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Payroll pricing, for your actual team.

Every payroll service quotes a base fee and a per-employee fee, which makes them impossible to compare at a glance. So put in your headcount and this works out what each one really costs a month, then shows exactly where per-employee pricing overtakes a low flat base.

Pricing reviewed 11 July 2026. Indicative US published pricing in USD; some providers (ADP, Paychex, Paycor) are quote-based and shown as typical figures.

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Per-employee fees multiply. Change your headcount and the ranking re-sorts by your real monthly cost.

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Service Base / mo Per employee Cost at your size Per employee all-in Best for
How this works. Your monthly cost is the base fee plus the per-employee fee times your headcount. The per-employee all-in column spreads the base across your team, so you can see the true cost per person at your size, it falls as you add people because the base is shared. Two rules of thumb. For a handful of employees, a low base fee wins. As you grow, the per-employee fee is what matters, because it multiplies, which is why a PEO charging $59 a head is cheap-sounding but costs $1,475 a month at twenty-five people. Most figures are full-service (they file your payroll taxes); quote-based providers are shown at typical rates. Always confirm current pricing before you sign up.

Common questions

How much does payroll software cost per month?

Usually a $30 to $50 base plus $4 to $8 per employee, so a team of five runs about $55 to $90. PEOs charge $50+ per employee with no base, in exchange for bundled benefits. Enter your headcount above for your real figure.

What is the cheapest payroll service?

For tiny teams, Patriot and SurePayroll usually win on a low base plus low per-employee rate. As you grow, whoever has the lowest per-employee fee wins, since that multiplies. Sort by cost at your size.

Is per-employee or flat pricing better?

A low base plus a small per-employee charge suits most small businesses. Pure per-employee (PEO) pricing only pays off when the bundled benefits and HR are worth the premium. The calculator shows your crossover point.

Does it file my taxes?

Full-service payroll files and pays your federal, state and local payroll taxes automatically. A few cheaper self-service tiers hand that back to you. Check the plan is full-service, that is where the real value is.