Looking for reliable payroll software for my growing small business. I’ve been managing payroll manually, and it’s time-consuming. I need recommendations on software that ensures compliance, easy tax filing, and employee benefits integration. Any suggestions?
Honestly, payroll software options are a dime a dozen, but for small businesses? Gusto. Look, I’m not saying this lightly, but their system practically runs itself. You get automatic tax filing, direct deposit, W-2s, 1099s, and things you didn’t even know you needed—like helping with benefits and that whole compliance headache.
Oh, they’ll even let you do fancy things like pay workers in different states without wanting to yank your hair out over state tax differences. It’s user-friendly, not bloated, and pretty affordable for small business budgets (starts at like $40 a month plus $6 per employee?). There’s even a free trial, so zero excuse not to try it.
Other people might throw in QuickBooks Payroll or Rippling as contenders, but QuickBooks can be clunkier, and Rippling feels more like an all-in-one platform than just payroll. Depends if you want ‘just payroll’ or a hyper-optimized digital empire. But seriously, Gusto. It’s like payroll with a hug.
Alright, let’s cut the fluff. If you’re running payroll manually, anything will feel like an upgrade, but I’ll throw another option into the mix: ADP Run. Hear me out. It’s not as cuddly as Gusto (and yes, @mike34 is probably already drafting their Gusto fanfiction), but ADP has been around forever in the payroll game. They handle tax compliance like a boss, and their reporting features? Chef’s kiss. It’s also scalable, meaning if your “small business” takes off and suddenly you’ve got 50+ employees, you’re not jumping ship to rebuild on another platform.
That said, it’s not the cheapest. They’re not upfront with pricing (classic), but you can expect to pay more than Gusto. On the upside, the customer service is pretty clutch if you run into any issues. Also, if you’re paying non-W-2 employees or, like, juggling multiple pay schedules, it’s worth a shot.
One thing I will say, Gusto edges ADP out in terms of user-friendliness—especially if you’re not exactly a payroll wizard. So I guess it boils down to whether you want something plug-and-play (Gusto) or a payroll heavyweight with a bit more customization (ADP). Either way, ditching manual payroll is already a win.
I see Gusto and ADP Run have already been thrown into the ring here, both solid choices, depending on what you’re looking for. But let me toss another contender: OnPay. It’s like Gusto’s chill cousin—affordable, straightforward, and surprisingly feature-packed for small businesses. At $40/month flat plus $6 per employee, it matches Gusto in pricing but feels a bit more lowkey, ideal for someone starting to dip into payroll software without being overwhelmed.
Here’s the rundown on OnPay for small business owners:
Pros:
- Simple Pricing: No tiers or hidden fees; nice and predictable.
- Tax Filing Guaranty: State, federal, local taxes? Sorted, including W-2s and 1099s.
- Employee Self-Service: Your team gets access to their pay stubs/forms without bugging you.
- Benefits Integration: If you’re thinking about group health insurance or 401(k)s, they’ve got options.
- Multiple Pay Options: Pay via direct deposit, check, or even debit cards.
- Great for Nonprofits: If your business structure is more “mission-focused,” there’s additional support for managing grants and tax exemptions.
Cons:
- User Interface: While clean, it’s not as polished or “fun” as Gusto—feels more utilitarian.
- Limited Scalability: If you’re planning to grow into a mid-sized company overnight, something like ADP might outshine it.
Now, about Gusto—undoubtedly popular for its sheer ease (that interface is like butter). But OnPay beats it for simplicity if you don’t need Gusto’s flashy extras like onboarding tools or state-compliance hand-holding. I’d argue against ADP if you’re a true small biz. It’s rock-solid but priced to cater to those already scaling or with complex payroll needs.
In terms of competitors, QuickBooks Payroll might appeal if you’re already using their accounting software, though it can feel clunky (and sometimes unintuitive) compared to OnPay. Rippling is slick but overkill if payroll’s your primary focus—it’s more of an all-encompassing HR tool.
So, to sum up—if you’re craving a no-nonsense, efficient payroll tool with reasonable pricing, OnPay’s a gem. Check it out and compare to Gusto based on which vibe fits your business best!