Free payroll software makes it easier to run paychecks without adding to your budget. Most can calculate pay for hourly and salary workers, handle tax calculations and deduction, and print checks and paystubs. A few even file taxes and direct deposit. We’ve rated the best free payroll services for small businesses. Some limit the number of users, while others limit functions. A few offer paid versions with increased features or other features in an a la carte menu.
If you want payroll software that manages taxes, is easy to use, affordable, and offers a free trial, consider Gusto. It’s an all-in-one payroll and HR solution for small businesses that saves you time and money by calculating, filing, and paying your payroll taxes automatically. And it’s free for up to 30 days.
Best Free Payroll Software
Payroll Provider | Best for |
---|---|
Best overall payroll software for businesses, especially those with fewer than 50 employees who need time tracking and payroll | |
Businesses with fewer than 25 workers looking for a free way to pay contractors | |
Companies wanting HR functions as well as payroll | |
Businesses that are used to spreadsheets but want something already prepared and more powerful | |
An alternative for those who need only a few paychecks each month or one-off paychecks | |
Businesses that work with seasonal or temporary employees and only need to generate paychecks infrequently |
If you need more payroll software options and are open to some that aren’t free (yet affordable), check out our top picks for payroll services.
How We Chose the Top 6 Free Payroll Services
We searched for payroll software that works in the United States for tax laws and currencies and offers free plans rather than merely free trials. This narrowed the playing field greatly. Then, we examined the features and ease of use, focusing on paycheck processing and tax preparation.
Overall, we chose TimeTrex as the best free payroll software. Earning 4.5 out of 5 stars, it provides the most features and has a forever-free plan for unlimited users. The other free plans scored significantly lower due to having fewer features (to be expected with free software) but are good in some specific scenarios.
RUBRIC SCORECARD CRITERIA:
20% of Overall Score
We chose services with free payroll functions. However, we favored those with free plans for unlimited users and that performed more functions on a forever-free plan.
40% of Overall Score
Having free direct deposit was our top feature, followed by the ability to pay contractors, run automated payroll, and calculate federal and state taxes. We also considered other tax and payroll functions.
20% of Overall Score
Free is no good if you have to fight the program. We graded an intuitive interface, how easy it was to learn, and support options. We also considered whether the software integrated with other programs or at least allowed CSV downloads.
10% of Overall Score
Our software reviews show reviews from real users and can be a maximum of 5 stars. We average this with review ratings from G2, Capterra, and TrustRadius, which are also based on a 5-star scale; any option with an average of 4+ stars is ideal. Also, any software with 1,000+ reviews on any third-party site is preferred.
10% of Overall Score
We gave points based on the reports available and whether you could customize them.
TimeTrex
PROS
- Files federal, state, and local taxes
- Free direct deposit
- Automatic payroll runs
CONS
- No penalty-free guarantees
- Help during business hours only
RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 2.5 | OUT OF | 5 |
Popularity | 5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Reporting | 5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Payment Features | 5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Ease of Use | 5 | OUT OF | 5 |
TimeTrex is the best free payroll software for small businesses because it does more than the rest. It allows time tracking, scheduling, payroll, and some HR management features. It does tax calculations, including local taxes, something none of the other free software do. It also offers free direct deposit and automatic payroll runs.
This service earned an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars. It lost some points due to users rating the software 4.34 out of 5 stars for ease of use and features.
TimeTrex Pricing & Features
- Community (Free): Time & Attendance, web browser, scheduling, leave management, human resources, payroll
- Professional (Quote): Community plan + mobile app, facial recognition time clock, web punch
- Corporate (Quote): Professional plan + job costing, GEO fencing, document management, invoicing, expense tracking
- Enterprise (Quote): Corporate plan + expense tracking, recruitment and applicant tracking
Payroll4Free.com
PROS
- Employee portal
- Calculates federal and state taxes
- QuickBooks integration
CONS
- Free for only 25 or fewer employees
- Direct deposit costs extra unless using your own bank
RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 2.19 | OUT OF | 5 |
Popularity | 2.5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Reporting | 5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Payment Features | 2.94 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Ease of Use | 3.5 | OUT OF | 5 |
Payroll4Free.com is a popular free payroll program for businesses with fewer than 25 employees. It calculates payroll, including taxes, and can print checks or handle direct deposits for free if you are using your own bank. The software can handle salary, hourly, and contract employees and print your W-2s and 1099s. It gives you pre-formatted forms to send to the government. If you want Payroll4Free.com to handle filing your tax forms, it costs an extra $15 per month.
The software is not as easy to use as paid programs, often taking extra steps to complete what a paid program can do in a single click. Nonetheless, users across multiple sites rated it an average of 3.1 out of 5 stars.
Payroll4Free.com Pricing & Features
- Completely free
- Deposit and file taxes: $15 per month
- Direct deposit: $15 per month
HR.my
PROS
- Calculate taxes
- Multilingual
- Timeclock, leave management, document sharing
CONS
- You need to know the current tax tables
- Does not file taxes
RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 2.5 | OUT OF | 5 |
Popularity | 5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Reporting | 2.5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Payment Features | 3 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Ease of Use | 2.88 | OUT OF | 5 |
HR.my is a free, multilingual HR software that is crowdfunded. The company also works with interested people to translate the software into additional languages. It offers many good payroll and HR features, such as leave management, time tracking, expense claims, and more. Tax calculations are done manually; you need to have the current tax tables and input the percentages for calculations. The user guide is more of FAQs and not especially complete, and support is handled in comments or via social media.
Overall, the software earns 3.03 out of 5 stars. It has a few more features than some of the free payroll software, but the tax calculations took a hit, and it does not file for you. Users say the interface is dated but not too difficult to use.
HR.my Pricing & Features
- Completely free
- Time tracking
- Leave management
- Expense management
- Tax calculations (manual)
- Can contribute to crowdfunding for extra storage
ExcelPayroll.org
PROS
- Prints W-2 forms, W-3, 940, 94, and other forms
- Generates accounting entries, integrates with other software
- Customizable timecard and withholdings
- Payroll, PTO accrual, workers' comp reports
CONS
- Need familiarity with spreadsheets, Excel
- Not great for >50 employees
- Does not file, pay taxes
RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 2.5 | OUT OF | 5 |
Popularity | 0 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Reporting | 5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Payment Features | 2.13 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Ease of Use | 2 | OUT OF | 5 |
If you are familiar with Excel or other spreadsheet programs, then ExcelPayroll is a good option for running basic payroll. This free VBA payroll program has already programmed the important formulas and tools you need and keeps numbers updated for the current tax year. You’ll need to input your employees’ information into the spreadsheet, but it can print out checks, W-2s, and other tax forms, track deductions such as 401(k)s, and customize timecards. It offers reports on vacation accrual and workers’ compensation, and being Excel-based, should allow for customizations and downloading data to other programs.
Overall, we gave ExcelPayroll.org 2.25 out of 5 stars. It doesn’t have automatic pay runs nor can it pay employees through direct deposit or file taxes. It’s a good alternative for those who like working with spreadsheets but would like to have the formulas in place.
ExcelPayroll.org Pricing & Features
- Completely free
- Calculates payroll
- Check printing
- Printable W-2s and other tax forms
- Deduction tracking
- Timecard customization
- PTO accrual
Paycheck Manager
PROS
- Calculates federal/state taxes
- Unlimited uses
- Paid plans include a 3-month free trial
CONS
- Calculations and printing only
- One paycheck at a time
RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 1.56 | OUT OF | 5 |
Popularity | 0 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Reporting | 1.25 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Payment Features | 2.13 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Ease of Use | 4.13 | OUT OF | 5 |
Both Paycheck Manager and eSmart Paycheck are run by C&S Technologies and are very similar in functionality. Both have free 3-month trials of their paid plans and provide a paycheck calculator for printing paychecks one at a time. Paycheck Manager is the better interface if you have overtime calculations, as eSmart Paychecks cannot calculate these automatically.
Overall, this service earned 2.11 out of 5 stars. It’s only good for payroll officers who just want a quick and easy way to calculate and print a paycheck. We recommend it for businesses with fewer than five employees or those with temporary workers.
Paycheck Manager Pricing & Features
- Free: Single paycheck calculation and printing (unlimited use)
- Starting at $5 per employee, per month: DIY payroll, with tax form updates
- Starting at $12 per month + $2 per employee, per month: Managed payroll with federal and state tax filing
eSmart Paycheck
PROS
- Calculates federal/state taxes
- Unlimited uses
- Paid plans include a 3-month free trial
CONS
- Calculations and printing only
- One paycheck at a time
RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 1.56 | OUT OF | 5 |
Popularity | 0 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Reporting | 0 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Payment Features | 2.13 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Ease of Use | 4.13 | OUT OF | 5 |
If you need to write only a few paychecks or you hire employees on an intermittent basis, then eSmart Paycheck’s free paycheck calculator and printer might fit the bill. Its paycheck calculator lets you put in salary or hours, notes dependents and withholdings such as 401(k)s, and calculates the taxes and paychecks. Then, you can print the check. eSmart has a paying program and a 3-month free trial.
This service earned 1.99 out of 5 stars. It does not file taxes, keep records, or do any of the other basic functions found in the other payroll software on our list.
eSmart Paycheck Pricing & Features
eSmart Paycheck’s plans depend on the number of employees:
- 1–5: $50 per year
- 6–10: : $100 per year
- 11–15: $150 per year
- 16–20: $200 per year
- 21–30: $250 per year
- 31–40: $300 per year
A la carte tasks include:
- Deposit federal taxes: $25 per year
- Deposit state taxes: $25 per year
- Print or e-file state forms: $15 per year
- E-file of W-2 to states: $20 + $2 per employee
- Print and mail W-2s: $2 per form
If you need help choosing from our list of best free payroll services, follow our step-by-step guide on choosing payroll solutions.
Bottom Line
Businesses on a tight budget or that have limited payroll needs may find free payroll software a way to save time and help prevent mistakes that can cost time, money, and even legal problems. The free payroll software on our list offer tools to make your payroll chores easier.
TimeTrex offers the best free payroll software because of its wide range of useful features, including tax calculations and direct deposit. The free version is complete in its payroll offerings, and the paid plans offer more HR functions. Sign up for TimeTrex today.
Maxine Britton
I need to hire 5 employees and 3 will be Interns. What is my best option?
Amanda Norman
Hi Maxine,
Your best option will depend on what features you need, such as integrations or tax compliance options. Can you share more information regarding what features you require.
Thanks for stopping by.
Mandy, Moderator
Cindy Phillippi
I’m looking for free Payroll software that is compatible with Mac. I tried to download Payroll4Free and received a message that is was not supported on MacOS. Are there any free payroll programs available?
Amanda Norman
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for visiting the site! HR.my, TimeTrex Community Edition, and ExcelPayroll.org should all work on a Mac. ExcelPayroll works within Excel and HR.my is an online service.
Hope this helps. Best wishes,
Mandy, Moderator
Mike Capern
Option #2, Xero, is no longer including payroll after 2018.
Laura Handrick
Mike,
Thanks for the heads up. We’ll check into it and update our article accordingly next go round!
Best!
Laura
David
Would like to no more about ur company payroll
Laura Handrick
Hi David,
Fit Small Business is a small business education and software review site — we don’t sell payroll software. However, we provide great articles to help you choose the best payroll software for your company. Here are a few articles to check out. Best of luck to you! Laura, HR Staff Writer
https://fitsmallbusiness.com/how-to-do-payroll/
https://fitsmallbusiness.com/gusto-vs-adp/
https://fitsmallbusiness.com/payroll-outsourcing-services/
https://fitsmallbusiness.com/free-payroll-software/
https://fitsmallbusiness.com/adp-payroll-competitors/
D Meyers
Has anyone reviewed eSmart Paycheck? they seem to have a free paycheck calculator, as well as a full online payroll service for a nominal cost. Interested to know what others think before entering a lot of personal data.
Laura Handrick
Hi D,
As a free paycheck calculator that wasn’t on our radar, but we’ll check into before our next review. I did a quick look-see at their reviews (from other sites and noticed a BBB issue, and otherwise only 3 or 4 star ratings out of 5. I added the link below for those curious in the meantime. If you do try it, chime in and let us know how it goes. However, if it were my business, and I was going to pay for a service, it would be Gusto, hands down. You get so much for $39/month plus $6 per month per employee… Here are some of our side-by-side comparison articles.
Laura, SPHR, HR Writer
https://fitsmallbusiness.com/best-payroll-software-reviews/
https://fitsmallbusiness.com/finding-the-right-payroll-solution/
http://www.esmartpaycheck.com/