Best Payroll4Free Alternatives in 2026
The top Payroll4Free alternatives are PayFWDs, MIP Payroll and Patriot Payroll: 15 nonprofit payroll software our editors would look at instead of Payroll4Free, in our ranking order.
Payroll4Free: A practical free payroll option for nonprofits with nine or fewer payees. Where it falls short: tax deposits and filings require a paid service.
Switching from Payroll4Free? For most nonprofit payroll software buyers the best Payroll4Free alternative is PayFWDs, built for nonprofits allocating payroll to grants and programs.
Why People Look for a Payroll4Free Alternative
- Tax deposits and filings require a paid service
- Direct-deposit services carry additional fees
- Free service is limited to nine or fewer payees
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallPayFWDs9.2
Nonprofits allocating payroll to grants and programs
Visit PayFWDs - Lowest pricePatriot Payroll8.5
Paid plans from $17/mo
Visit Patriot Payroll
All 15 Payroll4Free 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 Payroll4Free:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.8
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 forNonprofits needing fund-accounted payroll
- Better than Payroll4Free:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.8
A strong fit for fund-accounted nonprofit payroll inside MIP Accounting.
- Nonprofit tax support
- Multi-state payroll
- Tax filing included
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit MIP Payroll -
Best forBudget-conscious nonprofits
- Better than Payroll4Free:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.8
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
- Better than Payroll4Free:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 7.8
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 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
Payroll4Free Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Payroll4Free?
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.
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Payroll4Free?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Patriot Payroll starts lowest, at $17/mo.
Why do people look for Payroll4Free alternatives?
Tax deposits and filings require a paid service; Direct-deposit services carry additional fees; Free service is limited to nine or fewer payees.
How do I switch from Payroll4Free?
Export your data from Payroll4Free (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 Payroll4Free.
How to Switch from Payroll4Free
- Export your data from Payroll4Free (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 Payroll4Free.
Payroll4Free vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Tax filing included | Multi-state payroll | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Payroll4Free | Yes | $15/mo | Yes | Yes | 7.8 |
| 1 | PayFWDs | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | ||
| 2 | MIP Payroll | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | ||
| 3 | Patriot Payroll | No | $17/mo | Yes | Yes | 8.5 |
| 4 | Justworks Benefits | No | Yes | Yes | 8.0 | |
| 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
- Payroll4Free vs PayFWDs
- Payroll4Free vs MIP Payroll
- Payroll4Free vs Patriot Payroll
- Payroll4Free vs Justworks Benefits
- Payroll4Free vs ChurchSoftware Payroll
- Payroll4Free vs CDM+
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update