Best payroll for a small business
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Published list prices, checked Oct–Nov 2026:
| Tool | Entry price | Good fit |
|---|---|---|
| Gusto Simple | $49/mo + $6/person | One-state teams that want taxes filed for them |
| QuickBooks Payroll Core | $45/mo + $5/person | Businesses already on QuickBooks |
| Square Payroll | $35/mo + $6/person | Shops and cafés already using Square POS |
How to choose
- Already use QuickBooks or Square? Their payroll saves you setup work.
- Multi-state staff? Check that plan's state limits. Gusto requires Plus.
- Tipped staff? Make sure the tool imports tips from your POS.
We haven't tested this hands-on yet. This guide is built from published pricing and official sources.
Sources: Gusto pricing, Paydocs (Square price), SmallBiz Finance Tools (QuickBooks price). Updated Nov 2, 2026. Not tax or legal advice.