Best MIP Payroll Alternatives in 2026
The top MIP Payroll alternatives are PayFWDs, Patriot Payroll and Justworks Benefits: 15 nonprofit payroll software our editors would look at instead of MIP Payroll, in our ranking order.
MIP Payroll: A strong fit for fund-accounted nonprofit payroll inside MIP Accounting. Where it falls short: pricing requires a demo or sales contact.
Switching from MIP Payroll? For most nonprofit payroll software buyers the best MIP Payroll alternative is PayFWDs, built for nonprofits allocating payroll to grants and programs. On a budget, Payroll4Free starts at $15/mo. Payroll4Free has a free plan. Payroll4Free offers the most employee limit (9 employees).
Why People Look for an MIP Payroll Alternative
- Pricing requires a demo or sales contact
- Integration centers on MIP Accounting
- Cloud and on-premise options add deployment decisions
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallPayFWDs9.2
Nonprofits allocating payroll to grants and programs
Visit PayFWDs - Lowest pricePayroll4Free7.8
Paid plans from $15/mo
Visit Payroll4Free - Best free optionPayroll4Free7.8
Has a free plan
Visit Payroll4Free - Most employee limitPayroll4Free7.8
9 employees
Visit Payroll4Free
All 15 MIP Payroll Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forNonprofits allocating payroll to grants and programs
- Better than MIP Payroll:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 8.8
A nonprofit-focused payroll platform built for grant allocation and multi-state compliance.
- Nonprofit tax support
- Contractor payments
- Multi-state payroll
9.2/10★★★★★Visit PayFWDs -
Best forBudget-conscious nonprofits
Affordable nonprofit payroll with exemption settings, contractor payments, and optional tax filing.
- Nonprofit tax support
- Contractor payments
- Multi-state payroll
8.5/10★★★★☆Try Patriot Payroll -
Best forNonprofits prioritizing benefits administration
A benefits-focused payroll and HR platform for nonprofits managing employee coverage.
- Nonprofit tax support
- Contractor payments
- Multi-state payroll
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Justworks -
Best forVery small nonprofits seeking free payroll
A practical free payroll option for nonprofits with nine or fewer payees.
- Contractor payments
- Multi-state payroll
- Tax filing included
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Payroll4Free -
Best forChurches needing straightforward payroll
A focused church payroll add-on with nationwide processing and core tax features.
- Multi-state payroll
- Tax filing included
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit ChurchSoftware -
Best forNonprofits needing accounting plus payroll
A broad nonprofit accounting suite with payroll integration, starting at $25 monthly.
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit CDM+ -
Best forQuickBooks-centered nonprofits
A QuickBooks-focused payroll service with tax filing, direct deposit, and employee self-service.
- Multi-state payroll
- Tax filing included
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit QuickBooks -
Best forNonprofits needing dependable tax payroll
A payroll-focused option for nonprofits that need tax filing across multiple states.
- Multi-state payroll
- Tax filing included
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit OnPay -
Best forSmall nonprofits needing simple payroll
A practical payroll option for small nonprofits that want simple online administration.
- Multi-state payroll
- Tax filing included
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit SurePayroll -
Best forSmall nonprofits wanting broad HR and payroll
A broad payroll and HR platform for small nonprofits without a free plan.
- Time tracking
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit Gusto -
Best forTech-oriented nonprofits needing connected HR
A connected HR and payroll platform for nonprofits with technical operations.
- Time tracking
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit Rippling -
Best forMid-sized nonprofits needing integrated HCM
A broad HCM platform for nonprofits that need payroll alongside workforce operations.
- Time tracking
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit Paylocity -
Best forGrowing nonprofits needing full HCM coverage
Paycor combines payroll, HR, time, performance and workforce tools in one platform.
- Time tracking
5.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Paycor -
Best forEstablished nonprofits needing mature HCM
A broad HCM platform for established nonprofits that need payroll and workforce management.
- Time tracking
5.8/10★★★☆☆Visit ADP -
Best forNonprofits wanting comprehensive HR automation
A broad HR and payroll suite for nonprofits that want one employee-data system.
- Time tracking
5.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Paycom
MIP Payroll Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to MIP Payroll?
PayFWDs: #1 in our Nonprofit Payroll Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. A nonprofit-focused payroll platform built for grant allocation and multi-state compliance.
Is there a free alternative to MIP Payroll?
Yes. Payroll4Free has a free plan or a free tier.
What is the cheapest paid alternative to MIP Payroll?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Payroll4Free starts lowest, at $15/mo.
Why do people look for MIP Payroll alternatives?
Pricing requires a demo or sales contact; Integration centers on MIP Accounting; Cloud and on-premise options add deployment decisions.
Which MIP Payroll alternative has the most employee limit?
Payroll4Free, with 9 employees.
How do I switch from MIP Payroll?
Export your data from MIP Payroll (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel MIP Payroll.
How to Switch from MIP Payroll
- Export your data from MIP Payroll (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel MIP Payroll.
MIP Payroll vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Tax filing included | Multi-state payroll | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | MIP Payroll | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | ||
| 1 | PayFWDs | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | ||
| 2 | Patriot Payroll | No | $17/mo | Yes | Yes | 8.5 |
| 3 | Justworks Benefits | No | Yes | Yes | 8.0 | |
| 4 | Payroll4Free | Yes | $15/mo | Yes | Yes | 7.8 |
| 5 | ChurchSoftware Payroll | No | $25/mo | Yes | Yes | 7.7 |
| 6 | CDM+ | No | $25/mo | 7.1 | ||
| 7 | QuickBooks Payroll | No | $50/mo | Yes | Yes | 6.9 |
| 8 | OnPay | No | Yes | Yes | 6.8 | |
| 9 | SurePayroll | No | $20/mo | Yes | Yes | 6.6 |
| 10 | Gusto | No | 6.4 | |||
| 11 | Rippling | 6.2 | ||||
| 12 | Paylocity | No | 6.0 | |||
| 13 | Paycor | No | 5.9 | |||
| 14 | ADP Workforce Now | 5.8 | ||||
| 15 | Paycom | No | 5.7 |
Head-to-Head
- MIP Payroll vs PayFWDs
- MIP Payroll vs Patriot Payroll
- MIP Payroll vs Justworks Benefits
- MIP Payroll vs Payroll4Free
- MIP Payroll vs ChurchSoftware Payroll
- MIP Payroll vs CDM+
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update