Gusto is a popular payroll tool, and for good reason. It’s user-friendly, handles taxes automatically, and works well for many small teams. But it’s not the right fit for every business. Whether you’re looking for lower costs, simpler features, or better support for contractors and hourly workers, there are solid alternatives worth knowing about. This post breaks down three of the best options so you can find the one that actually fits how you run your business.
1. OnPay: Best Overall Value for Small Businesses
OnPay is consistently ranked as one of the top Gusto alternatives, and it’s easy to see why. The pricing is straightforward — a flat base fee plus a small per-employee charge each month — with no surprise add-ons for things like W-2 filings or benefits administration. Everything is included.
OnPay handles federal, state, and local payroll taxes automatically, and it supports a wide range of business types including restaurants, farms, nonprofits, and professional services. If you’ve been frustrated by Gusto’s tiered pricing or found yourself paying for features you don’t use, OnPay is worth a close look. Customer support is also a strong point — you get access to real humans, not just a help center.
2. Patriot Payroll: Best Budget Option for Very Small Teams
If you’re running a lean operation with just a few employees and want to keep payroll costs as low as possible, Patriot Payroll is one of the most affordable choices on the market. It offers two tiers: a basic plan where you handle your own tax filings, and a full-service plan where Patriot handles everything for you.
The interface is simple and doesn’t require any payroll experience to navigate. It’s not packed with HR extras or employee self-service portals, but if all you need is reliable, accurate payroll at a low monthly cost, Patriot delivers. It’s a particularly good fit for sole proprietors adding their first few employees, or for businesses where the owner handles most administrative tasks themselves.
3. Rippling: Best for Growing Businesses That Want More Than Payroll
Rippling is a step up in both features and price, but if your business is growing and you’re managing a mix of employees and contractors — or you need HR, benefits, and IT management in one place — it can save you a lot of time and hassle. Payroll runs in as little as 90 seconds once you’re set up, and the platform integrates with hundreds of business apps.
Rippling isn’t the cheapest option, but for businesses that have outgrown simple payroll tools and need a more connected system, it’s a powerful choice. Think of it as a long-term investment in reducing administrative work as your team scales.
The right payroll software depends on your budget, team size, and how much you want the software to do for you. OnPay is a safe choice for most small businesses. Patriot wins on price for the smallest teams. And Rippling makes sense if you’re building toward growth. Take advantage of free trials where available, and prioritize the features you’ll actually use every pay period.