Best Payroll Services of 2025
Compare top-rated payroll providers to streamline operations, ensure compliance, and support your business growth
Staff Writer
Arorix Editorial Team
Updated: June 14, 2025, 5:29pm
1
9.8
Patriot Payroll – Best Budget Payroll for LLCs
- Starts at $17/month + $4/employee
- Straightforward, no-frills payroll with strong U.S. support
- Great entry point for first-time employers managing payroll in-house
2
9.5
Square Payroll – Great for Contractors & Retailers
- Starts at $35/month + $5/employee or $5/contractor-only
- Easy to use with Square POS and 1099 support
- Ideal for first-time users paying contractors or shift-based teams
- Ideal if you’re already using Square or have a 1099-heavy teamItem
- Flat $40/month + $6/employee
- Offers full tax filing, benefits integration, and HR tools
- Helpful for LLCs needing multi-state payroll without hidden fees
- Starts at $40/month + $6/employee
- Combines payroll, benefits, HR, and tax filing in one platform
- Designed for new businesses with limited HR experience
- Starts at $35/month + $8/employee (modular pricing)
- Advanced automation across HR, IT, payroll, and compliance
- Great for tech-savvy first-time founders wanting full-stack control
- Starts at $45/month + $6/employee
- Syncs directly with QuickBooks accounting and tax tools
- Easiest for businesses already managing books in QuickBooks Online
- Best choice if your books already live in QuickBooks
- Typically starts at $39+/month + employee fees
- Offers live rep access and customizable HR services
- Great for owners who want personal guidance during setup
- Custom pricing (usually $50+ base + per-employee fees)
- Trusted brand with enterprise-level tools and integrations
- Scales easily, but better if you expect complex payroll needs early on
- Starts at $59/employee/month
- Bundles payroll, HR, benefits, and compliance into one service
- Best for LLCs/Corps that want to outsource HR from day one
Best for LLC Payroll on a Budget
- $17/month + $4/employee
- Simple, no-frills interface
- Great for first-time users
9.8
2
Best for Contractors + Retail
- $35/month + $5/employee
- Contractor-only option
- Great for first-time users
9.5
3
- $40/month + $6/employee
- Payroll, benefits, HR built-in
- No hidden multi-state fees
4
- $40/month + $6/employee
- Payroll + HR + tax platform
- Good for new founders
5
- $35/month + $8/employee
- Modular HR + IT automation
- Built for tech-savvy teams
6
- $45/month + $6/employee
- Syncs with QB accounting
- Best if you’re already in QB
7
- Starts at $39/month
- Live rep setup + HR tools
- Flexible, customizable plans
8
- Custom pricing | Starts ~$50+
- Enterprise-level features
- Good for growing teams
9
- $59/employee/month
- PEO with payroll + HR bundle
- Ideal for full-service setup
Looking for a Complete All-in-One Solution?
Best Overall Business Launch Solution
- EIN, docs, & custom branding included
- Access to Arorix OSâ„¢ business dashboard
- Website, CRM, and automation tools built-in
9.9
*We strive to keep pricing and service details accurate and up to date. However, actual pricing, features, and availability may vary by provider and are subject to change. Always confirm the latest details directly with the provider. Our rankings and reviews are based on independent research and real user feedback.
How Payroll Services Work
Payroll services help small businesses pay employees and contractors accurately and on time. A quality payroll provider will handle wage calculations, direct deposits, tax withholdings, and government filings for both W-2 and 1099 workers.
Most modern systems also include:
- Automated payroll runs
- Filing of federal, state, and local taxes
- Year-end W-2s and 1099s
- Direct deposit and check options
- Employee portals to access pay stubs and tax documents
Some services bundle payroll with HR tools, benefits administration, and time tracking.
What To Look For in a Payroll Provider
Not all payroll systems are created equal. Here are the key features to look for when choosing the right service for your LLC, Corporation, or small team:
Transparent pricing – Know what you’re paying per month and per employee
W-2 and 1099 support – Ensure the platform can handle both employee and contractor types
Tax filing and compliance – Look for automatic state and federal tax handling
Integrations – Check for compatibility with accounting tools like QuickBooks or Xero
Ease of use – A simple, modern dashboard will save hours every month
Customer support – Live chat, phone, or a dedicated rep can make onboarding much smoother
Key Features of Payroll Services
The best payroll systems do more than just process paychecks. These are the essential features small business owners should look for when choosing a provider:
Automated Payroll Processing
Calculates wages, deductions, and taxes automatically—no manual entry required.
Tax Filing and Compliance
Files federal, state, and local payroll taxes on your behalf, including W-2 and 1099 forms.
Direct Deposit and Pay Options
Supports direct deposit, mailed checks, and sometimes pay cards to suit your team’s needs.
W-2 and 1099 Generation
Automatically generates year-end tax documents and delivers them to your employees and contractors.
Employee Self-Service Portals
Employees can view pay stubs, tax forms, and update information without involving admin staff.
Multi-State Payroll Support
Manages tax compliance and filings for remote workers in different states.
Time Tracking and PTO Management
Some platforms offer built-in tools to track hours, vacations, and sick days—automatically syncing with payroll.
Benefits Integration
Enables you to offer benefits like health insurance and 401(k), with automated deductions and compliance features.
Accounting & HR Integrations
Syncs with accounting tools like QuickBooks or Xero, and may connect to HR platforms for onboarding and compliance.
Common Payroll Mistakes to Avoid
First-time employers often make costly mistakes when setting up payroll. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Missing tax deadlines – Late filings can lead to IRS penalties
- Misclassifying workers – Know the difference between W-2 employees and 1099 contractors
- Not reporting in multiple states – If your team is remote, you may owe taxes in multiple jurisdictions
- Skipping payroll for yourself – As an S-Corp owner, you’re required to pay yourself a reasonable salary
A good payroll service will help you avoid these issues and stay compliant from day one.
How Arorix Helps You Choose the Right Payroll Solution
At Arorix, we analyze and compare the top payroll platforms across price, features, and real-world performance—so you don’t have to. Whether you’re forming your first LLC or scaling a small corporation, we break down:
What each provider includes (and what it doesn’t)
Where the hidden fees are
Which payroll tools are best for your size and structure
We only recommend services we’d use ourselves—and many include affiliate discounts to help you save.
