Payroll software almost never costs what the headline price suggests. Nearly every provider charges a base fee plus a per-employee fee, so the "cheapest" option on a pricing page can quietly become the most expensive once your team grows. Move the slider to your team size and see what each service actually costs per month and per year.

How this calculator works

Each tool's cost is calculated as base fee + (per-employee fee × number of employees), using each provider's published entry (lowest) tier for full-service payroll:

• OnPay — $40/mo base + $6 per employee, every feature included.
• Gusto — $49/mo base + $6 per employee (Simple plan).
• QuickBooks Payroll — $50/mo base + $6 per employee (Core plan).
• ADP (RUN)— roughly $79/mo base + ~$4 per employee. ADP is quote-based and doesn't publish prices, so these are reported estimates; real all-in cost is often higher.

The calculator compares entry tiers only. Higher tiers (multi-state payroll, same-day deposit, HR add-ons) cost more — see the full breakdown for what each plan adds.

Which payroll software is cheapest?

For most small teams, OnPay comes out lowest because it charges one flat rate with every feature included, and Gusto is a close second with the friendliest interface. ADP tends to look competitive only at the per-employee line — its higher base fee and add-ons usually make it the priciest for a small team. For the full analysis of what you get at each price, read our best payroll software for small business guide, or the head-to-head Gusto vs ADP comparison.

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Related reading

• Best Payroll Software for Small Business — the full comparison behind this calculator.
• Gusto vs ADP: Which Payroll Is Better? — the two best-known names, head to head.
• Best HR Software for Startups — when you need HR, not just payroll.

Prices verified July 2026 from onpay.com, gusto.com, quickbooks.intuit.com, and reported ADP estimates. Plans change — confirm current rates before buying.