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Best Free Payroll Software For Small Businesses

These free payroll software options are reliable, offer solid payroll features, and best of all, have zero cost.

    Davina Ward

  • Last updated onUpdated

    • Chelsea Krause

  • REVIEWED BY

    Chelsea Krause

    Lead Staff Writer

Our content reflects the editorial opinions of our experts. While our site makes money through referral partnerships, we only partner with companies that meet our standards for quality, as outlined in our independent rating and scoring system.

Free payroll software doesn’t offer the same level of functionality that you have to pay for when using the best payroll software. However, there are a few free payroll services that will enable you to pay your employees without paying a software subscription fee.

We’ve researched several free payroll software solutions and chosen the top performers. If free is the best you can do right now, you might find a winner on this list.

Learn More About Our Top Picks

CompanyBest ForNext StepsBest For
Payroll4Free

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  • Best overall free-payroll software
  • Up to 10 employees
  • Unlimited customer support
  • Best overall free-payroll software
  • Up to 10 employees
  • Unlimited customer support

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TimeTrex Workforce Managment

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  • Best free payroll software for employee time tracking
  • No employee limits
  • Multiple integrations available
  • Best free payroll software for employee time tracking
  • No employee limits
  • Multiple integrations available

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eSmart Paycheck

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  • Best free paycheck calculator
  • No employee limits
  • Calculates federal and state taxes
  • Best free paycheck calculator
  • No employee limits
  • Calculates federal and state taxes

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Read more below to learn why we chose these options.

The Best Free Payroll Software

Free payroll software should keep payroll software costs at zero and offer all the essential features needed to pay employees, including paycheck calculation, deduction management, and check printing. The top free payroll software solutions include:

A Closer Look At Our Top Choices

Payroll Tax Filing FeePayroll Processing TimeTime TrackingNumber Of IntegrationsNumber Of Users Supported
Payroll4Free$350/year2-4 daysNoNoneFewer than 10
TimeTrex Workforce ManagmentNo tax support with free versionVariesYes65+Varies
eSmart Paycheck$75-$450/year1-2 daysNoNo1-40

Payroll4Free: Best Overall Free Payroll Software

Payroll4Free

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Read our Review

Total Rating 3.0
Pricing3.6

Ease Of Use2.7

Features3.1

Customer Service2.6

User Reviews3.1

Payroll Processing Time

2-4 days

Pricing Range

$0/mo - $40/month

Business Size

Small businesses with up to 10 employees (additional employees add monthly costs)

Pros

  • Free direct deposit and tax calculations
  • Free basic service for businesses with 10 or fewer employees
  • Strong security features
  • Unlimited customer support

Cons

  • Windows only
  • Direct deposit through Payroll4Free’s own bank is not free
  • 10-employee limit for free services

Why We Chose Payroll4Free For Best Overall

Overall, Payroll4Free earned 3/5 stars with the software offering essential payroll features for small businesses, a generous free plan, and optional tax services for businesses that are looking for inexpensive full-service payroll software

With Payroll4Free, small businesses can keep costs down without sacrificing tax support, employee time off management, the ability to pay employees via check or direct deposit, or solid customer support.

Payroll4Free Fees

Payroll4Free Plans Price  When To Use
Payroll4Free Standard Plan $0/month If you need very basic payroll processing services for up to 10 employees per month

If you want to use Payroll4Free to pay 11 or more employees, you’ll need to pay a monthly fee.

Payroll4Free Extra Costs Price
Batch Processing Fee For 11-25 Employees Paid $10/payroll run that month
Batch Processing Fee For 25+ Employees Paid $35/payroll run that month
Payroll4Free’s Direct Deposit Service $35/month or $350/year
Full-Service Tax Support $35/month or $350/year
Direct Deposit & Tax Support Bundle $40/month or $400/year
Payroll Tax Filing Fee $350/year

Payroll4Free Features

The free version of Payroll4Free places no limits on payroll or direct deposit processing and doesn’t require upgrading to a higher-tier plan to enjoy its basic features.

Payroll4Free Features Availability
Payroll Tax Support Paid Add-On
Auto-Schedule Payroll
Bonus Payroll
Off-Cycle Payroll
Employee Management
Paid Time Off
Time Tracking
HR Support
Onboarding Support
Benefits Administration
Number Of Reports 10+
Number Of Integrations None
Number Of Users Supported Fewer than 10

Features that Payroll4Free offers at no additional cost include:

  • Multiple Payment Methods: Pay via direct deposit of paper check; print paystubs.
  • Pay Multiple Worker Types: Pay your employees and contractors at no extra cost.
  • Employee Management: Employees can view their payroll data via an employee dashboard portal and owners can manage employee time off.
  • Tax Support: Free tax calculation at the federal, state, and local levels; completed tax form generation.
  • Data Management: Import or export payroll data (into QuickBooks, for example; import time clock data).
  • Customer Support: Payroll4Free also offers extensive customer support, including US-based phone support and free account set-up.

What To Watch Out For

  • Payroll4Free is only compatible with Windows. However, if you have a Mac running the Windows operating system, the software will work on your Mac.
  • Payroll4Free is ad-supported. To generate the revenue needed to operate Payroll4Free, the software hosts ads that users see when navigating the system. Fortunately, the ads shouldn’t be a hindrance.
  • Only 10 paid employees or contractors are supported when using Payroll4Free. If your business exceeds this number, you’ll no longer be eligible for Payroll4Free’s no-cost services.

When To Use Payroll4Free

  • Completely free payroll processing for 10 or fewer employees
  • Payroll software that calculates payroll taxes
  • Essential payroll features
  • Support for importing QuickBooks timesheets
  • Basic employee management features

Get Started With Payroll4Free

Read our in-depth review

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TimeTrex Workforce Managment: Best Free Payroll Software For Employee Time Tracking

TimeTrex Workforce Managment

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Read our Review

Total Rating 3.7
Pricing3.3

Ease Of Use4.3

Features4.1

Customer Service2.1

User Reviews4.4

Payroll Processing Time

Varies

Pricing Range

$0-$100+/month

Business Size

Small businesses - international enterprises

Pros

  • HR management tools
  • Can be integrated with other payroll services (such as ADP and QuickBooks)
  • Automated multi-week scheduling
  • Web-based time clocks

Cons

  • No tax filing assistance on free version
  • Customer support is limited to a community forum
  • Clunky interface and UI

Why We Chose TimeTrex

We love TimeTrex's free cloud-hosted payroll software that includes web-based time clocks. TimeTrex's free plan is a good option for small businesses that are looking for a solid mix of HR and basic payroll features.

Businesses using TimeTrex can run payroll, track employee time, and manage employee data from TimeTrex's platform. There are no limits to the number of employees you can pay on TimeTrex's free Community plan, so the software can scale with your business.

TimeTrex Fees

TimeTrex does not have any fees on its free plan. TimeTrex offers paid plans, but doesn’t include any further pricing details. You’ll need to request a quote to learn more about which paid plan makes sense for your business, should you choose to upgrade.

TimeTrex Workforce Managment Plans Price  When To Use
Open Source Community Edition $0 A free open source workforce management software with unlimited employees and international payroll support, but no customer service available
Professional Edition $50/month+ If you want a basic workfroce management software for managing time tracking, employee scheduling, payroll, and HR
Corporate Edition $80/month+ If you want an advanced workforce management software that adds job costing, GEO fencing, and AR
Enterprise Edition $100/month+ If you want an advanced workforce management software that adds recruiting, onboarding, applicant tracking, and expense management

TimeTrex’s paid plans include other services, such as a mobile app and on-site service in addition to its web portal support. However, customers on TimeTrex’s free plan still have access to the service’s basic features.

TimeTrex Features

TimeTrex Workforce Managment Features Availability
Payroll Tax Support
Auto-Schedule Payroll
Bonus Payroll
Off-Cycle Payroll
Employee Management
Paid Time Off
Time Tracking
HR Support
Onboarding Support
Benefits Administration
Number Of Reports 30+
Number Of Integrations 65+
Number Of Users Supported Varies

TimeTrex offers its most basic payroll features for free under its Community Edition service plan. The TimeTrex Community Edition is exclusively cloud-hosted, doesn’t require any downloads or software installations, and comes with free features:

  • Payroll: Pay employees and contractors via direct deposit of paper check integrated attendance and scheduling.
  • Employee Management: Track employee time and attendance, manage schedules, and manage employee time off.
  • Payroll Tax Support: Generate tax reports, including W-2, W-3, 1099, 940, and 941-specific reports; free payroll tax calculator (federal, state, and local taxes).

What To Watch Out For

  • TimeTrex’s customer support is very limited. On its free plan, TimeTrex offers support by way of its community-led forum. Otherwise, you’re essentially on your own.
  • TimeTrex’s free plan doesn’t offer any tax filing support. This solution is best for businesses that have some familiarity with payroll tax filing or those who will be filing taxes with the aid of a tax professional.
  • TimeTrex’s interface is a bit clunky. Although the software was surprisingly easy to use, it’s definitely missing the smoothness and fluidity of modern paid payroll software.

When To Use TimeTrex

  • Your business pays hourly workers
  • You’re looking for a combined payroll and scheduling software solution
  • Your business needs attendance tracking
  • Your business needs payroll software that can be integrated with your existing software stack

Get Started With TimeTrex Workforce Managment

Read our in-depth review

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eSmart Paycheck: Best Free Payroll Check Calculator

eSmart Paycheck

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Read our Review

Total Rating 2.1
Pricing3.8

Ease Of Use2.9

Features1.3

Customer Service3.3

User Reviews0.0

Payroll Processing Time

1-2 days

Pricing Range

up to $450/year

Business Size

Micro businesses - Very small businesses

Pros

  • 100% free payroll check calculator
  • Customizable withholdings
  • Easy to use
  • 401k contribution tracking

Cons

  • Limited customer support
  • Limited to just paycheck calculation
  • No local tax support

Why eSmart Paycheck Is The Best Check Calculator

We chose eSmart Paycheck because it offers an easy-to-use, customizable, and reliable paycheck calculator with paycheck and paystub printing. Simply input your employee's hourly or salaried earnings, deductions, filing status, state, and other relevant information to generate a detailed paycheck and pay stub for your employee.

eSmart Paycheck is free to use for individuals or businesses but doesn't automatically save each paycheck unless you register your business.

eSmart Paycheck Fees

eSmart Paycheck Plans Price  When To Use
eSmart Paycheck Free Calculator $0 If you want a free way to calculate your employee’s net pay, including withholdings and deductions
eSmart Paycheck Online Payroll Management $75-$450/year If you want a very basic, affordable payroll software solution that includes payroll tax filing

eSmart Paycheck is free to use and even offers a free account for businesses that wish to save their paychecks. Businesses using eSmart Paycheck can pay for paid access to federal and state payroll forms and tax filing support at various prices.

eSmart Paycheck Features

eSmart Paycheck Features Availability
Payroll Tax Support
Auto-Schedule Payroll
Bonus Payroll
Off-Cycle Payroll
Employee Management
Paid Time Off
Time Tracking
HR Support
Onboarding Support
Benefits Administration
Number Of Reports
Number Of Integrations
Number Of Users Supported 1-40

eSmart Paycheck’s free plan is more of a payroll calculator than it is a full-fledged payroll software solution. Small business owners can use eSmart Paycheck to input employee wages and withhold information to run payroll themselves. Standout free features include:

  • Paycheck and pay stub downloads and printing
  • State-specific payroll calculators (no local tax support)
  • Adjustable pay cycles
  • Web-based access from anywhere with an internet connection
  • Federal and state withholding calculator

eSmart Paycheck Dashboard

eSmart Paycheck – Home Dashboard

What To Watch Out For

  • eSmart Paycheck doesn’t automatically calculate local taxes. You’ll need to add customized deductions when using eSmart Paycheck. For example, eSmart Paycheck doesn’t automatically calculate the various personal income taxes in Portland, Oregon.
  • Don’t expect quick customer support when using eSmart Paycheck. While eSmart Paycheck offers some customer support, you’re generally limited to email, fax, or snail mail, as eSmart Paycheck itself even adds a disclaimer about its very limited phone support.
  • eSmart Paycheck isn’t good for much outside of paycheck calculation and printing. You’re not going to get time tracking, third-party integrations, or really much of anything beyond paycheck calculation when using eSmart Paycheck. It’s a solid solution for what it does, but it should only be a supplement to businesses that are able to manage all other payroll functions, including tax filing, time tracking, benefits administration, and more using another solution (or manually).

When To Use eSmart Paycheck

  • Your business pays employees with paper checks
  • You need free payroll software that can calculate payroll taxes
  • Your business has many custom deductions
  • You don’t need advanced payroll or HR features
  • You have a firm grasp on how to calculate payroll and file taxes

Get Started With eSmart Paycheck

Read our in-depth review

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Methodology

Merchant Maverick has been researching and reviewing payroll providers since 2018. Our writers have tested more than 75 different payroll software systems, evaluating pricing, features, ease of use, customer service, and user reviewers. Read more about how we rate payroll providers.

Weighted Rating Breakdown

Features 40%
Ease Of Use 20%
Customer Service 20%
Pricing 10%
User Reviews 10%

When comparing different apps, we consider over seventy data points, including the speed and cost of payroll runs, federal and state tax filing features, HR integrations, employee management tools, time tracking, and more. Our lists of the best providers include only apps we’ve deemed worthwhile from several vantage points. The payroll apps we pick are widely available and relatively easy to train on, with robust features and reasonable pricing. We also look carefully at features such as employee and client portals, user onboarding services, PTO management, benefits administration, multistate compliance, and more.

We spend an average of 10-15 hours researching and updating each one of our lists, making sure the providers included meet our internal standards for quality and reputation.

75+

Vendors evaluated

76

Attributes assessed per vendor

26

Features weighed

20+

Combined years of experience


Which Free Payroll Software Is Best For Your Business?

Free payroll software can help your business save time running payroll, improve accuracy, and get payments out on time. However, finding good small business payroll software free of charge is a big ask. Many free payroll options have limitations in fulfilling all your tax filing and compliance needs. There are certainly more options beyond our three picks, but other free programs may lack security measures that could put your small business at risk.

If you’re going the free payroll software route, you’re not likely to get any help come tax time, and payroll taxes can pack a punch. It’s best to familiarize yourself with payroll taxes, forms, and filing deadlines before switching to any payroll software, paid or otherwise. That way, you can decide whether you prefer a full-service payroll solution that includes tax support or if you’d rather handle everything yourself.

If none of these free payroll options cut it for your business, take a look at these cheap payroll software options — these payroll software apps are still affordable but offer better features and support than free payroll software.

Try A Top Pick For Payroll

ADP Payroll

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Read our Review

We like ADP Payroll for its advanced employee management, strong payroll features, and great customer support. Get three months free when you sign up through our links!

Free Payroll Software FAQs

Where can I find payroll software free trials?

ADP Payroll, Gusto, QuickBooks Online Payroll, Wave Payroll, and Patriot Payroll all offer free trials for new businesses trying their payroll software.

Is free payroll software worth it?

Small businesses that are running on a limited budget and that need tools to run payroll themselves benefit the most from using free payroll software.

That said, free software won’t have as many features or be as scalable for a growing company as a paid software app would be. If you don’t want to have to switch payroll software down the road, you should go with a payroll service like ADP or Gusto instead.

When should I upgrade to paid payroll software?

If you need well-developed features for time tracking, document management, and HR resources, you’ll probably need to purchase a paid service plan. Automation of big tasks like scheduling payroll cycles and filing tax withholding also usually come with paid payroll software, and the time you save from these automations could be more than worth the cost of upgrading from free payroll software.

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Davina Ward

Davina Ward

Expert Contributor
Davina began writing for small businesses in 2018 and has since gained expertise in the SaaS industry. She earned her Bachelor’s of Arts in English Literature from SUNY Geneseo in 2018. She currently resides in New York.
Davina Ward
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