# Payroll Software Comparison for US Startups

_CompareFairly · en/US · neutral comparison, cited sources, no paid placement_

**Category:** business › software › payroll software

**Our pick**: Rippling (92/100) · **Cheapest**: Rippling · **Best value**: Rippling

## Comparison table

| Criterion | Rippling | Gusto | OnPay | ADP RUN | Paychex Flex | QuickBooks Payroll |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Tax Filing Support | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Employee Self-Service | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Direct Deposit | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reporting Capabilities | Advanced | Advanced | Advanced | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| HR Features | Advanced | Advanced | Basic | Basic | Basic | Basic |
| Time Tracking Integration | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Monthly Price (USD) | 8 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 39 | 45 |
| Setup Fee (USD) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Compliance Assistance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Customer Support | Premium | Premium | Premium | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Ease of Use | Moderate | Easy | Easy | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Scalability | High | High | High | High | High | Moderate |

## 1. Rippling

Unified platform for payroll, HR, IT, and finance, designed for modern businesses.

_Source (estimate): [https://www.rippling.com/](https://www.rippling.com/)_

## 2. Gusto

Comprehensive payroll and HR platform designed for small businesses and startups.

_Source (estimate): [https://gusto.com/](https://gusto.com/)_

## 3. OnPay

All-in-one payroll and HR solution with robust features for growing businesses.

_Source (estimate): [https://onpay.com/](https://onpay.com/)_

## 4. ADP RUN

Payroll and HR solutions tailored for small businesses with scalable features.

_Source (estimate): [https://www.adp.com/small-business/run-payroll](https://www.adp.com/small-business/run-payroll)_

## 5. Paychex Flex

Flexible payroll and HR services designed to adapt to the needs of small to medium-sized businesses.

_Source (estimate): [https://www.paychex.com/flex](https://www.paychex.com/flex)_

## 6. QuickBooks Payroll

Integrated payroll services that work seamlessly with QuickBooks accounting software.

_Source (estimate): [https://quickbooks.intuit.com/payroll/](https://quickbooks.intuit.com/payroll/)_

## 7. Square Payroll

Simple payroll solution integrated with Square's payment processing ecosystem.

_Source (estimate): [https://squareup.com/us/en/payroll](https://squareup.com/us/en/payroll)_

## 8. Remote People

## 9. Wave Payroll

Free accounting software with an optional, affordable payroll add-on for small businesses.

_Source (estimate): [https://www.waveapps.com/payroll](https://www.waveapps.com/payroll)_

## 10. Warp

## 11. Netchex

## In short

This comparison of 11 payroll software across 12 criteria, including tax filing support, employee self-service, direct deposit, reporting capabilities, HR features, and time tracking integration, shows Rippling as the top performer with 92/100, largely due to its perfect scores in customer support and HR features, and it is also the cheapest option, while Gusto ranks second at 85/100, excelling in ease of use. The facts in this summary are computed from the table below; only the wording is generated.

## Frequently asked questions

**What is the best payroll software for US startups in 2026?**

Rippling is currently ranked highest with a score of 92/100, followed closely by Gusto, making them top choices for US startups.

**How do payroll software options compare for tax filing support?**

Our comparison evaluates each software's capabilities in tax filing support, alongside other key features like employee self-service and direct deposit.

**Which payroll software offers the best HR features for small businesses?**

We assess the HR features of various payroll software, including employee self-service and reporting capabilities, to help you find the best fit for your business needs.

**Is your payroll software ranking influenced by payments?**

No, our ranking is completely neutral and not influenced by any payments. Each data point is sourced and verified to provide an unbiased comparison.


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_Generated by CompareFairly - neutral universal comparator. Ranking not for sale, data sourced._


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_CompareFairly · https://comparefairly.com/en/US/payroll-software-comparison-for-us-startups — citation with a link is allowed; bulk extraction/redistribution is prohibited._
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