Best Free Payroll Software (2026)
Let's be honest: truly free payroll software barely exists. Most platforms marketed as "free" are either limited free trials, contractor-only payment tools, or accounting software with basic payroll add-ons. But there are genuinely affordable options that make payroll accessible for very small businesses and startups watching every pound.
This page covers the most affordable payroll options — from free contractor payment tools to ultra-low-cost employee payroll. If you're running payroll for fewer than 10 employees and don't need enterprise features, one of these will get the job done without breaking the budget.
Last updated: March 2026. Based on verified features, pricing, and user ratings.
| # | Tool | Rating | Starting Price | Free Plan | Free Trial | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Rippling
Unified workforce platform combining HR, IT, and finance -- managing payroll, benefits, devices, apps, and... |
4.8/5 | $8/mo | No | No | All | Visit → |
| 2 |
Deel
Global payroll and compliance platform for hiring international contractors and employees, handling payments in 150+... |
4.8/5 | $29/mo | Yes | No | All | Visit → |
| 3 |
OnPay
Straightforward cloud payroll solution for small businesses with full-service payroll, automatic tax filing, HR tools,... |
4.8/5 | $40/mo | No | Yes | SMB | Visit → |
| 4 |
Patriot Software
Budget-friendly payroll and accounting software for small businesses with 1-100 employees, starting at $17/month plus... |
4.8/5 | $17/mo | No | Yes | SMB | Visit → |
| 5 |
Papaya Global
Global payroll and EOR platform for enterprises, offering payroll processing in 160+ countries with workforce... |
4.3/5 | $12/mo | No | No | Enterprise | Visit → |
| 6 |
Wave Payroll
Affordable payroll solution from Wave, designed for small businesses and freelancers already using Wave's free... |
4.1/5 | $20/mo | No | Yes | SMB | Visit → |
How we chose these tools
Tools are ranked by overall rating, which combines user reviews from G2 and Capterra with our assessment of features, pricing, and ease of use. We only include tools with verified data. Pricing and features are checked against official sources. Learn more about our methodology.
1. Rippling
Unified workforce platform combining HR, IT, and finance -- managing payroll, benefits, devices, apps, and compliance from a single system with powerful workflow automation.
2. Deel
Global payroll and compliance platform for hiring international contractors and employees, handling payments in 150+ countries with built-in EOR services and localised contracts.
3. OnPay
Straightforward cloud payroll solution for small businesses with full-service payroll, automatic tax filing, HR tools, and benefits administration at a simple flat-rate monthly price.
4. Patriot Software
Budget-friendly payroll and accounting software for small businesses with 1-100 employees, starting at $17/month plus $4/employee.
5. Papaya Global
Global payroll and EOR platform for enterprises, offering payroll processing in 160+ countries with workforce analytics and compliance automation.
6. Wave Payroll
Affordable payroll solution from Wave, designed for small businesses and freelancers already using Wave's free accounting software.
How we evaluate tools
Our ratings combine verified user reviews from G2 and Capterra with hands-on feature analysis. Pricing is checked against official sources. We may earn a commission through affiliate links, but this never influences our rankings or recommendations. Read our full methodology.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is there truly free payroll software?
Very few platforms offer completely free payroll. Wave Payroll offers a lower-cost option starting at $20/month. Some EOR platforms like Deel and Oyster offer free contractor payment features. For W-2 employee payroll in the US, the cheapest options are Patriot ($17/month + $4/employee) and Square Payroll ($35/month + $6/person).
What's the cheapest way to run payroll?
The absolute cheapest: Patriot Software at $17/month + $4/employee for basic payroll (you file taxes yourself) or $37/month + $4/employee for full-service with automatic tax filing. For contractor-only payroll, Square charges $6/person with no monthly base fee.
Should I use a free payroll tool or pay for a better one?
If you have 1-5 employees and straightforward payroll needs, budget options like Patriot work well. Once you're past 10 employees or need benefits administration, HR features, or integrations, investing in Gusto ($40/month + $6/person) or Rippling ($8/person) provides significantly more value for the modest price increase.
Head-to-Head Comparisons
Detailed side-by-side comparisons of popular tools from this guide:
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