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Best QuickBooks Payroll alternatives in 2026

Looking for something other than QuickBooks Payroll? Below are 10 tools that do the same job, compared with QuickBooks Payroll's $50/month starting price. 5 of them start cheaper, 1 have a free plan. Ordered by our rating, never by commission.

QuickBooks Payroll what you have now

Payroll that plugs straight into QuickBooks Online.

No free plan

$50/mo

All QuickBooks Payroll alternatives

  1. GustoOur top pick

    $49/mo

    Full-service payroll, benefits and HR for small businesses.

    From $49/month

    See pricingVisit
  2. 2

    $49/mo

    Full-service payroll with one simple, all-inclusive plan.

    From $49/month

    See pricingVisit
  3. 3

    Quote

    Payroll, HR and IT management in one platform.

    Price on request

    See pricingVisit
  4. 4

    $22/mo

    Global payroll and HR, including US payroll.

    From $22/month

    See pricingVisit
  5. 5

    $50/mo

    PEO with payroll, benefits and HR compliance.

    From $50/month

    See pricingVisit
  6. 6

    $35/mo

    Payroll that works with Square's payment tools.

    ✓ Free plan

    See pricingVisit
  7. 7
    Patriot PayrollLowest price

    $17/mo

    Low-cost payroll for small US businesses.

    From $17/month

    See pricingVisit
  8. 8

    Quote

    Payroll and HR from one of the largest US payroll providers.

    Price on request

    See pricingVisit
  9. 9

    Quote

    Payroll and HR services for small and mid-size businesses.

    Price on request

    See pricingVisit
  10. 10

    Quote

    HR and payroll for mid-size businesses.

    Price on request

    See pricingVisit

How do you pick the right QuickBooks Payroll alternative?

It depends on why you're leaving. On a tight budget? Patriot Payroll has the lowest starting price in this list. Want to start free? Square Payroll has a free plan. Want the best all-rounder? Start with Gusto.

Before you switch

  • Export your data from QuickBooks Payroll first (contacts, projects, invoices or tickets).
  • Check when your QuickBooks Payroll contract renews; yearly plans usually don't refund unused months.
  • Start a free trial of your top pick and import a small test set before you move everything.

See how we check prices, or compare every payroll software side by side on the Payroll software page.

More about QuickBooks Payroll