Best Payroll Software: Reviews, Comparisons and Guides

Payroll software calculates pay, withholds taxes, files returns and pays employees and contractors on schedule. Some providers also act as a PEO or employer of record, which changes who carries employer responsibilities. Finance and HR teams buy it to reduce errors and keep up with tax rules. When you compare tools, check which states or countries are covered, per-employee fees, add-on costs such as time tracking, and support when a filing goes wrong. This page lists our payroll reviews, including Gusto, Paylocity, Paycor, Rippling, Deel and TriNet. For ranked shortlists, see Top 10 Payroll Software and 10 Best Employer of Record Services.