Best PenSoft Payroll Alternatives in 2026
The top PenSoft Payroll alternatives are RUN Powered by ADP, QuickBooks Payroll and Xero Payroll: 15 small business payroll software our editors would look at instead of PenSoft Payroll, in our ranking order.
PenSoft Payroll: A desktop-first payroll option for firms that need multi-company processing and tax calculations. Where it falls short: tax filing is a separate service, not included with the subscription..
Switching from PenSoft Payroll? For most small business payroll software buyers the best PenSoft Payroll 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 PenSoft Payroll Alternative
- Tax filing is a separate service, not included with the subscription
- Annual subscriptions start at $689 and rise with the employee tier
- The desktop program is Windows-based; the web option is hosted payroll
- No tax filing included — 2 of the alternatives below have it
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 - Best for tax filing includedRUN Powered by ADP9.2
Tax filing included (PenSoft Payroll: no)
Visit RUN Powered by ADP
All 15 PenSoft Payroll Alternatives, Ranked
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Best forSmall businesses wanting established, full-service payroll
- Better than PenSoft Payroll:
- Tax filing included
- Editor score 9.2 vs 5.7
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 PenSoft Payroll:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 5.7
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 PenSoft Payroll:
- Tax filing included
- Editor score 9.0 vs 5.7
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 PenSoft Payroll:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 5.7
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 PenSoft Payroll:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 5.7
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 PenSoft Payroll:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 5.7
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 PenSoft Payroll:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 5.7
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 PenSoft Payroll:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 5.7
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 PenSoft Payroll:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 5.7
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 PenSoft Payroll:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 5.7
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 PenSoft Payroll:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 5.7
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 PenSoft Payroll:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 5.7
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 PenSoft Payroll:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 5.7
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 PenSoft Payroll:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 5.7
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 PenSoft Payroll:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 5.7
Canadian payroll with CRA filings, year-end forms, and employee self-service.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Wagepoint
PenSoft Payroll Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to PenSoft Payroll?
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 PenSoft Payroll?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Patriot Payroll starts lowest, at $17/mo.
Why do people look for PenSoft Payroll alternatives?
Tax filing is a separate service, not included with the subscription; Annual subscriptions start at $689 and rise with the employee tier; The desktop program is Windows-based; the web option is hosted payroll.
How do I switch from PenSoft Payroll?
Export your data from PenSoft 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 PenSoft Payroll.
How to Switch from PenSoft Payroll
- Export your data from PenSoft 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 PenSoft Payroll.
PenSoft Payroll vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Tax filing included | Direct deposit | Pay frequencies | Employee self-service | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | PenSoft Payroll | No | $689/yr | No | Yes | null | Yes | 5.7 |
| 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