Best Payroller Alternatives in 2026
The top Payroller alternatives are RUN Powered by ADP, QuickBooks Payroll and Xero Payroll: 15 small business payroll software our editors would look at instead of Payroller, in our ranking order.
Payroller: A free, mobile-first payroll option for Australian solo operators, with paid web access and Xero integration. Where it falls short: the free lite plan is mobile-only.
Switching from Payroller? For most small business payroll software buyers the best Payroller alternative is RUN Powered by ADP, built for small businesses wanting established, full-service payroll. On a budget, Patriot Payroll starts at $17/mo.
Why People Look for a Payroller Alternative
- The free Lite plan is mobile-only
- Xero integration and superannuation are listed under Standard
- Timesheets and rostering are presented as a separate plan
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallRUN Powered by ADP9.2
Small businesses wanting established, full-service payroll
Visit RUN Powered by ADP - Lowest pricePatriot Payroll8.1
Paid plans from $17/mo
Visit Patriot Payroll
All 15 Payroller 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. How we rank.
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Best forSmall businesses wanting established, full-service payroll
- Better than Payroller:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 6.6
Full-service payroll with tax filing, direct deposit and optional HR support.
- Direct deposit
- Tax filing included
- Employee self-service
9.2/10★★★★★Visit ADP -
Best forU.S. small businesses already using QuickBooks
- Better than Payroller:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 6.6
Automates payroll taxes and direct deposit for small businesses in the QuickBooks ecosystem.
- Employee self-service
9.1/10★★★★★Visit QuickBooks -
Best forUK businesses needing detailed HMRC payroll support
- Better than Payroller:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 6.6
A UK-focused payroll option with pension reporting, multiple pay schedules and Xero accounting plans.
- Direct deposit
- Tax filing included
- Employee self-service
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Xero -
Best forUK small businesses needing payroll and workforce tools
- Better than Payroller:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 6.6
UK payroll with HMRC submissions, employee self-service and workforce tools.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Sage -
Best forSmall businesses pairing payroll with HR and benefits
- Better than Payroller:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 6.6
Payroll with HR, benefits, onboarding, and time tracking in one cloud platform.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Gusto -
Best forMid-sized firms needing payroll within a broad HR suite
- Better than Payroller:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 6.6
A broad payroll and HR platform for mid-sized and enterprise organizations.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit ADP -
Best forSmall firms prioritizing mobile workforce management
- Better than Payroller:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 6.6
A broad workforce platform for small firms that value mobile access and employee self-service.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Paylocity -
Best forSmall firms seeking payroll within a connected HR platform
- Better than Payroller:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 6.6
Payroll sits within a broad HR platform that also connects time, benefits, and workflows.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Rippling -
Best forU.S. small businesses with varied pay schedules
- Better than Payroller:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 6.6
Flexible payroll for varied schedules, tipped wages, and teams across all 50 states.
- Employee self-service
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit OnPay -
Best forRestaurants with tipped and multi-rate payroll
- Better than Payroller:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 6.6
Payroll built for tipped teams, with optional attendance and HR tools.
- Employee self-service
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit APS Payroll -
Best forCanadian small businesses handling year-end tax forms
- Better than Payroller:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 6.6
A Canada-focused payroll platform with automated tax slips, remittances, and employee self-service.
8.2/10★★★★☆Try PaymentEvolution -
Best forBudget-conscious U.S. small businesses
- Better than Payroller:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 6.6
Unlimited payroll runs and contractor payments start at $17 per month.
8.1/10★★★★☆Try Patriot Payroll -
Best forU.S. teams paying employees and contractors across states
- Better than Payroller:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 6.6
Automates U.S. employee and contractor payroll, with multi-state coverage and accounting integrations.
- Employee self-service
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Justworks -
Best forSolo employers and small restaurants with tipped staff
- Better than Payroller:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.6
A small-business payroll service with tip support, tax filing, and mobile access.
- Employee self-service
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit SurePayroll -
Best forCanadian small businesses wanting straightforward payroll
- Better than Payroller:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 6.6
Canadian payroll with CRA filings, year-end forms, and employee self-service.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Wagepoint
Payroller Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Payroller?
RUN Powered by ADP: #1 in our Small Business Payroll Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. Full-service payroll with tax filing, direct deposit and optional HR support.
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Payroller?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Patriot Payroll starts lowest, at $17/mo.
Why do people look for Payroller alternatives?
The free Lite plan is mobile-only; Xero integration and superannuation are listed under Standard; Timesheets and rostering are presented as a separate plan.
How do I switch from Payroller?
Export your data from Payroller (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 Payroller.
How to Switch from Payroller
- Export your data from Payroller (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 Payroller.
Payroller vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Tax filing included | Direct deposit | Pay frequencies | Employee self-service | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | Payroller | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | Weekly, fortnightly, monthly, quarterly | Yes | 6.6 |
| 1 | RUN Powered by ADP | No | — | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | 9.2 |
| 2 | QuickBooks Payroll | No | $50/mo | — | — | — | Yes | 9.1 |
| 3 | Xero Payroll | No | £39/mo | Yes | Yes | weekly, fortnightly, four-weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually | Yes | 9.0 |
| 4 | Sage Payroll | No | — | — | — | — | — | 8.9 |
| 5 | Gusto | No | — | — | — | — | — | 8.8 |
| 6 | ADP Workforce Now | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8.7 |
| 7 | Paylocity | No | — | — | — | — | — | 8.6 |
| 8 | Rippling | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8.5 |
| 9 | OnPay | No | — | — | — | — | Yes | 8.4 |
| 10 | APS Payroll | No | — | — | — | — | Yes | 8.3 |
| 11 | PaymentEvolution | No | — | — | — | — | — | 8.2 |
| 12 | Patriot Payroll | No | $17/mo | — | — | — | — | 8.1 |
| 13 | Justworks Payroll | No | — | — | — | weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, monthly | Yes | 8.0 |
| 14 | SurePayroll | No | $20/mo | — | — | — | Yes | 7.9 |
| 15 | Wagepoint | No | CA$20/mo | — | — | — | — | 7.8 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update