haven’t independently reviewed yet.

PaylocityNot yet reviewed

HR & payroll technology company driven by innovation and putting the employee first. Because people matter most. And people have always been at the heart of our business. Let's go forward together!

ADPNot yet reviewed

Over 900,000 small businesses trust ADP® to deliver a better payroll experience. Our small business expertise and easy-to-use tools simplify payroll and HR, so you can stay focused on the work that matters most.

GustoNot yet reviewed

Trusted by more than 500,000 businesses and their teams. Gusto's people platform helps growing businesses onboard, pay, insure, and support their hardworking teams with payroll, benefits, and more.

Niural AINot yet reviewed

Niural AI is the first US PEO and Global Payroll platform built with automated intelligence and robust compliance. Our software is your AI-powered partner for managing payroll and benefits, in the US and beyond.

Employment HeroNot yet reviewed

Employment Hero is the world's first EmploymentOS, helping 300,000+ businesses manage hiring, HR, payroll, and more in one platform. For 2M+ users, it's a work passport to find jobs, manage admin, and grow their careers.

HiBob AffiliateNot yet reviewed

HiBob is the modern HRIS built for fast-growing companies. It replaces clunky legacy systems with a clean, scalable platform for people data, performance, time, compensation, and culture. Designed for today's teams, HiBob helps HR move faster, stay organized, and deliver a standout employee experience. The result: smarter workflows, happier people, and an HR foundation built for growth.

HiBobNot yet reviewed

Modern HR for modern business. HiBob is on a mission to transform how organizations operate in the modern world of work – globally, remotely, and collaboratively– with its intuitive, data-driven HR platform 'Bob'.

ConnecteamNot yet reviewed

Connecteam is an all-in-one company app where businesses can communicate, manage, and train their non-desk employees. Easy to use, easy to customize, and easy to scale.

About Payroll & HR Platforms

Payroll services calculate wages, withhold and file payroll taxes, and pay your employees and contractors on schedule. Getting payroll wrong means penalties and unhappy staff, so the value is in accuracy and automation — especially automatic tax filing across the jurisdictions where you operate.

We compare providers on tax-filing automation, total cost including per-employee fees, contractor support, and how well they integrate with your accounting and benefits.

What to Look for in Payroll & HR Platforms

Automatic tax filing

The core reason to use a payroll service is having federal, state, and local payroll taxes calculated, filed, and paid automatically — with a guarantee against filing errors. Confirm it covers every state where you have employees.

Total cost structure

Most providers charge a base monthly fee plus a per-employee-per-month amount. Model the cost at your actual headcount, and watch for extra charges for multiple states, off-cycle runs, or year-end tax forms.

Contractors, benefits, and integration

If you pay 1099 contractors, check whether that is included or costs extra. For growing teams, look for integrated benefits, time tracking, and a clean connection to your accounting software.

Frequently Asked Questions

← All HR, Payroll & Recruiting