Payroll software program helps you automate payroll in an organization whereas making certain compliance and numerous different components. However once you begin purchasing round, you’ll doubtless be puzzled by the pricing.
Some platforms supply payroll as part of extra complete HR software program, whereas others promote it as a standalone payroll product. There’s a distinction in pricing primarily based on how the merchandise are packaged.
Relying in your use case, the dimensions of the implementation, and the kind of customizations you want within the product, you may encounter a number of further prices.
Need to skip straight to the comparisons? Take a look at our pricing insights for high payroll software program.
This text takes a deep dive into payroll software program value and weighs the perfect payroll options available on the market on a pricing scale. The intent is to create a information for patrons to assist them confidently navigate vendor discussions and negotiations. Let’s brush up on the fundamentals first!
What are the components that affect payroll software program prices?
A number of components affect payroll software program prices, together with:
- Variety of workers: Extra workers enhance the month-to-month value.
- Pay frequency: Frequent payroll runs can imply greater charges.
- Options: Superior instruments (tax submitting, advantages, time monitoring) elevate the value.
- Tax compliance: Multi-state or worldwide filings add additional prices.
- Buyer help: Premium help (24/7 or telephone assist) could value extra.
- Integrations: Connecting with accounting, HR, or time-tracking techniques could have charges.
- Places: Operating payroll in a number of states or nations prices extra.
- Setup charges: Information migration and onboarding can have one-time expenses.
- Contract size: Annual plans are cheaper; month-to-month plans are extra versatile however could value extra.
- Add-ons: Extras like reporting, recruiting, or efficiency instruments enhance prices.
Payroll software program pricing fashions
Relying on the choices you’re contemplating, you’ll discover payroll software program in numerous pricing fashions, for instance:
- Per-employee pricing
- Tiered pricing
- Flat price pricing
- Utilization-based pricing
- Modular or add-on pricing
- Freemium
On this article, now we have analyzed the pricing of the perfect payroll software program available on the market, in response to the G2 Winter 2025 Grid® Report. These software program primarily fall within the mounted plus per-employee pricing mannequin.
Payroll software program pricing mannequin and prices
Software program |
Pricing Mannequin |
Price |
Gusto |
Fastened month-to-month value + per-employee month-to-month value |
Begins from $49/month. |
Run powered by ADP |
Fastened month-to-month value + per-employee month-to-month value |
Begins at $79/month. |
Rippling |
Fastened month-to-month value + per-employee month-to-month value |
Begins at $21/worker/month. |
Deel |
Fastened month-to-month value + per-employee month-to-month value |
Begins at $19/worker/month. |
UKG Prepared |
Fastened month-to-month value + per-employee month-to-month value |
Beginning From $21. |
Paylocity |
Fastened month-to-month value + per-employee month-to-month value |
Begins at $22/worker/month. |
Distant |
Fastened month-to-month value + per-employee month-to-month value |
Prices are between $29 and $599. |
Justworks |
Fastened month-to-month value + per-employee month-to-month value |
Begins from $8/worker/month with a $50 base price. |
How clear is payroll software program value, and what are their implementation prices?
The transparency of payroll software program value will depend on the seller. Some convey it on their web site (excessive transparency degree), whereas others give a quote after understanding totally different function necessities (low transparency degree). Relying on the complexity of implementation, a vendor may cost totally different further expenses whereas onboarding you.
Right here’s a fast breakdown of what to anticipate whereas contemplating the software program product.
Software program |
Transparency degree |
Implementation prices* |
Gusto |
Excessive transparency |
There’s no implementation price talked about on the pricing web page. |
Run powered by ADP |
Low transparency |
No single, mounted implementation value. Contact gross sales to know extra. |
Rippling |
Low transparency |
5-15% of the annual software program charges for implementation charges (i.e., $5-15K implementation price on a $100K annual buy) |
Deel |
Excessive transparency |
None discovered |
UKG Prepared |
Low transparency |
40-70% of the yearly software program charges |
Paylocity |
Low transparency |
10-20% of the annual software program charges |
Distant |
Excessive transparency |
|
Justworks |
Excessive transparency |
*Implementation prices are bills incurred when introducing a brand new system, coverage, or course of into the enterprise. The estimates have been sourced from OutSail, a Human Useful resource Info System (HRIS) comparability platform.
Payroll software program value insights: components, surprising prices, and reductions
The common value of HR software program with payroll is between $15 and $25/worker/month. The charges rely upon options, seasonality or quantity reductions, and different components. Let’s test them out!
1. Gusto
- G2 ranking: 4.5/5 primarily based on 2,299 evaluations.
- Pricing plan: The associated fee is $49 per 30 days mounted plus $6/individual/month.
- High options embrace payroll and advantages administration, multi-state payroll and superior HR instruments, complete payroll, and devoted help.
- Components influencing pricing: Add-ons like employees’ compensation, well being financial savings accounts (HSAs) and versatile spending accounts (FSAs), life and incapacity insurance coverage, worldwide contractor funds, and state tax registration value additional.
- Surprising prices: There could be a value related to information migration.
- Advantages: It organizes workers in an organizational construction that can be utilized all through the appliance for reporting, permissions, and so on. It tracks time, attendance, paid break day (PTO), sick time, schedules, and different workforce-related info.
Insights on Gusto primarily based on G2 evaluations:
These insights are primarily based on 86 evaluations submitted by the G2 consumer neighborhood for Gusto between December 2, 2024, and March 16, 2025.
- Pricing: Relating to pricing, Gusto doesn’t spark sturdy reactions — solely 3.49% of customers reward its affordability, whereas 1.16% discover it costly or not totally justified. This means that almost all customers see Gusto’s pricing as cheap or secondary to its different options.
- Who makes use of it? Gusto is a small enterprise favourite, with 89.41% of customers coming from firms with 1-50 workers. Mid-sized companies (51-500 workers) account for 10.59% of customers, and there’s no illustration from massive firms (over 500 workers), reinforcing that Gusto thrives as a go-to answer for startups and small groups.
- Ease of use, efficiency, and reliability: 55.81% of customers rave about its intuitive and user-friendly design. Efficiency will get a optimistic nod from 10.47% of customers, highlighting pace and effectivity, whereas reliability is talked about by 2.33%, suggesting it’s steady sufficient that customers don’t usually really feel the necessity to name it out.
What G2 customers take into consideration Gusto pricing:
“Gusto’s pricing could be a bit off-putting to small companies at first look, however once we think about all the weight we’re getting taken off of our shoulders, that thought rapidly leaves our thoughts.”
– Gusto Evaluate, Jake T.
Gusto’s pricing is barely above the common value of HR software program with payroll capabilities. Nonetheless, its transparency and lack of implementation prices make it a most well-liked alternative for patrons.
2. RUN Powered by ADP
- G2 ranking: 4.5/5 primarily based on 1,668 evaluations.
- Pricing plan: The bottom plan is $79 + $4 per 30 days per worker. Different plan pricing is out there on the quote. A limited-time 6-month trial is out there. All plans have 3 months free.
- High options: It provides highly effective capabilities to payrolls, corresponding to garnishment fee service, state unemployment insurance coverage (SUI) administration, background checks, and job posting by means of ZipRecruiter®1.
- Components influencing pricing: Employees’ compensation and worker advantages plans are add-on options that enhance the software program’s value.
- Surprising prices: To get superior help, you may have to transition into a complicated plan, which is able to come at an extra value.
- Advantages: RUN routinely information your federal, state, and native payroll taxes whereas serving to you keep organized with a personalised dashboard of key dates, duties, and alerts. AI-powered error detection allows you to keep away from expensive errors.
Insights on RUN Powered by ADP primarily based on G2 evaluations:
These insights are primarily based on 154 evaluations submitted by the G2 consumer neighborhood for RUN Powered by ADP between December 1, 2024, and March 18, 2025.
- Pricing: Pricing sentiment for RUN Powered by ADP is evenly cut up, with 2.60% of customers praising its affordability whereas 2.60% categorical issues about value. Nearly all of customers don’t emphasize pricing as a defining issue, suggesting it’s usually according to expectations.
- Who makes use of it? RUN Powered by ADP is constructed for small companies, with 96.75% of customers coming from firms with 1-50 workers. Solely 3.25% of customers come from mid-sized companies (51-200 workers), with no illustration from bigger firms — highlighting its candy spot as a small-business payroll answer.
- Ease of use, efficiency, and reliability: Ease of use is RUN’s largest power, cherished by 64.94% of customers. Velocity and effectivity get 7.79% of mentions, whereas reliability (0.65%) flies below the radar.
What G2 customers take into consideration RUN Powered by ADP pricing:
“ADP was simple and environment friendly to work with to arrange payroll. Their platform may be very user-friendly. And the upfront pricing is nice for small companies and corporations trying to scale their operation.”
– RUN powered by ADP assessment, Verified Person
RUN Powered by ADP additionally prices greater than the common payroll system. Nonetheless, small companies like its upfront pricing.
3. Rippling
- G2 ranking: 4.8/5 primarily based on 6,741 evaluations.
- Pricing plan: Relying in your plan and the options you need, you’ll pay between $21 and $29/individual/month. The platform additionally gives IT administration options as add-ons, which value $5 to $20 per individual per 30 days.
- High options: Software programming interface (APIs) to attach with the enterprise ecosystem, internationalization, consumer position and entry administration, and break day accrual.
- Components influencing pricing: Entry to Rippling API, Webhooks, limitless system fields, superior experiences, and workflows may need some affect on the software program value.
- Surprising prices: Some fines could also be incurred because of non-compliance with tax company rules. Moreover, inaccurate license distribution can add additional prices.
- Advantages: Helps paperless PAYE varieties and new joiner filings, time monitoring, job costing, and a number of pay charges.
Insights on Rippling primarily based on G2 evaluations:
These insights are primarily based on 2,627 evaluations submitted by the G2 consumer neighborhood for Rippling between December 1, 2024, and March 18, 2025.
- Pricing: Pricing isn’t a significant dialogue level for Rippling, with solely 0.38% praising affordability and 0.69% citing excessive prices. Most customers deal with options over value, although some recognize the worth, whereas others really feel it’s expensive for smaller companies.
- Who makes use of it? Rippling is a best choice for mid-sized companies, with 57.46% of customers coming from firms with 51-500 workers. Small companies (1-50 workers) make up 28.71%, whereas massive firms (501-1000 workers) account for 8.57%, and enterprises (over 1001 workers) make up 5.26%.
- Ease of use, efficiency, and reliability: Rippling makes usability a precedence, with 69.98% of customers praising its simplicity. Efficiency is praised by 6.63%, whereas reliability (1.10%) isn’t a significant speaking level, suggesting stability.
What G2 customers take into consideration Rippling pricing:
“The pricing construction could be a bit greater than fundamental HR instruments, significantly in the event you’re including a number of modules past the core HR features.”
– Rippling Evaluate, Claudia E.
Should you evaluate Rippling’s pricing with the common payroll system’s pricing, it’s nearer to the common value, with a pricing of $21 to $29/worker/month.
4. Deel
- G2 ranking: 4.8/5 primarily based on 6,881 evaluations.
- Pricing plan: Deel gives 5 pricing editions, from $19 to $599, and a free trial plan.
- High options: Payroll entry, break day accrual, direct deposit, and expense reimbursement.
- Components influencing pricing: Add-on options embrace immediate tax and wage calculations, registration help in all 50 states, and automatic federal, state, and native tax filings. It lets companies simply handle W-2, W-4, 1099, and new rent varieties with knowledgeable payroll compliance help and 20+ accounting integrations. You get entry to 24/7 help and a devoted CSM. Nonetheless, as you enhance the necessities and the necessity for personalisation, the costs will rise accordingly.
- Surprising prices: Overseas alternate and conversion charges may apply. EOR plans can embrace country-specific bills like social safety and obligatory pension contributions.
- Advantages: Entry to compensation, OKRs, and fairness reporting in a single system. You get devoted help with a single level of contact and quick response occasions.
Insights on Deel primarily based on G2 evaluations:
These insights are primarily based on 1,780 evaluations submitted by the G2 consumer neighborhood for Deel between December 2, 2024, and March 18, 2025.
- Pricing: Deel’s pricing will get combined evaluations. Whereas 1.18% of customers recognize its affordability, 2.3% discover it costly. The associated fee isn’t a significant level of debate, however those that point out it are inclined to lean barely towards dissatisfaction.
- Who makes use of it? Deel is extensively utilized by freelancers and small companies, with 24.8% of customers being impartial professionals and 37% from firms with 11-200 workers. Companies with 201-1000 workers make up 17%, whereas massive enterprises (over 1001 workers) account for 12%.
- Ease of use, efficiency, and reliability: Deel shines in usability, with 53.2% of customers loving its intuitive and user-friendly interface. Efficiency is one other sturdy swimsuit, praised by 15.7% for pace and effectivity. Nonetheless, reliability isn’t a standout matter, with solely 2.9% mentioning stability, suggesting it’s not a significant concern but additionally not a key promoting level.
What G2 customers take into consideration Deel pricing:
“The one problem can be that the pricing may very well be a little bit excessive for startups or small companies. Yet another factor I would like is for the help response to the extra sophisticated compliance inquiries to be faster.
– Deel Evaluate, Mohamed E.
Deel’s low-tier plans are throughout the common value vary of payroll software program. Nonetheless, its top-tier plans are expensive.
5. UKG Prepared
- G2 ranking: 4.3/5 primarily based on 1,832 evaluations.
- Pricing plan: The platform gives a number of pricing tiers ranging from $21, every with a complete set of options, together with HR, payroll, expertise administration, and repair supply options.
- High options: Workforce analytics, worker improvement, and timekeeping.
- Components influencing pricing: Pricing relies upon on the variety of customers, with prices rising as the worker depend grows. Further modules, options, and customized options could add to the value.
- Surprising prices: These are prices for updates and upkeep to make sure the system runs easily.
Insights on UKG Prepared primarily based on G2 evaluations:
These insights are primarily based on 323 evaluations submitted by the G2 consumer neighborhood for UKG Prepared between January 8, 2025, and February 10, 2025.
- Pricing: Customers barely point out pricing. 0.62% of reviewers recognize the fee, whereas an equal 0.62% discover it costly. This means that pricing is just not a significant factor in consumer discussions, neither a major benefit nor a significant concern.
- Who makes use of it? UKG Prepared is very widespread amongst mid-sized companies, with 28.2% of customers from firms with 51-200 workers and 21.4% from 201-500 workers. Smaller firms (2-50 workers) make up 17.3%, whereas massive enterprises (over 1001 workers) account for 19.5%.
- Ease of use, efficiency, and reliability: 57% of customers highlighted its intuitive and user-friendly design. Efficiency will get average reward, as 7.7% of reviewers point out its pace and effectivity. Reliability, then again, isn’t a subject of debate — solely 0.3% of customers name it a standout function, suggesting that whereas stability isn’t a frequent concern, it’s additionally not a significant promoting level.
What G2 customers take into consideration UKG Prepared pricing:
“We just like the pricing construction with Kronos WFR. We pay by worker no matter their pay frequency. This permits us to make choices primarily based on enhancing the corporate with out caring about how a lot it is going to value us. If we wish to pay all our workers a bonus, we will try this with a minimal value flat price, in contrast to some opponents who cost for every pay assertion within the payroll.”
– UKG Prepared Evaluate, Verified Person in Medical Gadgets
The fundamental UKG Prepared plan is obtainable at a price near the common value of payroll software program. Nonetheless, it’s much less clear how top-tier plans evaluate with the common software program value.
6. Paylocity
- G2 ranking: 4.4/5 primarily based on 2,791 evaluations.
- Pricing plan: A Paylocity subscription can value wherever between $22-$32 per worker per 30 days.
- High options: Customizable payroll with versatile test varieties, time-off accruals, and reporting.
- Components influencing pricing: Add-ons like Paylocity payroll expense administration, tax providers, or on-demand funds may add some further value.
- Surprising prices: The corporate expenses a one-time implementation price, which is 10% to twenty% of the software program’s annual value.
- Advantages: It improves compliance with state and federal legal guidelines and reduces the danger of expensive errors. Staff can simply entry pay stubs, W-2s, and different key paperwork by means of self-service portals, releasing time for extra strategic work.
Insights on Paylocity primarily based on G2 evaluations:
These insights are primarily based on 72 evaluations submitted by the G2 consumer neighborhood for Paylocity between December 11, 2024, and March 12, 2025.
- Pricing: Pricing isn’t a significant speaking level, however 2.78% of customers reward Paylocity for being cost-effective, whereas 1.39% point out it as a downside, citing surprising charges or affordability issues. Total, sentiment leans barely optimistic, however most customers don’t touch upon pricing.
- Who makes use of it? Paylocity is used primarily by enterprises (over 1000 workers), making up 50% of customers, and small companies ( lower than 50 workers), accounting for 25%. Mid-sized (50-500) or massive (500-1000) firms make up a really small section, suggesting decrease adoption in these segments.
- Ease of use, efficiency, and reliability: Described as intuitive and user-friendly, ease of use is a spotlight for 40.28% of customers. No efficiency suggestions is famous, however 1.39% share reliability issues because of occasional system crashes or downtime.
What G2 customers take into consideration Paylocity pricing:
“Their pricing is nice, and working payroll is fairly seamless if there are not any adjustments from payroll to payroll.”
– Paylocity Evaluate, Ron S.
Paylocity’s pricing compares nicely with the common value of HR software program with payroll capabilities.
7. Distant
- G2 ranking: 4.6/5 primarily based on 2,546 evaluations.
- Pricing plan: A number of plans vary from $29 to $599. It additionally gives a free plan.
- High options: Internet portal, advantages supervisor, payroll entry, and break day accrual.
- Components influencing pricing: Some options, like fairness incentives with tax help, can be found solely on higher-tier plans.
- Surprising prices: Foreign money conversion and international alternate charges may transfer the value up or down.
- Advantages: One centralized platform helps automate bills and generate experiences.
Insights on Distant primarily based on G2 evaluations:
These insights are primarily based on 470 evaluations submitted by the G2 consumer neighborhood for Distant between December 2, 2024, and March 18, 2025.
- Pricing: Suggestions on pricing is combined. Whereas 1.28% of customers discover Distant to be reasonably priced or supply good worth, 2.77% categorical issues about excessive prices or surprising charges. Total, unfavourable mentions barely exceed optimistic ones, although pricing is just not a major focus in most evaluations.
- Who makes use of it? Distant is especially utilized by enterprises (over 1,000 workers), representing 65.5% of the consumer base, and small companies (fewer than 50 workers), which account for 34.5%.
- Ease of use, efficiency, and reliability: 52.34% of customers point out the platform’s intuitive and user-friendly design. Moreover, 10% spotlight efficiency advantages corresponding to pace and effectivity. 4.26% of customers elevate reliability points, together with occasional crashes or downtime.
What G2 customers take into consideration Distant pricing:
“One draw back is that the pricing could be a bit excessive for small companies or startups. Generally, there will be delays in processing funds or onboarding, relying on the nation. Additionally, since all the things is managed by means of a 3rd social gathering, firms have much less direct management over sure features of hiring and payroll.”
– Distant Evaluate, Christian L.
Distant’s low-tier plan begins at $29, barely above the common value of payroll software program.
8. Justworks
- G2 ranking: 4.6/5 primarily based on 1,002 evaluations.
- Pricing plan: Justworks has 4 pricing editions, starting from $8 to $599 per worker per 30 days, together with a $50 base price.
- High options: Payroll for all workers, simplified compliance, HR Consulting and instruments, 24/7 Assist, and 401(okay).
- Components influencing pricing: Add-ons like Justworks time monitoring, worldwide contractor funds, and medical insurance can come at an further value.
- Surprising prices: The pricing is especially clear.
- Advantages: Easy pricing, tax submitting administration, and 24/7 buyer help.
Insights on Justworks primarily based on G2 evaluations:
These insights are primarily based on 151 evaluations submitted by the G2 consumer neighborhood for Justworks between December 11, 2024, and March 12, 2025.
- Pricing: 3.31% of customers recognize Justworks’ pricing, whereas 5.96% point out issues about value. Whereas some customers discover the pricing honest for the worth it gives, others really feel it could not match each finances.
- Who makes use of it? Justworks is predominantly utilized by small companies (1-50 workers: 63.89%), adopted by mid-sized companies (50-500 workers: 34.26%), making it a robust alternative for firms with fewer than 500 workers. Adoption amongst massive firms (500-1000 workers: 0.93%) and enterprises (greater than 1000 workers: 0.93%) is considerably decrease, indicating that Justworks is primarily tailor-made to the wants of smaller groups and rising organizations.
- Ease of use, efficiency, and reliability: 59.60% of customers reward Justworks for its ease of use, whereas 26.49% spotlight sturdy efficiency for its pace and effectivity. Just one.32% point out reliability, indicating that usability and efficiency are the platform’s standout strengths.
What G2 customers take into consideration Justworks pricing:
“Pricing is far more clear than most PEO suppliers.”
– Justworks Evaluate, Kate N.
Justworks gives extra reasonably priced pricing plans with higher transparency. It’s more cost effective than the common value of payroll software program.
Payroll software program value: How do high options evaluate total?
This comparability is past pricing and appears into how quickly you get worth from the software program after implementing it in your small business. These insights are from consumer evaluations on G2 and are grouped to derive an total consumer sentiment.
Payroll software program |
Common time to implement |
Estimated ROI (payback interval) |
Ease of setup |
Gusto |
0.7 months |
11 months |
93% |
RUN Powered by ADP |
1.4 months |
15 months |
89% |
Rippling |
1.4 months |
10 months |
92% |
Deel |
1.1 months |
19 months |
95% |
UKG Prepared |
5.5 months |
20 months |
82% |
Paylocity |
2.5 months |
16 months |
83% |
Distant |
0.7 months |
9 months |
93% |
Justworks |
1.1 months |
10 months |
93% |
Run payroll seamlessly and cost-effectively
Examine the price of the above software program and perceive how they bundle the deal so that you can get the efficient value. Take return on funding into consideration and see how simple it’s to get onboarded. There might be essential components in figuring out which payroll software program would swimsuit your small business essentially the most.
Make a alternative that maximizes your ROI whereas being fully clear in regards to the prices you’ll encounter. In any other case, you may pay vital implementation or coaching expenses.
Need an in-depth comparability of every software program? Take a look at my colleague’s assessment of the greatest payroll software program.