Best Rise Alternatives in 2026
The top Rise alternatives are PayFWDs, MIP Payroll and Patriot Payroll: 15 nonprofit payroll software our editors would look at instead of Rise, in our ranking order.
Rise: A broad HR and payroll platform for small nonprofits that need more than payroll. Where it falls short: start adds a base fee alongside its per-employee price.
Switching from Rise? For most nonprofit payroll software buyers the best Rise 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, which Rise does not. Payroll4Free offers the most employee limit (9 employees).
Why People Look for a Rise Alternative
- Start adds a base fee alongside its per-employee price
- Grow and Optimize require contacting Rise for pricing
- Its focus is broad HR management, not nonprofit-only workflows
- No free plan — 1 of the alternatives below has it
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 (Rise has none)
Visit Payroll4Free - Most employee limitPayroll4Free7.8
9 employees
Visit Payroll4Free
All 15 Rise 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 Rise:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 5.3
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 Rise:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 5.3
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 Rise:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 5.3
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 Rise:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 5.3
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
- Better than Rise:
- Free plan
- Editor score 7.8 vs 5.3
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
- Better than Rise:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 5.3
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
- Better than Rise:
- Editor score 7.1 vs 5.3
A broad nonprofit accounting suite with payroll integration, starting at $25 monthly.
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit CDM+ -
Best forQuickBooks-centered nonprofits
- Better than Rise:
- Editor score 6.9 vs 5.3
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
- Better than Rise:
- Editor score 6.8 vs 5.3
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
- Better than Rise:
- Editor score 6.6 vs 5.3
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
- Better than Rise:
- Editor score 6.4 vs 5.3
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
- Better than Rise:
- Editor score 6.2 vs 5.3
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
- Better than Rise:
- Editor score 6.0 vs 5.3
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
- Better than Rise:
- Editor score 5.9 vs 5.3
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
- Better than Rise:
- Editor score 5.8 vs 5.3
A broad HCM platform for established nonprofits that need payroll and workforce management.
- Time tracking
5.8/10★★★☆☆Visit ADP
Rise Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Rise?
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 Rise?
Yes. Payroll4Free has a free plan or a free tier.
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Rise?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Payroll4Free starts lowest, at $15/mo.
Why do people look for Rise alternatives?
Start adds a base fee alongside its per-employee price; Grow and Optimize require contacting Rise for pricing; Its focus is broad HR management, not nonprofit-only workflows.
Which Rise alternative has the most employee limit?
Payroll4Free, with 9 employees.
How do I switch from Rise?
Export your data from Rise (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 Rise.
How to Switch from Rise
- Export your data from Rise (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 Rise.
Rise vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Tax filing included | Multi-state payroll | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Rise | No | 5.3 | |||
| 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 | Payroll4Free | Yes | $15/mo | Yes | Yes | 7.8 |
| 6 | ChurchSoftware Payroll | No | $25/mo | Yes | Yes | 7.7 |
| 7 | CDM+ | No | $25/mo | 7.1 | ||
| 8 | QuickBooks Payroll | No | $50/mo | Yes | Yes | 6.9 |
| 9 | OnPay | No | Yes | Yes | 6.8 | |
| 10 | SurePayroll | No | $20/mo | Yes | Yes | 6.6 |
| 11 | Gusto | No | 6.4 | |||
| 12 | Rippling | 6.2 | ||||
| 13 | Paylocity | No | 6.0 | |||
| 14 | Paycor | No | 5.9 | |||
| 15 | ADP Workforce Now | 5.8 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update