If you’re looking for a way to cut costs and streamline your payroll process, using free payroll software may be the solution you’re looking for. These options typically come at no cost, but they can simplify handling payroll tasks and calculating taxes.
While free software may not offer as many features as paid options, we’ve done the legwork to identify the market’s top reliable and functional free payroll software choices. Whether you’re a small business owner or just need a budget-friendly solution, we’ve covered you with our curated list of the best free payroll software for small businesses.
How We Made This List of The Best Free Payroll Software For Small Businesses
Pricing
We intentionally selected payroll services that provided free payroll functionality. However, we preferred those that covered an infinite number of employees and provided basic HR tasks on a perpetually free plan, including if the software was free, how and why it was free, and whether paid plan choices were available.
Payroll services
We picked corporations that handle all parts of payroll on account of another company that might offer assistance or takes on that responsibility themselves. This arrangement is frequently advantageous for employers that respect their time and wish to guarantee that their personnel and taxes are compensated accordingly and on time. Payroll services Include tax calculating, direct payment, free check slips, and tax forms at the end of the year.
Customer assistance
It is among the most time-consuming operations in an HR department, but it is also one of the easiest to simplify with payroll software or outsource to other organizations. If you’re thinking about doing either, we made sure to look into the degree of payroll customer support that each firm can provide. Good payroll customer service can imply various things, and what makes a business’s payroll customer service exceptional depends entirely on the services they provide.
To begin, we considered what you require from payroll customer support. Suppose you’re going to use an automatic system and retain the majority of your payroll duties in-house. In that case, you’ll want to ensure that billing customer service can assist you with any software issues, particularly technical assistance.
If you’re going to outsource payroll, good payroll customer assistance entails much more. Most will send you regular reports, but strong payroll customer service includes being able to request and get any payroll-related information fast.
The Best Free Payroll Software For Small Businesses
ExcelPayroll
According to the program’s purpose, ExcelPayroll aims to develop a Microsoft Excel-based payroll application with no monthly fees or associated expenditures. Installation is also free, so you do not have to pay anything more to get your program installed and working efficiently.
Numerous payroll functions are available on the site, including check printing, W2 document preparation, payroll taxes, and customizable payment schedules.
You’ve most likely utilized spreadsheet-based payroll templates to handle and track your employee payments. If you’ve ever desired your spreadsheets to behave more like a payroll system, you’ll love ExcelPayroll. This Microsoft Excel-based program allows you to perform various operations, such as creating tax forms and checks, examining workers’ compensation records, and documenting tax and non-tax reductions.
Although Excel Payroll is appropriate for small firms with basic payroll needs, it lacks critical payroll features such as direct deposits, compliance monitoring, and payroll on auto mode.
Pros
- Excel-friendly worksheets
- Multiple ways to personalize the experience
- Producing checks
- Produces accounting entries for the books
Cons
- There is no tax or benefits administration because all data is entered manually
- No conformity with the Patient Protection
Paylocity
The payroll software from Paylocity is distinguished by its ability to combine products and services such as timesheets, performance evaluations, and employee benefits in addition to payroll. In addition to the usual payroll calculation components,
Paylocity’s payroll system includes many additional capabilities, including taxation, labor standards, posters, and a personalized smartphone app for employees. Paylocity does not publish pricing information publicly; thus, you must request a quote or organize a demo to obtain pricing details. There are no obligations, and plan cancellation is permitted at any moment.
Price tiers and similar details are not disclosed unless you interact with a salesperson and provide pertinent information about your organization.
Pros
- Multiple integrations
- Easy to use for employees
- Numerous attributes in the app
Cons
- Steep learning experience
- Nontransparent asking prices
Gusto
Payroll software choice for small and medium-sized enterprises that integrates employee benefits and onboarding into a unified platform. Gusto is a comprehensive payroll system for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Gusto is an advanced payroll solution with HR, payroll management, and workers’ compensation tools that can manage various business demands at a reasonable and upfront pricing.
One of the primary reasons businesses pick Gusto is that it automates several HR, accounting, compliance, and other critical business functions. Gusto could offer substantial time and cost advantages over employing HR pros or small company accountants and several crucial business operations if you’re a small company seeking to simplify as much as possible.
Gusto is also simple for both companies and employees to utilize. Full-time employees may also use Gusto’s budgeted amount to get compensated as much as two days earlier and a high-yield bank account to supplement their earnings.
Gusto’s user interface is intuitive and full of helpful hints and explanations to assist you in payroll, making it a good choice for payroll novices and specialists.
Pros
- Simple to use
- Clear pricing
- Excellent client service
- Integrated time monitoring and HR
- Payroll processing typically takes two to four days
Cons
- Discreet reporting
- Limited time monitoring
- Limited assistance for international employees
Rippling
Rippling allows firms to manage HR, IT, and Finance in a single location. It consolidates a corporation’s generally dispersed workforce systems, including payroll, costs, benefits, and computers. So, the entire employee lifecycle can be managed and automated within a single system for the first time.
Among the favorite features of Rippling is just how helpful its personnel is during the setup process. Before you agree to use the product, a team member will assist you in getting started and ensuring they can meet your needs. Unfortunately, this also means you’ll need to receive a unique estimate to get a specific price for your demands, and you won’t be able to begin until you meet with the team.
Rippling is incredibly adaptable. The package is one of the most straightforward and helpful to configure, from its staff management and account inputs to the reports you’ll want to set up.
This is a fantastic choice for businesses that require this type of solution because it can suit the needs of almost any firm, whatever its size, that can purchase it. The highly scalable product will assist you as you expand and hire new team members.
Pros
- Simple hourly tracking
- Straightforward and easy-to-find insurance information
- During tax season, tax information remains easily accessible
Cons
- No assistance getting tax refunds
Deel
Deel is a payroll and hiring tool explicitly developed for distributed teams. That means everyone may use Deel to find work and get paid, no matter where they are located. Using a self-service process facilitated by technology, businesses can hire part-time workers or freelancers anywhere in the world in minutes.
Using Deel’s internal back office and regionally owned businesses, businesses may now manage worldwide payroll. Deel interfaces with your employees and accounting platforms and complies with worldwide security requirements as a trustworthy partner in your labor management stack.
Pros
- Payment in various currencies
- Simple administration, with distinct employer action items
Cons
- Better insight into the costs involved
SurePayroll
SurePayroll is a small-business-specific payroll and tax-filing solution. SurePayroll is ideal for anyone wishing to streamline payroll management with tedious processes. It features various payroll options, no startup fees, and no additional expenses for limitless payroll runs, allowing you to keep staff happy while running your small business smoothly.
SurePayroll is simple to set up and master in just a few minutes. You may manage their repeated payroll runs, make necessary modifications, and receive notifications before processing.
Payroll services are divided into no tax filing and professional service. Both options include unlimited payroll runs, new hire reports, direct deposit, and live support.
Since SurePayroll only offers quote-based pricing, the cost may be difficult to anticipate for growing enterprises. Pricing and additional features may be added as your company expands.
Pros
- Simple employee payroll
- Payroll processing on the go with a mobile app
- Excellent client service
Cons
- It’s challenging to obtain estimated pricing
Tips When Choosing the Best Free Payroll Software for Small Businesses
Management of Payroll Tax Compliance
Because payroll tax compliance requirements are constantly changing, working with a payroll provider with a tax compliance program is critical to help handle these modifications. Following conversion, the tax compliance team must maintain your payroll tax data each quarter and assist with year-end processing.
A reputable payroll service provider should include a tax collection team of experts who will evaluate your existing data for potential payroll tax issues. Each year, the tax compliance staff should update payroll tax tables, manage tax forms and payouts, and assist you with quarterly operations.
Customer Service
The degree of customer service provided is another crucial thing to consider throughout a payroll changeover. You should feel secure knowing that a customer service representative is immediately available to facilitate successful collaboration with the payroll service.
Consider payroll companies that give dedicated training and account managers. Your trainer should develop a training plan to address any special deployment requirements. After your transition is complete, your account executive should remain your primary point of contact so that they know how your company uses its payroll system.
Conversion of Data
When considering a transition, evaluate whether the payroll company is integrated with essential HR and participation.
Look for a provider who offers a specialist adaptation manager with the expertise to translate system differences and suggest enhancements that will boost productivity, minimize the possibility of errors, and reduce costs.
You should search for a solution that will satisfy your needs and grow your business’s structure.
Conclusion
Finding the best free payroll software for small businesses can be challenging, with many options available. However, considering the tips we suggested, you can narrow your choices and choose software that fits your specific needs. Free payroll software can be a cost-effective solution for small businesses looking to save on expenses and streamline their payroll process.
While free options may not offer all the bells and whistles of paid software, they can still provide reliable and functional support for your business’s payroll needs. Choosing the right free payroll software can help your small business run smoothly and efficiently, saving you time and money in the long run.
