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Head-to-head · Direct Deposit Payroll

Patriot Payroll vs SurePayroll

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Patriot Payroll #4 in Direct Deposit Payroll 8.7/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Patriot
SurePayroll #5 in Direct Deposit Payroll 8.5/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit SurePayroll

Patriot Payroll leads on 1 check, SurePayroll on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorePatriot Payroll · 8.7/10
  • Lowest starting pricePatriot Payroll · $17/mo
  • Free trialonly Patriot Payroll
  • Most featuresSurePayroll · 2 of 2

Patriot Payroll scores higher on our rubric for direct deposit payroll: 8.7 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #5.

Patriot Payroll is cheaper to start at $17/mo against $20/mo.

Patriot Payroll is the better fit for small businesses seeking low-cost direct deposit. SurePayroll is the better fit for small restaurants paying tipped employees.

  • Patriot Payroll fits best

    Small businesses seeking low-cost direct deposit

  • SurePayroll fits best

    Small restaurants paying tipped employees

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Side by side

Feature Patriot Payroll 8.7/10 Visit ↗ SurePayroll 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.5
Ranking #4 in Direct Deposit Payroll #5 in Direct Deposit Payroll
Best for Small businesses seeking low-cost direct deposit Small restaurants paying tipped employees
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $17/mo (best) $20/mo
Free plan — —
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs Phone, Live chat
Built for Small business, Mid-market Small business, Solo
Features Patriot Payroll 1/2 · SurePayroll 2/2
Payroll tax filing ✓ ✓
Employee self-service Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Pay frequency Not checked yet Not checked yet
Deposit speed Not checked yet Not checked yet
Payroll countries Not checked yet Not checked yet
Employee limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Basic Payroll includes free direct deposit and unlimited payrolls.
  • Automatic payroll, employee and contractor portals, and payroll reports are included.
  • Full Service adds federal, state, and local tax filings and deposits.
  • Supports tipped wages, tip reporting and multiple employee pay rates
  • Full Service includes tax filing and free 2-day direct deposit
  • Employees can access paystubs and tax forms through self-service
Cons
  • Basic Payroll leaves tax remittance to the employer.
  • Tax filing requires the $37-per-month Full Service Payroll plan.
  • Time and attendance is optional rather than included.
  • Plans have monthly base and per-employee charges
  • No Tax Filing excludes payroll tax filing and deposits
  • Restaurant POS integration is not established
Our verdict

Patriot Payroll is online payroll software for U.S. businesses, nonprofits, charities, and foundations. It handles payroll calculations, direct deposit or printable checks, and supports both employees and contractors through separate…

Read the review →

SurePayroll is an online payroll service from Paychex for small businesses, including restaurants that pay tipped employees. Its restaurant payroll support includes tip reporting and multiple pay rates for different roles. Employees can…

Read the review →
  1. Patriot PayrollDirect Deposit Payroll 8.730-day trial
  2. SurePayrollDirect Deposit Payroll 8.5Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Patriot Payroll — where it wins

    • Basic Payroll includes free direct deposit and unlimited payrolls.
    • Automatic payroll, employee and contractor portals, and payroll reports are included.
    • Full Service adds federal, state, and local tax filings and deposits.

    Where it doesn't

    • Basic Payroll leaves tax remittance to the employer.
    • Tax filing requires the $37-per-month Full Service Payroll plan.
    • Time and attendance is optional rather than included.

  • SurePayroll — where it wins

    • Supports tipped wages, tip reporting and multiple employee pay rates
    • Full Service includes tax filing and free 2-day direct deposit
    • Employees can access paystubs and tax forms through self-service

    Where it doesn't

    • Plans have monthly base and per-employee charges
    • No Tax Filing excludes payroll tax filing and deposits
    • Restaurant POS integration is not established

More comparisons

All direct deposit payroll comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update